December 31, 2017

2017 End of the Year Bookish Survey


  
Happy New Year, everyone!!  

I always look forward to reading everyone's end of the year book surveys and seeing what the highs and lows of their reading year were. I'm afraid that although I had a good reading year in terms of quantity (at least relative to recent previous years), in terms of quality it left something to be desired. I feel like 2017 was the year of the "meh" books for me. Not amazing, not terrible, just...okay. Here's to hoping that 2018 brings some knock-your-socks-off books my way!
This fabulous survey is hosted by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner. If you want to participate, link up your blog post here.



Number Of Books You Read: 45

Number of Re-Reads: 2~3ish? (I re-read bits and pieces and/or skimmed The Bone Season series and Uprooted)

Genre You Read The Most From: I want to say... fantasy, probably?

1. Best Book You Read In 2017? 


The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon and The Light-Keeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol


I'm seriously glad that I didn't post my end-of-the-year survey before now, because I just finished reading The Light-Keeper's Daughters and was entranced by it. (Why isn't it popping up on more readers' "best of 2017" lists?!)


Also, the Bone Season is hands-down my favourite series at the moment, so it's not really surprising that The Song Rising made it onto here.


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


Cress by Marissa Meyer — I'd really enjoyed Scarlet, so I was looking forward to continuing with the series, and then Cress just kinda dragged for me. It didn't seem as lively or quick-paced as Scarlet, and honestly I can't really remember what ended up happening in it (apart from lots of wandering around in the desert).

The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter — This one just felt flat to me. I typically like "fantasy of manners" style books, but nothing stood out about this one. 




The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley — I was really hoping to love this one, and I did like Anahita's voice, but the contemporary storyline let me down. 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid — I liked the sound of the premise, but in reality it ended up focusing so much on her choice between the two men, and not enough on her figuring out who she was now (regardless of which guy she ended up with). 



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

Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart — I picked this one up on a whim at the library (I'd read other books by Mary Stewart, so it wasn't a total gamble) and was pleasantly surprised by this cozy read!


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

I feel like for the past few years I've just been recommending the same authors/books (Kate Morton, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, the Bone Season series). 


 5. Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?


Best series started: Gilded Cage by Vic James

Best sequel: The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

 
Best series ender: Stolen Magic by Stephanie Burgis (it was the only series ender I read this year, though. This was not a favourite series of mine, but it was entertaining enough)


 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?

Vic James, Sally Thorne, Rosamund Hodge, Jean E. Pendziwol


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


This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers — I very rarely do zombie reads, but I'd heard good things about this one so I took a chance on it. I'm glad I did, because I found it quite absorbing!


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

The Song Rising


 9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Gilded Cage — I might skim this one to refresh my memory before starting the next in the series.



10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?


Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge and The Forgotten Book by Mecthild


11. Most memorable character of 2017?


I often have a hard time answering this question! I feel like Rapunzel from The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon is a distinct and memorable (although not particularly likeable) character.


 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

The Light-Keeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol. Her writing puts me in mind of a Canadian Kate Morton.



13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017


Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng — a thought-provoking look at how a family can fall apart because of all the feelings they're keeping boxed inside.
  
A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge — surprisingly thought-provoking themes (loss of innocence, power of knowledge) explored in this book, underneath its comedic surface.


 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read? 


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell -- I had read and really enjoyed Attachments, but I thought I might not like Fangirl that much because of the whole emphasis on fanfiction/fandom, which I'm not that into. But I ended up really liking it! 


 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017? 

 "When you dream of change, it shines bright, like fire, and burns away all the rot that came before it. It's swift and inexorable. You cry for justice, and justice is done. The world stands with you in your fight. But if there was one thing I had learned in these last few weeks, it was that change had never been that simple. That kind of revolution existed only in daydreams." – The Song Rising


 16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?


Shortest: Text, Don't Call by INFJoe (Aaron Caycedo-Kimura)

Longest: Cress by Marissa Meyer



 17. Book That Shocked You The Most


Gilded Cage and The Light-Keeper's Daughters
 

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


Warden and Paige from the Bone Season series. Always.


19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The Amalia-Zaira frenemy-ship. These two never quite knew where they stood with each other, which kept things interesting. I'm hoping to see their relationship develop into a true friendship as the series progresses!

Also, the bond of trust and devotion between Emily and Elizabeth in The Light-Keeper's Daughters


20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
 


21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Again, Fangirl -- I got the book as a gift from a friend who strongly recommended it (and she was right!)


22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

I don't think I have a new fictional crush this year, sadly...


23. Best 2017 debut you read?

YA: Gilded Cage by Vic James
Adult: The Light-Keeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol


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



Best worldbuilding: The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

Most vivid setting: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge


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


Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell -- I got lots of warm fuzzies from reading this one. Also, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and On the Fence by Kasie West.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

I didn't full-on cry at any books this year that I can recall. Probably the closest I got was The Light-Keeper's Daughters.


27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

God Is In The Pancakes by Robin Epstein


28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Light-Keeper's Daughters


29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?


Scent of Darkness by Margot Berwin and A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge


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

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger -- it didn't make me mad exactly, but I was so frustrated by the choices that the characters made. (A team-wide "sex strike" is the solution to your problems? Really?) Or maybe I just didn't really like the main character. Her self-centred attitude irritated me.



1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?



Still Gemina. I keep hoping it will pop up on Book Outlet (in hardcover) so that I can get it for a slightly more reasonable price, but so far, no dice!  



Also, I still need to get my hands on Hunted by Meagan Spooner. 


2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)?

The next (as of ye untitled) book in the Bone Season series. Can you tell I'm obsessed with that series?


3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?


The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross. I can't resist a Beauty and the Beast retelling. 


 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?

The next in the Bone Season series, of course.


5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?

I'm hoping to pick more books next year that I will love rather than just "like well enough".


6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):



The Forgotten Book by Mecthild – this is the only 2018 release I've read, but it's a good one! I really enjoyed it and now I need to check out The Book Jumper.



December 26, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books of 2018

Merry Christmas, everyone! I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday in forever (*checks blog* actually, since March 2016, but who's counting?) so it is long overdue for me to participate in this meme again!

The Top Ten Tuesday meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week's topic is books we are most looking forward to in 2018. Without further ado...

1.) The Bone Season #4 by Samantha Shannon — yes, the book I'm most looking forward to (hopefully) coming out in 2018 does not even have a title! (Makes me worried it won't actually be pubbing in 2018, but... *crosses fingers*). I am totally ON BOARD with this series and ship Warden/Paige hard. I want to know what happens to them next!!

2.) The Comfort Zone by Sally Thorne — I really enjoyed the reading experience I had with The Hating Game (even if I had some concerns about elements within the story itself), and I'm hoping that The Comfort Zone will be just as unputdownable.

3.) Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik — Um, YES, SIGN ME UP. I was a big fan of Uprooted and I am so here for more fairytale retellings (or at least, fairytale-inspired stories) from this author. In this case, it's a Rumplestiltskin retelling (not my favourite fairytale, but I'm interested to see what she does with it). Plus, that cover matches my Uprooted cover! *pictures them happily sharing shelf space together*
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4.)  Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen — guys, here begins my slew of anticipated 2018 Beauty & the Beast retellings. I can't resist! This one sounds like it's told from the point of view of a servant girl, Lucie, at the chevalier's estate, who realizes that the "curse" has turned the chevalier into a completely different individual -- one far more compassionate and kind than he was as a human. She hopes he has forever replaced the cruel chevalier, but then a beauty arrives who could break the spell... I love the premise of this, that it's told from the perspective of someone who doesn't want the "curse" broken. Sounds like it'll be a very different sort of retelling!

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5.) The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross — this BatB retelling is from the perspective of the Beast. Yes, I'll take that please and thank you. (Also, that cover!)

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6.)  Stolen Enchantress by Amber Argyle — this one's not a straight-up BatB retelling, but instead the tagline reads "The Pied Piper meets Beauty and the Beast." Colour me intrigued.

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6.) Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare — okay, taking a little break from fairytales here. This is about a "scriptologist" who can write worlds into being, and when her mother is abducted, she travels to the real world to find her and eventually ends up in an alternative 19th-century Italy. I find the synopsis a little confusing, but the premise is fascinating and I am up for alternative 19th-century Italy.
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7.) Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce — it's been far too long since I read a book by Tamora Pierce! This latest of hers is going to delve into Numair's early years at university (before the Immortals series takes place). It'll be interesting to see how Numair became the man he is in the Immortals series.
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8.) Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart — Sister story? Check. Sisters must reverse roles? Check. Treachery in the palace? Check. Young women doing their darnedest to stand up for themselves and get things done in a world where they have no rights? Check. This has some of my favourite elements in a fantasy!


9.) The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross — Set in a fantasy world in which everyone has a talent for one of five "passions" (art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge) and is chosen by a patron. Brienna has trouble discovering which area she excels in, and the patronage she is eventually offered turns out to be for the purpose of overthrowing the king and putting the rightful queen in his place. (Now, I'm hoping this is not so obvious a plotline as that Brienna discovers she is the long-lost queen, because that's been done a hundred and one times before...)

Also, take a gander at that cover. Isn't it just gorgeous?!

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10.) Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett — this involves an imperial courier service, deadly flightless dragons, a girl who has wild magic, and civil war. Yup, I'm in.

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What are your most anticipated reads of 2018?

 

December 16, 2017

All I Want for Christmas 2017 Is... (5)


For any new followers to my blog, this holiday feature is when I share the books that have made it onto my Christmas wishlist.  I'll probably share one or two a week until Christmas. Feel free to link up your own book picks in the comments! 

Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley

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This one looks like a sweet romance with some depth. The fact that one of the main characters is allergic to human touch gives the premise an interesting angle. Hopefully the story inside will live up to that super cute cover!

What books are you hoping to unwrap this holiday season? Share in the comments!


December 9, 2017

All I Want for Christmas 2017 Is... (4)


For any new followers to my blog, this holiday feature is when I share the books that have made it onto my Christmas wishlist.  I'll probably share one or two a week until Christmas. Feel free to link up your own book picks in the comments! 

Tarnished City by Vic James

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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Vic James' debut novel Gilded Cage, so I am looking forward to seeing how things continue in the sequel.

What books are you hoping to find under the tree this holiday season? Share in the comments!

December 3, 2017

All I Want for Christmas 2017 Is... (3)


For any new followers to my blog, this holiday feature is when I share the books that have made it onto my Christmas wishlist.  I'll probably share one or two a week until Christmas. Feel free to link up your own book picks in the comments! 

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

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I've mentioned before how Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales, so I am always interested when a new retelling comes out. The set-up for this one is that the Beauty is actually supposed to be hunting the Beast, which is a cool little twist. I know from reviews that this one isn't as romance-heavy as other retellings (or maybe even the original fairy tale), but it focuses on character development and the importance of family. In my 2016 End of Year Book Survey I listed Hunted as one of the books I was most anticipating for 2017 -- here's hoping I'll get my hands on it!

What books are you hoping Santa brings this holiday season? Share in the comments!

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