Discussions

It’s time! It’s time for The Perpetual Page Turners’ End of Year Survey. I have been doing this ever since I started blogging and I think it’s a great way to look at my year in reading.

I read a lot of books in 2018. The most that I have ever read, so this is going to be hard. But here we go.I did skip a few questions here and there, but you can check out the whole survey at The Perpetual Page Turner. 

Number Of Books You Read: I read 195 books in 2o18 – which I am so proud off, especially since I had a slump in June/July.
Number of Re-Reads: 35. Wow that was a lot. I am a massive re-reader, but I didn’t expect it to be that much. 
Genre You Read The Most From: Romance was definitely the genre I read most from. I am not surprised by this, I did speak out reading more romance early last year. 

1. Best Book You Read In 2018?

Okay, this one is hard for me. But there are 4 books that just stand out for me. And I can’t decide which one is my favourite. I don’t think it’s hard to guess which ones have made it into my favourites. So this year it has to be The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare, Bright We Burn by Kiersten White and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. 

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

There are two books that I come straight to mind when I read this question. So I decided to include both, as one was a 2018 release and another is a backlist title. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton was one that I thought I was going to love. And while I didn’t hate the book, it didn’t really stick with me. The other one would be I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios. This has been on my TBR for years and I mean years. I finally managed to get a copy this year and I couldn’t wait to pick it up, but I hated it. I was so looking forward to some disability rep, but gosh the story itself let it all down. 

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

This one has to The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I thought I was going to like it, but I also hadn’t had the best luck with fae before, so I hesitated. In the end, I adored this book. From the very first page, I was captivated. It’s addicting, dark and messes with your emotions. It’s a world of court intrigue and the conflict between fae and humans. It explores the notion of being human and the emotions that come with it. It’s fast-paced with many twists and turns that throw you off. The Cruel Prince has set up a fantastic new series for Holly Black.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

I might end up repeating myself here, but it has to be a draw between The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. In saying that, I work in a bookstore, so I get asked all the time for recommendations, but these 3 are the ones that I think I pushed the most this year. 

5. Best series you started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018 and Best Series Ender of 2018?

The best series has to be The Cruel Prince by Holly Black again. I’m sorry! The best sequel has to be Brooklynaire (Brooklyn Bruisers #4) by Sarina Bowen. It’s got the classic Sarina Bowen steam with a beautiful romance to go along with it. Nate and Rebecca were adorable and I loved seeing their friendship turn to love. Picking the best series ender was hard, like really hard, but I think it has to go to Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare. 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?

This one has to go to Maya Banks! I had seen her KGI books floating around the romance bloggerspehere, but never thought about picking it up, but after finishing Elle Kennedy’s Killer Instinct series, I needed some more military, fighter boys. And this came up. And guess what? I am all caught up now, waiting for the next release. If you are looking for some hot romance, with men and women that like to fight and protect the things that they love, then pick this series up. 

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

I spoke a lot about changes in my reading habits in 2018, and this question fits it perfectly. The Peral Thief by Fiona McIntosh isn’t something that I normally pick up. While it’s historical fiction. It’s very much an adult fiction book, and I have never really been able to get into them before. But I adored this one. 

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

Queen of Air and Darkness all the way. Holy crap. I didn’t know what was going to happen next. If the characters that I loved were going to survive. What was going to happen to Emma and Julian to any of the Blackthorns? And then I started reading it and my gosh did it tear me to pieces, but it was also one of the best series enders I have ever read. 

9. Book You Read In 2018 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Any book really, you guys know that I am a massive re-reader. But any of the romance books for sure. I love re-reading these when I am in a slump as it’s a way for me to read things I already love. At the top of this list would be any of the Katie McGarry, Sarina Bowne, Elle Kennedy, you get my drift. 

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

Not going to lie, I adored the Queen of Air and Darkness cover and it just goes so well with the others in the series. But the Australian covers of Worldwalker series by Josephine Angelini are AMAZING. Not only are the covers alone gorgeous, together they make this ultra amazing image that gets me every time. If you don’t know, when all the covers are placed side by side covers up, they make one long image. 

11. Most beautifully written book read in 2018?

This is hands down Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This book blew me away. The writing was senesati0onal and even now I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s poetic, captivating and is still able to tell the story in a way that is easily understandable. The emotions aren’t just felt with the characters, but with the words themselves. It’s a classic story, told through beautiful writing that anyone can understand. 

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

This one has to go to The Love That I Have by James Moloney.  I always go out of my way to read and know more about WWII, and while this is fiction. It explores a side of the war that I never really thought about. 

When Margot Baumann reads the letters from people imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp during WWII her whole life changes. She starts to really understand the horrific circumstances that the prisoners are going through. It’s then how she learns about Dieter Kleinschmidt. Through the beauty of his letters, she wants to save him, help him. Do everything that she can. The Love That I Have is a very confronting novel, it explores a different side of WWII that we don’t let see a lot. And I really enjoy it. But gosh this novel is brutal.

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

This one has to go to The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine. This one is an emotional rollercoaster that really pulls at your heart. The Season of You & Me explores family, friendship and finding yourself. It’s a fantastic coming of age novel that explores disability, love and being okay with who you are. Cass and Bryan and beautiful characters on their own, but when they come together they light up the page.   

14. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2018?

The shortest is The Reception (The Wedding From Hell #2) by J.R. Ward. Which I loved and cannot wait to read the full-length novel now that I have it. And the longest is Cade (Alexander Shifter Brothers #2) by Selina Coffey. And I have no idea why I finished this one. I really didn’t like it and it was over 1000 pages. 

15. Book That Shocked You The Most

Bright We Burn (The Conqueror’s Saga #3) by Kiersten White. I knew the history of this story. But I didn’t know how it was going to go down in the book. But boy was I shook. Bright We Burn by Kiersten White is intense, brutal and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book left me a mess but in the best possible way. This gender twist, historical fiction explores family, finding yourself and war. It explores new life, being strong and finding your place.

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

Emma and Julian from The Darkness Artifices series, without a doubt. I don’t want to talk about them too much here, because of spoilers. But I love Emma and Julian together so much, and they take forbidden love to a whole new level. There is something about Emma and Julian that make me so happy. They love each other no matter the faults, and they will do literally anything for one another. Even if it means leaving the world that they love behind. 

17. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

This one has to go to the brothers of KGI by Maya Banks. And not just the brothers, but the whole including those not married or related by blood. I love the dynamics between all of the protagonists and supporting cast in this series.  

18. Favorite Book You Read in 2018 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I read a lot of books by authors that I adore this year. But one that sticks out to me here. Is All the Little Bones by Ellie Marney, or any of the books in her new trilogy. If you like romance, crime, thrillers and anything to do with the circus, then these are for you. If not, then these are still for you. 

19. Favourite book you re-read in 2018? 

This one is hard for me as I said I did do a lot of re-read in 2018. But I think Disruption by Jessica Shirvington stands out for me. I loved this series when I first read it a couple of years ago, but reading it again and I’ve fallen back in love with the world, writing, and characters. This is such a fantastic dystopia series that works brilliantly. 

20. Best Books You Read in 2018 that was a debut?

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn. This one doesn’t come out to April this year but gosh it was fantastic. It was emotional, refreshing and I loved it. I can’t wait to re-read it and for you all to fall in love with it too. 

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

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

This has to The Chase by Elle Kennedy. I adored her Off-Campus series, so when I heard she was writing more in the world and with characters that we already know and I love. I was in. And The Chase did its thing. The romance was adorable and I loved how slow burning it was. Fitzy and Summer are adorable together and sometimes even sexy which was a nice combination. If you are looking for a slow-burn college romance then this one is for you. 

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

Not going to lie, I cry a lot, seriously, it takes nothing to make me cry. So I thought I would mention some of the books that made me sob. Queen of Air and Darkness is high up on this list. Seriously I didn’t stop crying the first 3 chapters. I also had a good cry in the last couple of chapters of Bright We Burn by Kiersten White. However, as I said, I am a very emotional person and I probably cried in at least 50% of my reads. 

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

Allied (Ruined #3) by Amy Tintera is the winner of this one. I’ve always loved the world of this series. I love the political conflict, the magic and everything in between. But when everything is coming to a close everything comes together in a battle of all forces. It all started when Emelina wanted to save her sister, but now she is fighting her.

25. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

While Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett was popular when it first came out, it really disappeared later in the year. But I adored this one and I want more people to read it. It explores what it means to love, have family and friends. It’s a coming of age novel that really grabs you from the start with its honesty and reliability. Zorie and Lennon were such great protagonists that made the story that much better. 

1. Favourite post you wrote in 2018?

I loved writing about my changes in reading habits. It was something that I noticed a lot last year, and while I was nervous about getting the post out, I was so glad that I did. It showed me that I didn’t feel alone and there are others that this happens too. I was relieved really. It has also let me feel about posting reviews of books that aren’t YA too.  

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

Posting. Simple as that. This year was a little crazy for me. I was in my last year of university, I had multiple internships, I was working multiple days a week. And then when I got home or had the day off, all I wanted to do was either rest or just sit down and read. I do hope that 2019 is better blogging wise and I can post consistently again

Jonas Jacobsson

My post about reading more romance books. It was again another post that I was nervous about posting, but I really wanted to share not only my experience but why I had started to read more romance books. In saying all that, it really fell short love wise. I really wanted it to be something that others love reading, and want to share. But alas. 

4. Best bookish discover (book related sites, bookstores, etc.)?

I did discover my love for audiobooks in 2018. And while I don’t listen to them much, they are great for when I have so many things to do and still want to read books. I just chuck it on and go about my day. 

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

I finished my Goodreads reading challenge pretty early on in the year and I’m so happy with that. Other than that I rarely do any challenges as I can’t really stick with them and especially as I am a big mood reader. 

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

Oh gosh there was so many but I can’t wait to read, but I still haven’t read Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor ekk! I don’t even know why! But I am making it a mission that I read in some time this year. hopefully. 

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

Ah! I can’t choose only 1. But the ones that are on the top of my list are Wicked King by Holly Black, Risk by Elle Kennedy, and both of the new Cassandra Clare books. Normally we only get one Cassie a year, but we are getting two next year and I am so ready! I will be making a full post about some of my most anticipated 2019 reads soon. 

3. 2019 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

You know what? I haven’t really looked into this one too much yet. But some that come to mind right away is, I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver, Every Moment After by Joseph Moldover and Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte. These are all very different from one another but that is that makes me excited. 

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

I am so excited to read the next book in the KGI series by Maya Banks. Wherever You Are (KGI #12) doesn’t come out to September, but I can’t wait to get my hands on it. 

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2019? 

Posting at least once a week. My blogging really went down in 2018 and I do hope that I can maintain a steady post output, as well as steady followers and views. 

6. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone: 

I spoke about this one before, but You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn. I am so excited for others to read it. There is so much to like about this one and I loved it a lot and I really want others to love it too. Hopefully, it doesn’t fall behind. 

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Wow, that is it! This end of year survey always takes me ages, but I love looking at my year of reading and blogging so intensely. It gives me another outlook on how the year went by. Thank you for sticking around and checking out Angel Reads. 

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