2012: That’s A Wrap!

by | Jan 4, 2013 | Reading Challenges | 4 comments

If I Die by Rachel Vincent2012 was actually a very busy year for me, reading-wise…. but not book-wise! I read a lot of fanfiction – 98% of it absolutely brilliant – and only a few books. Truth is, most of the books I picked up I did not enjoy. I have quite a big pile of books in my room half-read… including some from series I adore.

But there have been some great books in 2012. Here’s a wrap-up of them all with the help of The End of the Year Book Survey hosted at Perpetual Page Turner!

1. Best Book You Read In 2012?

There are three that come to mind immediately… but I’d have to say If I Die by Rachel Vincent. One of the reasons I loved this book so much was because it was such a surprise – I expected a good-or-just-OK novel, and instead got a brilliant one.

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

Easy: The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams. God, this book was just so frustrating. I had read so many great reviews of the book but found riddled with cliches and featuring the most idiotic of love triangles. Never got round to reviewing it as I couldn’t face revisiting it…

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

Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan – I enjoyed the first book in this series, but didn’t think it anything special. This book proved me wrong!

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

The Soul Screamers series, by far.

5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas – I am not really a romance reader, let alone a historical romance reader… but the first two books in this series were just SO entertaining and well written.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

Again, Lisa Kleypas.

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

I’d say the Vampire Academy graphic novel. I was my first full-length graphic novel ever, and I really enjoyed it!

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Instead of a single book, I’d say the entire Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent. Even in my reading slump, I devoured these.

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

Probably A Study in Scarlet by ACD – it’s a classic for a reason.

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

The UK cover of Muse by Rebecca Lim, by FAR.

11. Most memorable character in 2012? 

I adored Mercy Thompson in River Marked by Patricia Briggs this year. She has always been exceptional, but she was even more badass in that book.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Meh… none of them. All great – none “beautiful”.

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

I’d say Pure Blood by Caitlin Kitteredge… and not for a good reason. I loved the first book in this series, but this book made me want to hit things. That it came after reading two other UF novels with similar female leads didn’t help…

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

Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre. I had adored the first two books in the Jax series, and I wish I had dived into the sequels sooner!

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

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.”
– A Study in Scarlet

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?

I think the longest book I read this year was actually only half a book: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. I read the first 500 pages, but put it down as it was getting horribly depressing… The shortest would have to be Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs (graphic novel).

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!

The scene with Faythe and Jace in Prey by Rachel Vincent – I knew it was coming but… WTF?!

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

Vel and Jax in the Sirantha Jax series – I heart these two SO MUCH, even in spite of one of them being a bug alien… rather impressive, me thinks.

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

River Marked by Patricia Briggs: the woman is a legend for a reason.

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

It is really rare for me to read a book without first getting a recommendation from someone… so, all of them.

100+ Reading Challenge

by | Jan 4, 2010 | Reading Challenges | 2 comments

 
I’ve done it again…!  This is my very last challenge for 2010 – cross my heart!  But unlike my other challenges, this one really will be a tough one to accomplish.  I have never broken the 50-book line in a year, so why am I joining a 100+ book challenge?  Partly because I am compulsive (and kinda insane) – but also because I really really need to clear out my TBR pile!  I have 150+ books waiting to be read – so even cutting down on my book buying addiction is not going to help.  I need to take action, rally the troops… so I joined a challenge?

Click here to sign up for J.Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge – and visit the site to check out our reviews!

Read in 2010

  1. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson – 4 stars
  2. The Espressologist by Kristina Springer – 4 stars
  3. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – 4 stars
  4. Firespell by Chloe Neill – 4.5 stars
  5. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler – 4.5 stars
  6. Fallen by Lauren Kate – 3.5 stars
  7. Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey – 3 stars
  8. Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells – 5 stars
  9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – 5 stars
  10. Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland – 2 stars
  11. Untamed Heart by Ally Blue – 3 stars
  12. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
  13. Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast – 2 stars
  14. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs – 5 stars
  15. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder – 4.5 stars
  16. A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary by Alain De Botton – 4 stars
  17. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward – 4 stars
  18. Frostbite by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
  19. Need by Carrie Jones – 4 stars
  20. Claimed By Shadow by Karen Chance – 2.5 stars
  21. Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead – 4 stars
  22. Fade Out by Rachel Caine – 4 stars
  23. Shiver by Maggie Steifvater – 5 stars
  24. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – 5 stars
  25. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs – 4.5 stars
  26. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong – 5 stars
  27. (novella) Bring the Heat by M.L. Rhodes – 4 stars
  28. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore – 2 stars
  29. The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells – 5 stars
  30. Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow – 4 stars
  31. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles – 4 stars
  32. The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton – 4 stars
  33. Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk – 3.5 stars
  34. Beating Heart by A. M. Jenkins – 3 stars
  35. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan – 3.5 stars
  36. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder – 3.5 stars
  37. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase – 4 stars
  38. Ondine by Ebony McKenna – 4 stars
  39. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead – 4.5 stars
  40. The Line by Teri Hall – 2.5 stars
  41. Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans – 3 stars
  42. Betrayals by Lili St. Crow – 3.5 stars
  43. Graceling by Kristin Cashore – 4.5 stars
  44. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill – 4 stars
  45. Seven Sorcerers by Caro King – 4.5 stars
  46. Rogue by Rachel Vincent – 3 stars
  47. (novella) Blood Soup by Kelly A. Harmon – 3.5 stars
  48. Old Magic by Marianne Curley – 3 stars
  49. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine – 4 stars
  50. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner – 2 stars
  51. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles – 5 stars
  52. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr – 3 stars
  53. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick – 1.5 stars
  54. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan – 4 stars
  55. Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine – 3.5 stars
  56. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre – 5 stars
  57. TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow – 3.5 stars
  58. Jealousy by Lili St. Crow – 3.5 stars
  59. Succubus Nights by Richelle Mead – 4 stars
  60. The Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda – 3.5 stars
  61. Linger by Maggie Steifvater – 5 stars
  62. Captivate by Carrie Jones – 3 stars
  63. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs – 2.5 stars
  64. Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson – 3 stars
  65. Stargazer by Claudia Gray – 3.5 stars
  66. Dark Life by Kat Falls – 4.5 stars
  67. Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre – 4.5 stars
  68. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs – 4 stars
  69. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs – 4 stars
  70. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin – 3.5 stars
  71. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting – 2.5 stars