End of Year Book Survey

This fun survey is hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner


1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

If I had to pick just one, it would be Divergent by Veronica Roth but since I am not limiting myself...


MG:
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu


YA
Dystopian: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Fantasy: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Paranormal: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
Contemporary: Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger 
Historical: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys


Adult
Fantasy: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Contemporary: The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
Historical: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Classic: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott


2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan


As far as books I finished, I was most disappointed with Forever by Maggie Stiefvater because of the really slow pacing, annoying characters (Grace and Sam because of their inaction for much of the book), and ending that lacked closure. After loving Shiver and becoming a fan of Maggie's writing, I just expected more from the final book in the trilogy. Still I gave it 3 stars because she is a good writer. 


I was also very disappointed by Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith and Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. Both failed to live up to my expectations and received only two stars from me on Goodreads. To its detriment, Kiss Crush Collide was compared to books by authors like Sarah Dessen, John Green, and Simone Elkeles. When you compare a debut novel to works by major YA authors, then people have higher expectations for it.  Starcrossed started out well but lost my interest and annoyed me with its lack of originality in the end. Another book that disappointed me was When She Woke by Hillary Jordan. A lot of people loved it and it started out well but finished poorly with the protagonist acting out of character. Still I liked Hillary Jordan's writing style enough to want to try Mudbound, which I've heard is an excellent book club pick.


3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott


With The Girl of Fire and Thorns I think I wasn't quite sure what kind of story to expect. I thought it would be like a lot of other YA paranormal or fantasy I'd already read. What surprised me was the plot and how much I loved it. With Little Women, I was surprised at how thoughtful the book was and how much depth there was to what I'd always believed was a children's classic. Even though I knew the outcome (thanks to watching the film) I was in for a treat with the book.


4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

  

Soulless by Gail Carriger (read in 2010), Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson




5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

The Lady Julia Grey mystery series by Deanna Raybourn and the Raised By Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes


6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?


Susanna Kearsley, Deanna Raybourn, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Veronica Roth, Rae Carson, Jael McHenry, Beth Revis


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

Across the Universe by Beth Revis


I don't usually read science fiction and when I first heard of this I wasn't sure I would like it. Thankfully I did and I am eagerly anticipating A Million Suns which releases today. After reading Across the Universe, I find myself open to reading more science fiction-ish books like Cinder (which I'm currently reading now) and Dragonflight which I hope to read later this year.


8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

Divergent by Veronica Roth


9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare


10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel


11. Most memorable character in 2011?


Jo March from Little Women, John Thornton from North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Brisbane from Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn, Minnie from The Help


12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry, Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (reread), Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott


13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett and The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson


14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?


The Help by Kathryn Stockett


15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?


I can't really think of anything at the moment...


16. Book That You Read In 2011 That You Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?

Divergent by Veronica Roth


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!


The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson


Looking Ahead...




1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?

Legend by Marie Lu 


I actually started reading this but put it aside to read Cinder instead because I just couldn't concentrate on it. Hopefully I will enjoy it more at a later time...


2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth


3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?


I hope to be able to keep up with my reviews. If I don't review a book soon after I read it, I sometimes forget what I thought about it and struggle to write the review. Some of my favorite 2011 books were not reviewed...