Monday, December 28, 2015

End of the year survey

Now that 2015 is just about over, it's time for a bunch of end-of-year surveys instead of real posts. Which works out nicely for me cos instead of reading I've spent my time eating waaaaay too much food and watching stuff like Tiny House Hunters. Thanks Loni for this one!

1. Best book read in 2015?
There were a lot of amazing books this year BUT I think the one I liked the best was probably The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I don't know if "love" is the right word, but I definitely thought I'd enjoy The Intern's Handbook. Yeah, not a fan of that one...
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Maybe A Storm of Swords because it was finally the GoT book that really got me into the series. Prior to it I was enjoying things well enough, but not in love with it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
I don't know that I actually convinced anyone to read any of the books I read this year.

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?
So the only series I started this year was The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. I read A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows, as well as The Rosie Effect in terms of sequels, and out of those I'd say Swords was my fav. I didn't finish any series, which makes sense since I rarely start them.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
I guess I'd say Liane Moriarty because she's new to me this year AND she has some other books I would like to check out. Or maybe Elizabeth Peters because Crocodile on the Sandbank was super fun.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
The Monk probably, but I think a lot of that credit goes towards the super fun of the readalong and only some to Matthew G. Lewis and his batshit insane story.
Basically
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I don't know that I'd describe that many of the books I read as action-packed or thrilling (despite how many books I would categorize as thrillers) but maybe Locke & Key audiobook? That certainly had action and thrilling moments and OMG SO GOOD. I might actually have to read it and see the artwork.

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
The Graveyard Book, Furiously Happy, Men Explain Things To Me because I think I need to give that book another go when I'm in a different frame of mind.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
None of them super stand out and a good amount of my reading was done on my Kindle so no cover I can readily picture. That said, I do like the Station Eleven cover. (also the book itself, which gets an honorable mention for one of the best books I read this year.)

11. Most memorable character of 2015?
I think I'd have to say Bod from The Graveyard Book.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?
This is a toss up for two very different books but Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Revenge by Yoko Ogawa

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?
Probably Americanah or The Big Short, again in very different ways.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?
Graveyard Book which I realize I'm answering with a lot. But it's a book that's been recommended to me for awhile and cos I was sort of lukewarm on Gaiman before I didn't really prioritize it. Then I finally read it and wow.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?
I have no idea. I could probably look through what I highlighted or quoted in posts but that sounds like a lot of work.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?
Shortest: "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (64 pages), which is more of an essay than book SO runner up is Men Explain Things To Me by Rebecca Solnit (130 pages). Is it weird that both of the shortest are feminist pieces?
Longest: A Storm of Swords by George R. R. at 1,216 pages

17. Book That Shocked You The Most
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis because that book is wall-to-wall bananas.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
I feel like very few of the books I read have great couples. How about Leonella and Christoval from The Monk?

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Lafayette and George Washington from Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell. Though I guess it's hard to credit Vowell with that cos history. But seriously, Lafayette named his son "George Washington".
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Neil Gaiman for Graveyard

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure
At this point, it's hard for me to separate the books I found vs. ones someone else recommended. Maybe Locke & Key cos a BUNCH of people have talked about how great that is and Kayleigh (aka Nylon Admiral) provided the information that the audiobook was free and free is great. Of course I don't know if I can say that was solely a reco from someone else, cos I'm already a Joe Hill fan. OK, if not L&K then maybe The Monk cos that was fun and def not something I would have read sans readalong.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?
Um nope. I got nothing.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?
For the most part, I have no idea which books are debut books. And each book I guessed that I really enjoyed might be a debut turned out not to be. I've read a few debut books that weren't really my favs. Though I guess this just says "Best" but since in this case it would be more of a "ugh, I guess this one" I'm just gonna go ahead and skip it.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
It's hard to beat George R. R. when it comes to world building. I mean, damn.
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Well I re-read The Martian in prep for the movie and always the most fun. 

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?
I remember crying both while reading Graveyard Book (and really trying not to cos I WAS IN PUBLIC, DAMMIT), as well as while listening to Locke & Key, which was extra awkward cos I was on an exercise bike at the time. At least that was in my own house. 

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
I don't know that I uncovered many gems. Most of the gems were recommended to me, and therefore already unearthed.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
The Dinner probably, and not in a good way.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?
Locke & Key. I mean, it was an audiobook of a graphic novel. Whaaaa?
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
The Intern's Handbook and no, I did not like it. The Big Short also pissed me off, but that one was not the book's fault. 

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?
Hamilton biography!! I mean, I didn't get to it in 2015 cos I JUST got it and also there is a readalong planned for it. But it is definitely a 2016 priority.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?
Ummm, said priority book. 

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Not a clue. I don't pay enough attention to which books will be coming out in 2016, especially not debut.
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?
I do not read enough series/sequels.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?
Catch up on my reviews. I'm currently 9 books behind. And instead of writing a review, I'm doing this. Good job, me.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone
I am not special enough to read that many ARCs to already not only know but have read upcoming releases.

So there you go. How'd your 2015 look?