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Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 End of Year Book Survey

Jamie of The Perpetual Page-Turner has put together an End of Year Book Survey. Here are my answers:

Note: I reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this year but have decided to exclude it from the running of this survey because I could pretty much use it to answer every question.

1. Best Book You Read In 2011?
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. This was the last book I read in 2011, and also the best, most heart-breaking, and most interesting. I'm going to say this, and I don't say it lightly: The Knife of Never Letting Go is the best book I've ever read, after Harry Potter. Those that know me - and have eyes and know what my blog is all about - know how truly significant that statement is.

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?
I didn't love Possession by Elana Johnson, Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney, and XVI by Julia Karr. Premises with great promise, all of them, but ultimately, they weren't the books for me.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. Who knew I could ever love an all out horror story with that much gore?

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
Same book it's been for the past few years now: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Finally, pretty much everyone I know has read it now, so I can move on.

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness and The Monstrumologist Series by Rick Yancey.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
Patrick Ness and Rick Yancey (seeing a pattern here?).

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I don't do contemporary, I don't do romance, and most definitely DO NOT do contemporary romance. But I loved this.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
Across the Universe by Beth Revis and Divergent by Veronica Roth. Addictive.

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
Divergent by Veronica Roth. So much hype and thankfully, for me, it lived up to it.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I would love to see more reversible covers in 2012.

11. Most memorable character in 2011?
Manchee, the talking dog, from The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness! Manchee is a legit dog who says things a dog would actually say - none of that ridiculous sarcastic talking dog stereotype to be had here.
Also, Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. A fascinating enigma, and the only real interesting part of the Millennium Trilogy in my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Lisbeth giving all the men who ever abused and raped her their rightful comeuppance. Dang girl. Good on you!

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness and The Monstrumologist Series by Rick Yancey. A large part of the reason I love them so.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. I had to stop reading at one particular moment in this book and I did not continue, nor read anything else, for a few days until I had calmed down. A huge impact.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. This was recommended to me as my ideal book years ago. I should have listened.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?
Can I just put the entirety of The Monstrumologist Series by Rick Yancey in this space here? Every single sentence was a masterpiece.

16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?
Delirium by Lauren Oliver. It was the first book that I read in 2011 and as such, the least fresh in my mind. Plus, I adored it.

17. 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!
The ending of Delirium by Lauren Oliver!

Looking Ahead...
1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?
The last two books in The Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men, by Patrick Ness, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, and Blood Red Road by Moira Young.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?
Lots. Probably Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, and Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare the most.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
Reading: I would like to not get so caught up in the newest, hottest releases of 2012 and completely forget about the books I had sworn I'd read before. Also, I would like to read at my own pace and not feel so frantic all the time to get as much reading done in every spare moment because I tried that and I found it very stressful.
Blogging: Similarly, I would like to keep blogging at a good pace, bearing in mind my busy schedule, but not ever feel too pressured or stressed. Because then blogging would become a chore for me and I don't ever want it to be that. 2011 was a great blogging year: I passed two major milestones (though never posted about them) - my one year Blogoversary and reaching 1,000 GFC Followers. Thank you to anyone who ever took the time to stop by my blog and read a review, comment, or just browse around in 2011. Here's to another great year in 2012!

27 comments :

  1. Great to see you found that *one* book (or a few) that makes such an impact. As a reader we need to find one of those :) I really enjoyed reading all your answers! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful thoughts, I have to fully agree on question 8 and 9 particularly. Divergent was AWESOME and surpassed my expectations! Plus ATU was great too :O) I'm going to be reading The Hunger Games ASAP also and can't wait to join in on the bandwagon. Great post!

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  2. Well clearly I need to read The Knife of Never Letting Go and all things Patrick Ness! If it had that big of an impact on you, it's definitely something I want to read:) I don't usually read contemporary stories either, and I hated the cover of Anna so I put it off for a long time. Of course when I picked it up I loved it:)

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  3. Aww. Finally found a blogger who I can share my love with Chaos Walking trilogy! Patrick Ness rocks.. have you read his latest book A Monster Calls? It's far different from CW but it will surely make you cry too. And you have to finish the last two books in the trilogy! I can still remember how I felt while reading them, especially Monsters of Men. Pure brilliance.

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  4. So glad you liked Anna and the FK. BTw...I just finished my annual re-read of the entire Harry Potter series. It always feels like a bit of a chore when I start it but by the end I'm totally obsessed again.

    I was thinking it would be fun to do a blogging community re-read of it come July - the fifth anniversary of its release - complete with discussion questions. What do you think?

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  5. Okay--now I am going to have the read those Patrick Ness books. I only hear wonderful things about his writing style.

    I just rewatched an interview with JK Rowling and she said she hoped to be writing long after HP was done...wonder if she is working on something new!!?!

    We can only hope!

    Happy new year!

    Shelley

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  6. Oh, man, The Knife of Letting Go. I love that book! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
    Good luck with your blogging/reading resolutions! :)

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  7. Lulu: Mhm, that's nice. Finding that one book that you can really connect with. It seems like most everyone loved Divergent and Delirium. Glad you still found that Divergent surpassed your expectations even with all that hype! I'm so excited for you to read The Hunger Games!

    Jenny: I can't tell you how highly I recommend it! I know it must be hard to find time in a busy schedule of reading just newly released books to read a book that's been out for a long while, but if you can manage it, then you should definitely read this series. And yeah, the cover and title was a huge part of why I put Anna off for as long as I did.

    Dea: Hello! No, I have not yet read A Monster Calls, but trust me, I very much want to! haha, I have never looked forward to wanting to cry before, but I know I'l love it still. So excited to finish up the series... and a little reluctant to see it come to an end!

    Alison: I wish I had time to reread HP every year! I'm such a slow reader though. Can you believe I've only reread the series 3 times? My slowness and good memory makes it so I remember all the little details though, thankfully. I think a discussion reread would be fun (obviously!)! I would do my best to take part!

    Shelley: I only ever heard the most amazing things too, which is why I needed to read it! And yup! She says she is always writing. Things that might not necessarily ever get published, but she is always writing. Last I heard, the thing that she wants to publish next is a sort of "political fairy tale" for MG audiences. Sounds awesome!

    Lauren: Everyone does love it! I'm so happy to be as part of the group of people who know just how good this book is.

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  8. XVI was a huge disappointment for me as well! I expected so much from it, but in the end it came out meh to me. And I am definitely going to have to re-read Delirium in 2012 to get ready for Pandemonium. =)

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  9. I love how you put Doug's picture!!
    and I love that you loved a dog as a character! I love animals in books.

    :) You read a large range of books this year! :) I'm in awe as I tend to stick to my safe zones.
    :D

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  10. What a wonderful post! I enjoyed The Knife of Never Letting Go too. It has a great ending as well. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed Divergent and Across the Universe. Agreed on the ending of Delirium! I like what you posted at the end about reading and blogging. I feel the same way! Happy New Year and Reading :)

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  11. Clearly I need to read The Knife of Never Letting Go if it's the best book you've ever read after Harry Potter. Are you planning on reviewing it, Aylee?

    Oh, and congrats on the one year blogoversary and reaching 1000 GFC followers!

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  12. Ahhhh, I love this post. And reading your thoughts on The Knife of Never Letting Go and Manchee makes me want to go sob into my pillow right now. I really need to get a move on and read the next two books of the trilogy.

    Here's hoping 2012 is just as great with our reads!

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  13. Bailey: Yeah, I was bummed about it because I expected a lot from it too! I hope I can make time to reread Delirium; that would be ideal.

    Alex: Heh, how could I not choose a talking dog as my favourite picture? A talking dog is always going to be my favourite character. I honestly don't feel like I did read a range of books... or at least, not as much as there could've been.

    Julie: Gah, that ending! I was happy that I had the next book ready to delve into it right away. I wish I could've said the same for Delirium! Thanks, happy New Year to you too!

    Zahida: Yup, I plan on reviewing it soon! Or that's the plan anyway... it'll probably be a hard review to write as all best loved books are. Thanks for the congratulations!

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  14. Stephanie: I know, I know. I was certainly sobbing into my pillow. What an utterly heart-wrenching book. I certainly won't be waiting to read the next two!

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  15. Very cool year in review. YESSSSS HP7 was SUCH an awesome book, and ditto for Divergent. I haven't read Monstrumentalist yet, and you've convinced me to check out Knife of Never Letting Go. I've definitely enjoyed the other Patrick Ness books I've read, so I'm looking into seeing what made you love this one so much!


    Smiles!
    Lori

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  16. Yay I'm glad you loved The Knife of Never Letting Go! Blood Red Road also reminded me of it (loved it as well!) so I hope you enjoy that too.
    I'm reading Delirium now and am absolutely dreading the ending because everyone freaked over it :O

    Here's to an awesome 2012 :D

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  17. So many of my favorite books are included here! I reread The Knife of Never Letting Go this year and it was even better the second time around! Also The Monstrumology series! SO GOOD. I also love the cover for Across the Universe!

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  18. I haven't read the The Monstrumologist Series yet..... at this rate my TBR list isn't going to fit in my house any more! Thanks a lot. =-P

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  19. I've gotten The Knife of Never Letting Go out from the library a couple times, and haven't gotten into it, but I keep seeing people recommend it so highly that perhaps I should try again? I received A Monster Calls for Christmas, though! I've heard amazing things about that one as well.

    Also, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss despite the fact that it was outside your comfort zone!

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  20. Lori: LOL! It's The Monstrumologist, not The Monstrumentalist, haha. The Monstrumentalist actually sounds pretty interesting though. I definitely plan on reading other Patrick Ness books once I finish with this series!!

    Laura: Yeah, I've heard Blood Red Road also has phonetic spelling which I thought would annoy the heck out of me, but I actually loved it! haha, at least you won't have to wait as long for Pandemonium like the rest of us did!

    Lu: I already can't wait to reread The Knife of Never Letting Go myself, even though I just finished it! So happy to find another supporter of The Monstrumologist Series! It needs it.

    Rachel: haha, I feel the same way about books being added to my tbr. I can be daunting sometimes!

    Danya: Hmm, yes I do think you should. I can't imagine anyone not being into the story, being involved in the characters' lives, once you get further in. I need to read A Monster Calls soon! And yes, it most certainly was outside my comfort zone... I'm kind of bummed you didn't decide to host that challenge again, by the way.

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  21. Totally agree about reversible covers - it would be so great if more books had them!

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  22. I love how it gives you a choice. If you like one side more than the other, then you can choose to use that one. In Across the Universe's case, they're both quite nice!

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  23. Despite the hype at the moment The Hunger Games can't be recommended often enough. Good job:)

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  24. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I don't do contemporary, I don't do romance, and most definitely DO NOT do contemporary romance. Haha, story of my life! But still, I'm really looking forward to reading Anna and the French Kiss. It's not my usual type of thing at all, but I heard it's amazing.

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  25. I love this post! Divergent was a really great read for me too, it was out of my comfort zone but it was a really great book. Love this blog!

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  26. Hanna: Oh, it is amazing. I am so happy that it's opened my eyes to maybe reading others like it, to widening my comfort zone.

    Skeeter's Scribbles: Thank you! Divergent was completely inside my comfort zone and realm of books that I love to read, so it was really no surprise that I loved it.

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