2015 End of Year Book Survey

Thanks to the Perpetual Page Turner for this amazing idea that I love doing every year.
Harleen and I are both participating in this post so Harman's answers will be labeled with LB and in blue while Harleen's answer will be labeled with HK and in red.

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

LB: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

HK: The Martian by Andy Weir

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

LB: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton. Everyone was loving this book and there was me in a corner just hating it.

HK: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Obviously my sister loved it, but I didn't enjoy the writing style. I didn't hate it, but it was a disappointment.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

LB: Forgetting August's ending was....gahhh I can't even talk about. The book was just a disappointment . 

HK: Violent Ends by Shaun David Hutchinson

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

LB: Definitely Red Queen. I convinced my school librarian and public librarian to buy the book and since I work at Barnes and Noble, a lot of customers as well.

HK: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman. An amazing graphic novel I recently read and have gotten my sister and friends to read.

 5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

LB: Best new series: Red Queen or The Lone City (The Jewel) both were absolutely amazing!!

Best Sequel: The Heir by Kiera Cass. The Selection is one of my favorite series and this book broke me.

Best Series Ender: Aflame by Penelope Douglas. I'm so sad to see this series go but I have plenty more to look forward to frome her :)

HK: Best new series: Thunder Road series by Katie McGarry

Best Sequel: The Heir by Kiera Cass. Beautifully written and definitely a good continuation to the series

Best Series Ender: Tied by Emma Chase. I freaking love this series, and Drew is one of my favorite characters of all time. 

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

LB: KC Lynn, she's a new adult author who is self-published but I can really see the growth in her writing but her characters are 100% swoon-worthy. 

HK: Ernest Cline, he is amazing at both character and plot development. 

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

LB: Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof. This book brought so much light into my understanding of female inequality. I don't enjoy reading nonfiction but this was the first book I did truly love. 

HK: The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz. I don't really read middle grade, but I had fun with this one especially because of the Disney characters.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

LB: Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton. Kate is such a badass. 

HK: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. So good, definitely pick it up if you haven't.  

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

LB: Since Glass Sword is coming out right before my birthday I will probably be rereading Red Queen. 

HK: Probably The Wicked Will Rise because the next book in the Dorothy Must Die series is coming out next year and I'll probably need a brush up.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

LB: 

    

HK:  

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

LB: Definitely Cade in Resisting Temptation by KC Lynn. That man is definitely right up there with Cage York but Cade is definitely much more of a bad boy ;)

HK: Definitely Mark Watney from The Martian. Freaking. Hilarious. Even when he's stranded on Mars.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

LB: The Sleeper in the Spindle by Neil Gaiman. Damn, if you ever need a fast read that will make your mind explode then read this. Not to mention the illustrations are beautiful :D
HK: All My Sons by Arthur Miller. An amazing play that I would definitely recommend. It sends an amazing message, and Miller is a classic author everyone should read.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

LB: Once again that would have to be Half the Sky. The reason for feminism in developed countries seems stupid when you read this. This book will prove to anyone why feminism is needed, and it is definitely not because of unequal pay.

HK: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. I've always been interested in war, but this book put it in an entire different perspective. When I got to the epilogue I was truly speechless.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

LB: Persuasion by Jane Austen. The plot was amazing. 

HK: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Why did I wait so long? It's been sitting on my shelf for forever.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

LB: If I'm looking for a fancy quote that destroys me then it is: “In the fairy tales, the poor girl smiles when she becomes a princess. Right now, I don't know if I'll ever smile again.” ~Red Queen

If we're looking for something that makes me smile like an idiots then it is: "He grinned. 'My girl. My fucking jersey.'" ~Until Friday Night

HK: “I guess you could call it a "failure", but I prefer the term "learning experience".” from The Martian. Check out my favorite quotes post here

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

LB: Shortest Book: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

Longest Book: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas

HK: Shortest Book: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
Longest Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

LB: Falling for Danger...I truly was not expecting the book to end the way that it did. It took me a long time to accept that it ended the way that it did.

HK: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson. 

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

LB: Sawyer and Grace from Sweet Temptation by KC Lynn. Sexy Sawyer all the way!

HK: Callie and Kayden from The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden <3

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

LB: Cade Walker and little Ruthie. This relationship might be the only reason that Cade has surpassed Cage. Their relationship melts my heart.

HK: Jude and Noah from I'll Give You the Sun. They're so freaking cool, I can't.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously.

LB: The Heir by Kiera Cass

HK: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

LB: The Sleeper and the Spindle. I read this solely because Harleen said it was a fast read and it was still good.

HK: All Quiet on the Western Front. Well... my English teacher didn't really recommend so much as give me a grade for reading this book, but it was still amazing.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

LB: Cade Walker from Resisting Temptation by KC Lynn. I think he may have taken over Cage York's position as favorite book boyfriend...sorry Cage.

HK: David from Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins. Funny and smart, what else do you need.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

LB: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard definitely.

HK: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I'm pretty sure it's the only one I read...

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

LB: Red Queen. It was one of the reasons I loved it as much as I did. I could picture everything.

HK: Spinning Starlight by RC Lewis. Even though I think she spent too much time on it, it was really well written. 

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

LB: Until Jax by Aurora Rose Reynolds. 

HK: Either Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins or On the Fence by Kasie West. Both were so freaking cute, I can't.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

LB: Only one book made me cry and that was The Heir by Kiera Cass, that ending plus Shawn Mendes will bring anyone to tears.

HK: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen. The ending... 

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

LB: Fighting Temptation by KC Lynn. If this wasn't free on Amazon I would have never experienced the magic of KC's books. 

HK: The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

LB: The Heir by Kiera Cass. THAT ENDING KILLED ME

HK: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen. Again, the ending.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

LB: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Autobiography. Neil kept it unique as always. 

HK: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I really enjoyed this book, but it really was weird.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

LB: An Act of Redemption by KC Lynn. Why the hell she would put us through that emotional rollercoaster I will never know. 

HK: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung. I wasn't mad at the book. No it was more the Khmer Rouge. And communism. 

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

LB: Bookish Lifestyle

HK: Adventures of a Book Junkie

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

LB: Probably my Red Queen review. I don't think I've ever spent so much time on a review.

HK: Probably my series review of Dorothy Must Die. I had fun writing it, and I had a heart attack once I realized I hadn't written it earlier. 

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

LB: Most likely the 2015 Debut Author Bash with Stephanie Oakes. I loved interviewing her since I loved her book so much :)

HK: Probably any of my Waiting on Wednesday's. Especially the one I wrote on The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan. Those gifs... I crack up every time.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

LB: The 2015 Debut Author Bash where I hosted Stephanie Oakes. 

HK: Probably the readathon we participated in over the summer. 

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

LB: I beta read a book for the first time! The book is set for release in 2017 but I am so excited for you all to read it! I will post more information on the book when I can.

HK: Well, I started blogging December 2014, so I guess mine would be really starting and getting into the community of book blogging. It's so much fun I'm so glad my sister asked me to join.

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

LB: Just getting the motivation to. This year was so stressful with college applications and high school in general that whenever I had a free moment I just wanted to sit and watch TV or read. 

HK: Balancing it out with the stress of junior year. I wish I had more time to read, then I would have been able to write more reviews.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

ARC Review & Giveaway: Red Queen Victoria Aveyard

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

LB: The whole blog :P Kidding, but there isn't a specific post

HK: My review of The Martian because I loved that book, and I wish people would read the review and choose to pick it up themselves. It really would be worth it. 

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

LB: Evie Seo's Society 6 Shop. Dorm room shopping is going to be fun this summer :P (Sorry Mom)

HK: 

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

LB: I completed my Goodreads goal of reading of 70 books. I read 87 books!

HK: I did accomplish my goal of reading 50 books this year! I read a total of 56. 

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

LB: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

HK: I'm going to reread the entire Lunar Chronicles series so I can finally get to Cress and Winter by Marissa Meyer because I remember almost nothing. 

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

LB: The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury. This is one I'm definitely going to buy before reading :D

HK: The Crown by Kiera Cass. The next book in the Selection series.

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

LB: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

HK: These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

LB: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard and The Crown by Kiera Cass. 

HK: The Crown by Kiera Cass 

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

LB: Blog more, this year was so complicated and stressful with my personal life that this blog took the back burner. I definitely want to post at least a couple times a week.

HK: I'm striving to read 75 books in 2016 which may be too much, but we'll see....

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

LB: I haven't read any since I'm still trying to catch up on all the books that came out in 2015!

HK: I haven't read any....

Waiting on Wednesday #38: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Author: Susan Dennard

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Synopsis:

"On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.
In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.
Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.
Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.
Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch. "

I didn't love Something Strange and Deadly, but everyone has been really excited for this book and it's making me excited too. Also, can we all just appreciate the cover? I mean, it's amazing. 

Review: Armada by Ernest Cline

Author: Ernest Cline

Publisher: Crown Publishing

Number of Pages: 349

Synopsis:

"Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.
But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.
And then he sees the flying saucer.
Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders. 
No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.
It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?
At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon."

I've been raving about Ready Player One by Ernest Cline this entire year. It is definitely my favorite book of the year, so I had high expectations for this book. I wouldn't say it disappointed me, but it definitely wasn't as good as his other book. I know a lot of people didn't like it because they thought it was a lot like Ender's Game, but I haven't read it so...

The characters were the strongest aspect of the book. The author did a really nice job of creating a group of funny, relatable characters that the reader falls in love with. Although, I will say that I thought the romance aspect of the book was a little unnecessary, but I grew to be okay with it. My favorite character was definitely Zack and his two friends, the Marks, because they were hilarious and relatable.

Although, I didn't love the plot. The entire time I was stuck thinking that this book could have gone in so many better directions. I mean, the book wasn't bad, and the ending definitely came as a surprise but I expected something... more. The whole story seemed a little cliché and typical of a science fiction novel. And I've seen a lot of Goodreads reviews saying the same thing, so just a warning for those of you who love science fiction. This isn't the most original. 

Although, for anyone new to science fiction or looking to get into it, I would definitely recommend this book. It's funny, the characters are amazing, and while the plot isn't the best it's a nice start. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it could've been so much more and that left me a little disappointed.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

 

 

All the Books I Forgot to Review in 2015: Part 2

Author: Leah Raeder
Publisher: Atria
Number of Pages: 320

Synopsis:

"Maise O’Malley just turned eighteen, but she’s felt like a grown-up her entire life. The summer before senior year, she has plans: get into a great film school, convince her mom to go into rehab, and absolutely do not, under any circumstances, screw up her own future.
But life has a way of throwing her plans into free-fall.
When Maise meets Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short-lived. Which is exactly how she likes it: no strings. But afterward, she can’t get Evan out of her head. He’s taught her that a hookup can be something more. It can be an unexpected connection with someone who truly understands her. Someone who sees beyond her bravado to the scared but strong girl inside.
That someone turns out to be her new film class teacher, Mr. Evan Wilke.
Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they’re real and genuine; apart, they’re just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice. Rumors fly. When the truth comes to light in a shocking way, they may learn they were just playing parts for each other, too.
Smart, sexy, and provocative, Unteachable is about what happens when a love story goes off-script."

So I didn't read the synopsis before requesting this book on Netgalley and I did not expect this. I am someone who steers clear of any books with student-teacher relationship, and so I really didn't like this book at all. I just felt so detached from the book and the characters. To really enjoy a book I feel like you have to be able to relate to a character or be able to imagine yourself in their shoes, and I just couldn't do that.

Leah Raeder writes about topics that are not written as often as your typical sweet romance novels or sweet girls tames the bad-boy romances. She writes books that are different and I applaud her for that, but this was just one book that I felt entirely too uncomfortable reading. The writing style was amazing, Raeder is no newbie when it comes to writing novels, so if you are okay with reading about student-teacher relationships I would recommend taking a look at Unteachable.

I didn't want to give this book a bad review because the writing is good, the character development is excellent, but the concept of the book was just not appealing to me. If Maise and Evan were simply people who had a random hookup and ran into each other at a later time I would have been totally fine with it, that is why I am giving the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

Author: Elizabeth Reyes
Publisher: Self-Published
Number of Pages: 327

Synopsis:

"Having made it to the major leagues, AJ "Rage" Romero is determined to shake the stigma his temper has earned him over the years. He's finally managed a shaky hold of that elusive self-control.
Until he meets them . . .
Without warning, his coach and mentor's brilliantly gifted granddaughter Clair and her equally amazing mother Addison Lara blow into AJ's life. The harder he falls for Addison, the closer and more attached he becomes to Clair. 
Having fallen so fast and hard, he agrees to respect the understandably protective single mother's wish to forever keep the identity of Clair's absent father unknown to everyone—including AJ.
But when the ugly truth about Clair's dad begins to surface, the fire in AJ's fiercely possessive heart is lit. As more of the troubling reality comes to light, his zero tolerance for secrets and dishonesty put his temper—and his love for Addison—to the ultimate test.
Self-control has never felt so impossible."

Elizabeth Reyes is one of my favorite authors and she is one of my few "one-click" authors. Rage only disappointed in one way and that was the fact that it wasn't a story about Brandon and Regina :P .

AJ "Rage" Romero is absolutely adorable. I know that isn't a word that many would use to describe him but his relationship with Clair is exactly that, adore. That relationship makes him adorable. While he does have a temper he is mostly a caring guy who only wants the people he cares about to be happy. 

Addison is such a great mother, she's a bit overprotective of Clair as most readers would have noticed but its a good kind of protectiveness. Her chemistry with AJ was mindblowing, they had this connection from the very beginning. She was a bit disappointing compared to some of the other heroines that Reyes has written. As smart as she is, she definitely needed to think through some of the decisions she made towards the end of the book. 

As much I loved the relationship portion of the book, the aspect that really made me love this book was Clair. She reminded me so much of my younger-self (the baseball fanatic, not the smart part) I loved baseball. I was a diehard Yankees fan who worshiped Derek Jeter. Clair is such a ball of light and I like her more than Addy (sorry!). 

I really recommend reading Elizabeth Reyes's books. They will definitely make you feel all fuzzy inside. I always pick up her books when I'm feeling down and they are always a quick pick me up.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

*A copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review.

Author: Lia Riley
Publisher: Grand Central/Forever
Number of Pages: 384

Synopsis:

"It was only meant to last the summer . . .
Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.
Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . . "

So...when I was going through the books that I read this year and was supposed to review I thought I had already reviewed this. Somehow I reviewed the first book and the third book in the series but I didn't review the second book...I don't know how that happened but it did and now I'm simply confused between what happened in the second book and the third.

I will say that overall, I do remember loving this book. Bran and Talia have this amazing relationship and it does have a little more than the average number of bumps in their road. The entire series is beautifully written and the characters are amazing. 

I definitely recommend reading this series. If you guys want to read a more in-depth review of Bran and Talia's relationship then click here for the review of book 1, Upside Down.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

Stacking the Shelves #28

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Visit Tynga's Reviews to learn more about this weekly meme.

For Review:

 

• Front Lines by Michael Grant
• Kissing My Killer by Helena Newbury

From the Library:

• Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid
• Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
• Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Bought:

• Winter by Marissa Meyer

What new books hit your shelves?