Bookish Bests
1. Best Book You Read In 2011?
This is a hard question! I really enjoyed many books this year, so I don't think I could pick one. I will have to do a more in-depth post for this question.
2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. People seem to love that book and I was very disinterested....
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?
Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman. When I read descriptions I didn't think it sounded like something I would really enjoy, but I decided to be 'different'. I am glad that I did!
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?
The Night Circus and A Discovery of Witches. They are the ones I gave gifts to, too.
5. Best series you discovered in 2011?
The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson. I really enjoyed the first book and am tempted by the rest...
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?
Helen Dunmore, E. Lockhart, Erin Morgernstern, Mark Lawrence, Kathryn Stockett, Helene Hanff, and many more...
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
oops, I really need to read down on these things... Probably Everything Began After by Simon van Booy. I probably wouldn't have read this without book bloggers.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?
The Night Circus was unputdownable... Maybe not so much thrilling, though.
9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
River Marked by Patricia Briggs. I love this series!
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?
um... Among Others by Jo Walton has a pretty cover!
11. Most memorable character in 2011?
Good lord... These questions are hard. I know I will answer them and then think of something else... um... Helene Hanff. I know her books are non-fiction, so not really a character, but she sticks with me.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?
The Night Circus, I think.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
Little Princes by Conor Grennan in the non-fiction aspect. Probably When she Woke by Hilary Jordan in the fiction department.
14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?
So many! I finally read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books. I finally read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?
I have no idea. I don't record this...
16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?
I don't reread much, so not sure.
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!
Probably either A Discovery of Witches or The Night Circus.
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2011
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2011?
Oh, wow, there are so many blogs that I started reading this year. Some of them just started blogging, but others have been blogging for years. I couldn't really narrow it down...
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2011?
Man, I don't know. My posts normally all are terrible. I think I have enjoyed all of my buddy reviews, though, because they are always fun to do!
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
Probably my venting on my Blogiversary post. I still kinda regret saying anything, but most people seemed to sort of agree and those that didn't lead to some interesting discussions.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?
I think I tend to look at things as a whole. I might read one post and it sort of makes me think, but then more posts about the same sort of thing getting me paying attention. Sometimes I make my own connections, though.
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Easy! Virtual Advent. I might be a bit biased, though...
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?
um... I finally did a vlog... And then another one... For me that is a HUGE step. I also talked to Marg on Skype...
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
I actually don't pay attention to things like that. I am not even sure how to do that easily, so I just won't.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
There are many... There never seems to be any rhyme or reason to what is popular. I find that more 'personal' posts get the best results. Book posts get attention, but music and things don't usually get much attention...
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I started using Fictfact this year. I find it very helpful...
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I completed challenges, yes. I also read more classics in one year than I have in years. That was sort of a goal. I probably could have done better, but it wasn't terrible either.
Looking Ahead...
1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?
I think The Wise Man's Fear, the next Kingkiller book, by Patrick Rothfuss, will be read very soon in 2012. <---- I am just going to say DITTO to Suey's answer. I was very excited about this book and STILL haven't read it.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?
BITTERBLUE!!! Oh, and FAIR GAME! I don't like that series quite as much as her other one, but still, fun! And the new John Green... And more Fables... And a sequel to A Discovery of Witches... And a new book by Mark Lawrence...
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?
I want to get rid of my current template. I am tired of the black, but I am terrible at things like that...
Gift Card Book-Buying:
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| Bitterblue is a book I have been waiting for FOREVER! (Pre-order) |
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| Finally! Sequel to the Fables spin-off! (Pre-order) |
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| This came out a while ago but I was waiting for my Christmas gift cards... |
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| New Patricia Briggs!!! I have been waiting for years! (Pre-order) |
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| I read the first book in this series earlier this year, so I am excited to see what happens next... (Pre-order) |
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| um, duh? I think I am too late to have it signed, but I still had to have a copy (Pre-order) |
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| Ana (and several other people) loved this book and someone stole the library copy... |
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| I wanted a new Daphne du Maurier book. It was a bit overwhelming, but I just like this title... |
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| I have found I love Brandon Sanderson and this was a good price... |
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| I have heard lots of good things about this book. |
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| I received a review copy of the second book in this series without knowing it was the second book, so need book 1... |
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| This was a splurge... It just sounds good. (Pre-order) |
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| This sounds like a book you should own... Also a splurge. (Pre-order) |
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| I love this series, so I am very excited to get a chance to read this... |
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| This book is out next year and is the 5th Volume. |
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| This was in the Bargain Bin... |
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| I loved Hugo Cabret, so this was sort of a given... |
I really do love Jamie's survey!!! I'm so glad she put it up again this year.
ReplyDeleteNorth and South was one of my most disappointing, too. It's one of the only four 1-star books I had this year. :( I agree with you about The Night Circus being the best written!
And guess what? I finally decided to get an audiobook of a Brandon Sanderson book, just to try it out. I hope I end up liking it. I chose the first Mistborn book.
I also need to finally suck it up and read Graceling. I did get the audio for it from the library, but when I got it home, I found out it was full cast, and I really disliked the last full-cast audio I had...
Regarding The Fault in Our Stars, I'm pretty sure you're ok for a signed copy. He's said that all pre-orders will be signed, and never gave a cut off date - I only ordered mine a week ago, so I guess we'll find out on the tenth! =)
ReplyDeleteDomestic Violets is probably one of my biggest surprises too, the scene I had to talk about would have been in The Rose Garden.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Bitterblue or the follow up to Discovery of Witches.
I started using Fictfact too but seem to have lost interest in keeping yet another thing updated.
The Snow Child looked wonderful to me, too, and I really enjoyed The House on The Strand. Glad you bought that instead of The Doll. (ICK!!!)
ReplyDeletep.s. Can't tell you how much my class and I enjoyed Wonderstruck. Far more than Hugo, which was still good, Wonderstruck was truly special.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do the survey because there were so many I couldn't answer! I can be kind of wishy washy.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the sequel to A Discovery of Witches...I wish it was out next month!
I love reading everyone's surveys :) I'm giving in and reading Night Circus hopefully in January. I hope I love it as much as everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your responses to the survey. I just finished The Night Circus but didn't love it as much as you did, but without blogger influence I wouldn't have read it at all so for that I'm thankful. Wow! I can't believe how many awesome books you got for Christmas! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I already got The Night Circus..
ReplyDeleteYour new books look absoluetyl interesting... Might have to note a few titles.
Thanks for letting me off the hook to ever read North and South! I am not opposed to seeing the film(s), though.
ReplyDeleteI love The House on the Strand!
I agree about The Night Circus. Gave that one as a Christmas gift, too. I hope you enjoy Frankie Pratt as much as I did!
ReplyDeletethis is a fun survey, and i enjoyed reading your answers. as with these end of year things, I add to my list for next year. for instance, Fox Woman looks intriguing.
ReplyDelete~L
I laughed through this survey because you clearly didn't want to answer some of those questions ;-) I look forward to your post about your favorite reads of the year. I LOVE year-end posts! And next year, we WILL do our buddy read. I don't know why we are so flaky with each other on that sort of thing...
ReplyDeleteSome great new titles for me, and boy, do I love the cover for Bitterblue!
ReplyDeleteI forgot about Bitterblue - it seems like we've been waiting FOREVER for that book!
ReplyDeleteI've never read North and South, but I did just recently watch the mini-series, starring the very yummy Richard Armitage, and it was fantastic.
Great purchases, too - I really want to read The Thorn and the Blossom.
I love this survey. I did it too and found it very helpful to have questions to help focus my answers. Still, some of them were hard -- that is why I skipped over some of them.
ReplyDeleteno no no your review posts are not terrible! I like them!
ReplyDeleteBut I have not read Night Circus...I guess I should!
You're definitely not too late to have The Fault in Our Stars signed, since all of the first edition will be signed. Also, so excited that you got The Fox Woman :D Excellent loot. I'm waiting for my birthday gift cards to get some of those, including Fables and The Unwritten.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of your author discoveries are on my list for next year. :-) I got The Night Circus for Christmas and Will be reading it soon. I didn't manage to finish A Discovery of Witches though, it looks like it's one of those books that really divides people!
ReplyDeleteI'm so so glad to to see all the praise for The Night Circus. I only asked for two books this Christmas and that was one of them. Got it!! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that you have a wonderful new year, Kailana. It was fun to reconnect with you this year.
holy moley! lol... I am waiting for snow child to be released myself.. but you have some awsome books!! lol They might take you a week or so to read lol
ReplyDeleteYou totally have me drooling with all those amazing pre-orders. I've been waiting for Bitterblue forever, too! So many good things to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteI am pathetic about the year-end wrap-up post, mainly because I'm always so behind in posting my reviews. Your post is inspiring though...
Did I tell you that our book club chose Night Circus? and I have to get it back from my friend that I gave it to for Christmas - awful, arent' I?
ReplyDelete**Amanda: It was a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI was so happy we agreed on North and South. So many people seem to love it...
I hope you enjoy Sanderson, too! I have only read one young adult book and then The Way of Kings by him, but I have books in the mail by him.
I really hope you give Graceling a try. I also hope you like it. It has been so long I am going to have to reread the first two books and then I am worried...
**thekams: Yes, I guess we will! I am glad I am not the only one that was slow...
**Marg: The Rose Garden... duh! I KNEW there was something but do you think I could get my thoughts coherent...
I can't wait for either of those, too!
I do update Fictfact. I don't follow anyone or anything, but when I read a book that is part of a series I try to go on.
**Bellezza: Yes, the library will probably get The Snow Child but it just looked worth reading... I am glad you enjoyed The House on the Strand!
Glad to hear it about Wonderstruck! I have wanted it since it came out, but wanted to wait for my gift cards...
**softdrink: I am a bit wishy washy myself...
I wish the sequel to A Discovery of Witches was out next week, too!
**Peppermint Ph. D.: I hope you love The Night Circus, too!!!
**Staci: That's too bad you didn't love it. I am happy I read it before the hype to be honest... I am looking forward to my Christmas loot. I am hoping it will arrive tomorrow. :)
ReplyDelete**Caroline: I hope you find something to enjoy!
**Care: Yes, well, people seem to love it... I didn't.... Glad you love The House on the Strand, though!
**Anna: I am really looking forward to Frankie Pratt!
**contemplatrix: I do the same. The wish list is nuts after reading best of posts...
**Aarti: Some of these questions were HARD! I hope we do a buddy read this year, too. We have done them before but 2011 seemed to be a bad year for them.
**jenclair: I hope Bitterblue is as well-written as it is designed!
**Carrie: I know!
The Thorn and the Blossom looks like it could be really good...
**Jenners: Yes, some of them I didn't answer very well...
**Charlotte: Thanks, Charlotte. :)
The Night Circus was really good!
**Ana: Glad to hear it! I was very sad when the library told me someone borrowed The Fox Woman and didn't give it back, so I had to buy it so I could finally see what I thought!
ReplyDelete**joanna: Yes, I know there were issues with A Discovery of Witches. I chose to overlook them. I might not be able to with this book...
**Trish: I am glad you got it!
It was fun to reconnect with you this year, too, Trish!
**Pat: The Snow Child looks like it will be good.
**Darla: I know! I hope Bitterblue really comes out. It has had release dates before...
**Care: haha, that's too funny! I hope your book club enjoys it, though. :)