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)
Contemporary YA – LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP by Amy McNamara. Also, JUST ONE DAY by Gayle Forman. And ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell. Guys, these lists are so hard.
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic – CHAMPION by Marie Lu. OMG. No contest. Although THE 5TH WAVE was also excellent.
Historical Fiction – DARK TRIUMPH by Robin LaFevers. LOOK AT THAT. I narrowed it down to JUST ONE BOOK. *pats self on the back*
Paranormal — COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN by Holly Black. And THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST by Rick Yancey.
Science Fiction — THESE BROKEN STARS by Aimee Kaufman and Megan Spooner.
Fantasy — DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor.
Audiobook — THE SCORPIO RACES, narrated by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham. Also, THE NIGHT CIRCUS, narrated by Jim Dale.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I have more books for this than I usually do, ALAS HARD CORE! REQUIEM by Lauren Oliver takes the title, though, hands down. Seriously a bummer. But honorable sad mentions to JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman and EVERY DAY by David Levithan and it just didn’t work out so well for me.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Lovely, Dark and Deep lived up to its title for sure. I wish more people read it. In fact, I want to reread it! I keep thinking about it, even now that it’s been virtually an entire year since I read it.
4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
Oooooh, I have been talking up THE BURNING SKY to people, as well as CHAMPION. As always, since I reread it annually like an obsessed person, THE SCORPIO RACES.
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
I FINALLY read Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series this year and was surprised how much I enjoyed it, steampunk not usually being my thing. Also, thanks to my darling Alyssa, I started reading the Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier. I LOVE IT. I’m also listening to Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series right now and REALLY loving it.
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
I’ve got two for you: 1. Rick Yancey. I read two of his books this year and I loved them both. 2. Sarah Ockler. Took me entirely too long to read her stuff, and I’ve enjoyed both of her books thoroughly.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
This would be the Leviathan series, for sure. It’s definitely got me paying attention to steampunk!
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
I could not put THESE BROKEN STARS down. Honestly. I’m also trying to make this list with books that are already out, but I was super lucky enough to read CRESS this year (thanks, Brittany!) and that was as good as it gets.
9. Book you read this year that you are most likely to re-read in 2014?
I LOVE rereading, friends. Love it. I can tell you that I am rereading DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT for sure. And I’ve been doing lots of my rereads via audio lately, so I’ll probably be rereading DARK TRIUMPH that way next year.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
11. Most memorable character in 2013?
Wow. Hmm…you know who really stuck with me and kind of blew me away with her awesome? Derryn Sharpe from Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series. What a BAMF! Like, for real. She’s strong and confident and so brave and unconventional. Big fan of her.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP was gorgeously written. Also, WILD AWAKE by Hilary T. Smith was full of quote-worthy passages.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
I read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT in the winter and I still think about how amazing it was. So much so that I’m rereading it already right now with my girls, Brittany and Alyssa.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST. I hadn’t ready anything by Rick Yancey before this year, even though THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST has been on my radar for ages. It was all that I hoped it would be, aka LEGIT.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
Longest: AN ECHO IN THE BONE by Diana Gabaldon (820 pages)
Shortest: Fables, Vol. 1 (128 pages. I know, I know. Graphic novel. Not cheating.)
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 CROWN OF MIDNIGHT was kind of the best. It wasn’t all completely surprising, but most of it was and it was so game-changing that I reread it a few times with my jaw hanging on the floor. I’m one of those people who definitely gets excited over big series because I love getting invested, so finding out that this series still has four more books in it made my day.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Sighhhhhhh…I loved Eleanor and Park from ELEANOR & PARK. I also loved Sybella and Beast from DARK TRIUMPH. *fans self and swoons*
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
GOLDEN by Jessi Kirby. Also, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT. So good, both of them. I’ve really enjoyed all of the books I’ve read by both Jessi Kirby and Laini Taylor, and these two continued the trend.
20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else?
DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST by Juliet Marillier. Thanks to you, Alyssa! So easy to see why so many people love this series, and why you love it.
21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?
I read LOTS of contemps this year! But don’t worry–fantasy was a very close second/possible tie! All is right with the world.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Park. That kid…he kills me. Also, Mik from DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT and the novella, NIGHT OF CAKE AND PUPPETS. I just…adorable.
23. Best 2013 debut you read?
WILD AWAKE was so impressive, guys. Lovely writing and a touching story.
24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern. So lush, so palpable, so singular. Very special.
25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?
Historical romances are always a blast, friends. I’ve been reading lots lately and I’m remember why I love them so. I did VERY much enjoy THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner, too.
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?
CHAMPION made me CRYYYYYY! But from such a different range of feelings. It was, not even joking, one of the best series enders I’ve read.
27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?
LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP. I feel like it’s on lots of radars but not under enough noses. Very much worth the time, friends.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
Oh gosh, there’s so many excellent new bloggers around! Well, not necessarily new, but new to me anyway. I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like, but I love the vibe and thoughtful reviews over at Disquietus. Plus, Angie is a peach and I love getting to chat books with her during Lit Lush!
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
Man, this is hard. I’ll say…CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. Or LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP. Or CHAMPION.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
This is something I need to sort out, friends. I don’t really have too many discussions on my blog, but I wish I had more. 2014: Year of the Discussion Post.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
I really do love a lot of the posts on The Perpetual Page-Turner. About blogging and slumps and life. Jamie’s got good stuff going on over there!
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
BEA, same as last year. This year it will be my goal to go for the entire event instead of just one day. It’s such a great–if exhausting–time and I want to milk it for all it’s worth!
6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
I had an epiphany this year, friends, about the frequency of my posts and whether or not it was ok for me to mold my blog around my life rather than my life around my blog. I’m not sure I’ve found the happy medium yet, but not keeping myself on the hook to post something every day was good for my sanity. Also for my reading time.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
My most viewed post this past year was my review of CODE NAME VERITY, which is a pleasant surprise to me! I was in the minority with that one, I think, so I wasn’t expecting so many people to be feeling it!
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
I wish that my Legend of Korra recaps got some more attention, just because I want to talk about the show with lots of people.
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I really enjoy using Bloglovin’, so that’s a good one. And I’m loving bookblogging.net too! Great way to get and stay in touch with other bloggers!
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Well, I completed my Goodreads Challenge!! Huzzah! That’s basically it, haha.
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?
OMG just one?! My TBR is an ever-deepening flood, so there’s always books I’m meaning to read that I don’t get to, but I’d say that near the tippy top of my list for 2014 is HOUSE OF HADES by Rick Riordan. LOVE me some Percy Jackson!
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?
ARGH!!! I can’t wait to read DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS by Laini Taylor, SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson, and THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu. BUT! OMG OMG OMG–I will die/commit a crime/name my first born after someone, anyone, who can get me a copy of Jandy Nelson’s I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN. OMG. OMG.
3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
THE GLASS CASKET by McCormack Templeman and THE WINNER’S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski. WOW, do these books sounds incredible!
4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?
DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS. Anticipating and DREADING because I love this series beyond words and I don’t want it to end.
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?
Here is where I drop that dreaded (for me) word: SCHEDULE. I desperately need one. Desperately.
Book Blogging and Reading Life has been the most fun I have had reading everyone’s survey. I like to check out the blogs you mention ….. and see the bookish events! I mean you went to BEA I want to go. Maybe 2015.. I want to go to NY that year anyways for my Anniversary! Here is my survey:
http://angelasanxiouslife.blogspot.com/2013/12/2013-end-of-year-book-survey.html
Here’s to the year of the discussion posts!
And OMG DARK TRIUMPH. It is perfection, Ame. FOR REAL.
I love reading these end of the year surverys, even though they are text heavy, and take a long time. I always learn something and I find new things to add to my TBR or new bloggers to start following.
Anyway – heck yeah to Steve West and The Scorpio Races. Seriously, we’re (Steve and I) are getting married and he’s just going to talk all the time to me. Oh and he’ll have to say “Get your pony off this beach” about 10 times a day. That’s not too much. I don’t won’t to over-use the phrase 🙂
Okay, enough fangirling over Steve West. As for having so many favorites, I think that’s a great thing, because it means you read so many amazing books this year. Totally a positive.
I’ve been seeing such wonderful things about These Broken Stars. Science fiction is generally not my thing but I fell hard for the Lunar Chronicles this year, so I think I should give it a try. I might try to audiobook version. Oh and I sooo need to read Daughter of the Forest!
Also – totally jealous that you got your hands on a ARC of Cress. I cannot wait to read that book!!! 🙂
So the moral of the story is that I need to read Lovely, Dark, and Deep… finally. Huh? haha.
You mentioned so many great titles in here!! These Broken Stars, Just One Day, Wild Awake! Love it all & that quote you chose too… one of my own favorites. 🙂 Hope you have a great 2014, my dear! Let’s meet up when you are in NYC? 😉