End of the Year Survey 2012

Best In Books 2012

 Meme from The Perpetual Page Turner 

Here's my survey results from last year.  This year my favorite books were Grave Mercy and Throne of Glass, I'll try to refrain from using them for every answer, but no promises :) I took out some questions because they were too hard to answer! It's hard for me to remember all the books I've read in a year.

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? 

You can read my list here or here for the Top 10, which was hard to create! Or my longer in depth list here

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

I don't finish the ones that I don't like because I don't want to waste the time reading something I don't like. There's been a few this year that I just couldn't get into. 

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012? 

See number 7!

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

Grave Mercy and Throne of Glass

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

Adult: Bridgeton series by Julia Quinn - Duke and I review
Tween: On the Run by Gordon Korman - Chasing the Falconers review

 6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

You can read my post here.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross - my first STEAMPUNK novel. I loved it! Can't wait for Girl with the Iron Touch. Check out the gorgeous cover!

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Grave Mercy - check out my review

 9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

I don't re-read books anymore (unless it's for bookclub) because there's too many that I long to read. There's not enough time to read all of those, must less go back and re-read a favorite.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

You can see my posts here: Teens, Adults, Tween

11.Shortest and Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

I read picture books because I'm a librarian and I want to know about books across ages/genres. Most of those are 32 pages.
Longest book: Grave Mercy clocking in at 560 pages.

 12. 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!

BitterBlue - there were so many emotions: the good, the bad, and the strange. I wish I had re-read both Graceling and Fire before reading Bitterblue because I feel I missed out. Check out my review

13. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else: Bridgerton series - someone recommended them to me at BEA and I fell in LOVE with the series.

Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012? 

Stacked and Teen Librarian Toolbox

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012? 

I don't think it's possible to choose just one.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

I don't seem to have discussions on my blog, but this one sparked a lot of conversations over email - it's on Teen Librarians and Programming

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

I really like the posts from Teen Librarian Toolbox - especially the series Why YA.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? BEA is always my favorite event of the year because I get to meet so many book people: authors, bloggers, librarians, and people in the industry. I always walk away happy and re-energized for chatting with teens (or anyone) about books. This year I got to meet the Charming John Green! I only wish I had taken a picture!  Plus, James Patterson, Maria V Snyder, Susane Colasanti, Marie Lu, Maureen Johnson, Gordon Korman, Tim Green, and Jennifer Weiner

6. Best moment of bookish moment in 2012? 

This year I had a book (BURIED) dedicated to me, which was super sweet and dumbfounding! I was also mentioned in acknowledgements(INITIATION - part of the Canterwood Crest series), which was also super sweet and dumbfounding. I was shocked when I saw both! 

 

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

My Tween Tuesday Review: Phantom of Post Office had the most views. 

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Honesty, I wish my blog in general got a little more love, but one of my goals is to write for me and not for others, so I guess I shouldn't be answering this question. Oops. 

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

Books to Check Out - so cute!

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

I failed in my personal reading goal. (332 out of 365 - all ages/genres)

I failed the Historical Fiction Challenge 2012 by 3 books -- although some others I read were Steampunk and Time Travel books, which I didn't count, but perhaps they could count...

I completed the Debut Author Challenge 2012

Looking Ahead…

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

I try not to prioritize my reading, just whatever makes me happy at that moment. 

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

Too many to name! But I did two Top Ten Tuesday about this one for teen books and one for adult books.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

I've been better at commenting on blogs and trying to comment on blogs who have commented on mind. However, in the past two months, work has been crazy and I haven't been able to read blogs as often as I would like. 

Best of 2012 books!

Here's my 4th annual report on my favorite books this year. I can't of course choose just one (I did read 332 after all) Check out the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 posts. Unless stated the following books are teen titles. These are the books I've read this year and not only 2012 books. Also there are several books I could have used for many categorizes, but I chose not to duplicate them too much because there were SO many great books that I read this year. All of them hold a place in my heart! Enjoy the list!

Best Picture Book: The Reader

TV Releated:

Adult Fiction: Frozen Heat

Adult NonFiction: World of Downton Abbey

Book that Takes Place in 24 Hours: Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Book that reminds me of Gilmore Girls: Winter White

Book that reminds me of reality TV: The Selection

Royalty:

Adult: Runaway Princess

Tween: Cordially Uninvited 

Best Tween Heist: Swindle  

Craft:

Teen: Stick It!

 Adult: In Love with Papercraft

Debut:

Tween: Keeper of the Lost Cities

Teen: Grave Mercy / Throne of Glass

Best Dystopian: Darkest Minds

Best Steampunk: The Girl in the Steel Corset

Time Travel:

Teen: Timepiece

Tween: Mutiny in Time

Best Adult Not Traditional Book: Goodnight Tweetheart

Most Haunting but Inspiring Read

Nonfiction: Dear Teen Me

Adult: Catching Fireflies

Teen: Keep Holding On

Best Fun NonFiction
Adult: Underwater Dogs

Teen: Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Beauty

Best Series I Read Completely
Adult: Bridgertons

Tween: On the Run

Best Fantasy:
Adult: Touch of Power
Teen: Throne of Glass and Temptation of Angels
Tween: Keeper of the List Cities

Contemporary:
Adult: Inn at Rose Harbor
Teen: Take A Bow
Tween: Double Feature

Paranormal:
Adult: Biting Cold
Teen: Every Other Day
Tween: Phantom of the Post Office

Historical:
Adult: Rogue by Any Other Name
Teen: Grave Mercy
Tween: Mastermind Plot

Mythology:
Teen: Sweet Shadows and Mythos Academy series
Tween: Goddess Girls series

Girls with Brains: 
Adult: Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Teen: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Tween: Sleuth or Dare: Partners in Crime

Holiday: 
Kids: Santa Trap
Adult: 12 Clues of Christmas

Food Book:
Kids: Dragons Love Tacos
Adult: Donut Shop Mystery series

Best Library:
Adult: Due or Die
Teen: Mythos Academy series
Kids: Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Current Series:
Adult: White House Chef
Teen: Gallagher Girls
Tween: 39 Clues and Canterwood Crest

Beginning of Series
Adult: Better Than Chocolate
Teen: Cold Fury
Tween: Chasing the Falconers

End to Series:
Adult: On his Way to a Wedding
Teen: Taken By Storm
Tween: Eruption

Stand Alone:
Adult: I've Got Your Number
Teen: 52 Reasons to Hate my Father
Tween: Olivia Bean Trivia Queen

Not Yet Published:
Adult: Footprints in the Sand
Teen: Rules of Summer, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, and Unremembered - reviews will be coming soon!

Mystery:
Adult: Buried in Buttercream
Teen: Lies that Bind
Tween: Madhattan Mystery

Science Fiction: Origin

Summer Book: The Summer my Life Began

Favorite Authors (most read) 
Adult: Julia Quinn (15)
Teen: Miranda Kenneally (3)
Tween: Gordon Korman (7)

Whew! What a year of reading!!!

 

Debut Author Challenge 2013

This is my 3rd year participating in this challenge. Here are some of the books I'm looking forward to reading.

1. Taken
2. Dualed
3. Level 2
4. Mila 2.0
5. How My Summer Went Up in Flames
6. Reboot
7. Wig in the Window
8. Strange of Bronze and Gold
9. Red
10. Art of Wishing
11. Vengeance Bound
12. Cinders and Sapphires
13. Games Set Match
14. Maid of Secrets

Movie Review: The Hobbit

First I have to confess to reading half the book in 7th grade, 20ish years ago. Of course I don't remember anything from the book. Therefore, I have no idea if it was a good adaptation. I know that there were parts of the story added and parts elaborated on, which changes the story. To me, it was a wonderful movie.

What I liked:
I liked seeing familiar faces and places from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  I thought this was very similar in certain spots, which was great, but i loved the unique moments too.

I adored the dinner party with the dwarfs - hilarious!

I enjoyed Gandalf and Bilbo meeting outside his house.

I adored Richard Armitage (since I saw North and South). There's something piercing about his eyes.

I enjoyed the banter between the dwarfs - they were funny, charming, and fierce!

The moment where Bilbo and Golem meet - Gollum was equally  entertaining and creepy.

The scenery was gorgeous - loved this scene and how it was filmed.

What I didn't Like:
The Stone Giants - that part seemed out of place - like it belonged in a Transformers movie

The camera angles at times made it hard to follow. Several occasions, the action was too fast to see. Before I could decipher what was happening, the action changed.

Not part of the movie, but the people behind us were Chatty. I wanted to pull a Kate Hudson on them or at least give them my best librarian shush. I did neither, silently seething and missing bits of the movie because I couldn't hear it.

Overall: I can't wait for the next installment!

Favorite Tween Book Covers 2012

Here are the favorite covers of Tween books I've read in 2012

What were your favorite tween book covers?

Favorite Adult Covers 2012

Yesterday was my favorite teen covers, today it's adult book covers. Here are my favorites from books I've read this year.

Favorite YA Book Covers of 2012

Here are my choices for the favorite covers of books I've read in 2012. Take a look at my favorites from last year.

Colors: Red and Blue
Theme: Pretty Dresses

Merry Christmas!

  It was Christmas morning and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. 

The stockings were hung on a staircase with care.

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

 With of time for friends and family full of cheer

and sack full of books, for reading this year!

Merry Christmas! 

Happy Birthday to Me

It's my turn in the fancy birthday hat! Here I am with my adorable niece Emily, just before we eat cake. I'm a lucky girl this year and having fun at my many birthday parties!

YA Historical Fiction Challenge 2012

Here's my original list, I didn't read all the books on it. Here's a list of HF books I did read:

1.  Renegade Magic (Sequel to Kat, Incorrigible)
2. Mastermind Plot (Sequel to Midnight Tunnel)
3. Grave Mercy
4. Courtships and Curses
5. Victoria Rebels
6. Wentworth Hall
7. Dark Mirror
8. Queen's Lady
9. Other Countess
10. No Crystal Stair
11. Cross My Heart
12. Time Traveling Fashionista book 2


I wanted to read 15, but I only finished 12. Guess I read too many adult historical fiction novels. Guess I'll have to do better next year!

Debut Author Challenge 2012

The List I created, which is different from the books I did read.

1. Struck
2. Grave Mercy
3. Throne of Glass
4. Catching Jordan
5. Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters
6. Pretty Crooked
7. Cross My Heart
8. The Selection
9. Wentworth Hall
10. Smart Girls Get What They Want
11.Girl Named Digit
12. Love and Leftovers

Review: Scent of Magic

* Sequel to Touch of Power *

SPOILERS ahead if you haven't read the first book!

Avry's the last Healer in the realm - a realm that's on the brink of war. She knows she's going to be needed when the time comes, but she also has personal missions - one that includes finding her sister again.

Avry and Kerrick split up on different quests. Kerrick reunited with Prince Ryne to determine how to fight King Tohon. Avry runs into trouble and her plans change. Instead of heading away from danger, she goes directly toward the woman who wants her dead. She hides in the army camp, under disguise, and begins to train the soldiers to move silently in the woods.

The army leaders do not believing the truth about King Tohon and his horrible soldiers. Avry wants to help out the realm as best she can without revealing her true identity. Her past can't remain a secret forever, and when it comes out, everything will change. Can the two sides come together to fight against King Tohon?

My Thoughts: I'm a HUGE fan of Maria V. Snyder. Her books are enchanting. I devour them, loving the action, the danger, and the romance. I love the secondary characters. They have a great sense of loyalty and affection between them. The banter provides comic relief from the serious nature of the book. I love Avry and her abilities. I like watching her learn more about herself and her magic as she tries to understand what she can do and how to go about saving the world. I love Kerrick. His power is unique, but impressive. I enjoyed the dual perspectives of this book, which is different from Snyder's previous books. Overall, a fantastic read. I can't wait to read what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Netgalley