Bekka's End of the Year Survey

2018 End of the Year Bookish Survey

Hi everyone! Another year has drawn to a close (okay, two weeks ago it did) and that means it's time for another round of the Bookish Survey Jamie puts out every year. I seriously can't believe it's been 9 years already. This is one of my favorite end of the year/beginning of the year posts, so let's get right into it.

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Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 72
Number of Re-Reads: 12
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

Best in Books

1. Best book you read in 2018?

I looked over all the titles I read this year and two stood out as new all-time favorites, books that stuck with me, books I know I'll reread. Both of these books have characters I cannot stop thinking about and absolutely beautiful, lyrical writing that makes me want to be a better writer.

2. Book you thought you'd love more?

Us by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy was such a disappointment. I really, really loved the first book and shipped the couple so much. But this sequel lacked all of the charm from Him. Instead, this was filled with angst and drama and a lack of communication between the main couple. If I spend a whole book waiting for the couple to get together, I do not want to read about them breaking up in the sequel.

Nova Ren Suma has long been one of my ultimate favorite authors but A Room Away from the Wolves let me down big time. It just didn't feel the same as her others. Honestly, I can barely even remember this one at all when I just read it in September.

3. Most surprising book you read this year?

I finally read Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce this year and I was so pleasantly surprised by it. I'm not a huge fan of middle grade books, but this is a modern classic for a reason, and the rest of the series will definitely be a priority in 2019.

4. Book you pushed the most people to read?

I've been pushing the Illuminae Files on my dad and brother since Illuminae first came out. They're finally on board the hype train and they're huge fans.

5. Best series started in 2018? Best sequel? Best series finale?

Series starter: Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Sequel: Legendary by Stephanie Garber
Series finale: Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

6. Favorite new-to-you author?

Kim Wilkins wrote Daughters of the Storm which I adored. It's the start of a new high fantasy series lead entirely by women. I loved how different each of the sisters were and how they found their strength through different means. I also loved the politics and the incorporation of lore and mythology. I have the sequel on my Kindle and I can't wait to read it.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone?

I read a good amount of poetry collections last year, most of which I kind of disliked. A lot. But There is Beauty in the Bleeding by Christina Hart stood out to me. Maybe it's because I could relate to the material or maybe it really was better written than the others I read. Either way, it was definitely out of my comfort zone.

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

I read the entire Illuminae Files series this year and hands down, Gemina is the book that fits this questions perfectly. I could not stop reading that book from the very beginning. I devoured it. There was so much happening from aliens to assassins to multiverses, I had to know what was going to happen next.

9. Book you're most likely to reread?

If you want something to make you feel warm and happy and bring a smile to your face, this book is it. I absolutely know I'll want that feeling again, and since this is a graphic novel, rereading won't be a huge commitment.

10. Favorite cover?

11. Most memorable character?

Verity from Code Name Verity will go down as one of my favorite fictional ladies of all time. I've honestly never read about a character quite like her before. Outrageously charming, hilarious, and so fucking smart. I want to BE her, except for, well, you know.

12. Most beautifully written book?

I know I keep bringing up Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore but I can't help it. Everything about this book was wonderful and her writing especially is gorgeous.

13. Most thought-provoking book of 2018?

It's always thought-provoking to read about lived experiences of those who are very different from you. I obviously will never know what it's like to be racially profiled or to experience racial violence. Just aside from being thought-provoking, I loved the characters, cried with them, and really enjoyed the writing.

14. Book you can't believe you waited this long to read?

Code Name Verity. I know I can't shut up about this book but it really is that good. My friends peer pressured me into finally reading it this year even though I think it came out in 2011-2012.

15. Favorite quote of the year?
“Her heart was still a little heavy, but she'd decided carrying it around would only maker her stronger.”
― Stephanie Garber, Legendary

“There are no bargains between lion and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.”
― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles 

16. Shortest and longest books you read this year?
Shortest: Empty Hotel Rooms Meant for Us (46)
Longest: Kingdom of Ash (992)

17. Book that shocked you the most?

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Even if you think this book or genre isn't for you, you need to read it immediately JUST for the ending.


18. OTP of the year?

JACKS AND TELLA

19. Fave non-romantic relationship?

I loved the relationships between the sisters in Daughters of the Storm, more specifically Bluebell's relationship with all of them. She's a fierce, physically strong character who is used to brute-forcing her way through conflicts, but when it comes to her sisters she's incredibly protective and is trying to learn more nuanced and diplomatic ways of doing things. I'm excited to see how their relationships continue to grow.

20. Favorite book from a previously read author?

So I read All the Rage by Courtney Summers when it came out in 2015, and since then I've been waiting for her to release something new. I was so hype about Sadie. I read it as an audio and I could not recommend it more. Best audio I've ever listened to.

I almost never like anthologies but Toil & Trouble was amazing. There are 15 authors here and I've read from plenty of them before this collection came out. And now there are plenty more authors whose work I want to check out since reading this book. I seriously can't tell you how awesome this collection is; it has the perfect Halloween witchy vibes.

21. Best book you read because it was recommended to you?

Code Name Verity in case it wasn't obvious.


22. New fictional crush?

Queenie is absolutely one of my all-time favorite characters now. She's just like the book says, "Gloriously daft, drop dead charming, full of bookish nonsense and foul language." I am in love with her.

Jacks from Legendary is also a new fave. He's dark and not very nice and I am obsessed. He definitely skirts the line to becoming a true billain and

23. Best debut?

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian was just so much fun to read. It was full of tropey goodness you just crave sometimes, and at the same time it was creative and exciting and subversive. I honestly cannot wait for the rest of the series.

24. Most vivid setting?

So I really, really love this series, but Beneath the Sugar Sky wasn't my favorite honestly. That said, it really had a strong sense of setting, considering the world was made of candy, cakes and other confections.

25. Book that was the most fun to read?

Fun, but also agonizing in the best, shippiest way. If you haven't heard of Check Please, it's a hockey graphic novel about a college team, focusing around Bitty who is gay and a amateur baker. It's amazing and heartwarming and funny and adorable and I love it to pieces.

26. Book that made you cry this year?

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the biggest tearjerkers of 2018 were Code Name Verity (Kiss me, Hardy!) and The Song of Achilles ("He waits for you.")


27. Hidden gem of the year?

I've heard no one talking about Daughters of the Storm which surprises me because 1) it's great, and 2) it centers around five powerful sisters!

28. Book that crushed your soul?

I reread the last three Harry Potter books this year. I hadn't read any of them for years, and I am pretty sure I only read 6 & 7 one time each. Half-Blood Prince was particularly soul-crushing. I had forgotten so much and it was a painful experience remembering.

29. Most unique book you read in 2018?

Sadie for sure. I've read plenty of murder mysteries but I've never read anything that was written in a podcast format. I absolutely loved listening to the audio for this reason.


30. Book that made you the most mad?

Kingdom of Ash. Nothing about it was good. I'm just so mad at what that series became. I loved it so much for so many years, it meant more to me than I can articulate, and then it turned to shit. I'm just glad it's over.

Looking Ahead

1. 2018 release you missed?

I really, really loved Shimmer and Burn when I read it prior to its release. I've been waiting for Splendor and Spark for a while but life kind of got in the way. I'm excited for when things calm down a bit and I can finally dive into this.

2. Non-debut you are most anticipating in 2019?

God The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon sounds absolutely amazing. Anything with queendoms, female heirs, and assassins will pique my interest immediately. Plus the cover is beautiful.


3. 2019 debut you're anticipating?

I've been following Nafiza for actual years and I was soooo excited when she announced this book. It could be about anything and I'd read it, but she describes it as being about "women being women in the most fantastic ways" and how can you resist that?

4. Series ending/sequel you're anticipating?

I am absolutely obsessed with this series, I can't even tell you. I love everything about it, especially Legendary. This is my most-anticipated release of 2019, period.

5. One thing you hope to accomplish in your reading/blogging life this year?

Just to keep at it. Being a brand new single mom to a tiny baby and a toddler, going back to work, and going back to school is going to take its toll on my free time. But I love blogging so much, so I hope I'm able to post somewhat consistently even if it's only one post a week or something.


6. A 2019 release you've already read and recommend?

 

I read Bloom a few months ago and I one hundred percent recommend it to everyone. It's adorable and the art is soothing and the story just makes you feel good. The characters are so realistic too. I just loved everything about this one.