The Annual End of Year Book Survey - 2014 Edition

This year, book wise, has been shocking for me. Reading and blogging have been practically non-existent compared to previous years and my Reading Challenges were an EPIC FAIL (again). But when I did find the time, there were some wonderful books and now that I only have one semester of uni left, and half the workload, I hope to get the blog back to its former glory. No promises, But that's my goal.

Until then, I'm going to answer some of the questions that are part of Jamie's 5th Annual End of Year Book Survey over at The Perpetual Page-Turner. I've only read 19 books this year but I'll do my best to answer most of the questions. Here we go...

~ Books Read in 2014 ~

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider 
The Diviners by Libba Bray
The Rig by Joe Ducie 
The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn 
Amplified by Tara Kelly  
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller 
The First Third by Will Kostakis 
Me Since You by Laura Wiess
Jewel in the Thames by Angela Misri
Every Word by Ellie Marney 
Spark by Rachael Craw
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 
Notes From The Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin  
The Astrologer's Daughter by Rebecca Lim
Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith  
The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl by Melissa Keil

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

~ Best in Books ~

Best Book You Read In 2014?

The Impossible Knife of Memory, The Diviners and Me Since You. I can't possibly choose between these three. They were/are amazing.

Best Series You Started In 2014? Best Sequel Of 2014? Best Series Ender Of 2014?

Best start to a series was The Diviners and I am thoroughly looking forward to Libba releasing the follow-up, Lair of Dreams, in 2015. Every Word, the follow up to Every Breath, is a wonderful edition to the Sherlock Holmes-inspired novels that have been gracing bookshelves this year. And the best series ender is of course the long-awaited Isla and the Happily Ever After. I just wish it wasn't the end! 

 

Best Book From A Genre You Don’t Typically Read/Was Out Of Your Comfort Zone?

I'm not usually a fan of books set in the past or from the sci-fi genre, but both these books were wonderful surprises. The Diviners is set in the 1920's so automatically I put it in the 'not-my-thing' basket. But it is a crime/murder mystery set in New York so I gave it a go. It ended up being one of my favourite books of the year. Spark is a genetically modified sci-fi with suspense, action and romance that kept me awake until 2am as I had to finish it before bed!

Favourite Cover Of A Book You Read In 2014?

Without a doubt, Wild Awake was my absolute favourite cover this year. The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl comes in second.

Most Beautifully Written Book Read In 2014?

I refuse to choose between The Impossible Knife of Memory and Me Since You.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book Of 2014?

Sounding like a bit of a broken record here but... Me Since You.

Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2014 To Finally Read?
Something Like Normal and The Diviners.

Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

"My earbuds were in, but I wasn't playing music. I needed to hear the world but didn't want the world to know I was listening" - The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Favourite Couple From A Book You Read in 2014?

Rachel and Mycroft from Every Breath

Favourite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?

The father/daughter relationship between Andy and Hayley Kincain in The Impossible Knife of Memory and Alba's friendship group in The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl. Also, from The First Third, Billy and Sticks (and Sticks's family, especially when his dad teaches Billy to ride a bike).

 

Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (I can't believe it took me so long, Becca!)

Best 2014 Debut You Read?

The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on her second novel, The Protected. 

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

Isla and the Happily Ever After, The First Third, Every Word, and Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.

 

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Me Since You was just incredible but it had me crying for literally half the book. The Impossible Knife of Memory and Something Like Normal also had me reaching for tissue boxes. Coincidentally, all three books discuss PTSD.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.

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

Spark. Thanks, Rachael Craw. Major Cliff-hanger at the end! Grrrrrrr

~ Blogging/Bookish Life ~

Favourite Review That You Wrote In 2014?

Me Since You and Severed Heads, Broken Hearts

Best Discussion/Non-review Post You Had On Your Blog? 
My post about a Harry Potter Party that I attended. Seriously awesome :)

Best Moment Of Bookish/Blogging Life In 2014? 

I met John Marsden....

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

My review of Jewel of the Thames was the most viewed post with 3000 views more than any other post. 

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My Me Since You review.

~ Looking Ahead ~

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

Just One Year by Gayle Forman. I meant to but for some reason just never got to it. Probably because I wasn't the biggest fan of Willem in Just One Day.

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

The Howling Boy by Cath Crowley, Cloudwish by Fiona Wood, I Was Here by Gayle Forman, I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson... I could keep going...

2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

The Way We Bared Our Souls by Willa Strayhorn

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

Every Move, the third and final book in Ellie Marney's Rachel Watts and James Mycroft series. Also, Lair of Dreams, the followup to The Diviners by Libba Bray.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

I want to get back to reviewing a book a week as I have missed my blog this year. And my TBR pile/cupboard/bookcase looks as if it will tumble over soon!

Happy New Year to you all! May your 2015 be filled with amazing books xx