2016 End-of-the-year Book Survey!

So I saw this post on a couple people’s blogs, and I thought I should give it a go since I’m still on vacation. This post will be pretty long, so prepare yourselves!

This End of Year Book Survey was created by  The Perpetual Page-Turner.

Number Of Books You Read: 73
Number of Re-Reads: 3
Genre You Read The Most From: Children’s/Middle Grade

Literary Fiction

There is no doubt that The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was my favorite book of 2016 In fact, it is probably my favorite book of all time. It moved me. It changed me. I can’t say that about a lot of books.

Science Fiction

I haven’t explored science fiction that much, but Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff made a masterpiece. It’s a recent read too. As I’ve said, it blew my mind with its visual text and plot line. I will probably jump right into the sequel soon.

Comics/graphic novels

 American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is one of those middle-grade books that deals with tough topics. It’s important that we teach ourselves, and children, that consequences of bullying and racism. It starts here, and it starts with this book.

Children’s/Middle-grade

Holes by Louis Sachar was actually a re-read for me. When I read this as a child, I didn’t appreciate it as I do now. I was a whiny kid who didn’t even enjoy reading. Can you imagine that? This book, though, is hilarious, but also brings up important topics. Again, I believe every child should read.

Fantasy

Need I say more? I finally finished these wonderful book series this year.

Contemporary

Again, another important book that I only read this year. It’s an instant classic, and I don’t know why I waited so long to read it.

Non-fiction

Now, I don’t recommend this book for everyone. It can be techincal with its wording and, thus, isolate certain audiences. I only read this book because I was taking, more or less, an Applied Linguistics course. It’s abstract, but I think Pinker does an effective job of dumbing everything down. Don’t read it if you have a half-hearted insterest in linguistics, because it will probably confuse you. But, this was a great book as a supplement, semi-introduction to linguistics and history.

Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love but didn’t.

The Princess Bride by Wiliam Goldman shot me in the childhood. I LOVE the movie, but the book fell flat for me. Maybe my expectations were too high or “tainted” by the movie. I just wanted Goldman to shut up and let the story tell itself.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way).

These books were….unforgivably awful. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau disappointed me. I think the book was too hyped. While I was reading it, people constantly told me how great it was. However, I could not justify the plot holes; the gaps themselves left a lot to be desired and explained. And The Horse and His Boy? Completely unnecessary. In fact, it was racist too. Now, I understand it was written in its specific time and specific, but I can rant all day why we still shouldn’t raise this series on a pedestal NOW.

A Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did).

I don’t “push” too many people to read anything, but I would say that Illuminae is a high contender for pushing. At first glance, it looks dense; however, the style and plot make for a fast-paced read. Even if someone is not a “reader”, this book would be easy to pick up.

 

Best series you started in 2016. Best sequel of 2016. Best series ender of 2016.

Unfortunately, I didn’t start any series worth mentioning on here. I read more stand-alone and sequels this year. This was the year of catching up on my book series! Both of these books were solid installments to their series. I am always happy when an author doesn’t have the sequel syndrome.

Favorite new author you discovered in 2016.

 

Ok, this author is pretty amazing. I even MET HIM at the National Book Festival. He is both an illustrator and storyteller. I want to buy all of his books now. And his name? Gene Luen Yang.

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

This was my second Neil Gaiman book this year! Rarely, do I ever read more than one novel by the same author, especially in the same year. With Coraline, it was a horrifying book (and not in a bad way). I have only read maybe three horror books in my lifetime, so this book was really “unlike” me.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book.

I can’t stop. I need help.

Book you read in 2016 that you are most likely to reread next year.

I don’t usually reread books, so I can’t predict this one.

Favorite cover of the books you read.

I mean look at it and all its glory.

Most memorable character.

Ronan will forever and always have my heart. Not in THAT way, but as the most admirable, realistic, and complex character I have ever known.

Most beautifully written book.

This was like prose that opened my heart up and gave it wings. It’s the kind of writing style that I inspire to have.

Most thought-provoking/life-changing book.

A book that truly contemplates how life would be like if we lost everything that we take for granted. It made me realize that society is so dependent on the simplest of things.

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read.

I’m ashamed to say that I waited this long to finish the Harry Potter series. I deserve to be put in a corner.

Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2016.

 

"Survival is insufficient."

Shortest and longest books you read in 2016.

 

I’ll let you guess which one it is. Yet, I do not recommend reading Curios George to any child. It may be a classic, but I literally took a Children’s Literature Class that logically described how this book can be interpreted as the slave trade.

Favorite book you read in 2016 from an author you’ve read previously.

If I had to choose one, I guess it would be The Raven King. Mainly, because this book ended one of my favorite series of all time. An honorable mention would also be The Wells of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson.

Best book you read in 2016 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure.

 

Oh look, Station Eleven again. Fancy that!

Best 2016 debut you read.

I can’t say that I have one. I am way behind in reading, so most of the books I read have already been published for years.

Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting.

Because Brandon Sanderson is a genius when it comes to high-fantasy world building.

A Book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read.

Yes, I just started this series only this year. I was a terrible child who hated reading, so I have to play major catch up. Whenever I read these books, though, they always make me smile no matter how dark or dismal they get.

Book that made you cry or nearly cry.

Made me cry? I think I wailed with ultimate sorrow. A bit dramatic, yes, but this book gave me so many emotions that I didn’t know I was capable of.

Hidden gem of the year.

I haven’t met a lot of people who can rightly claim that they’ve read this book. It’s older too, but still, not many people have heard of it. Sure, it looks like a happy cover. (See the kids smiling?) But don’t be fooled. This book will break your heart.

Most unique book.

Not my favorite book, but I enjoyed it enough. I put this under “Most unique”, because the overall concept had great potential. Who wouldn’t want their favorite character to come to life? Also, the illustrations and different colored text made my eyes happy.

Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it).

There is absolutely no reason why this book exists. It does not add to the plot line or anything. I also already made my comments about C.S. Lewis’ perspective on Calormen. He is down right racist. I’m not criticizing him, but I am criticizing ourselves for still holding this book series in high regard.

New favorite book blog you discovered.

 

I mainly watch booktubers, but I did discover a lot more booktubers this year.

• Tilly and her Books. A personal fav.
• Piera Ford
• Hailey in Bookland
• Thoughts on Tomes
• Squibble Reads

 

Favorite review that you wrote.

I haven’t put this review on this blog, but I wrote one on Goodreads. I love it, because I was really angry when I wrote it. Of course, with good reason. Again, the review is for The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis.

Best discussion/non-review post.

I really only post reviews, so this one isn’t applicable.

Best event that you participated in.

The National Book Festival, of course! Here’s my post about that.

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016.

I guess just creating this blog is an accomplishment in of itself.

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

Blogging: Time. I have none.

Reading: Not allowing myself to read the novels I want to read right away. For some reason, I guilt myself into finishing a series before I can read anything else.

Most popular post this year on your blog.

This one. Maybe because it was a controversial book opinion about Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Post you wished got a little more love.

All of them. *cries*

Best bookish discovery.

How literature-crazy DC is!

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

Yes, I came and I conquered. My goal was only 50, and I read 73 books this year.

One book you didn’t get to in 2016 but will be your number 1 priority in 2017.

I have a bad habit of never finishing book series, especially if I love them. I know this isn’t the end of Mistborn series, but I know after I finish this book, the 4th book will be about new characters. I’m not ready yet, but I still need to read this. I am also counting this one as my most anticipated book series that is ending.

One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2017.

Reading: Read whatever I want to read. Don’t let guilt hold me back.

Blogging: Create and publish a post at least every other week. Finally transfer all of my reviews from my previous blog to this one,