Hosted by the wonderful Jamie @
The books used in this survey are from January 2012-November 2012. If I read any in December that just HAVE to be added, I'll come back and edit it
Best In Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Ha! Do you think I could honestly pick just one?? Not at all, so I'll list a couple.
(Genre list copied from Jamie @ Perpetual Page-Turner)
Adult fiction: The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
This year I read a lot more adult fiction than I ever have , but this series was by far my favorite. It's fun, fast-paced, sexy...and it has Jericho Barrons. 'Nuff said.
This year I read a lot more adult fiction than I ever have , but this series was by far my favorite. It's fun, fast-paced, sexy...and it has Jericho Barrons. 'Nuff said.
Contemporary YA: The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The Fault in our Stars by John Green, The Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han.
I used to roll my eyes at contemps, never really understanding why people would want to read about real life, especially tragic situations. Then at the end of 2011 I read The Summer I Turned Pretty and my mind was changed forever. I love contemps now, particularly the ones listed above.
I used to roll my eyes at contemps, never really understanding why people would want to read about real life, especially tragic situations. Then at the end of 2011 I read The Summer I Turned Pretty and my mind was changed forever. I love contemps now, particularly the ones listed above.
Dystopian YA: I read two dystopias this year....TWO! How incredibly lame is that??
This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Since I only read those two I can't really say I have a favorite...they were both only alright to me. 2013 I have a whole list of dystopians that I want to read since it is one of my favorite genres.
This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Since I only read those two I can't really say I have a favorite...they were both only alright to me. 2013 I have a whole list of dystopians that I want to read since it is one of my favorite genres.
Sci-fi/supernatural/paranormal-ish (big lumping together):
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Mara Dyer was so so good. Even though it has the cliff hanger of doom. I've had the Evolution of Mara Dyer for a couple of months now...but I'm too scared to read it!
I really liked Rachel Vincent's take on banshees in her Soul Screamers series. Can't wait to get to the rest of them.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Mara Dyer was so so good. Even though it has the cliff hanger of doom. I've had the Evolution of Mara Dyer for a couple of months now...but I'm too scared to read it!
I really liked Rachel Vincent's take on banshees in her Soul Screamers series. Can't wait to get to the rest of them.
Fantasy: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
The stigma that hangs over YA and middle grade books, that they are cheesy and have no literary merit, is so dumb. The Emerald Atlas proves that even a middle grade can have a great story. I adored this book.
The stigma that hangs over YA and middle grade books, that they are cheesy and have no literary merit, is so dumb. The Emerald Atlas proves that even a middle grade can have a great story. I adored this book.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
I really liked Personal Demons so I was thinking I'd like this one just as much...but it really fell flat for me. It just wasn't as good as the first one...not even my angel Gabe could save it.
I really liked Personal Demons so I was thinking I'd like this one just as much...but it really fell flat for me. It just wasn't as good as the first one...not even my angel Gabe could save it.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma- this one freaked me out a little bit. Definitely outside of my comfort zone, but it ended up being such a great, and tragic, story. Quite a few tears happened.
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han - The final book in a series or trilogy always worries me. Especially if the other books were really good. I was so nervous that the final book in the Summer Trilogy was going to be awful...but it ended wonderfully though.
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han - The final book in a series or trilogy always worries me. Especially if the other books were really good. I was so nervous that the final book in the Summer Trilogy was going to be awful...but it ended wonderfully though.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Divergent by Veronica Roth
I told people to read TFioS so that they could feel all the things with me.
And Divergent because people want another great dystopian after The Hunger Games, so that's what I tell them to check out.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
I told people to read TFioS so that they could feel all the things with me.
And Divergent because people want another great dystopian after The Hunger Games, so that's what I tell them to check out.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty!
Love it a whole lot!
Love it a whole lot!
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
John Green! TFioS was my first John Green book and it was fantastical. I can't wait to read more by him.
Michelle Hodkin. She created Noah Shaw...so that automatically makes her a favorite.
Michelle Hodkin. She created Noah Shaw...so that automatically makes her a favorite.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
2012 was the first year that I started reading some romance. That was a big change for me and most definitely out of my comfort zone. But I really enjoyed Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert. It was a fun read.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Being the last book of the series, Shadow Fever was an intense and very unputdownable read. Finally everything was being explained and was coming together.
Mara Dyer was so twisty and turny and it seemed like with the turn of every page more questions came to mind than answers. It was awesome.
Mara Dyer was so twisty and turny and it seemed like with the turn of every page more questions came to mind than answers. It was awesome.
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Even though I've already read TFioS twice, there is a very good chance I'll read it again in 2013. It's just too good not to read it on a regular basis.
The Summer trilogy are great summer reads. So when I get down to the coast next year, they will be in my beach tote...again :)
The Summer trilogy are great summer reads. So when I get down to the coast next year, they will be in my beach tote...again :)
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
I heart this cover so hard. It is beautiful. I love that it is underwater and that it is also intimate without being overtly sexual. It also wasn't one of those typical "beautiful girl staring longingly" covers.
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Noah Shaw from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.
Augustus Waters from The Fault in our Stars.
Conrad Fisher from The Summer Trilogy.
Jericho Barrons from The Fever Series.
Yeah...I have a penchant for awesome guy characters.
Augustus Waters from The Fault in our Stars.
Conrad Fisher from The Summer Trilogy.
Jericho Barrons from The Fever Series.
Yeah...I have a penchant for awesome guy characters.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab.
She has the most amazing gift when it comes to words. It was such a beautifully written book.
She has the most amazing gift when it comes to words. It was such a beautifully written book.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I went through some very tough things this year and this book really hit close to home. In the way that there is always someone there to help you up when you've fallen, there is always room for forgiveness, and that fresh starts are possible.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
I really wish I had picked this book up when I was in highschool. It most certainly would have helped with some of the situations I went through.
I really wish I had picked this book up when I was in highschool. It most certainly would have helped with some of the situations I went through.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
Oh lord.
“There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“He didn’t give me flowers or candy. He gave me the moon and the stars. Infinity
-Belly Conklin-”
― Jenny Han, We'll Always Have Summer
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“He didn’t give me flowers or candy. He gave me the moon and the stars. Infinity
-Belly Conklin-”
― Jenny Han, We'll Always Have Summer
“Headline?" he asked.
"'Swing Set Needs Home,'" I said.
"'Desperately Lonely Swing Set Needs Loving Home,'" he said.
"'Lonely, Vaguely Pedophilic Swing Set Seeks the Butts of Children,'" I said.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“I'm in love with you," he said quietly.
"Augustus," I said.
"I am," he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
"'Swing Set Needs Home,'" I said.
"'Desperately Lonely Swing Set Needs Loving Home,'" he said.
"'Lonely, Vaguely Pedophilic Swing Set Seeks the Butts of Children,'" I said.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“I'm in love with you," he said quietly.
"Augustus," I said.
"I am," he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Longest — Shadow Fever by Karen Marie Moning at 594 pages.
Shortest — My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers novella) at 61 pages.
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The end of Mara Dyer made my jaw drop. Pretty much I was like "WTH just happened?!!"
And the end of TFioS had me bawling and I just wanted to bawl with someone.
And the end of TFioS had me bawling and I just wanted to bawl with someone.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters. Hands down. The witty banter that they had is some of my favorite ever. John Green knows how to create some incredible characters.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
It's Not Summer Without You and We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. Melissa from "I Swim For Oceans" raved about it on her blog and twitter, so before I really knew anything about the book I decided to read it solely based on her love for that book.
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
I haven't been around that much in 2012 because of personal matters, so I've started following new blogs, but I haven't really had a chance to sit down and read them. I plan on changing that soon, so as soon as I do I'll post 'em here.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
Again, I haven't done very many posts in 2012 and even fewer reviews. But if I had to choose I guess I would say my review of "Anna and the French Kiss".
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
Discussion posts are where I have always lacked. I always have such a hard time coming up with ideas for them. It's on my blogger resolutions for 2013 to do more of them.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
I didn't read very many posts this year, sadly. And the ones that I did read were at the beginning of the year so I don't remember many of them :/
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I got to go to the Austin Teen Book Festival, again! This year I went by myself, which was different, but still lots of fun since I got to meet new people, go to whatever panels I wanted, and all that bookish goodness. And I got to meet Libba Bray which was so awesome!
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
There were a couple people at ATBF that told me they had heard of my blog, which was really surreal and incredible.
And right now is a good book blogging moment too. I've taken some time off from it to sort some difficult stuff out in my life and I finally feel ready to come back at full force again.
And right now is a good book blogging moment too. I've taken some time off from it to sort some difficult stuff out in my life and I finally feel ready to come back at full force again.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
My post on the incredibly nonsensical reasons for banning books has been my most popular.
My review on Letters to Elise by Amanda Hocking still gets a lot of visits too.
My review on Letters to Elise by Amanda Hocking still gets a lot of visits too.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Reviews seem to get the least amount of love...and not just on my blog, but a lot of blogs...which is weird since that is really the whole point of our blogs is reviews. So reviews. And my bookish crafts posts. I love the crafts that I find for those posts.
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Book playlists on Spotify. I love listening to what songs authors were inspired by for their stories.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I failed at most of my goals. I was going to read more books off my shelf, read more books that I already had on my Kindle, catch up on my NetGalley review books, and read 100 for the year. I was doing really well, then about May my whole life was changed and things just went downhill from there (book blogging wise, not so much life wise). I only read 50 books, put more NetGalley ARCs on my Kindle...barely touched the books on my bookshelf...haha good thing 2013 is a new year with new goals that I am going to try my hardest to keep this time.
Looking Ahead…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
The rest of the Harry Potter series.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
And the Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
And the Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
I'm working on my most anticipated list right now, so you'll have to check back on the blog to see what I put on it.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Keep up with the blog better and get a handle on my TBR pile. I haven't finished my blogging resolutions list yet, there will be some smaller goals set, but those are the biggest ones that I am going to focus on.
Can't wait to see what 2013 brings!
Can't wait to see what 2013 brings!
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