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Top Ten Books I Read In 2013

Dec 30, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. All bloggers are then welcomed to join. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is: Top Ten Books I Read In 2013

This was very very very x10000 times hard for me. I read so many amazing book this year. So it was pretty hard choosing 10 books from the 54 I read this year. So I cheated a little. I just could not choose. These are in no order at all, because that would be absolutely impossible for me to choose. Some of these books have reviews or reviews soon to come so just click on the covers to read them.

1. Bloodlines Series by Richelle Mead – I read all 4 books this year because I didn’t really keep up with all this book news before so I only really found out about them at the end of last year. I adore the Vampire Academy Series if you didn’t know that already and I was not disappointed in any of the Bloodlines Books at all. They just take me to another world, make me feel so many emotions. I cannot explain it. I can read these books over and over again.

2.Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) by Aimee Carter – I have talked about Pawn so much in the last month or two. I just love it. I think it’s an amazing dystopian novel and it just blew me away. I had not read anything my Aimee Carter but I knew of her work. I cannot wait for book 2, Captive to be released

3. Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits #1) by Katie McGarry – I just recently finished reading Pushing The Limits and boy what have I been missing out on? It was just an amazing and emotional read. Pushing the Limits has been on my list to buy for a long time, and I just kept putting it off, don’t know why I did that.

4. Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake – I didn’t think I would like this book at all, it was just not my thing, I am a total scaredey cat. But gosh boy I was wrong, yes I was Kinda scared at parts but this book blew me away. The writing was beautiful and it drew me from the start. I have the second book on my shelf and I plan to read it as soon as I can.

5. Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles – I have loved a lot of contemporary novels this year and this is one of them. I loved it to bits. It was fun, emotional, interesting, unique I could go on and on. Simone Elkeles has recently become one of my favourite authors that I have recently read. I am dying to read the next 2 books in this series.

6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – This book brought out so many emotions in me, I was crying like a baby. I remember going down stairs after I read it with tears just running down my face. It was just a beautiful story that could happen to anyone. It took my breath away.

7. Angelfall (Penryn & End of Days #1) by Susan Ee – Wow this books blew me out of the water. It wasn’t your typical books about fallen Angels. It was beautifully written. Also the fact that the book was not heavily relying on romance made it that much better. It showed the growth of the characters that was unbelievable. I could not put the book down at any moment.

8. Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth – I was really late getting into the Divergent books and I am bummed because it was truly such a fun read. Even if I did have a few problems with it. It had so much more that just blew me out of the water. It took me to another world, I could imagine what was going on, I could feel the pain. The world was so interesting, so unbelievable yet very believable.

9. Under The Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi – I had never heard about this before I picked it up. it was in the bargain on The Book Deopistory but I am very glad I did. This has to be one of my favourite Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic of the year, it was just amazingly written, interesting, new, vibrant. It has romance, fights, emotions it was everything I could of asked for in a book.

10. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan – I have no idea why I waited so long to read this series, I think maybe because I never found the first book in the shops. But I finally got around to it, and I was not disappointed. They are amazing reads that never let me down. They were always fun to read. I am planning to get my brother to read them soon.

11. Looking For Alaska by John Green -I know what you are thinking, this is 11, well I just could not choose it was too hard. But anyway. I just loved Looking for Alaska it was emotional yet very inspiring in a way. I loved that we got to hear from a male perspective because I am so used to a female. it was different. I love John Green that’s it.

So that’s it my Top 11 Books for the year! I really loved all the books I read this year and it was hard to choice 11. Do we have any of the same this year? What was on your list.

This is also the last Top Ten Tuesday for the Year. I hope that you have enjoyed and have a Happy New Year

2013 End of Year Book Survey

Dec 28, 2013

The Annual End of year Book Survey was created by the lovely Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner created this survey for everyone to take part in as an overview of their year in books. It is simply answering questions about your year of books. As it’s my first year of blogging I decided it would be quite fun to participate. I have read some amazing books throughout the year of 2013, so here we go. (Click on the covers, as some of them have reviews) I am sorry that I repeated books so many times :/

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

Fantasy: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (don’t know if it really goes here, but it will)
Science Fiction: Freak of Nature by Juila Crane
Contemporary: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Post-Apocalyptic: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Dystopian: Pawn by Aimee Carter and Divergent by Veronica Roth
Paranormal: The Fiery Heart By Richelle Mead and Anna Dressed in Blood by Kedare Blake
Adult Romance: Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris

2.Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver – I love Delirium but I was so disappointment with Pandemonium 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013? Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. I didn’t think I would like this book at all cause I am not really into all the ghost stuff but wow boy I was surprised it was amazing, and I just could not put it down.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013? Depends on the person and what they would like to read. If they like Contemporary The DUFF: The Designated Ugly Fat Friend, but if they would like something dystopian, Pawn by Aimee Carter.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013? The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare I loved all these books and just cannot wait for City of Heavenly Fire.

6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2013? This is really hard because I discovered some amazing authors in 2013. Check out My Top Ten. But after posting I remembered a few more like Veronica Rossi, Kody Keplinger and Katie McGarry.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? I hadn’t read much Contemporary before this year so any book this year in the contemporary genre was very much out of my comfort zone but I also read an Adult Novel this year; Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris, I simply adored it.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013? I had so many of these books this year including Pawn by Aimee Carter, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead.

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? I think maybe Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. It was such a fun read and I have been feeling like I want to read it again in the past week or so. 10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2013? There are 3 covers from books that I have read this year that I simply loved. Anna Dressed in Blood, Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson and AngelFall by Susan Ee. All these covers are just simply gorgeous, I cannot get enough of them

11. Most memorable character in 2013?

Hmmm Adrian Ivashkov, gosh he was just so amazing the The Fiery Heart, and hearing all his feelings, emotions just everything from this perspective just he made my heart melt.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor it was just beautiful.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, just it opened my eyes to everything. Also Pushing the Limits by Kaite McGarry. These are both such powerful books that mean so much, it shows the heartbreak people go though in more ways than one.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Looking for Alaska by John Green, Just wow what a book.

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

This is really hard for my because I love quotes so here is a few of my favourites.

– ‘The thing about pain…it demands to be felt’ – The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

– ‘No Matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually’ – The DUFF, Kody Keplinger.

– ‘You inspire me in every act, every word, every glance. I look at you and you’re like… like the light made into flesh…… you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth.’ – The Golden Lily, Richelle Mead

– ‘I know that I am a bird like, made narrow and small as if taking flight, built straight-waisted and fragile. But when he touches me like he can’t bear to take his hand away, I don’t wish I was any different’ – Insurgent, Veronica Roth

– ‘Does this hurt?” Kaitlyn touched the liquid seeping down Quess’s Cheek. Quess giggled. “Crying?” Kaitlyn inclined her head “yes”. “No. crying doesn’t hurt’ ……”Crying doesn’t hurt. But when you cry, it’s because your heart does” – Freak of Nature, Julia Crane

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Shortest Book: Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll– 116 Pages

Longest Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth – 533 pages

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!

Every part of The Fiery Heart, especially the ending just omg. And the beautiful scenes between Sydney and Adrian.

18. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Romantic: Echo and Noah from Pushing the Limits just they are perfect and, what they have to go though, then they get to finally be together just perfect. and Adrian and Sydney from the Bloodlines series.

Friendship: Noah, Beth and Isaiah, again from Pushing the Limits. They have this bond that no one else can have, they were brought together from pain.

19. Favourite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously?

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead and not surprised there

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

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Paranormal and Surprisingly Contemporary

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Noah from Pushing the Limits, Jace from The Mortal Instruments and Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

Pawn by Aimee Carter

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

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

The Cinderella Moment by Jennifer Kloester the main character had my name so it was pretty awesome.

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

Gosh a lot of books made me cry or made me nearly cry, just to name some, Pushing the Limits by Kaite McGarry, Tape by Steven Camden, any books by John Green also Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

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

Freak of Nature by Julia Crane I really enjoyed this books alot and I don’t think it got enough love.

1. New favourite book blog you discovered in 2013?

I only really discovered Book Blogs this year actually so I discovered alot of blogs this year and I cannot really pick a favourite but some that I do quite enjoy are The Perpetual Page Turner, Effortlessly Reading and Speculating on SpecFic just to name a few

2. Favourite review that you wrote in 2013?

I really don’t have a favourite, hmm but I liked writing my review on Autumn by Sierra Dean and Almost Dead by Kaz Delaney

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

I haven’t really had that many discussions on my blog but I plan to have many more in the future. But the one I did like was about when I went to Penguin Teen Live Melbourne

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

I really don’t know, there are just too many that I read to just pick one.

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

Ohh I went to so many events to do with authors this year, like I said before PTA Live Melbourne, also Samantha Shannon little signing for The Bone Season as well as the Book Launch for These Broken Stars by the lovely Aime Kaufman and Megan Spooner.I meet some lovely people at these events as well as Authors which was a first for me and they were all amazing. Also the memes that I have participating in this year, Top Ten Tuesday and Waiting on Wednesday. And last but not least The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa, it was so fun.

6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?

Getting my own actual blog, it was hard work but I cannot thank Millicent enough for helping me out so much. She was an Angel and how to deal with me.

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

My PTA Live Melbourne post or any of my Top Ten Tuesday Post

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

To be honest with you, my reviews. They take long to write, to edit and just to make sure they are perfect but they never receive comments on them. I hope that people read them but I would love it to the moon and back if someone comments on them. I want people to read my reviews and make them feel like they need to read the book, they want to.

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)

Going to be completely honest with you all but Goodreads, I didn’t know it existed until about Feb this year. Gosh it’s a life saver.

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

I participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and I Complete my goal of reading 50 books this year which I am so happy about.

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

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, I started to read it but silly me started it before my exams started, so by the time I finished I wasn’t really in the mood to read it. But I will read in 2014

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?

Sliver Shadows by Richelle Mead. 5th Book in the Bloodlines Series. With the way The Fiery Heart was left off, gosh I have no idea how I can wait till July.

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Side Effects May Vary by Juile Murphy it just sounds so intriguing and amazing.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

The Mortal Instruments, Oh my with all the snippets from City of Heavenly Fire that Cassandra Clare has been releasing gosh.

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

I really want to have more content on my blog, I feel like it’s lacking something and I can’t pick what yet, so I hope I can pick it up and do more of what ever it may be.

So that’s it, I hope you all enjoyed. Tell me if you loved any of the books I loved this year! Give me a recommendation for something you think I need to get to. Thank you guys for such an amazing year.

“Waiting” on Wednesday #9

Dec 25, 2013

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spin, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This Week my Waiting on Wednesday is The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Expected Publication: March 4th 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Format: Hardcover (355 pages)
Series: #1 Winner Trilogy
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
ISBN13: 9780374384678
Add to Goodreads Shelf

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Kestrel is an aristocratic citizen of Valoria, a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers. Here, a girl like Kestrel has two choices: join the military or get married. Despite her skills in military strategy, Kestrel’s real passion is music.Which is why she feels compelled to buy Arin, a slave with a talent for singing, at auction. It’s not long before she finds herself falling in love with Arin, and he seems to feel the same for her. But Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for Arin is much higher than she ever could have imagined.Set in a new world, The Winner’s Curse is a story of wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart

Firstly look at that cover, gosh it’s gorgeous. I am a sucker for gorgeous covers, I sometimes, well most of the time don’t buy a book because I want a certain cover, anyway. This sounds really interesting and intriguing, I haven’t read and Fantasy novel in quite a long time nor have I ever read a Historical novel so I am quite looking forward to reading it.

So this is what I am waiting on this Wednesday. What are you waiting on?