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End of Year Book Survey!

The end of year survey is hosted by Jamie@The Perpetual Page-Turner. This will be my first year doing this and I feel like it's going to be a lot of fun! Head over there to find out more. 

First I want to do a summary of my year in books.

I've read 108 books.
That's 37,419 pages.
Only nine 5Star Reviews.
Forty books were rated 2Stars or lower.
Average rating only 2.82 Stars.

Overall I feel like I've had an okay reading year. I had a lot of low rated book at the start of the year, but since I've started blogging I've had a lot of amazing ones. All you wonderful people have given me so many great book recommendations, or ideas on what to read next. You've had me reading books I'd never thought I'd pick up, and then I've ended up loving them. I can't wait to see my end of year report next year, because I think it's going to look a little different.




1. Best Book You Read In 2013? 

Alienated (Alienated, #1)My Life Next Door (My Life Next Door, #1)Forbidden
I'm going to cheat and pick three! I only gave eight 5 star reviews this entire year, which makes me feel like I am incredible picky. I am going to have to pick Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma, such an amazing book that completely took me by surprise. And then I'd pick Alienated by Melissa Landers, I just ended up loving that book so much and it made me realise that aliens can most definitely be hot! My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick was a book that completely won me over from page one. I fell head-over-heels in love with that book, not to mention Jace.

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

Allegiant (Divergent, #3)
Come on, this has to be Allegiant by Veronica Roth. It was supposed to be the EPIC conclusion to the Divergent trilogy, and instead fell very short of being even slightly entertaining. The ending was the only time something interesting happened, and by that time I was too bored to care.


3. Most Surprising (in a good way) Book Of 2013?


This would be Sleepless by Tracey Ward. I accepted this as part of a book tour, not sure what I was going to make of it. It is a little strange at times, but was an amazing book and had one of my favourite romances of the year.


4. Book You Read In 2013 That You Recommended Most?


Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. This is because I read it in January and I've had a whole year to recommend it. You can imagine how crazy everyone thought I was when I kept recommending a book involving incest. But the book is that good, so I don't mind too much!


5. Best Series You Discovered In 2013?
Alienated (Alienated, #1)These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)
Alienated by Melissa Landers and the Starbound series by Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman. I am dying for the sequels!


6. Favourite New Author You Discovered In 2013?

Melissa Landers, Huntley Fitzpatrick, Tabitha Suzuma and Leila Sales.


7. Best Book That Was Out Of Your Comfort Zone Or Was A New Genre For You?
Obsidian (Lux, #1)Alienated (Alienated, #1)
Alienated and Obsidian, I hadn't really read any books where aliens were the main love interest. Both of these were A-mazing!


8. Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book In 2013?

Champion by Marie Lu. I couldn't put it down because I had to know how it ended!


9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

My Life Next Door & Alienated! It's going to happen.


10. Favourite Cover Of A Book You Read In 2013?

These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)


11. Most Memorable Character In 2013?

Jace Garrett from My Life Next Door; please marry me!


12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read In 2013?

I'm struggling with this one and I am not sure why.


13. Book That Had The Greatest Impact On You In 2013?

This Song Will Save Your LifeForbidden
I'd have to say Forbidden, but also This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales. I couldn't stop thinking about either of those for quite some time after finishing them.


14. Book You Can't Believe You Waited UNTIL 2013 To Finally Read?

I'll do two for this. The Great Gatsby would be one, it's certainly the oldest book I read for the first time in 2013 - it came out in 1925. But I'm also surprised I never had to read it in school or college; but I'm glad I finally got to it. Then Forbidden, it came out in 2007 and I am sad I didn't find that wonderful book sooner.


15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?

I never remember quotes! But trusty Goodreads is always there to help. I'm going to go for two super sweet quotes.

“I mean, at the end of the day, what the hell does it matter who I end up with if it can't be you?” 
― Tabitha SuzumaForbidden

“You have to kiss me," I find myself saying.
"Yeah." He leans closer. "I do.” 
― Huntley FitzpatrickMy Life Next Door


16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Tuck EverlastingBeautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Shortest: Tuck Everlasting - 139 pages
Longest: Beautiful Creatures - All 563 long, long pages.


17. Book That Had A Scene That Had You Reeling & Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss...) Be careful of spoilers!

Forbidden wins hands down! THAT ENDING!


19. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013? (Romantic, friendship, etc.)

I'm going to super cheat!
Sleepless (Bird of Stone, #1)My Life Next Door (My Life Next Door, #1)Alienated (Alienated, #1)These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)
Romance- Samantha & Jace from My Life Next Door, Lochan & Maya from Forbidden, Cara & Aelyx from Alienated, Alex & Nick from Sleepless, Lilac & Tarver from These Broken Stars and Will & Layken from Slammed.

Familial - The Garretts!


20. Best Book That You Read In 2013 Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else?

Obsidian.


21. Genre You Read The Most In 2013?

I think it would be YA dystopian.


22. Newest Fictional Crush From A Book You Read In 2013?

Jace Garrett wins this, no contest. He's sweet and caring, looks out for his family, loves animals... perfect!


23. Best 2013 Debut You Read?

These Broken Stars


24. Most Vivid World/Imagery In A Book You Read In 2013?

These Broken Stars wins again. I loved the very Titanic start on the spaceship.


25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read In 2013?

Obsidian. That is just a really fun series, the characters are hilarious!


26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry In 2013?

Forbidden, My Life Next Door, This Song Will Save Your Life. All three got me super emotional, and I was either choked up or sobbing at them.


27. Book You Read In 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Sleepless by Tracey Ward - a really unique story, a beautiful romance and not like anything I've read before. Definitely recommend! It's not been out very long and I hope it will get a bigger audience as time goes on.



1. New Favourite Book Blog You Discovered In 2013?

Stephanie@Book Fever

I think this has more to do with the wonderful people who run them. They write some great reviews that have helped me when picking books to read. They're constantly reading and commenting on my reviews and I love hearing what they thought of the book and being able to discuss it.


2. Favourite Review That You Wrote In 2013?

I think I enjoyed writing my spoiler-filled review of Allegiant the most! Probably because I hated it so much and just loved being able to rant about it!


3. Best Discussion You Had On Your Blog?

My blogs only a few months old and yet I can't decide on this one. I think I talked to people most about Allegiant.


4. Most Thought-Provoking Review Or Discussion You Read On Somebody Else's Blog?

I find this hard now, because I come across these amazing posts or ones that I leave a small book worth of comments on... but then don't bookmark or forget where I found them. I clearly suck at this.

*EDIT* I was checking out some other end of year surveys and came across something truly touching and beautiful. Ginger at GReads shared a letter she wrote to her mother, on the ten year anniversary of her death. I don't like to get too personal on the blog, mainly because I don't want to bore anyone but I wanted to share this because of how much it spoke to me. My aunt passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly this year at only thirty-eight. She was one of the greatest people I know, but also one of the greatest mothers. She left behind my ten year old and eighteen year old cousins, and they, understandably, have struggled with it. This letter gave me so much hope; hope that there will come a time when they will look back on all the amazing times they shared with their mother with happiness, and without feeling so much anger at how short that time was. A truly touching post. 

5. Best Event That You Participated In? (Author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)

I've just read a book for my first ever book tour (Sleepless by Tracey Ward) and I'm very excited to post the review I've done for it. 


6. Best Moment Of Book Blogging/Your Book Life In 2013?

I've only been blogging for a few months, and I think the first time someone followed me was a real wow moment! That feeling that someone cared enough about what you wrote or posted. 


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

Review by comments: Control by Lydia Kang
Review by views: Allegiant (the spoiler-filled review)


8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I'm still kind of amazed at the love my posts get right now, but I guess any review really. 


9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)

Book Depository. How have I not used this site before? It has all the books I want that I would never find in a bookshop near me.


10. Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges Or Goals That You Had Set For Yourself At The Beginning Of This Year?

I wanted to read 100 books this year and I managed 108! So I'm really happy.




1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority In 2014?

Cinder & The Program (There are about a million more!)
After I've read my December ARCs that I didn't get to. 


2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014?

There are quite a few, and I'm going to pick one I don't already have as an ARC.


3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I'm going to use the same again. Love Letters To The Dead by Ava Dellaira.


4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating In 2014?

There are so many series enders coming out in 2014, but most are for series I haven't even started yet - but really HAVE to. So I will pick Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan; I am excited to see how that series ends.


5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?

I want to work up enough courage to email a publisher about that one book I really want to review. I wouldn't know where to begin, so I'm pretty sure I will wimp out and not do it!





Angelfall Giveaway

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2)

My boyfriend bought me Angelfall and World After for Christmas, but had a problem with World After when it arrived. It has the tiniest dent in the back cover from where it has obviously got knocked around the box in transit. He got in touch with TBD, because he knows I am so particular when it comes to books, and they sent a replacement. Now I have two copies, and looking at the 'damaged' one, it's barely noticeable and I wouldn't have been that bothered. But seeing as I only need one copy of it, I am going to give that one away. I will also throw in a paperback copy of Angelfall to the winner as well. So just remember World After has tiny bit of damage to the back of it. As I will be sending by post, this giveaway is UK only
The tiny damage! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

200 Bloglovin Followers Giveaway

I have reached a big milestone for me, which is 200 followers on Bloglovin. To think just a few short months ago I had none at all, well it kind of blows my mind. Thank you for all your support, your comments and recommendations. I have found so many amazing blogs, bloggers and books since starting my blog. It's probably the best thing that I have done all year! 

To celebrate I want to do a little giveaway. So I am offering one winner the chance to win £20 worth of books from Book Depository. That way I can do an international giveaway and you can pick the books you want. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

51 comments:

  1. I wrote a comment but don't think it posted. Crazy google account and my internet. So, I'm sorry if you get some form of this comment twice. Anyway, first, I wanted to say thanks for the giveaways! I'm entering the 2nd one since I live in the US. And if I won, I'd probably pick Crash Into Me or something along those lines.

    Great answers! My Life Next Door has showed up on many list. I have to, have to, hav to, pick it up soon. It's been on my TBR list for a while anyway. And, that quote you posted was very sweet.

    I want to read Forbidden. But I know it's outside of my comfort zone. I hear it's good though, so maybe I can talk myself into picking it up soon.

    And I love the cover of Sleepless

    Happy 2014

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    1. Definitely talk yourself into reading Forbidden, it's amazing! Good luck for the giveaway :) I really hope you get My Life Next Door soon, it's such an amazing story! :)

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  2. I cannot wait to read Flame, I want to see how it all turns out too. And agreed about Allegiant, what a disappointment. And Jase, love him (love his whole family, actually!) Forbidden...I keep reading such positive reviews of this book, so I think I'm going to have to break down and read it. And you are going to love Cinder. I kept putting off reading it for some reason, it just didn't sound good to me, but I absolutely loved it.

    Thanks so much for mentioning my blog!!

    Fun post! ~Pam

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    1. I am glad I am not the only person looking forward to Flame! I really hope you get to Forbidden soon, I adored that book! I am looking forward to Cinder, I've heard so many amazing things.

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  3. Awww! Thank you for the shout out. :)

    I think Allegiant was a pretty big disappointment for everyone. :(

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    1. You're welcome! I have seen a lot of 5 star reviews of Allegiant... not sure how that happened! :)

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  4. I'm sorry that Allegiant didn't live up to the hype for you. I haven't read it yet and am really nervous about it >_< Flame lived up to the Sky Chasers series for me though. Hopefully it's the same for you! I agree with Pam that you'll love Cinder. It's an amazing book!! :)

    Great post! There are some books here that I want to check out now ;)

    Kris @Imaginary Reads

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    1. I can't wait for Cinder, I have heard nothing but so many good things! :) Glad to hear Flame is a good end to the series.

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  5. Forbidden is one book that broke my heart LITERALLY. It's just heartbreaking that I didn't read any novels for a week. Awesome list you got here! :)

    I nominated you on Liebster Award. ;)
    http://beatricemasalunga.blogspot.com/2014/01/liebster-award-1.html

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  6. It's ok to be picky, all this reading takes up so much time I think we deserve to be picky about it. We could be out doing stuff.... what stuff idk but STUFF!! What a great recap of 2013! Here's hoping you have most 5 star books in 2014!! Happy reading! 

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    1. I know, I have probably missed out on a lot of good stuff reading all those books! Either I'm picky or I had bad luck with books last year... hopefully this year will be better! :)

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  7. I *need* to read FORBIDDEN this year. Also, a friend just sent me THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE, so I can finally get to that too! Really excited for both.

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  8. Oh, I'm excited to see Alienated high on your list. Can't wait to read that one!

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  9. I keep hearing great things about These Broken Stars. I seriously need to read that book soon. I also can't wait to read Obsidian and Champion.

    Thanks for visiting my survey!

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  10. I also read Obsidian this year. I had My Life Next Door for a while, but I haven't read it yet. These Broken Stars is in my TBR shelf right now.

    Thanks for stopping by :)

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  11. I always like when I find people who are stingy with 5-star reviews, too. And someone who has fun writing negative reviews, I agree sometimes it's just great to rant.

    My Life Next Door was one of my favorite reads of 2012 so I'm glad you got to read it this year and loved it so much!

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    1. Glad I'm not the only person who enjoys ranting! I adored My Life Next Door, such a beautiful book :)

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  12. What a great blog post! So many interesting things to read about. I wish I had more time to read more books. I only managed about 45. I tried to get my stats from goodreads but couldn't find them:(

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    1. They're a little difficult to track down at times, and sometimes you just have to do all the working out yourself. I have read a lot less since I started blogging because I've just not had the time.

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  13. I NEED to read My Life Next Door, it sounds like the kind of fluffy, sweet book I would love. The quote from the book is enough to get my heart racing. I remember starting Forbidden and the writing was so depressing and dark, I wasn't ready to read such a stressful story. I completely agree about Allegiant, it was a poor book to conclude a fantastic series.Getting personal on your blog definitely would not bore anyone. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt and thank you for sharing the letter.

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    1. I entered the comp. after submitting this comment so I'll just reply here. I'd love to read V for Vendetta by Alana Moore. It's been on my wishlist for years, I'm not sure why I haven't bought it yet. >< Thank you so much for the giveaway, enjoy your day! :)

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    2. Good luck for the giveaway :) Yes, you NEED to read My Life Next Door! Thanks so much :)

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  14. I love that Alienated appears so much in this survey (as good)...I can't wait to read it!!

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  15. Ah, yes, Allegiant. That about sums it up.

    Great choices up there.

    Once Upon A Dream Books

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  16. I totally agree with My Life Next Door getting so many mentions! :D And I've been wanting to read Forbidden for a while and seeing it get so many mentions definitely makes me want to read it even more!

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    1. I hope you read and LOVE Forbidden, it's an amazing book! :)

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  17. My Life Next Door is one of the best books EVER. So happy to see all the love for it here! Jase is truly one of the most genuine book boyfriends out there. I can't wait for The Boy Most Likely To!

    Alienated is one of my most anticipated this year - happy to hear that you loved it so much. :D

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    1. I hope you LOVE Alienated! I adore Jase, he is incredible :)

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  18. So many great thoughts here! I will not touch Allegiant with a ten foot pole! I was spoiled on Goodreads and I'm ticked that the author would pull something like that. Seems like a cheap shot to me. I love My Life Next Door but I'm too chicken to pick up Forbidden! Great survey! :)

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    1. I know, I was not impressed at all by Allegiant! Ha, ha I completely understand your reluctance to pick up Forbidden, but I thought it was totally worth it :)

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  19. I was very hesitant to read Obsidian because of the alien factor, as well. I'm so glad I did, though, because it was incredible!

    I've heard a lot about My Life Next Door but have yet to pick it up. I've also heard about Beautiful Creatures and This Song Will Save Your Life (but, er... haven't picked them up...).

    I also can't wait to read Champion. I bought it some time in November but I've had so many other books to read from the library that I completely forgot about it! D:

    Ohh, I remember Tuck Everlasting! I loved the book and devoured it in a day. The movie was great, too :)

    Great post!

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    1. Obsidian was soooo good! I'm behind on so many books too, don't worry. I hope you love Champion when you get to it. I adored the Tuck Everlasting film when it came out, such a cute movie.

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  20. I've heard so many good things about These Broken Stars and the cover is BEAUTIFUL.
    So many great books! I hope 2014 is another good reading year for you:)

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  21. Apparently I need to read Alienated. I have heard great things about it! I will move it up on my list after I finish the ARCs that I can't stop requesting... Lol. I got the entire Lux series by JLA for Christmas so will definitely be reading those! Heard great things about them and about JLA in general. And Cinder!!! Yes!!! Read it read it read it!! So freaking good! You will love it! Can't wait to hear your thoughts. :)

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    1. I can't stop requesting ARCs either, I really need to stop!!! I can't wait for Cinder, I've heard nothing but good things :)

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  22. You have a few that I haven't read and really need to, like: These Broken Stars and Alienated. And yes, you really need to get to Cinder! It's one of my favorite series and I'm dying for the third book to release.

    Congrats on hitting your goal of 100 books!

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  23. I loved Obsidian too! And These Broken Stars looks so amazing, I can't wait to read it! I hear it's mind blowing, ;)
    Cheers to a great year! We both made our reading goals! woohoo!

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  24. Congrats for completing your 100 books goal!

    I'm so happy you love Alienated beacuse I've already preorder it! :D
    I just finished Obsidian this month and I agree it is so much fun, I'm going to continue this series, I've heard it's getting better ;)
    I also love These Broken Stars <3

    - Ikao @ Sky Duck -

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it always makes my day! Because of time restraints, this is now an award free zone but thanks so much for considering me! Feel free to leave a link to your own blog and I will come visit.