Welcome to the annual End of Year Survey. This survey was created by the lovely Jamie at Perpetual Page Turner.

This survey is a wrap up if the whole of the 2016 year. It’s what I love and what I didn’t. It’s everything and anything bookish and blogging during 2016. I look forward to this survey every year. I both love working on my own post, and checking out everyone else’s. I can talk about books, books and more books.

So get your coffee, tea or your choice of beverage and sit down. I tried to keep the answers are short as possible, but hey sometimes I love to talk about certain books. I also choose not to do some questions, as this post would go on forever.

Number of Books Read

I am so happy with the amount of books that I have read this year. Although it wasn’t a year of many 5 starts. There was a good amount of 4 Stars – which I think is pretty amazing. However, this number doesn’t include re-reads which I love to do.

Number of Re-Reads

I always forget to mark down – the number of re-read that I read each year. I plan to change that next year. However, from the top of my head, I think it’s about 15 re-reads. Some of my re-reads are from books that I have read in previous years, but there are also some from this year.

Genre You Read Most From

This was a hard year to pick what genre I read most from. The number of contemporary books that I read has definitely this year. And I think it’s equal with fantasy this year. I feel like the quality of fantasy is on a drop right now – which is upsetting, because it is my favourite genre.

Best Book You Read In 2016?

I can never pick one – it’s just way to hard. So I’ve split it up into genre’s and picked my favourite from there. You can also check out my top ten best books of the year.

Fantasy – Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare: I don’t think this is much of a surprise | Full Review
High Fantasy – The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski: A perfect ending to a perfect series | Full Review
Historical – Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: Beautiful, captivating, extraordinary | Full Review

Dystopian – Disruption by Jessica Shirvington: enthralling characters, an engrossing world and a plot that just keeps you right there in the action | Full Review
Contemporary: The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: You will be torn apart and put together over and over again | Full Review

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

Heartless by Marissa Meyer: I don’t know if I can explain how much this book disappointed me. I expected going into it, that I was going to love it. That it’s going to hit all the right spots, but it fell flat, dramatically | Full Review

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

The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee. Although it wasn’t my favourite book that I read this year – there is a lot of surprises that comes along with reading it. You don’t know who to trust or what is going to happen next. I was surprised with how much I didn’t know and how quick it could turn.| Full Review

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

There is no doubt that it’s Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. I adored this book and I think that it’s her best work yet. What better way to get people to read it.

Best series you started in 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?

Best Series Starter: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Best Sequel: Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan | Full Review

Best Series Ender: The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Favourite new author that you discovered in 2016?

My new favourite author would have to be Shivaun Plozza author of Frankie. Not only is Frankie damn good, Shiuvan is also a pretty amazing person.

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

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: I don;t read much science fiction. I just can’t comprehend everything to do with it and all the terms. But, I really enjoyed Illuminae this year, but I finally got around to reading it.

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

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas – This book! I needed to know what was going to happen next, who did what, is anyone going to die | Full Review

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare: I am sorry that this book is going to get mentioned heaps throughout this post, but I read the whole book in 1 day. That is nearly 700 pages.

Book You Read In 2016 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Wilder by Rebecca Yarros: When I re-read it’s mostly contemporary books and with the second book in this series coming out in February and the fact that I am going on a cruise early Jan – it’s going to be highly likely.

Favourite cover of a book you read in 2016?

And I Darken by Kiersten White – Not only did I love the book, but that cover is gorgeous. And have you seen book 2, cannot wait to have this series in my hands.

Most memorable character of 2016?

I think this one has to go to Magnus Chase from Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor. He is entertain, heartbreaking and fun to get along with. I cannot wait to see more of him. Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor. He is entertain, heartbreaking and fun to get along with. I cannot wait to see more of him.

Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

Even though I didn’t the love the book The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi. The writing was exquisite and breathtaking. I was lost in the book because of the writing.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?

There were some amazing books this year, that really made an impact so I couldn’t really pick one. I am a very emotional person so I just cry and things hit me hard.

All the Rage by Courtney Summers: Or basically all her books. Her books just rip into you and hit you again and again.
Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corney Whaley: This book explores the notion of ‘fixing’ someone. It’s very powerful | Full Review

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read?

The Book of Broken Boyfriends by Sarah Ockler: This is my type of contemporary that I love to read and I can’t explain why I even left it this long | Full Review

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?

OTP OF THE YEAR

Julian and Emma from Lady Midnight– okay, okay, yes they are not together and probably won’t be in Lord of Shadows. But, please this has to be them.

Favourite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The gang from Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor. I love the banter and how much they care for each other. It’s beautiful and such a nice thing to see in YA.

Best Book You Read In 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else

Nameless by Jennifer Jenkins: Nick from Nick and Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist loved this book and I can say that I loved it too.

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

Julian from Lady Midnight – need I say more. His kind and strong and an amazing brother figure. He has taken over as a ‘father’ and even though he is so young – he loves his family with everything.

Best 2016 debut you read?

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig: It’s about friendship, family and love, about what would you do for those that mean so much to you, and that sometimes you have to give up one thing for another. Nevertheless, I am so excited for book 2 in 2017.| Full Review

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Nameless and Clanless by Jennifer Jenkins. It’s a slow burn type of worldbuilding where things are given to us a little bit at a time. However, we are able to fit everything together and it works.

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

Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor. I had to put my hand over my mouth at 2 in the morning so I didn’t wake my family. With pop cultural references, banter and perfect dialogue.

 

New favourite book blog you discovered in 2016?

I am not 100% sure that I discovered these lovely girls in 2016, but I knew that as soon as they posted something new, I was going to love it. Plus, they are totally nice. Don’t forget to follow them.

Favourite review that you wrote in 2016?

I think it’s a tie between my Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare review and Ruined by Amy Tintera. I loved both these books and I think my reviews explore that.

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

Again there is another tie for this question. My discussions posts and reading a book before you rate it was really intriguing to write and I love seeing everyone’s comments about it. The second would have to be my fanfiction and Wattpad discussions, where I talk about reading and writing.

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

I loved the David Levithan panel I went to during Melbourne Writers festival. He was amazing to listen to, as both an author and editor. David has had years of experience in the industry and with YA  and everything he said I took in.

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

Balancing school and family life with blogging. Sometimes my health didn’t allow me to and I needed to take a break for a couple of days – on both things. I was at University full time in 2016 and am continuing that for the next 3 years. Let’s see how it goes.

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

It would have to be my Don’t Rate a Book Before you Read it discussion. I posted it at just the right time.

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Some of my reviews. I feel like they don’t get as much love and I love to write them. I love talking to people about why I didn’t and did love books.

Also, my #LoveOZYA feature where I interview Aussie Young authors every Friday at 4pm. It was such a fun feature and I hope to do more in 2017.

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

Yes, I planned to read 65 books this year and as from when I am writing this post, I am at 98. Another goal of mine was to get 3-4 posts up a week which for most of the year it did happen.

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo: I haven’t read this one because I wanted to get the box set of both books, however whenever I wanted to get it. They were sold out.

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017 (non-debut)?

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare no questions asked. You can also check out my top ten anticipated reads for the first half of the year.

2017 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Two Sisters, a ruthless father and a game – hell yeah. I have an arc of it and planning to read it very, very soon.

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2017?

Apart from Lord of Shadows I am so excited to read Now I Rise by Kiersten White and Avenged by Amy Tintera.

A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone

I don’t know if I am allowed to talk about it! While I was doing my internship I was lucky enough to read a book that is coming out next year! It’s amazing and so many people will love it. Plus it’s a #LoveOZYA.

And that is it! *Bow* I love doing this survey, but it does take a long time to write. I hope that everyone has had a fantastic year.

Do we share any of the same answers? Do we love the same books? What are you looking forward to next year? Let’s Chat! Link me below so I can check yours out!

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