1. Best book(s) you read in 2012?The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness, The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, Blood Red Road by Moira Young, and Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. I loved these books for pretty much the same reason: while they were all emotionally taxing books, the payoff was SO worth it - gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters, and truly powerful messages are present in all three.
Worst book read in 2012:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - I read this book on a dare... I mean, what can I say that hasn't already been said? Never have I done so much eye-rolling while reading before. And as for the egotistical and misogynistic sadist, Christian Grey? I would rather make out with a Dementor.
2. Book You Were Excited About and Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I thought I was going to love Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin and Black City by Elizabeth Richards (probably based on the covers, not going to lie), but the characters annoyed the crap out of me.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
No one does surprise twists like Beth Revis in her Across the Universe Trilogy.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Probably the Chaos Walking Trilogy and The Casual Vacancy.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor and the Dust Lands Trilogy by Moira Young. Can't believe I didn't read these sooner!
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Ditto: Laini Taylor and Moira Young.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
I ventured into the world of contemporary issue books with What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton... and actually really loved it and its emotional impact. Ditto to The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, which I am reading now.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Blood Red Road by Moira Young! Did not want that book to end.
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
I don't have any planned at the moment, but if I do I will probably reread books whose sequels are coming out next year to reacquaint myself with the story.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - I just adored him, his awkwardness, his sensitivity, and his thoughtfulness.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Same as my answer for Best Books of 2012: the Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Casual Vacancy, Blood Red Road, and Days of Blood and Starlight - That's why I loved them so!
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. This book made me feel ALL THE FEELINGS and really made me rethink how I view certain things and people. It was an excellent social commentary. And I am still reeling from that ending.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
Blood Red Road by Moira Young and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
"We accept the love we think we deserve." - The Perks of Being a Wallflower
16. Shortest and Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Shortest: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (213 Pages)
Longest: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness (608 Pages)
Days of Blood and Starlight had a lot of those!
18. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc)?
Well, Maddie and Verity from Code Name Verity obviously! What a beautiful poignant friendship they had. Also, the friendship between Krystal Weedon and Sukhvinder Jawanda from The Casual Vacancy comes to mind for some reason. It was such an unexpected friendship, and yet, a powerful one.
19. Favourite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously?
The last two books in the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness (I read the first one in 2011) and The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else?
Okay, I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but you get the idea: the Chaos Walking Trilogy, Blood Red Road, the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy.
Looking Ahead...
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Also, I really need to read John Green's books and Melina Marchetta's...
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
I'm definitely looking forward to some hotly anticipated sequels: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis, Requiem by Lauren Oliver, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, and Divergent #3 by Veronica Roth, among others.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Well, I hope to return to school in 2013 (I am applying to grad school to get my Master's Degree at the moment), so I have no doubt that my reading and blogging will go down in amount for the latter half of 2013 if I am accepted, but I do hope to keep up a good pace despite that. Also, I think I said this last year as well and it didn't really happen, but I would like to not get so caught up in the newest, hottest releases of 2013 and completely forget about the books I had sworn I'd read before. There are a ton of older books on my TBR that need some love, too!
Haha, love the Dementor comment! I must read Daughter of Smoke and Bone soon, it sounds amazing. Also Cinder = so good!!
ReplyDeleteFifty shades.. I can't even hear those words anymore!I can't wait to read the Chaos Walking trilogy! Master's degree, awesome :D It's very important to remember to read what you like, not only because you need to stay updated :)
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
That's a great compilation. I can't believe you read Shades of Grey, even if it was on a dare - yuck! That book is just not my style. I'm with you on Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy - best ever! I want to read Blood Red Road just because you like it so much. I think you outta go for Shadow and Bone for one of your off the shelf or TBR list reads next year. It will make an impression on you or at least I think you will like it a lot - at least 4 stars. Happy Holidays Aylee and best of luck with your Master's degree.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post. You made me smile. Especially when you said you're rather make out with a Dementor.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Shadow and Bone has a nice cover. Some of those books sounds really good, but I haven't read any of them. You should read The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, it's awesome. :D
ReplyDeleteAsma@Iceybooks
I need to read Days of Blood and Starlight Aylee!!!! I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone so much. I also need to read Blood Red Road, I can't believe I haven't yet! Shadow and Bone has one of my very favorite covers of the year as well, I just love illustrated/graphic covers:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't made all of my lists of 2012 yet but The Chaos Walking series is DEFINITELY going to be on the list! I just loved those books, more so than I expected. I wish more people would read them. :)
ReplyDelete~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Loved the Daughter of Smoke and Bone, so I really can't wait to read the next one in the series. I just can't stop looking at the gorgeous cover. :) And ha ha ... I haven't read 50 Shades, but I do love your dementor comment!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with 2013!
I actually have a copy of Black City right here but am reluctant to read it because of all the bad reviews. I love that it's that time of a year and we get to chat about our favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your thoughts.
Yes you must read John Green and Melina Marchetta, they are amazing!!! I still have Days of Blood and Startlight on my tbr pile, I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone but just haven't been in the mood for the sequel. Great survey!! Must add The Chaos Trilogy to my list! =)
ReplyDeleteI've seen so much of the Chaos Walking series around the blogosphere recently. I want to get into it in 2013. I know the audiobook narrator is one who I usually like.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of fun! I'm not doing the survey this year, just putting a list of the books I loved best.
ReplyDelete=)
I actually need to read many of the books you mentioned and you need to read Marchetta! Seriously.
I applied to Grad school as well, but it won't start until next Fall if I get in, so that will probably damper my personal reading as well.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, I love that you picked Charlie as a memorable character; he's a personal favorite of mine. And I love that quote- "we accept the love we think we deserve"- as well as so many more from the book.
I still need to read The Casual Vacancy, but your review has me so excited to check it out.
Ugh I thought I was going to love both Masque and Black City too, but what terrible disappointments those were UGH! And I so need to read Blood Red Road!
ReplyDeleteOoh what a cool post! I totally have to read a bunch on here especially Across t he Universe. I am dying for an honest to goodness surprising twist! And OMG so happy to see Dust Lands here a few times! Blood Red Road is epic I loved it so much! I didn't like the sequel AS much but it was still great! Smoke and Bone is awesome, too! And eep I have to check out The Casual Vacancy I still remember your review!
ReplyDeleteMy book club picked 50 Shades of Grey for November, and it's a big pet peeve of mine in book club when people don't read the book, so I didn't want to be a hypocrite. Luckily, I knew a few weeks in advance that I wouldn't be able to make the meeting so I didn't read it. Just seems like such a waste of time!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree - I love gorgeous covers, and much prefer them to be free of characters! I like when my books look like pieces of art.
Ayleeeeeee! I know you keep praising Blood Red Road and the Chaos Walking trilogy, and I really want to read them but they're all long and filled with phonetic writing! I'm scared. But I can't ignore all your praises because I know you don't give out high stars to just any old book. So I'm going to give them a try. I promise. I'll make it a 2013 priority.
ReplyDeleteDo the Daughter of Smoke and Bone books end on cliffhangers? I feel like they're complex books where remembering the details is important. I want to start reading them (I even own the first one!) but at this point I'm kind of tempted to wait until the third book comes out. What do you suggest?
And many many happy wishes for a merry Christmas and happy new year!!!! *HUGS*
Awesome End-of-Year Survey! You didn't just repeat the same 1-2 books for every question which gets super annoying with these end of year surveys...
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about not having characters on the cover! At least their faces. And I'm getting really bored of the "pretty dress covers." I'd rather the cover have an important/intriguing object or a vivid setting.
Moira Young's Blood Red Road is at the tip top of my 2013 reading list! I've heard so many great things and it sounds like my kind of book!
And I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed Casual Vacancy so much. I've been really wary of reading it because I know it will be so different from HP, so knowing you liked it will really help me gather my courage to give it a go!
Happy New Year! ^_^
Lauren @ Hughes Reviews
Oh wow, awesome answers all around. I know we've chatted about some of these before but like you I LOVED Days of Blood & Starlight. The Casual Vacancy, Blood Red Road, Perks of Being a Wallflower & Code Name Verity are must-reads for me in 2013 :D Same goes for your must reads of 2013 Shadow and Bone & Cinder!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with you Masters Application & All the best for 2013, study-wise, book-wise & blog-wise!