End of the Year Survey

Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner always puts together a great End of the Year survey.  Here is my contribution!

2015 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 164

Number of Re-Reads:2
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

Best in Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2015? 

Hands down: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

This would definitely be Illuminae.  I was very interested in it and the reviews looked amazing.  I love unconventional writing styles.  Buuuttt, it felt like I've read the story before.  And if it weren't for the way it was written, I would have given up on it.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

I would say this book surprised me the most because I don't really like apes or monkeys, so I probably wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't for wanting to read as many Newberry Award winners as I can.  But this book was much more bittersweet and deeply felt than I expected.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

I always push The Scorpio Races because I adore it.  I also told everyone to read A Darker Shade of Magic.

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Best Series Started: Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Best Sequel: Hero by Althea Kontis

Best Series Ender: Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee

   


6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Simone St. James.  I love her ghost stories!


7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This would go to The Martian.  It took me a long time to consider it because I don't generally go for hard Sci-Fi or science-y type books.  But I'm so glad I did because it ended up being one of my top 5 reads this year.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

The action just didn't really stop.

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Everyone, say it with me: A Darker Shade of Magic


10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

A toss up between these two:

 


11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows


12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

One by Sarah Crossan

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

I thought this was an incredibly important book, even if it came across a liiitttle preachy at times.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

After reading Past Perfect and basically hating it, I was really hesitant to read this one, but all the reviews said I really should  I actually listened to it on audiobook and really really liked it (even though, as a parent, I was terrified for the MC!)

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

Amy Poehler's Yes Please had some great lines:

“Saying “yes” doesn’t mean I don’t know how to say no, and saying “please” doesn’t mean I am waiting for permission.” 

“The only way we will survive is by being kind. The only way we can get by in this world is through the help we receive from others. No one can do it alone, no matter how great the machines are.” 

“Because what else are we going to do? Say no? Say no to an opportunity that may be slightly out of our comfort zone? Quiet our voice because we are worried it is not perfect? I believe great people do things before they are ready.” 

“Emotions are like passing storms, and you have to remind yourself that it won’t rain forever. You just have to sit down and watch it pour outside and then peek your head out when it looks dry.”


16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Longest at 648 pages: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.

Shortest at 89 pages: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant


17. Book That Shocked You The Most

This book was way better than I thought and it got to me a few times.  Especially since I can't handle "end of the world" type books very well.  And that ending...

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

This wasn't a big shipping year for me.  A few of my stalwart ships got all messed up and now I don't know what I want.  But, since I reread this book, I'm going to include Jase and Samantha because they are adorable and I love them.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

I'm going to go with Rhys and Kell.  Although...I do think Kell has some secret feelings for Rhys.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I'll go with Six of Crows here.  I adore the Grisha universe and was so happy to be back in it.  I thought this book was a tad long, but I liked the characters and I am looking forward to reading the sequels.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

I tried to read Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce a long time ago and didn't enjoy it.  This steered me away from Tamora Pierce, which saddened Elizabeth from So Long and Thanks for All the Fish so much that she when she met Pierce at a book signing, she had her dedicate one of her other books to me and secretly sent it to me.  I mean, how can you say no to that level of dedication?  And I really enjoyed it!  

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

I'll have to go with Kell again.  What can I say?  It WAS the best book I read this year.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

I didn't read a ton of debut books this year, but I thought this one was pretty good!

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

I think we can all guess what my answer will be:

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Being a huge fan of The Princess Bride, I was all smiles reading this book.  And to top it off, I got to meet Cary Elwes and have him sign it.  He is absolutely charming in real life.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

I'm not a big crier, but here are a few that got under my skin:

  


27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I ran across this book on my Newberry Award winners list and listened to it on audiobook.  Considering it wasn't published all that long ago, I'm surprised it wasn't better known!  It is dark and creepy, but very very good.  I recommend checking it out.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Only because I actually read it.  And felt dead inside while doing so.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

I would have to say this book.  The story was hilarious and totally different than anything else I've read.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Probably Queen of Midnight.  I spent 60% of the book being very annoyed by just about everything.  

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Winter by Marissa Meyers

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

This looks really cool!

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

Read more!  Since I quit my full time job, I am not longer commuting an hour to work each way, so my designated reading time is gone.  I usually prioritize everything else before reading when I am at home.  I need to make more time for it.


6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

I haven't read any yet!  Any suggestions for me?