Welcome to 2013 End of Year Book Survey hosted by The Perpetual Page-Turner. I did The End of the Year Book Survey last year and really enjoyed it. I think it’s the best wrap-up of the blogging year meme out there. It really covers all the bases. Enjoy!
Best in Books 2013
1. Best book you read in 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)
I have three Best Books of 2013. I gave them my special and rare 6 stars.
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
If you twisted my arm, I would probably say that Dark Triumph is my favorite of 2013.
Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer. I still gave the book 3 stars because it would have pained me to do otherwise but I was so disappointed with this story. I loved Hunter and wanted his story to be good but it ended up being pointless.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
Ten Tiny Breaths Series by K.A. Tucker
Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer
Peaches Monroe Series by Mimi Strong
Addicted Series by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Rook and Ronin Series by J.A. Huss
Pretty When She Dies Series by Rhiannon Frater
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
I literally could not put down The Sea of Tranquility or Dark Triumph. Both books put me in a trance I could not break, nor did I want to.
9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
I feel like I am repeating myself but I will re-read Dark Triumph and The Sea of Tranquility again next year for sure.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
Lily and Lo from Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie. They are the most messed up couple I have ever read about. I remembered everything about them and their story since June, when I read their book. They are the essence of beautiful disaster which is why I love them so much.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. A quote from my review might help explain why:
Reading Unravel Me was like reading macabre poetry in a cold, dark room with just a sliver of
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
The Sea of Tranquility literally made me love contemporary romances. I rarely read them before this book and now contemporary romance is one of my favorite genres.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
Once I read Storm by Brigid Kemmerer, I couldn’t believe it took me so long to start this series (Elemental series). So many people recommended this series to me and I am so happy I finally started reading these books in 2013.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?
And this is especially sad for me since I am majorly sarcastic most minutes of the day. *le sigh*
and:
“Are you hungry, baby?” Curran asked.
“Starving.”
“I think we should go to dinner.”
“Great idea.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“My badass face.”
“Good choice,” he said.” – Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
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!
18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously.
Magic Rises and Dark Triumph.
20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else:
I only read Storm by Brigid Kemmerer because of my friend and book blogger Sarah from saz101.com (Her blog is not active right now)
21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?
Of course I always read urban fantasy and paranormal the most, but I read a lot of contemporary romance this year as well.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Book boyfriend wise I gained Beast from Dark Triumph this year, but I also loved Warner from Unravel Me.
23. Best 2013 debut you read?
24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
I don’t know why but this has been the hardest question for me so far. I think As The World Dies: Untold Tales Volume 1 and Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater has the best imagery. Frater knows how to write one gruesome and descriptive scene.
25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?
Sometimes books are just plain fun for whatever reason. They aren’t the best books but they stick with you because they make you giggle and flutter in excitement to read them. I had a couple of those this year. Stardust by Mimi Strong, Tragic and Manic by J.A. Huss. and Lick by Kylie Scott.
26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
The Sea of Tranquility, Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker, and Shadow of Wrath by L.W. Patricks got me all teary eyed.
27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?
Book Blogging/Reading Life 2013
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
JC’s Book Haven. Jaclyn likes similar books to me and she has awesome features on her blog. Though I might have met Ashley and her blog a little over a year ago, I wanted to mention her again and her blog Nose Graze. Great, honest reviews and she knows everything about wordpress and website/blog coding. She is the Coding Goddess. And, again, I might have known Kimba longer than a year but I love her blog Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
Dark Triumph, The Sea of Tranquility, Magic Rises, and Unravel Me.
Well, on my feature Bookish Blatherings, the topic of judging a book by its cover got the most comments and garnered the most and best discussions.
Ashley from Nose Graze always has great discussions going on but her blogging tips feature is the BEST.
I finally met by favorite authors ever!. The wife and husband writing team Ilona Andrews. Best time of my life! The signing was at San Diego’s Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. Check out some pics from the event. I had so much fun. These two are as funny in person as they are on paper. I also went to LA Times Festival of Books. It was hot but my friends and I learned a lot from the discussions.
6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
I think finally starting a blog feature of my own. I have been wanting to do it since I first started blogging but was too nervous. But Bookish Blatherings is awesome and other people seem to love it. I also love my Writing and Publishing Tips feature.
My 2nd Blogoversary + Giveaway did very well this year. So did my review and giveaway for Magic Rises. Oh, and my post for the Chloe Neill Biting Bad Tour was very well received.
There is no specific post I wish had more views or comments but sometimes I am sad when some of my book reviews don’t get a lot of comments, especially when I loved the book. I just want to talk about the bookish goodness more. Actually, changed my mind. My Opal Review only got 3 comments. I really wanted to talk about this book more with people.
Ummm, I don’t know! Well, I started using Pinterest this year and have been pinning all book covers from my blog. People really seem to like my pins. I usually get like 5 or more re-pins or likes a day. And I love that people can follow the pin to my blog as well.
I did Goodreads’ 2013 Reading Challenge and set a goal of 130 books and ended up reading 189 books. I also did NetGalley November to catch up with my eARCs from NetGalley and completed 28 books with a goal of 21.
Looking Ahead
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black and Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.
2. Book you are most anticipating for 2014 (non-debut)?
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews.
I want to build and create my own professional website for my book blog and really work on the graphics. I am going to school for all that right now.
Diamond Cronen
I love reading answers to this survey and filling it out! I loved Sea of Tranquility too…it made a lot of my answers too! I have to say that for me it was also a book that made me like contemporary books where I hadn’t before (crazy!) looks like you had a great year Jennifer. Here’s to another great book blogging and reading year!
-Diamond @ Dee’s reads – My Survey Link
Jennifer Bielman
Wow, that’s crazy. So happy to hear The Sea of Tranquility made a difference in someone else’s life.
kimbacaffeinate
Hmm, key word in this post….Dark Triumph!! It made my top ten YA reads for 2013 which will post tomorrow. I think you and I both gave it a 6 if I remember correctly..LOL I loved Sea of Tranquility too. Cool survey 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Yup, you and me were on the same page when it came to Dark Triumph. Best book EVER. Yup, both of us gave it 6 stars.
Brandi Kosiner
I loved Sea as well!!
Jennifer Bielman
Happy to hear it!
Sarah Elizabeth
I really like the elementals series as well. must get round to the Ilona Andrews books!
Jennifer Bielman
OMG, You will love Ilona. I hope, lol.
Ashley
I’m so excited for you to create your own book blog site! Even I’m all psyched for that!
You make me feel like I really need to read Dark Triumph! I read the first book but didn’t love it. I *liked* it, but didn’t love it.. and I think that’s why I never read Dark Triumph. But now I feel like I’m missing out!
And thanks for the mentions, girl! <3
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, I know you’d be excited bout the new website the most.
OMG, I don’t care if you only ‘liked’ the first one, you need to read Dark Triumph. It is so epic. As long as you didn’t hate book 1, then you need to read book 2.
Jaclyn Canada
Oh my there is so much goodness in this post! I have Dark Triumph on my to-read list since you loved it so much. I also can’t believe that I haven’t made it to Magic Rises yet, but I want to SO BAD. You’re also the reason I added the Elemental Series…now I just have to get to them. I loved the cover of Hidden Gates so much too. Those color combinations with the eye and reflection make for a fantastic image. I also really like the fact that you went with one that not everyone has seen so they can enjoy it too. Thank you so much for the mention! I’m really glad to have met you this year 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jaclyn Canada
See I also forgot to mention the punch-worthy ending of Opal! I loved that 😀 Plus, the sarcasm quote from Mortal Instruments is one of my fav’s as well and I’m a sarcastic nilly too LOL
Jennifer Bielman
I am so excited for you to read Dark Triumph. And I think you will really like the Elemental series, so up your alley. OMG, Magic Rises, REAT NOW!!
I am weird about the covers I like. I don’t usually like the ones everyone else does.
That quote from Mortal is freaking epic! But so simple too.
sherry fundin
Awesome post Jennifer. Good luck with building your own site. I have a feeling you will do very well.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much!