It's time again for the annual end of year survey that Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner hosts to reflect back on the books we've read throughout the year.
2019 Reading Stats:
Number Of Books You Read: 111
Number of Re-Reads: 4
Genre You Read The Most From: Nonfiction
I had many favorite books this year but Night Huntress by Kate Quinn was definitely the best out of them all. It's historical fiction at its finest. Not surprising because I've enjoyed all of Kate's books so far of the ones I've read.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
This is probably going to surprise most people because I've only seen readers be very enthusiast about this book but I wasn't a fan of A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. I'm a big fan of Brigid, I've enjoyed her writing in the past but compared to some of her other books this wasn't the best and I thought it was way too hyped for what it was.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Oh so many! But Desperate Measures and its sequel Learn My Lesson in the Wicked Villains series by Katee Robert are probably the ones that surprised me to most, in the best way possible. I discovered these because of Gen @ Whispering Chapters. She reviewed them and was really possitive and excited about them so I was instantly intrigued. I gave the first book a shot and it was a total hit for me. Now I'm basically obsessed with these books and can't wait for the next one to come out.
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
This is always such a hard question for me. I'm sure I recommended a bunch of books to people and that some read them but I can never just think of one out of the top of my head. I'm always recommending books by Eoin Colfer, Pepper Winters and Kate Quinn to fellow readers.
5. Best series you started in 2019? Best Sequel of 2019? Best Series Ender of 2019?
Best series I started: Sins for All Seasons by Lorraine Heath
Best sequel: Kingsbane by Claire Legrand
Best series ender: Crooked Kingsdom by Leigh Bardugo
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?
Lorraine Heath. I discovered her Sins for All Seasons series also through Gen @ Whispering Chapters. Clearly she has very good taste! I read three books of the series out of five so without a doubt Lorraine is my favorite new author that I discovered.
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
The Octopus Curse by Salma Farook. This is a powerful collection of poetry that just blew me away. I love poetry but I don't actually read a lot of it usually so that's why it was the best book from a genre I don't typically read. Very highly recommended!
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I had a hard time with this question. There are quite a few books that were action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable but I decided to pick The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden. It was set in the ancient world with lots of battles so it definitely was all of that. I loved it.
9. Book You Read In 2019 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
As hard as the previous question was, this one is probably the easiest for me. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer is the one I'm most likely to re-read next year. I usually re-read the book once a year anyways so I don't see why 2020 would be any different.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?
Alex Stern from Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Also a top favorite book of mine and I just loved Alex. This is one of those books you either like or dislike from the reviews I've seen but I thought it was pretty brilliant. Easily Leigh's best book so far!
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2019?
It's got to be a tie between The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and The Octopus Curse but Salma Farook. I can't choose between them and I really don't want to. Both were so very beautifully written!
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2019?
Again I'm picking The Octopus Curse by Salma Farook. It's a poetry collection but even so it was very thought-provoking and life-changing.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read?
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I loved Six of Crows so I don't know why the hell I waited until 2019 to read the sequel. Procrastination, I guess.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2019?
“Some call ships, infantry or horsemen
The greatest beauty earth can offer;
I say it is whatever a person
Most lusts after.”
― from Come Close by Sappho
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2019?
Shortest: Claudius: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History — 35 pages
Longest: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas — 980 pages
17. Book That Shocked You The Most?
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. Because of that one plot twist. Those who have read it probably know which one I'm talking about. ;)
18. OTP OF THE YEAR? (you will go down with this ship!)
Why is this one so hard? I have too many ships! But if I have to name just one OTP of the year I'm gonna go with Aiden Trewlove and Selene Sheffield from The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath. I just loved them so much!
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?
Myles and Beckett Fowl from The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer. I loved these brothers already in the Artemis Fowl series as toddlers but I love them even more now that they're 11 years old. They're so different but they still would die for each other. *cries in Gnommish*
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2019 From An Author You’ve Read Previously?
I could name so many books now but I'm gonna go with one I haven't mentioned yet. Dark Matters by Michelle Diener. I always love Michelle's books but I was thrilled to learn that she decided to write another book in the Class 5 series, which is my favorite of her science fiction series. And it was such a good read too!
21. Best Book You Read In 2019 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.?
This one is easy peasy! In the Full Light of the Sun by Clare Clark. I saw this book on Sissi Reads' bookstagram and I just knew I would love it. Luckily I was right. It ended up being one of my top favorite reads of the year.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019?
I have to go with Aiden Trewlove again. I'm not even sorry. I just love him too much. ♥
23. Best 2019 debut you read?
... I haven't read any debut books this year that I consider to be "the best" so I'm gonna have to pass on this question.
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
House of Rejoicing by Libbie Hawker. I absolutely loved the worldbuilding in this book and the setting was so vivid that it made me feel as if I was in ancient Egypt in Akhenaten's court. I loved it!
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
At first I wanted to say The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer but since I already mentioned it I'm gonna go with Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa, which was easily just as fun to read. I actually listened to the audiobook of it and didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did but it absolutely put a smile on my face every time I listened to it.
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2019?
I actually didn't read any book that made me cry or made me nearly cry. I don't know if this is a good thing or not...
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Ugh. I've read so many hidden gems this year. SO MANY! I'll go with The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau. It surprised the hell out of me and not a lot of people know about it so definitely a hidden gem.
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Kingsbane by Claire Legrand. Not only the best sequel of the year but also the book that crushed my soul. Congratulations! I also can't wait to read the next book. I'm both excited and scared for it. Also feel this series is a bit underrated? I feel like not a lot of people are reading these books.
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2019?
Hmm... tough one again because I've read quite a few unique books this year. But I'm thinking that A Scarcity of Condors by Suanne Laqueur is the most unique out of them all. I honestly haven't read a book like it, or like any in the series that went beforehand. They have the unique factor for sure!
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black. First of all, I didn't dislike the book (I gave it 3 stars) but... for a book that was one of the most hyped up and anticipated books I was left feeling a little disappointing because I had expected more. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the best either.
This is also always one of the hardest questions. I always struggle with this one because I'm always discovering new blogs, bookstagrams and YT channels. Although the only YT channels I regularly watch are true crime ones. One of my favortie new accounts is Tucker. I know it's not a bookish one but how can you resist him, he's so darn cute!
2. Favorite post you wrote in 2019?
Hmmm... probably my posts about my favorite podcasts. Part I and part II.
3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019:?
Because Artemis Fowl!
4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
Sadly enough I didn't go to any bookish events. Hopefully in 2020 though!
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?
Eoin Colfer followed me on bookstagram and commented on and liked some of my pictures. That was pretty cool. :)
6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
The most challenging was blogging regularly. I had a lot going on, especially since the summer so I didn't always feel like doing a lot of blogging. I'm still struggling with this actually.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
I think my review of Night Witches by History Titans did pretty good. It's a nonfiction about The Soviet Female Pilots. It was super interesting!
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Honestly, non in particular but any review post could use a little more love.
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Again I'm gonna have to kind of pass on this question because I didn't discover anything new book related like sites or book stores.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Yes I did! I completed the Goodreads Reading Challenge. My goal was 50 books and I read 111 so I did pretty good.
Feversong by Karen Marie Moning. I've been meaning to read it all year but then I never got around to it so it'll be my number one priority. And I also hope to read the book that comes after that one also.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2020 (non-debut)?
Highfire by Eoin Colfer. Nobody who knows me will be surprised by this answer. It's Colfer's first fantasy for adults so I'm very excited for it!
3. 2020 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to debut books but Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles sounds pretty good. And it has a beautiful cover!
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2020?
I can't think of any series ending that I'm participating the most but a sequel I'm looking forward to is Wicked Bite by Jeaniene Frost.
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2020?
I'll be happy if I manage to finish my Goodreads Reading Challenge of 100 books and to read more backlist books as well.
6. A 2020 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone? (if applicable):
The Earl Takes a Fancy by Lorraine Heath. This is the 5th book in the Sins for All Seasons series and I totally loved it. The romance was so swoon-worthy!
I hope you all have a happy new year and may 2020 be filled with good health and lots of books! ♥
I see Gen out here doing all of the book pushing, haha!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about Highfire as well! It will be my first Eoin Colfer book😁 Happy New Year, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteI must read Artemis Fowl! I am really excited about seeing the movie as well as reading it. Sounds like you had a fantastic year in books. I hope that you have a wonderful New Year, Stephanie! :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure gave me A LOT to check and possibly read, Stephanie, hehe ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, my dear friend! <3
Happy New Year, Silvia! :D
ReplyDeleteCountdown to the movie starts NOW! :D
ReplyDeleteI think you will love it! Even though I haven't read it yet. I just know. xD
ReplyDeleteYES! At this point I have no choice but to read all her recommendations lol
ReplyDelete111 is such a nice number to end the year on. You're the reason I bought the Artemis Fowl series so your pushing is working! I am sorry A Curse so Dark and Lonely was such a disappoint for you :( Ooh, I want to read Dark Matter at some point!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read A Curse So Dark and Lonely yet - mostly because of the hype. I've enjoyed Kate Quinn's books, too!
ReplyDeleteI hope to read Kate Quinn this year (I say this every year, though). My favourite new author this year was Madeline Miller! Thanks again for recommending Circe!
ReplyDeleteGood look with your goals!!