My 2012 End of Year Book Survey

One of my favorite bloggers, Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner (and also part of The Broke and the Bookish team) has put together another end of the year book survey.  It's that time again to reflect back on all those books that made you swoon, cry, laugh - and every emotion in between - while devouring page after page.  Feel free to fill out your own survey & link-up at Jamie's blog.

1. Best Book You Read In 2012?

I can not choose just one, so here is a collection of the "best books" I read this year:
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

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

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows. I had heard a lot of really great things about this debut novel, and so therefore I was super pumped to read it. Unfortunately it missed the mark with me. 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?

How to Kill a Rock Star by Tiffanie DeBartolo. My friend Estelle had recommended this one to me because I love musical elements in the stories I read. I had never even heard of this author, or this book, so it was definitely a very nice surprise! It's one of my favorite adult novels read this year.

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar. Even though this Aussie book is still not available in the US, it recently got picked up by a UK publisher, thus making it easier to order through book depository. I still pushed this one on to as many readers as I could.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. This novel kicked off an amazing summer of unforgettable contemps for me. I ended up reading it twice and couldn't stop talking about it!

Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. Thanks to my friend Jess, I quickly became obsessed with all the different stories told in this delightful book series. I then turned around and told everyone else I knew who liked adult contemporary romances to read them, too.

5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

Obsidian (Lux series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It has to take something quite addicting in the paranormal/sci-fi realm to pull my attention away from my contemporary books. This series did just that!

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

See this post here for my Top 10 list of favorite new authors I discovered this year.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. She's one of, if not the best, contemporary writers when it comes to tough issue books. I knew this novel would push me outside my comfort zone, but I also knew it would open my eyes to a story that is so worth reading.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Since Divergent was one of my favorite books read in 2011, I just knew the next in this series would blow my mind, too. And it did just that! Oh how I adore this story!!

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

Just One Day by Gayle Forman. Having the opportunity to read an ARC of this made me so happy! I will definitely be purchasing a finished copy when it's published in 2013 and be doing a re-read.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

I love when books are able to capture an image from the story and use them as cover art.  I felt like this particular one did just that.  Plus I love everything about the soft lighting, to the simple font choice, and the use of yellow.  If I saw this book in a bookstore, not knowing anything about it, I'd definitely pick it up.

11. Most memorable character in 2012?

Drea from Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly. I immediately connected with this girl, from literally the first few pages.  Tara Kelly has the ability to write characters with such a TRUE, authentic voice that it's hard to imagine they are just fictional characters. This book blew me away and I know it had a lot do with Drea and her story.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson.  There are moments in this book that I felt almost too real to be fiction. Having to watch your parent slowly slip away from you is an awful thing to witness, at any age. The heartbreaking reality of this story was portrayed so beautifully.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?

Live Through This by Mindi Scott.  I had never read a story that talked about this sort of abuse, in this way. The honesty that it portrayed lasted with me long after I finished reading it.  I immediately found myself needing to talk to others about it.  I even went straight to Mindi and shared my raw thoughts with her.  This is a story that everyone needs to read.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen.  I'm a fan of her writing, so I don't know why it took me so long to pick up this particular book. It has now taken the spot of being my most favorite Dessen book read to date.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?

“A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.”- Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

Shortest: Sweethearts by Sara Zarr. With only a little over 200 pages, this book packed a heavy punch!
Longest: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. It took me over a year to finish this series.. might have been because the last book was almost 600 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!

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols. The entire book. I loved it so.
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. Um let's just say I may have gone to the dark side in this one, ha!

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

The Garrett Family in My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. They made me want to be an extra member in their family. What's one more, right?!

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously?

In Honor by Jessi Kirby. I really enjoyed her debut novel, Moonglass, but I looooved In Honor! She's an instant read for me now.

20. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. I feel like I said this last year, and here I am saying it again. Why have I not read this yet?! sheesh.

21. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. It's the end of the Infernal Devices series! (or at least it's the end for now.. who knows if she'll come back & write more, ha)

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller. I've seen this book grow through Trish's beautiful words and I can not wait to see the finished, published product. I know it will be gorgeous!

22. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

ENJOY IT. Books are my escape from the daily stresses and responsibilities. I love being able to share my thoughts & opinions with you all on what I read. I simply just want to do that, forever and always.