2018 End of Year Reading Survey

Hey, guys!

Once again, I am participating in Jamie (from The Perpetual Page Turner)'s  End of Year Reading Survey! I've incorporated some bits to cater to my reading year, but the majority of these categories and questions are from her original 2017 blog post. 

If you're interested in seeing the master list of all the books I read this year, click {here}!

Here are my results for the survey!

2017 Reading Stats:

Number of Books You Read: 125

Number of Re-Reads: 8

Genre You Read the Most From: YA Fantasy

Average Length of Book: 245 pages

Number of Pages Read: 30,595

Most Popular Book On Goodreads That I Read This Year: The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky ~ read by 1,171,654 people on Goodreads

Least Popular: Gudetama's Guide to Life by Brian D. Clark ~ read by 22 people on Goodreads

Average Rating for 2017: 4 stars (This is highly unlikely. Goodreads does not account for quarter/half stars)

Highest Rated Book (On Goodreads - on my reading list): Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas ~ 4.65 stars on Goodreads

~~~

Best In Books:

1. Best Book You Read in 2017: 

Okay, who are we kidding? Sarah J. Maas is my queen and her books are always my favorites. 

Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)  by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost & Starlight (A Court of Thorns & Roses #3.5) by Sarah J. Maas

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

If I had to pick a favorite book that isn't SJM, I'd have to pick

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

OR The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell

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

I've written a blog post about this, but I think my biggest let down was That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

This book was just not my cup of tea. If you'd like to read more about the books that irritated me this year, then click here!

3. Most Surprising (good/bad) Book You Read: 

This year, my boyfriend read Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and absolutely raved about it for the next 5 months until I read it. I had planned on reading it right after the initial release, but school happened and I had put it off. Not only that but the hype surrounding this book was absolutely monumental. Anyway, reading it soon after it was released just didn't happen. I ended up reading this fabulous book during the last week of classes and absolutely adored it. I definitely see it as my reward for finishing my semester strong. I'm so in love with Tomi's writing and characters. This book got me out of my post-KOA reading slump and managed to become one of my new faves within a couple days. It's fantastic! 

(PS Alex also pre-ordered the sequel for me for Christmas, so expect that packaged to pop up on my Insta-stories in March!)

4. Book You "Pushed" the Most People To Read (And They Did): I've been raving and vigorously recommending The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell to everyone. I also convinced others to read The Kiss Quotient, The Hating Game, Foolish Hearts, and The Cruel Prince --- and of course the ACOTAR and TOG books.

5a. Best series you started in 2018? I started The Folk of Air series in January and I'm absolutely in love with it. I can't wait for book 2 to come out next month.

5b. Best Sequel of 2019? West by Edith Pattou was absolutely wonderful!

5c. Best Series Ender of 2018? Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018? 

Helen Hoang! I can't wait for her 2019 release!

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?  

I read sooo many graphic novels and comics this year, but I really really enjoyed reading more adult/new adult romance and contemporary novels. I'm a big fan. I'm definitely ending my year with quite a few new adult romance novels on my Goodreads and physical TBR.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year? 

Of course KOA and ACOFAS, but I also couldn't put down The Cruel Prince, Bring Me Their Hearts, and The Hating Game!

9. Book You Read In 2018 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Any Sarah J. Maas book or any of my favorites from this year!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018? 

..duh

ALSO!



I originally did not like this cover. I really love the ARC cover. However, seeing this book in person is much more satisfying than seeing the image on a screen. The cover is gorgeous in person. 

11. Most memorable character of 2018? 

Aelin has my heart. I love her so much.

I also cannot get over the growth in Nesta. I can't wait for 2020 and ACOTAR 4.

I also cannot wait to reread The Forest Queen. I miss Sylvie so much and I loved getting to know all of the characters in this book. I'm such a big fan.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2018? 
Kingdom of Ash has my heart. I can't wait to do another reread of the series...but it's too soon. I'll just cry.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2018?

Other than the ACOTAR AND TOG books... Children of Blood & Bone, The Forest Queen, The Hating Game, Foolish Hearts and The Cruel Prince have all changed my life for the better.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2018 to finally read? 

I can't believe I waited until 2018 to read Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo! Oh my gosh! What a great finale!
I also wish I hadn't waited til this year to read Tower of Dawn. It was just so fantastic. I love Chaol and Yrene.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2018?

SPOILERS FOR KINGDOM OF ASH. DO NOT READ QUOTE IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK. SKIP TO 16 TO AVOID SPOILERS. 

“Aelin looked at Chaol and Dorian and sobbed. Opened her arms to them, and wept as they held each other. “I love you both,” she whispered. “And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change.” 

This scene was just so special to me. I was bawling like a baby. I love these characters so much. They have been with me for years now and I just cannot believe that this series is over. 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

Shortest: (probably) MAMA: A True Story, in Which a Baby Hippo Loses His Mama During a Tsunami, But Finds a New Home, and a New Mama by Jeanette Winter (32 pages)
Shortest Novella: The Mirror and the Maze by Renee Ahdieh (11 pages)

Longest: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas (992 pages)

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

The Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples continued to surprise me and keep me hooked in every installation. I cannot wait for the next volume to come out.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!): 

Rhysand + Feyre = Feysand FOR THE FREAKING WIN!

Aelin + Rowan from Throne of Glass
Lucy + Josh from The Hating Game
Zera and Lucien from Bring Me Their Hearts
Claudia and Gideon from Foolish Hearts

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year: 

I loved the friendships that developed throughout Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills. I also really loved the friendships in Geekerella and The Forest Queen.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously: 

Obviously Tower of Dawn, ACOFAS, and Kingdom of Ash. I think those are just a given.

The Forest Queen is definitely my favorite of Betsy Cornwell's work. 

The Cruel Prince was definitely a step up from what Holly Black has written previously. I'm very excited to continue reading her work.

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Sarah J. Maas was absolutely gushing about The Hating Game during the Chicago bit of her tour, so of course, I quickly picked it up. I ended up ordering it online because it was sold out that night. I guess everyone had the same idea!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017? 

I love love love Josh from The Hating Game AND Josh from Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating. 

23. Best 2017 debut you read?

Children of Blood and Bone!!!

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Obviously TOG/ACOTAR ----- BUT ALSO Children of Blood & Bone, The Forest Queen, and The Cruel Prince.

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

Foolish Hearts!

 

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2018?

Tower of Dawn, Kingdom of Ash, ACOFAS, The Forest Queen, Foolish Hearts, and Crooked Kingdom

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

The Kiss Quotient stole my heart!

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

KINGDOM OF ASH!

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?

Definitely Algedonic by RH Sin. His work is beautiful.

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

The Forest Queen focused on some really great themes that made you think. Each character had such a beautiful story that I absolutely adored.

Your Blogging/Bookish Life:

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017?

I'm actually really behind on reading other blogs, but I absolutely adore my friend Martha's blog: Martha's Writeyard.
I've also really become engaged in keeping up with some of my favorite YouTubers:
Lala from booksandlala, Whitney from whittynovels, and Regan from PeruseProject.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?

Oh my goodness. I'm not even sure this year. I feel like I was just really slacking this year when it came to faaabulous content, but I really enjoyed writing my reviews for The Cruel Prince, Bring Me Their Hearts, and any of the Sarah J. Maas reviews. I also really loved Courtney's gushing review for My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

I loved working with Sara Wolf and Entangled Teen this year! I got to be one of the blogs to reveal the cover of BRING ME THEIR HEARTS. This book has become one of my favorite books of the year. I cannot wait to read the sequel!

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

Going to see Sarah J. Maas in October was an ABSOLUTE DREAM! I cannot wait for her next tour. I'm hoping to go again and to get a VIP ticket so I can actually meet her. Oh my gosh that would be a dream come true! I love her so much!

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

This whole year has just been so wonderful. I loved blogging this year. 
This year I actually contacted publishers about reading some books and they responded! I was able to read West by Edith Pattou and The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell early! I'm so blessed!

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Just making the time to get stuff done. I really failed when it came to reading things on time and publishing reviews. I'm going to try harder this year to do well. However, I will be starting my senior year of college in August so we will see how that goes. 

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

Guys. I have no idea. Numbers are arbitrary. 

However, THANK YOU FOR 72,600+ PAGE VIEWS! WOW I'M SO BLESSED!

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Any review!

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, bookstores, etc.)?

I have fallen in love with the book community a little more every year, however, my favorite "discoveries" have to be the friends I've made and Blissfully Bookish Company!

Blissfully Bookish is one of my later loves, but Alex bought me the BEST tshirt for Christmas and I'm already hooked. I can't wait to splurge on more merch.

This year I became friends with so many people, but a special shout-out goes to Mariana, Becky, Alice, Brooke, and Lauren! Y'all are beautiful and wonderful. I'm so glad that we have become friends!

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I set a reading goal to read 60 books this year...I hit 88! Yay! 

In 2018, I'm not going to pressure myself to accept a massive amount of review books, I'm not going to push myself to read gobs and gobs of books, and I'm not going to force myself to read books that I'm not enjoying. 

Another lesson I learned this year was to follow my heart and read what I love. I didn't have the time this year to read books I didn't enjoy, so I didn't.  

Looking Ahead:

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?

I really wanted to read all of the books on my physical TBR, but that isn't possible unless I read full time. (If you want me to do that, pay me). But anyway, I have quite a few books (non-2018 and 2018 releases, alike): 

• Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
• Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
• Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
• Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
• The Boneless Mercies by April Lynne Tucholke
• Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
• A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
• The Spring Girls by Anna Todd
• The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
• The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
• The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
• To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandria Christo
• Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

2. A Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2019 (non-debut)?

A lot of my most anticipated 2019 releases are coming out in the early months. If you'd like to read about my current list of anticipated releases see {here}

• The World of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
• The Wicked King by Holly Black
• Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills
• King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
• The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
• Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
• Find Me Their Bones by Sara Wolf

3. 2019 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

There are a few that I'm interested in, but I'm not really caught up on reading all of the 2018 releases that I purchased this year. 

• We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
• Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan
• Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
• I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2019?

• I am SO excited for the release of The Wicked King by Holly Black! The Cruel Prince was one of my all-time favorite books of this year and I'm so freaking enamored by Black's storytelling and world building. I already have 3 copies preordered (the regular edition, the Barnes & Noble special edition, and a signed edition from Good Choice Reading)

5. Did I Accomplish My Goals from 2017 Going into 2018?

Here are my goals for 2018:

• Stop procrastinating on writing reviews! 
• Make a dent in my TBR shelf
• Read more for me 
• Stop buying books excessively. Only buy the books I know I'll love. 

Results:

This year was so busy! I did not specifically procrastinate writing reviews, but I didn't have time to write them either. This past year has been so busy with school and work and prepping for my senior year. I had such a great school year and I'm so proud of my grades and accomplishments, but my blog suffered because of my good work in school. This will probably be a continued trend into the coming year. School comes first, y'all. I will still continue to blog furiously when I can.

This year I managed to read over 100 books! Yay! Of those 100+ books, I managed to primarily read the books I owned. BUT I also used resources from my library - audiobooks and ebooks and library apps -- to read from my TBR in different formats that I could easily access. Though I didn't make a major dent in my TBR, I did read quite a lot. I also continuously unhauled and removed books from my TBR if I didn't think they would be reread or if I didn't enjoy them. 2018 was a great year for unhauling. 

I definitely read more for me this year. I really really enjoyed the books I read. I also cut down on accepting review requests and ARC requests. I probably rejected 90% of the books that were pitched to me. This was mainly because I didn't have time to read them and because they just didn't seem like something I was interested in. I'm looking forward to the connections I will make in the next year. 

The fourth goal was a fail. There's no way that was a serious goal. Goodness. My hauls are still excessive and embarrassing. Oh well.

6. Goals for 2019

1. Read for you. You only live once and you shouldn't waste your time on books you don't enjoy.
2. Do well in school. Priorities should be in place. 
3. Continue with the book club. Push through the laziness.
4. Read more with others. 
5. Utilize the library more.
6. Make a dent in your physical TBR! Read the books you own before purchasing more and more! (This is a hard one!)

7. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

I haven't read any 2019 releases yet, but I definitely have a bunch of January releases preordered! I'm very excited to dive into them! Stay tuned for lots of reviews in 2019!

Happy reading and Happy New Year!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~
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