|| 2016 Book Reading Survey ||

Let us all just ignore the fact that it's been three months since I last posted on here, and instead revel in the knowledge that it's a new year, and things are going to get better. 

I've seen several bloggers do recaps of their favorite books, and yearly reading stats, and while I posted a little about my favorite books on goodreads, I thought it'd be fun to partake in the lovely Perpetual Page Turner's End of Year Book Survey. I won't be doing all the questions, but I chose a variety of ones from each section. ^-^

Number of Books Read: 86

Number of Rereads: A grand total of 2; I hardly ever reread, and it was nice to revisit some old favorites. ^-^

Genre Read Most From: Fantasy, my one and only love. 

Best Book You Read In 2016?
This is such a hard question for me, because I have three very different books that I loved immensely last year, and it's hard to choose between them. I have a favorite book of 2016, but I really don't think I can pick the best book. Does that make sense???

Probably not.

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I was so damn excited and anxious for The Last Star, which was the conclusion to the 5th Wave trilogy by Rick Yancey. It turned out be the most confusing, uncorrelated, and just plain stupid, conclusion to what had been one of my favorite stories read in 2015. It felt like the product of little effort, and needless to say, I was really disappointed by it.

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
*slides The Foxhole Court your way* 

It's no secret that I don't (and can't) shut up about the All For the Game trilogy. I've gotten two or three people to read it and I feel like it's my mission to make sure that everyone knows how stupendous these books are (so they can also be CONSUMED BY THEM like I am).

And if you're sitting here reading this right now and you haven't picked up the first book yet... why are you still here? *flails* GO READ IT. 

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

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver was a super big surprise! I tend to stay far away from contemporaries, but I picked this one up on a whim, and it turned out to be a an amazing and refreshing story/thriller. When the plot twist happened at the end, I had to actually put the book down because it was that good and my poor brain was having trouble comprehending what the heck I'd just read. 

Best series you started in 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?

Best series started: Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare (It ripped my heart out but I loved it anyways)
Best sequel: A Court of Mist and Fury (because hello Rhysand, my love)
Best series ender: The Raven King (wasn't perfect, but it was satisfying and broke my heart anyways)

Favorite new author you discovered in 2016?

I read V.E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic early in the year, and Victoria quickly became one of my top 5 favorite authors, the more I devoured her work. Her writing is phenomenal, and I always feel like I'm watching the most gorgeous cinematic film, instead of actually reading one of her books.

Most memorable character of 2016?

Neil Josten (Foxhole Court), Kell (A Darker Shade of Magic), and Cassian (ACOMAF) are my favorite boys ever.

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

While The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black wasn't a story I really enjoyed, the worldbuilding in it topped nearly every other book I read last year. The development of the world was so rich, and the setting was just this glamorously dark place that I was completely fascinated with. 

xx artist charlie bowater (my fave) xx 

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

 (more like a list of characters who could punch me in the face and i'd say thanks but whatever)

-Manon Blackbeak 

-Rhysand 

-Will Herondale

-Amren

-Nik Malikov

-Kaz Brekker (not sure if it counts as a crush-- i just have a lot of love for this maniac)

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?

THE BLACKTHORN FAMILY FROM LADY MIDNIGHT. All their relationships were so pure and complex, and I loved how protective and caring they were of each other. Not to mention that Ty was just pure adorableness. <3

Book That Made You The Most Mad?

There is a special spot reserved in the flames of hell for Paper Princess. I have never wanted to mutilate a book more than this one, and I get angry just thinking about it. It's the most sexist, vile, crude book I've read, and I can't even fathom how it's so popular. 

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2016?

Both We Are the Ants and The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson brought tears to my eyes, which is the most unheard of thing ever because I'm a pretty unfeeling lemon (outwardly) when it comes to books + films. But these two absolutely destroyed me, in the best possible way. 

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

I actually broke out of my shell a little bit (with much persuasion by my family) and attended a small little book event at my local Barnes and Noble. I got to meet an author, and participated in a writing exercise, which I would have never done in previous years. I also won an arc, which was exciting!
There were lots of other little events that happened, though, and overall, the reading/bookstagrammer parts of life were pretty good this year. ^-^

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

Everything?
Ha, no, but really, this year was a tough one, not just in blogging but in life as well. I didn't do half as much as I wanted to, and inspiration kind of floated outside the window taunting me for months on end. But I'm trying hard to get back into the swing of things, and so far, this year is going a hell of a lot better than 2016.

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?
I'm going to read Nevernight this month, even if it kills me. I dropped it back when school started to kick up last year, but I've seen so many reviewers who love it, and I really want to see where the story goes. And I mean, assassins written by Jay Kristoff??? Yes please. 


Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017 (non-debut)?
It's a tie between A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab, and A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas. I know both are going to destroy me, and I am both terrified and excited to see what my faves do with the end of their trilogies.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2017?
I really want to push myself this year to not only pre-schedule posts and work to improve my blog, but to read 100+ books as well. It's only a 15 book jump from what I read last year, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I'll be motivated enough to get it done. 

And there we go-- a brief look at the books I read in 2016. ^-^

I've got a lot of blogs to catch up on, but I hope all of you are doing well, and having a good new year so far. <3 

LET'S CHAT. How many books did you read last year? Favorite book you read? Do you have any reading goals for this year? Tell me all the things!!