2012 End of the Year Book Survey

I love reflecting back to the books that I have read and my bookish experiences. Which is why I love the end of the year book survey that Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner hosts. I think I've participated since the beginning. And I am glad to bring it to you today.

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)

How on earth is it possible to answer this question? Pick a single book? Yeah right. I'm picking from genres. 

Young Adult: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpartick- The characters in this book were awesome.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- Talk about a cry fest and a book I still think about often. 

Adult: All Fall Down by Megan Hart- This was a pretty intense novel. I am a huge Hart fan.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer- Wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. But I have to say it was one of my favourites. 

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

There are a few novels that I read this year that I was SO excited for was sure I would love but didn't. 

Fracture by Megan Miranda- I wasn't all that impressed with this novel. I wanted more. 

Tempest by Julie Cross- Again, I wanted more. There was just SO much hype regarding this novel and I totally fell for it. 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?

This was probably one of the easiest questions so far. 

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks- I really liked this novel and I wasn't thinking that I would. I really enjoyed the characters. They were well rounded and complex. It was really good. 

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky- was one that I recommended a lot. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- I recommended a lot. I'm sorry if you've noticed me talk about it a lot. I'm sorry. But it was a beautiful book. 

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

I read a lot of firsts in a series this year, a lot. But none that I have read two or more of. SO I will list the book series that I plan on continuing with. 

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows- I loved this book. I thought it was SO good and I am very excited for Asunder. 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo- I really liked this story and I am excited to see where it goes. 

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

Huntley Fitzpatrick (My Life Next Door)- I loved this book and I think that Fitzpatrick is going to be one of those authors that I will read no matter what the story is about. That;s how wonderful it was. 

Gayle Foreman (If I Stay and Where She Went)- Both books contained such beautiful writing. Overall I really loved reading both books. 

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Cinder by Marissa Meyer- This book I would consider pretty sci fi. and I don't read sci fi. Not at all. But I read this one and it was absolutely one of the best books I have read in 2012. It was so good. I am reading Scarlet now and I am really enjoying it. 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake- I loved this book. I thought it was so much fun to read and super creepy. I wanted to know what was going on and how it was going to end. So for me this was for sure the most thrilling. 

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

If I had time to reread books:

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman- I loved that books (as I am sure you noticed). And I am sure I'll sit down one day and want to reread it. 

Lover Reborn by JR Ward- I always find myself rereading the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. Whether I realize it or not. I love them and I'll sit down to skim it and all of a sudden I've read half the book and by then I think I might as well finish it. 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

 I love the cover of this novel. I think it is absolutely beautiful! I love the bold colours, and I love how the cover capture the mystery of the novel. It is fantastic. 

11. Most memorable character in 2012?

I am totally going to sound like a broken record, and I am sort of sorry, but not really. But...

George Garett from My Life Next Door- At four George Garett is a star. He was hysterical and irrational and so full of wit and charm. I loved him. I smile just thinking about him. He really added to the novel and I wonder if  I would have liked the book as much if he hadn't been in it. 

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

I should just stop now. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

All Fall Down by Megan Hart 

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?

I really should stop now...

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- This novel kept me up at night for weeks after I read it. There were things that were discussed that really stayed with me and made me thing about life and death and family and taking things for granted, and loving life. How could it not stay with me and have a huge impact on my life. 

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?

Catching Fire and Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins- Yes I only finished The Hunger Games series this year (I only started reading it last). But why? I have no idea. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan- Laughed SO hard throughout this book. But don't get me wrong. Will Grayson, Will Grayson is more than just comedic contemporary novel. It has depth to it. 

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?

"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”

John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

                                                                                                    

“Peeing is like a good book in that it is very, very hard to stop once you start.”

John Green, Paper Towns

Now you can see why I am obsessed with John Green. 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?

Longest: Lover Reborn by JR Ward at 572 pages- This one was HUGE, but I flew through it. 

Shortest: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald- Itty bitty baby book that I read in a day. It was an interesting read. 

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!

I feel like there were a bunch of those in The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. The whole book was one huge WTF? Especially the end. 

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Romantic: Noah and Echo from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry- Loved their relationship SO much. It was beautiful.

and yes...

Hazel and Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars

Platonic: Samantha/Jase and Tim from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- Time really needed a friend in this book and I think both Sam and Jase are that to him. Which was beautiful. It was also wonderful to see how much of a friend Tim was able to be to both of them as well. Totally heartwarming. 

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously

Broken record...

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan- I'm sorry. But I read three books written by John Green this year and they've-all three- been incredible experiences. 

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake- There were a number of people who told me I needed to read this book. I don't think I would have without the push. I am very glad that I finally caved and read it.

That is my 2012 End of the Year Book Survey. I only do the first part, so as not to bore you. Also I have some resolutions I want to share later with you all.

~Happy Reading Everyone.