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.
This year has been a pretty good bookish year. I didn't read as much books in 2017 as I did in 2016 but overall I read more that I really loved so yay! ♥
Number of Re-Reads: 1 (Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer)
Genre You Read The Most From: Nonfiction
The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney, a biography about Hatshepsut's rise to power in ancient Egypt. Super fascinating and simply phenomenal!
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli. Don't get me wrong... I rated it three stars and I did enjoy the book but I just didn't love it. I liked the characters but the story wasn't the best in my opnion.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. It was surprising in a good way because when I initially bought it this summer I never expected to become so obsessed with this book and the world that the author created. I've also read Godsgrave and I didn't love it as much as Nevernight but I still thought it was pretty damn amazing.
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
This is always a tough question for me because I don't really "push" people to read certain books but I'm always recommending any book by Eoin Colfer, especially Artemis Fowl (did you hear about the movie casting?!) and Airman, which is a very beautiful story.
5. Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?
Best series started ► Lost Souls series by Avie Adams
Best sequel ► Scalding Ice and Goldfire by Avie Adams {My review}
Best series ender ► Eagles in the Storm by Ben Kane
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?
Avie Adams, author of the dark fantasy series "Lost Souls" — Website
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan. I don't read a lot of YA contemporary books anymore but I really enjoyed this one. I've always enjoyed this author's books so it wasn't a big surprise that I ended up loving Two Boys Kissing.
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. Again this book but damn... I was so hooked and it definitely was action-packed, thrilling and unputdownable!
9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. This is probably not a surprise since I re-read it every year at least once. I also plan on re-reading Airman.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd. I'm just in love with this cover. So very beautiful and blue! {My Review}
11. Most memorable character of 2017?
Hatshepsut from The Woman Who Would Be King. Of course she isn't a "character" since the book is a biography about a real figure in history but Hatshepsut is definitely the most memorable person I have read about this year. She seemed like such an amazing and driven woman who did something no woman ever did before in ancient Egypt—become King, and ruling for almost 22 years in total.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?
The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo. Do I even have to explain this one? The stories in this book were each and every one so beautifully written. I loved them, especially the final two.
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?
A Charm of Finches by Suanne Laqueur. This author always manages to create the most thought-provoking and tear-inducing books. Last year I answered this question with her book The Man I Love. This year it's A Charm of Finches. So. Highly. Recommended. {My Review}
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?
Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer. I should've read it in 2016 but I just didn't get around to it (why though...) but I ended up loving it (duh). {My Review}
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?
"I once slapped a coffee out of a guy's hand on the subway because he was breathing into the cup before every sip. It was like sitting beside Darth Vader on his break. And I'll tell you something else: three people applauded." — Screwed by Eoin Colfer
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?
Shortest ► James Cook: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History — 34 pages
Longest ► The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness — 703 pages
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff. That motherfucking ending.
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Pim and Elder from the Dollar series by Pepper Winters. The most perfect OTP!
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Leila and Dariya from The Merchant's Pearl by Amie O'Brien. I loved their friendship because in the situation they were in they could've easily been rivals but they weren't. Why can't we have more relationships like this? {My Review}
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer. This also happens to be my new favorite book by this author. Brigid never ever disappoints!
21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare. Alyssa from The Eater of Books recommended this title to me and I'll never stop being grateful for this because I loved the book.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?
Elder Prest from the Dollar series by Pepper Winters. He even rivals my love for Q Mercer. But don't tell Q I said that. :P
23. Best 2017 debut you read?
The Artist's Muse by Kerry Postle. I wish this book was more known by my fellow readers because it was really good and unique! {My Review}
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
A Pocketful of Crows by Joanne M. Harris. This book was just so magical and tragic. I absolutely adored the vivid setting. It was really something special.
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Doctor Who: Myths and Legends by Richard Dinnick. Because... Doctor Who! {My review}
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. For the longest time this was my favorite book of the year until I read The Woman Who Would Be King. Sorry, Kate! But I still can't recommend this title enough. It is absolutely amazing and yes, it made me cry.
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Merchant's Pearl by Amie O'Brien. I know I already mentioned this book before but it's definitely a hidden gem. Everyone should read it! {My Review}
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare. As usual with Cassie Clare books it basically destroyed me. Especially with the ending... :(
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?
Scalding Ice and Goldfire by Avie Adams. This book (and series) is definitely the most unique (in the best way possible!) I loved it so much!
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely loved this book but it also made me mad because Tamlin still acted like a douchebag. I think this is the exact same answer I gave to this question last year. Hmm... LOL
I have a couple of new favorite book blogs:
Flylef - Romi Reads - Darkest Sins
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?
I always enjoy the co-reviews I do with Christina from Booklover's Tea Party. This year we did four co-reviews:
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover {Review}
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber {Review}
- Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost {Review}
- A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas {Review}
My Favorite Eras in History and Books Set in Them ♥
4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I only went to boekenfestijn and boekenbeurs, both are book fairs here in Belgium.
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?
The moment when Eoin Colfer (my favorite author ever) commented on a picture I posted on Instagram, saying that Airman was his favorite, too. Huge freak out, guys... :D ♥
6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
Since October I have been struggling with some medical issues that still aren't fixed so I haven't been able to blog regularly because of it. It has been and still is a challenge.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
10 Books I Plan On Reading While I'm On Vacation. This post did pretty well and yes I read all 10 books. ;)
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Gosh... any post really. It really doesn't matter which one.
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Fairyloot! I already got my first box last year in December so technically I didn't discover it in 2017 but I've gotten a lot more Fairyloot boxes this year so I'm guessing it can still count.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Feversong by Karen Marie Moning. I know, it's a damn shame I haven't been able to get around reading this book since it's one of my all time favorite series but I've been just too worried about everything that could happen in this book to read it. LOL
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)?
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. I hope it's as amazing as America's First Daughter. But I'm pretty sure it will be.
3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez. I'm not a 100% sure it's her debut novel but I'm really looking forward to it because it's inspired by the story of Tristan and Isolde.
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?
Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare. The last book in The Dark Artifices trilogy. I just hope the author won't hurt us even more with this book like she did in the previous one. Have some compassion, Cassie!
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?
I hope to re-read the whole Artemis Fowl series, all 8 books and give them proper reviews.
6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):
Furyborn by Claire Legrand. This book was in November's Fairyloot box as a physical ARC and it was just beyond amazing. Strong female characters + amazing writing + scary angels + assassins = yassssss! ♥
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What was your favorite book of 2017?
