All credit goes to Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner for the creation of this awesome survey. I’ve skipped over the blogging section to focus primarily on the books, but a full version of the survey is available on her blog. Hop on over if you’re eager to do your own literary year in review.
2014 Reading Stats
Number of books you’ve read: 94
Number of re-reads: Officially, 0. Of the books I’ve pulled off my shelf and re-read without logging, probably 2-3.
Genre you’ve read the most from: YA contemporary
1. Best Book You Read in 2014?
Unteachable by Leah Raeder. The only book I’ve read and re-read multiple times in its entirety, and the first book I read this year that gives me hope for NA as a category.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More but Didn’t?
In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis.
3. Most Surprising (Good or Bad Way) Book You Read in 2014?
On Little Wings by Regina Sirois. I expected a quiet, contemporary family drama set in a gorgeous location. I didn’t expect to become so enamored of the characters that I ached for them long after the story ended.
4. Book You “Pushed” the Most People to Read (And They Did) in 2014?
Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines. I recommended this quirky, fast-paced fantasy about badass librarians who use items pulled from books to fight evil to at least a couple of my friends. My boyfriend is the only person who I know for sure has read it, but we’re both eagerly awaiting book three.
5. Best Series You Started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?
Best series has to be The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, for being the smart YA thriller that I didn’t know I was waiting for. Best sequel goes to Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, because I wished for the next installment almost as soon as I completed it. Best series ending book goes to Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan, for making me squeal and smile and almost start the series over from the beginning.
6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2014?
Leah Raeder. It took me far too long to read her debut, but I was totally hooked once I did. Two or three re-reads later, and I can’t wait to get my hands on whatever she publishes next.
7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/Was Outside Your Comfort Zone?
Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh. I don’t normally read much nonfiction unless I have to research something, but this first person account of Chicago’s street gangs was informative and entertaining. You probably shouldn’t walk into the projects with a sociology survey in 2014, though.
8. Most Action-Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo. I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning, running on almost no sleep from the previous night, just to finish this one. Also a runner up for ‘best series ending’ book.
9. Book You Read in 2014 that You Are Most Likely to Reread Next Year?
I don’t have a guaranteed answer for this, since I more or less choose books to reread based on the mood I’m in.
10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2014?
Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor.
11. Most Memorable Character of 2014?
Levi, from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, for being sweet and quirky and patient. Also, for being the fictional college guy I’d be most likely to date.
12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2014?
Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Which parts of my soul would I have to sell for an ounce of her wordsmithery?
13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2014?
Sex and Violence by Carrie Mesrobian, for completely changing the way I view and write male characters. Also, for handling a bunch of complicated issues without ever losing its authenticity or its voice.
14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2014 to Finally Read?
Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier. If I’d known there was a beauty and the beast retelling steeped in as much history and lore as fantasy, I would’ve picked it up a LOT sooner.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote from a Book You Read in 2014?
From Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan: “Your name was the first word for love I ever knew.” There are so many memorable quotes in this series, but since I’m a huge sap, I always come back to this one.
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2014?
Shortest was Love and Haight by Susan Carlton.
Longest was Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor.
17. Book That Shocked You the Most?
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. I sat on the couch, holding this in my hands and staring at it in total disbelief, when I’d finished.
18. OTP of the Year (you will go down with this ship)?
Kami and Jared from The Lynburn Legacy trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan.
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year?
Toby and June in Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt, for their age-is-just-a-number friendship.
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 from an Author You’ve Read Previously?
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. This series is an emotional roller coaster, but even when your heart is breaking, you’ll enjoy the ride.
21. Best Book You Read in 2014 that You Read SOLELY on a Recommendation from Someone Else/Peer Pressure?
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt was recommended to me by a writing buddy who described it as literary fiction that doesn’t feel literary. I was completely invested in June and her family by chapter two, and I couldn’t stand to stop reading after that.
22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2014?
Tarver Merendsen from These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, whose rugged, war hero sexiness only increases when you learn that he writes poetry. I swooned every time he showed up on the page.
23. Best 2014 Debut You Read?
Pointe by Brandy Colbert. One of the only 2014 debuts I read this year–oh, the shame–but that’s not a consolation prize. The flashbacks were introduced subtly and poignantly, and the ‘kidnapping victim returns home’ plot never feels tired or trope-ridden. Extra special bonus for having so many awesome POC characters in one place.
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read this Year?
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. As if the extremely thorough map at the beginning wasn’t enough of a clue.
25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/Was the Most Fun to Read?
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, because I spent most of it squealing like a fourteen-year-old girl. If Rainbow Rowell spends the rest of her career writing love stories like this one, I’ll spend the rest of my life buying her books.
26. Book that Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2014?
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart still makes me weepy in the final chapters.
27. Hidden Gem of the Year?
If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin wasn’t actually published in 2014. I’m going to include it here anyway, because it portrays the whole experience of high school, first love, and first lost more clearly than anything else I’ve read.
28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?
Every Day by David Levithan. You know the scene in Friends where Joey puts Little Women in the freezer to hide from the inevitable heartbreak? When I finished Every Day, I had to put it out in my car so there would be physical distance between me and my pain. Not even joking.
29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2014?
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh, which is a collection of personal essays about depression, dogs, productivity, and real life horror movie experiences, among other things. You’ll laugh hysterically reading it, but it will also make you think.
30. Book That Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Bruised by Sarah Skilton. I liked the author’s writing a lot, but I spent most of the story being frustrated by its protagonist. I’ll definitely be given Skilton’s next novel a try, though.
1. One Book You Didn’t Get to in 2014 But Will Be Your Number #1 Priority in 2015?
These Gentle Wounds by Helene Dunbar, which I’ve wanted to read since a friend of mine recommended it about six and a half months ago.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating in 2015 (non-debut)?
A Court of Roses and Thorns, because Sarah J. Maas has become one of my Insta-buy authors, and I’m super excited to start her next fantasy series.
3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Second Position by Katherine Locke. Ballet and trauma and rekindled romance? Yes, please!
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?
The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson, because ending the previous book on a cliffhanger like that was admirably cruel, but waiting to find out what happens to these characters is agonizing.
5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2015?
I’d really like to read 100 books this year. I’m so close already, which means that 2015 will be my year.
6. A 2015 Release that You’ve Already Read & Recommended to Everyone?
I don’t think there is one. What would you recommend I read first in 2015?
What books did you enjoy reading this year? Let me know in the comments–or link me to your own survey!