Monday, December 21, 2015

2015 End of the Year Bookish Survey

 
It's the end of the year already, and it's so hard to believe that 2015 is over. But you know what this means-- the 2015 End of the Year Bookish Survey, hosted for the 6th year in a row by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner. (Who also made the button and banners.) She's one of my favorite book blogs! This is my first time filling out the survey, and I'm really so excited. I get to tell you all about my favorite books of this year! Yes, I leave some questions out and obviously some books out. Can't include everything after all!



Number Of Books You Read: 84, of my goal of 50 books!
Number of Re-Reads: 7
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy, of course!

Best Book You Read In 2015?

Oh no, just one? Nope. Nope nope nope. Here are my favorite books that I read:

                                                                              
                                                             
 
 
Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I was quite disappointed with Blood Promise by Richelle Mead, I have to admit. I didn't like it as much as the other books in that series.

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

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck was so surprising, but I loved it! It was surprising because I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I didn't really like the previous books in the series, but read the third one anyway because I hate leaving series unfinished (bad habit, I know.) Luckily it paid off!

As for book that caught me by surprise with all the plot twists, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes. I never know what will happen!
 
 
Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Series Starter: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Series Sequel: Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck and Day 21 by Kass Morgan
Series Ender: The One by Kiera Cass and Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck.


 Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
 
Rae Carson blew me away with her book, Walk on Earth a Stranger. I also loved her Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, which I also read this year.

Special Mentions: Cassandra Clare, Morgan Rhodes, Colleen Houck

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

Adult Thriller: Crisis by Robin Cook! I actually liked this!
YA Sci-Fi/Horror: 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad was mind-blowingly awesome.
 
 Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Oh, this is hard too. I think Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge was really thrilling.
 
 Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. This was a re-read this year, but I tend to re-read it a lot. It's a middle grade book about four sisters who just have an adventure but not really. Anyway, it's good.
 
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
Ally Condie always has beautiful covers, and Atlantia was no exception.

 
Most memorable character of 2015?

The Penderwicks Sisters from The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Specifically, Skye and Jane.
Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings.
Kelsey Hayes from Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck. I hated her at first and then got so attached to her in the third and fourth books.


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

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare! I know, I can't believe it!
 
Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

Quote:
"A love like yours burned bright like the sun but was always destined to end in darkness."
-A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes
Passage:
" ' And people will say: "Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!" And they'll say: "Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was very brave, wasn't he Dad?" "Yes, my boy, the famousest of the hobbits, and that's saying a lot". ' "

" ' But you've left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. "I want to hear more about Sam, Dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, Dad? That's what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, Dad?" '

'Now, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, 'You shouldn't make fun. I was serious.'

'So was I,' said Frodo "
-The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

 

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Longest: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini.
Shortest: The Twilight Zone: Deaths-Head Revisited by Mark Kneece. (It was a graphic novel)
 
 Book That Shocked You The Most
 
Again, Falling Kingdoms! It was just so plot-twisty with so much character death.

Honorable Mentions: Day 21 by Kass Morgan, Crisis by Robin Cook, Vixen by Jillian Larkin, and The Diviners by Libba Bray!
 
OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
 
Hahaha. Just one?!?! *sob*
Nope. I have to do more than one.

Kelsey/Ren from Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Maxon/America from The One by Kiera Cass
Chaol/Celaena from Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Sam/Evie from The Diviners by Libba Bray
 
Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
 
Again, I have multiple.

Penderwicks Sisters from The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Frodo and Sam from Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Theta and Henry from The Diviners by Libba Bray
SAPHIRA AND ERAGON FROM INHERITANCE BY CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI I WILL FOREVER BE SCREAMING OVER THIS AMAZING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THIS DRAGON AND HER HUMAN OMGGGG

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

Fairest by Marissa Meyer was particularly twisted and excellent. Levana is so cruel and messed up.

I also enjoyed Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery very much! I had read Anne of Green Gables, but this was the first book of hers I've read not in that series and I thought it was so great and heart-wrenching.
 
Best Book You Read In 2015 that You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
 
The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater! I have never been much of a fan of her writing so I was thinking "Ughhh fine but only because Tumblr always talks about it..."
And I kind of accidently fell in love with this. Oops?

Best 2015 debut you read?
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir was so worth the hype for me! Greatness and grim Fantasy and freaky masks. Give me all of it. Plus so much shipiness.
 
Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
 
Middle-Earth of course. Particularly the Shire. Can I give it to anyplace else, really?

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

VIXEN BY JILLIAN LARKIN UNDOUBTEDLY. It was just so fun and got me out of my reading slump and eurgh yes. Drama in the 1920s with Flapper Girls. What else could be so fun as that?! I do not know.
 
Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien. The passage where Frodo is talking to Sam just made me cry buckets, and I never cry at books.

(I included the passage as my favorite of the year so see above!)
 
 Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Well, Jordan Sonnenblick never fails to disappoint. I wish his books got more attention.
 
Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck crushed me in the best way. Just... *still not over it even though I read it in January*
Don't touch me, I am a fragile Bookworm still hurt by these events.
 
 
Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen. The villians were sexist, racist, jerks and I hated them so much. Didn't even love to hate them, they just filled me with fury. So that is a solid no.

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?
 
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo! I even own this and I've heard of so many great things.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Steifvater. Can't wait to continue this series.
Winter by Marissa Meyer!!! I need to read it!
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard because Rick Riordan is my favorite.
And I'd like to finish Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
 
Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima! Is this even a question for me?!?!

Also, I'm looking forward to Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (I need to read the rest of the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices first, though...) and The Crown by Kiera Cass.

Trials of Apollo is also very very exciting and something I very much need.
 
2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Of Fire and Stars  by Audrey Coulthurst is a YA Fantasy about a princess with magic who falls in love with her fiancé's sister?! Yes, please!

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

I know I'm only on Rebel Spring, but the fifth book of Falling Kingdoms is something I really need.

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

I'd like to try to blog more than I do! I always say this, but it's true.

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What were some of your favorite books in 2015? What books are you looking forward to in 2016? Also, if you have a 2015 End of Year survey please leave a link to it because I'm super interested in hearing what books you loved!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

5 comments:

  1. I still need to read An Ember in the Ashes, but I'm very happy to see that you enjoyed Lord of the Rings^^ A lot of people don't like the books but I certainly did :) YES to Samwise! I love him soooo much ♥ Agreed on the Middle-Earth world-building too - it's the best! I still need to read me some Rae Carson though. Oh and I agree with your Chaol/Celaena ship!! Oh and seeing how much you loved Emily of New Moon makes me want to pick it up! I grew up with Anne but I never read Emily. I loved reading your answers here^^

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    1. An Ember in the Ashes was so good! I can't wait for the sequel. I was a bit wary to read LOTR because I had heard it was 'boring' but I ended up loving them so much! I love all of the hobbits, but Sam in particular. I love Chaoleana! I also grew up with Anne but I found the writer quieter side of me could relate to Emily more. Thanks for commenting!

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  2. I'm totally with you on Rae Carson! SHE IS INCREDIBLE. I only found her books this year, but afdjaskld I want to read them all and love them forever.
    I'm sooo glad you accidentally ;) fell in love with Maggie Stiefvater's books! ALL OF THEM ARE JUST SO SO GORGEOUS. <3 I adore her characters and her style and afjdksald basically you are in for a glorious time if you keep reading her work!
    I'm totally looking forward to Flamecaster too!! I only JSUT read The Demon King this year but omg, it was wonderful. ALSO LADY MIDNIGHT. <3
    This was a fabulous read and I hope your next year's books are just as awesome. :D
    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

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    1. I looove Rae Carson! She is so great. I can't believe I ever doubted Maggie Stiefvater! The Raven Boys was so grand and I need to move on and read the next ones right away. Flamecaster is my most anticipated of next year and I just need it in my life. (Also Lady Midnight eek) Thanks! Thank you also for taking the time to read and comment! Have a great new year.

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  3. I still haven't gotten around to reading An Ember in the Ashes or Falling Kingdoms! I should really do that soon if they made your best list.
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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