2011 is almost over, so you know what that means? It's time for Jamie's 2nd annual END OF YEAR BOOK SURVEY! I participated in this last year and loved all the questions Jamie proposed. So of course I had to join in the fun again this year. Since I have a full year under my belt of reading/blogging (last year I only had about 4 months) the questions are SO MUCH TOUGHER. Geeze. There is no way I can pick just one book for any of these, so I cheated a bit ;-)
If you'd like to join the end of year book hoopla, be sure to check out The Perpetual Page-Turner and link-up your post.
1. Best book(s) read in 2011?
- Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling series) by Megan McCafferty
- The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer series) by Jenny Han
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
- Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
2. Most disappointing book/book you wish you loved more than you did?
- Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting - I had such high hopes for this book after reading The Body Finder in 2010, which I LOVED. The second in this series just fell flat for me though. I missed that creepy vibe I got in the first book and I totally missed the new-love aspect between Violet and Jay. It felt forced in this one.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
- Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway - I was recommended this by a few bloggers earlier this year because they knew how much I adore music in my books. Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I fell in love with Audrey's voice and this fun adventure she took us on. The music references were spot on for me & I laughed page after page. Read my more detailed reviewed here.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - hands down the MOST talked about book from my mouth this year. I pushed this book on to every one I know possible. I wish I knew how many people found me on twitter by asking, are you the one who loves those Jenny Han books?
- Divergent by Veronica Roth - I recommended this book to a lot of my IRL friends. They would come to me & ask what they should read next. This book immediately came to mind and so far it hasn't failed. It has just the right amount of suspense & romance with tons of adventure thrown in. It's a wild ride that I'm sure will appeal to a wide range of readers.
5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
- Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready - you may remember a little thing called #TeamKilt that went down this past summer on the tweets? Well, I was proud to be a part of that! Zachary from the Shade series made it to the final round of the YA Crush Tourney and what a fight he gave Jace Wayland! I loved it. I love this series even more. Jeri Smith-Ready has done a superb job of twisting together paranormal with teenage angst. I can't wait for the 3rd & final book to be released in 2012.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
- John Corey Whaley - his book Where Things Come Back completely blew me away. It's the kind of story that sticks with you long after you've finished it and lingers inside your mind. I am amazed by this being his debut novel and have so much hope for his following books. I know he will bring great things. Since reading his book, having him on the blog for an interview, and hosting a giveaway; we've become friends. He truly is a one-of-a-kind person that I have enjoyed getting to know better. So much love for this dude's writing!
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or a new genre for you?
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - what?! Ginger read an adult novel?? I know, shocking. I wanted to see the movie, but figured I should read the book first. Best idea ever! I'm usually iffy on adult books because I enjoy the quick pace of YA's, but this one moved along just fine.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - this book meant business, people. From the exceptional writing, to the quick pace - omg what is going to happen next?! - moments, I seriously was unable to put this book down until I finished it. I'm pretty sure I held my breath from cover to cover. It was THAT intense.
9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
- City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare - it had been 2 years since I visited the world of Jace and Clary. I was itching to get my hands on the pages of their story. I pre-ordered my special edition copy from Barnes & Noble, but could not wait the few days after for it to be mailed to me. So on the day of it's publication, I downloaded a copy to my nook so I could start reading right away!
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta - I first fell in love with the Aussie cover of this book before I even read it. I wanted to know WHO that guy was walking down the street, carrying his shoes. Where was he going? Where had he been? There was so much rawness in just this one photograph that I immediately downloaded the e-book to my nook so I could find out more. Then, after finishing this unbelievable story about Thomas Mackee, I ordered myself the Aussie cover of this book online (waited the 3 weeks to be shipped to me) and now plan to frame it on my wall. Yes, I am that much in love with it.
11. Most memorable character in 2011?
- Ruby Oliver from The Boyfriend List (series) by E. Lockhart - this girl had me laughing SO hard. I identified with her more than any other young female in a book. I loved her cynical, yet endearing ways. Oh to be seventeen again and learning life.
12. Most beautifully written book in 2011?
- Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - the writing in this story moved so fluidly with such poetic ease. I was blown away by the mental picture Cath Crowley created with just words on a page. I couldn't get enough of it. There's something to be said about Aussie writers. They truly have a gift.
- Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley - this story struck an emotional chord with me for how different it was from anything else I'd ever read. Mr. Whaley's ability to take two separate characters and intertwine their paths in to something quite beautiful changed me as a reader. I loved the honesty and rawness presented on each page. This story is one I will come back to time and time again.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - this is the only book I read this year and was unable to write a review for. Not because I didn't like it, but because of the complete opposite. This story spoke to me on such a personal level. I was not just reading about this character named Charlie. I found myself submerged in to Charlie's world, sitting next to him, listening to all of his most intimate thoughts. This story is beautiful, yet heart breaking. It's the kind of book that changes you. I remember having to take a moment to collect my thoughts after I closed that final chapter. It was that powerful.
14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to read?
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - yes, I find it hard to believe myself that I waited until now to begin this series. As someone who's an avid YA reader, I felt like I was cheating myself by not experiencing the literary world of Harry Potter. I am so glad I finally sat down to read the first book in this series, and plan to finish the rest in 2012.
15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2011?
"Gone for awhile
Hoping, always, to return
If you will let me"
- Perfect Fifths (Jessica Darling series) by Megan McCafferty
"Her hands were freezing, just like they always were, so I warmed them, just like I always did." - Where She Went by Gayle Forman
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
"We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything." - It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
"5 a.m. is for lovers and lawn ornaments." - Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
16. Book you read in 2011 that you'd most likely re-read in 2012?
- Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols - this will be my re-read for every summer onward! It has every thing I love about a summer-time contemporary romance. I adored the two boys who lived next door, the gorgeous lake, and the teenage angst! Some of the steamiest scenes happened long after the sun went down.
17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it?
- Shift (Shade series) by Jeri Smith-Ready - The River Scene. That is all I'll say. WOAH.
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - the entire last half of the book. I still don't understand it.
- Where She Went by Gayle Forman - the scene on the bridge when Adam yells out, "I can't do this anymore." Best moment in a book, ever.
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2011
1. New favorite book blog discovered in 2011?
- Lisa from lisa is busy nerding - her fun, original voice is what captured my attention first. I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend and we could talk about books all day long. Our blog talks morphed in to epic car dancing talks, Mike Newton talks, Nerd talks, & the list could go on... Lisa blogs because she loves it and it shows in her posts. She's an honest reviewer and has truly become such an amazing friend to me. LOVE HER LIKE WOAH.
- Adam from Hitting on Girls in Bookstores - y'all, this dude is HYSTERICAL. His blog posts make me almost pee my pants, not even kidding. I love his personality that comes through in what he talks about. Hello! the dude typed up a guideline on HOW TO HIT ON A GIRL (or a guy in my case) IN A BOOKSTORE. I freaking love it.
2. Favorite review you wrote in 2011?
- Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley - this was probably the most difficult review for me to write, yet the most rewarding one to write as well. The book is very complex and had a lot of elements to it, so having to describe that to someone who has never heard of the book was hard at times. I felt like I did a good job of portraying the message, yet explaining my feelings for the book as well. Having the author tell me my words left him humbled, was an honor in more ways than one.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
- "The Reviews We Don't Write" - a TGIF post back in August that asked people to share the books they've read, but haven't reviewed for personal reasons. I found it interesting to see the list of books we don't mention on our blogs, yet they've had a profound impact on our reading lives.
4. Most thought-provoking discussion you read on someone else's blog?
- Reviews or discussion posts made by Carla or Jen. These two bloggers have such an honest voice when they blog that their words always provoke more brain activity from my end. I can't tell you how many times I've read a review on their blog & immediately went to order the book. I've also found myself tweeting well-thought discussions on their blogs that I know others may have an opinion on as well.
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
- I went to my FIRST book event this year, Teen Book Con here in Houston. I got to meet some fab authors, but the highlight of this event was meeting & hanging out with Lindsi, Capillya, & Tara all weekend!
- I took a trip to Chicago & spent a few (AMAZING) days with Anna & Tara. I have now fallen in love with that city & can't wait to go back & hang out with these girls again.
- I also met & have now become good friends with a few local bloggers that I simply adore! Lena, Cynthia, Jess, & Sarah make author signings, lunch dates, and movie nights the best!
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?
- Reaching my one year blogoversary! I learned so much in just the first year & can't wait for the next years to come.
- Meeting Jenny Han (and totally fangirling to her face!) at the Austin Teen Book Festival.
- Meeting the guys from SafetySuit, tweeting about it live with all my followers, & then sharing THIS post about the entire experience. One of the best moments of my life, ever.
7. Most popular post on your blog this year?
- My one year blogoversary post got the most love this year! Thanks y'all :)
8. Post you wish got a little bit more love?
- My Perfect Fifths (Jessica Darling series) review by Megan McCafferty - maybe it's b/c it contained spoilers & people who had not read the series yet didn't want to be spoiled? but I was sad it didn't get that much attention. This book is the BEST ending to a series that I have ever read. I've already re-read it twice, and may need to do it again. It captured every thing so... perfectly ;-)
9. Best bookish discovery (websites, bookstores, etc.)?
- Indie bookstore across the country! Shout out to Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville for sending me a signed copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver for my giveaway when the event here got canceled due to bad weather. Also huge amounts of love to Constellation Books in Maryland for sending me a signed *personalized* copy of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready. I also got myself a signed copy of We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han from Books of Wonder in NYC on it's release date. Yay for indie bookstores that ship!
10. Did you complete any reading goals/challenges set at the beginning of the year?
- I challenged myself to read 100 books on goodreads this year, but I sort of failed at it. The count is still going, but I'll be lucky to hit 85 before the end of the year. I was ahead of the challenge all year, and then something happened in September... my life got chaotically busy & reading took a back seat. I've been trying to play catch up ever since. Better luck next year, I guess.Looking Ahead...
1. One book you didn't get to in 2011, but will be your number one priority in 2012?
- The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa & Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead - I seriously need to finish both of these series. I've been hanging on to the last book for each, for too long now. I'm starting to forget things & that's not good.
2. Book you are most anticipating for 2012?
- Insurgent by Veronica Roth - it's the follow up to one of my most favorite reads of 2011, so you bet your booty I am most looking forward to this one!!
- Something Like Normal by Trish Doller - this debut author has been on my radar for a few months now & I can not wait to devour her first novel. I have such high hopes for it and I know it won't let me down.
3. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2012?
- CONTINUE! I know book blogging can be time consuming for a lot of people & the task may seem daunting. I do this because I enjoy it, not because I feel like I have to. My goals for next year is to keep producing positive content to contribute to the book blogging community. I adore the relationships I've made, both professional and personal, through this experience & I hope that continues as well.
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