Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 End of the Year Book Survey


Hosted by The Perpetual Page Turner. You can find the survey here.

Number Of Books You Read: 93
Number of Re-Reads: 14
Genre You Read The Most From: YA Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

I DO have to cheat. My top 3 were Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Winter by Marissa Meyer.


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


 Ash and Bramble by Sarah Prineas, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck. They were all okay...

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


Seraphina. Most definitely GOOD.

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


 Tiger Lily!

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


 The Lunar Chronicles. Winter was a great series ender.

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?


 Erin Morgenstern.

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


 Stargirl. I don't read much Middle Grade.

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


 The Knight by Steven James.

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


 The Night Circus. I'm not much one for audiobooks but I think I'll have to give the audio version a try. It is narrated by Jim Dale.

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


 Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson. Amazing book, too.

11. Most memorable character of 2015?


 Carswell Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?


 The Night Circus.

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


 How God Became King by N.T. Wright.

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


 Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

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


   “Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.”  

From The Night Circus.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?


 Paralyzed Dreams by C.B. Cook (shortest) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (longest).

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most.


Opening Moves by Steven James.

Um. Cannibalism.

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


Cress and Thorne from the Lunar Chronicles.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year


 Patrick Bowers and his step-daughter Tessa from The Patrick Bowers files.

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


 The Heir by Kiera Cass.  *shrugs* So I'm a sap.

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


 Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. And I'm glad I did!

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


 Meh.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?


 I read maybe 2 or 3 total... :( But, I enjoyed Before Beauty by Brittany Fichter!

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


 The Night Circus. I tell you, I was IN that circus.

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


 Enchanted by Alethea Kontis!


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


 None. I am a cold and unfeeling brick. But I guess Tiger Lily came closest?

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?


 Rebels by Jill Williamson!



28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?


 Um, my soul is still very much intact and healthy, thank you, but I guess I could say TIGER LILY. In the best way.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?


Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor. Eesh.

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


Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs *sigh* It had some redeeming qualities, but unfortunately I did not like it.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?


 Ohh, there are so many! But I started my blog at the end of last year so I can't really remember when I discovered all of my favorites: 2014 or 2015. So I'm just going to list some of my very favorites: Paper Fury, Sometimes I'm a Story, Bookish Serendipity, Summer Snowflakes, A Writer's Faith. But, seriously, I have so many that I should stop now! If you want more, you should check out this post!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?


Mini Reviews of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Tarzan of the Apes, and The Mark of Zorro.
And my review of The Heir by Kiera Cass.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?



4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?


 I didn't go to anything, but participating in readathons has been fun.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?


JUST. ALL OF IT. :D

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?


Making enough time. Since starting college in August it's been hard for me....

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?


 Most commented on: New Discoveries Tag (This is one of my favorite posts! It's great to share blogs I love!)

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?


 Oh, I dunno...

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?


I discovered a Hastings store close to where we live, so that's nice!

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?


I completed the Fairy Tale Challenge! But not the Goodreads challenge, unfortunately. Life got busy.

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


 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.


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


The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, and The Crown by Kiera Cass.

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?


 The Star-Touched Queen, Blackhearts, and The Girl from Everywhere all sound amazing!

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


The Mirror King and The Crown.

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


 I hope to blog more consistently and comment on more people's blogs.

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


I haven't read one!

That's my year in review! Currently, I'm reading The Wrath and The Dawn. Maybe I'll finish it before this year ends!

22 comments:

  1. Good post! "Winter" was awesome! And "The Night Circus" is one I want to get to in 2016. I read some of it and it was enchanting!
    And "Tiger Lily." You sure do make that one sound pretty amazing.
    Happy New Year!

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    1. Haha. I realize Tiger Lily isn't for everyone, buuut I sure loved it!

      Thanks for stopping by, Grace! Happy New Year!

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  2. I was really surprised by Tiger Lily and loved it as well :)
    Happy new year, looking forward to your 2016 posts! :)

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  3. I really have to read Winter this year. I actually got it from my library on the release day and I was so excited but then school had to get super busy right then and I had to return it before I could finished. That was sad. I also want to read Tiger Lily and the Night Circus this year. I am in love with beautiful books, and I've heard that both of these are just gorgeous.

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    1. Yes, Ana! Read alll the books! :) But especially Winter. That's just tragic that you didn't get to finish it. School is always getting in the way for me too :P

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  4. AHHH YES. Rebels is a gem. The entire series, in fact, is fantastic, but yes, Rebels is quite good.

    You know, I saw Enchanted while I was working at the library the other day. I just might have to check that one out. :)

    Thanks so much for mentioning my blog! :D


    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com

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    1. Yes! The Safe Lands will definitely be a reread.

      Oh, you should! It was super sweet!

      You're welcome! XD

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  5. YES to all of these! Tiger Lily is one of my favorite books of all time (that writing is just gorgeous!) and I adored Winter too (such a great end to the series). Thanks for sharing this Ally and, as always, fabulous answers! ♥

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    1. I just fell in love with Tiger Lily! I'm glad you loved it too :) Thanks for stopping by, Zoe!

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  6. I'm actually (finally) reading Winter at the moment and I desperately NEED to read Seraphina, Tiger Lily, Night Circus and a Harry Potter reread is also in the works for 2016 :D I actually own Night Circus and an e-copy of Seraphina so I need to get my hands on Tiger Lily...and maybe a hardcopy of Seraphina since I'm so sure I'll love it XD Looks like you had an awesome year bookish/blogging-wise in 2015. Here's to an even better one in 2016 and with all the amazing books coming out next year, it shouldn't be a problem! Awesome post^^ and thanks for stopping by my blog earlier ♥ New follower via Bloglovin' and GFC!

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    1. They are definitely must read books! In my humble opinion... XD And I did have an awesome year! Thank you so much, Micheline!

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  7. Great end of the year post! I couldn't find an actual tag to do so... I didn't really do one!

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  8. Happy New Year! You will love The Hobbit, I promise <3

    That passage from The Night Circus is beautiful. I read it a few years ago but I think I was maybe a bit young cause I really didn't "get" it, whereas everyone else loves it.

    I've seen Seraphina around a bit but it's never really attracted me, so I'm glad to hear it was a good surprise!

    Emily @ Ink, Inc.

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    1. I did start the Hobbit, but never finished it and had to return it to the library. I was enjoying it, though, and look forward to finishing it!

      Oh, I think you should try reading it again. I wouldn't have loved it a few years ago either, but now it's one of my favorites!

      Thanks, Emily!

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  9. Fun list and fun picks. The Night Circus... That book was amazing! Dark, but amazing. The writing and characterizations and the way the writing flowed... Glad you liked it.

    I have yet to read Winter, but I'm hoping to this week and review it as well and that I'll love it as much as I've loved the whole series. Walk on Earth a Stranger is also one I desperately need to read and love the cover for.

    Enchanted... That is still a favorite read. Love how much I laughed and swooned. Tiger Lily I started, but never finished. I really should try again.

    Anyway... Have a great New Year and thanks for stopping by!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. I hope you enjoy Winter and Walk on Earth a Stranger! Enchanted was such a fun read! I hope to get to the rest of the series soon!

      Thanks, Tressa! Happy New Year!

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  10. I loved Winter, too! :D I have to agree that Carswell Thorne is among my favorite characters. <3 Also, thanks for listing my blog as one you're glad you discovered this year! That's very sweet of you, and I appreciate it. :D Thanks for sharing your favorite books, Ally! :D

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    1. Thorne is hilarious :) Of course, Heather! I love your blog XD

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