2013 End of Year Survey

It's that time of year again - time to look back and reflect on all the books read this year! If you want to join in, you can find out all about it by visiting the creator, Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner. Read on for my answers:

Best in Books 2013

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)
That’s easy - hands down, Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield. I haven’t reviewed this one because I don’t think I can coherently do it justice but maybe one day. AMAZING.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Everbound by Brodi Ashton – I loved Everneath and had high for the sequel but if you’ve read my review, you’ll know I wasn’t a fan.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Just One Day by Gayle Forman – Last year I read If I Stay and wasn’t a fan but I decided to try Forman’s new series and I LOVED IT. I rated it 5 stars.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
Considering how much I loved it, probably Friday Brown.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
Pivot Point by Kasie West – Need. Sequel. Now.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
Vikki Wakefield – After Friday Brown, I will happily read whatever she writes and I’m anxiously anticipating her future books.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Matilda by Roald Dahl (the audiobook) – I’ve never had success with audiobooks until April reviewed and bought this recent audiobook edition with Kate Winslet reading, to my attention. I wholeheartedly recommend; this would make a great gift for children (and even the parents. My mum loved it).

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
Pivot Point by Kasie West – I couldn’t bear to part with it so I walked around the house with it, trying not to bump into things. I mostly succeeded.

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield – Did I mention I loved this? LOVE. (I must be crazy though as this book tore my heart to shreds.)

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

11. Most memorable character in 2013?
Alaska Young from Looking for Alaska by John Green

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson – Beautiful and a new favourite. I’m SO excited for Jandy’s upcoming book in 2014.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield – This book hurt my soul and my heart. I love it even more so because of it.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
Again: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson – Beautiful, achy goodness. I must try and review this if I can!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?
“When I was little, I used to go to the local ice-skating rink. In my mind, I always felt like I could twirl and jump, but when I got out onto the ice, I could barely keep my blades straight. When I got older, that's how it was with people: In my mind, I am bold and forthright, but what comes out always seems to be so meek and polite. Even with Evan, my boyfriend for junior and most of senior year, I never quite managed to be that skating, twirling, leaping person I suspected I could be. But today, apparently, I can skate.” -- Just One Day by Gayle Forman

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
Shortest - The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, F. Scott (171 pgs)
Longest – Boundless by Cynthia Hand (448 pgs) OR The Diviners by Libba Bray, if I manage to finish it

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!
A certain scene from Boundless by Cynthia Hand was definitely a WTF moment for me. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read it but I don’t think I’ve forgiven the author for it yet and I haven’t reviewed it because it made me too angry. (pg 403-412)

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
The friendship between Friday and Silence in Friday Brown.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
No idea. People need to recommend me more books! (Not that I need any help growing a bigger TBR pile...)

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?
YA Contemporary, as always.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Alex from Where the Stars Still Shine

23. Best 2013 debut you read?
Pivot Point by Kasie West

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?
Spy Society by Robin Benway – Why so fun? Spies! This was adorable and I read it in less than 24 hours because it was so entertaining.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?
I went through a lot of tissues with books this year but Boundless (Unearthly, #3) by Cynthia Hand (the WTF moment I featured above) made me ugly cry.

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?
Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Louise Rozett – I think this series in general is overlooked. It’s cute, realistic, relatable, fun, entertaining.

Book Blogging/Reading Life 2013

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
I know I followed new blogs this year but I can’t think of a favourite. I'll let you know if I remember.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
Probably my review of Just One Day.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I really loved writing the Banned Books Week post, offering my teen perspective.

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
This post about How to Convert a YA Doubter into a YA Believer – awesome stuff, especially to those who have friends who hate on YA.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
The Perth Writers Festival was great. I heard Vikki Wakefield speak (author of Friday Brown, the book I can't stop mentioning in this post) and then met her as she signed my book and multiple copies. I was lost for words, managed to choke out "Friday Brown is one of the best books I've read all year" (which is stupid for two reasons because I'd only read like 3 other books so far and it's not just a favorite of the year but of ALL TIME). I'm so awkward.

6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
Can I say being mentioned in the Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer acknowledgments? I’ve never been blurbed (which is a dream for book bloggers) but this is just (if not more) as good. It makes me feel honored to be mentioned in such an awesome book!

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Apparently my Just One Day review got the most love! Who knew?

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
The Banned Books Week post I mentioned above as I put a lot of love into it. I’d love if you checked it out and gave me your thoughts on the matter!

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I can't say I discovered something new and bookish...

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I failed. It was epic and not of the good kind. As I always say, there’s always next year.

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?
No idea. I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?
Isla by Stephanie Perkins and Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson – these are just two of the many books I’m anticipating and I’ll stop thinking or I won’t be able to stop.

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
I want to read them all because they sound FANTASTIC. Pointe by Brandy Colbert is one of many on my wishlist.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?
Most series have lost or disappointed me and no longer interest me but The Elemental series is still going strong so yay! That’s another reason why I love these books – Brigid never fails to write an entertaining instalment and seems to better with each book in some way. I’m both anticipating and sad to see this series ending.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?
Read more (blogging so easily gets in the way of reading time) and continue to discover more amazing books that remind me of why I read. I love those kind of books.