End of year survey — 2017

When I saw this on Jamie’s blog this morning, I knew I had to do it! It’s always nice to look back on what you’ve read and see how you feel about that later in the year 🙂

Number of books you read: I did amazing this year and read a total of 225 books!
Number of re-reads: I thought I had re-read more books, but only 17 which already a lot
Genre you read the most from: I just checked, and looks like I read a LOT of Fantasy

ONE. Best book you read in 2017?

I read some books that are now my all time favourite books this year, but from all of them, the one I’m still thinking about constantly though I’ve read it at the beginning of the year, is The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Still not over it. Probably will never be.

TWO. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

I wrote a post about this, but the winner in this category is Ramona Blue. The disappointment about this book just sticks with me. I can’t seem to stop thinking about how much it disappointed me.

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

I also wrote a post about the books I ended up being the most pleasantly surprised in, and once again the winner for this one is I’ll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson. It’s one of my all time favourite books now, and I nearly never read it because I had dnfed it last year. How tables turn.

FOUR. Book you ‘pushed’ the most people to read (and they did)?

Hands down Eliza and Her Monsters, by Francesca Zappia. It’s honestly the book I keep recommending and people actually read it and enjoy it! It makes me so happy to see this book touches a lot of people, not only me.

FIVE. Best series you started in 2017? Best sequel of 2017? Best series ender of 2017?

The best series I started goes to An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir. I read the first two books that are out in a matter of weeks — maybe two? — and I fell in love.
The best sequel goes to Lord of Shadows, by Cassandra Clare. I cannot wait to get the third and last book!
For the best series ender, I have a few actually: Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead, by Rick Riordan; Wayfarer, by Alexandra Bracken; Always and Forever, Lara Jean, by Jenny Han; A Conjuring of Light, by V.E. Schwab:)

SIX. Favourite new author you discovered in 2017?

Once again I have a few: S.K. Ali (Saints and Misfits), Francesca Zappia (Eliza and Her Monsters, Made You Up), Morgan Matson (Since You’ve Been Gone, The Unexpected Everything, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour), Anna-Marie McLemore (When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty).

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

This book is one I bought because it was cheap and I had heard some good things, though it’s totally out of my comfort zone: When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi. It’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year, and it’s a memoir.

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

I want to say The Diviners, by Libba Bray. Once I started it, I needed to finish it. And it’s action-packed. It never stops, there is always something going on.

NINE. Book you read in 2017 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

I only reread my favourite books, so that narrows down the list to 23. And from these 23 favourites, I’d say I’d probably reread Franny and Zooey, by J.D. Salinger. I fell in love with this author’s work this year, and this book was nearly an all time favourite, I think a reread would confirm this feeling.

TEN. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2017?

Once again I have a few, just click on the title to see the cover: We Are Okay, by Nina LaCour; Homegoing, by Yaa Gyazi; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare; Release, by Patrick Ness.

ELEVEN. Most memorable character of 2017?

Hands down Magnus Chase. I’ve read the entire trilogy in 2017 and Mango Cheese is now my precious baby to protect.

TWELVE. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

I cannot choose between Wild Beauty, by Anna-Marie McLemore and The Library of fates, by Aditi Khorana. I’m in love with both author’s writing. It’s poetic, each word is carefully used and has its important.

THIRTEEN. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2017?

Did someone not answer The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas? Or Dear Martin, by Nic Stone? Or Saints and Misfits, by S.K. Ali? Because these three deserve to change your life in the best way possible.

FOURTEEN. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?

The two last books in the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. I loved the first book and waited more than a year to go on with the trilogy. I have no logical explanation as to why I waited this long.

FIFTEEN. Favourite passage/quote from a book you read in 2017?

It’s not really from the book itself, but the dedication of The Library of Fates is absolutely beautiful:

For those who seek a better world,
and for those who fight for one every
day, I dedicate this book to you.

SIXTEEN. Shortest & longest book you read in 2017?

The shortest is Fence #1, by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad with 26 pages, and the longest is IT, by Stephen King with 1156 pages.

SEVENTEEN. Book that shocked you the most?

Once again, I’m mentioning The Secret History. The moment I closed the last page of this book, I was left with a million unanswered questions. I was absolutely shook.

EIGHTEEN. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

FIERROCHASE! MY OTP. MY BABIES! If you don’t know what the heck Fierrochase means, it’s the ship name for Magnus Chase and Alex Fierro. I love them SO MUCH.

NINETEEN. Favourite non-romantic relationship of the year

Jude and Noah Sweetwine from I’ll Give You the Sun. Their relationship as twins is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read about. I need more of them. Being happy.

TWENTY. Favourite book you read in 2017 from an author you’ve read previously

I think I’m repetitive, but Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead, by Rick Riordan or Release, by Patrick Ness or Everything Leads to You, by Nina LaCour!

TWENTY ONE. Best book you read in 2017 that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure:

I wasn’t pressured to read these books, but I trusted the people that recommended them to me, so The Sun Is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon — The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty — Girls Made of Snow and Glass, by Melissa Bashardoust.

TWENTY TWO. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

When I really think of it, I don’t really have one, except maybe Theta and Sam from The Diviners. But otherwise, I don’t do crushes on fictional characters. You’re speaking to a demiromantic baby ^^

TWENTY THREE. Best 2017 debut you read?

Way to be repetitive, but The Hate U Give, Dear Martin, Saints and Misfits, Queens of Geek … These were all amazing debut and made me want to read ALL THE BOOKS to come in the future!

TWENTY FOUR. Best worldbuiding/most vivid setting you rad this year?

I don’t even need to think twice about this, because I was talking about this yesterday with a friend about a book I also finished yesterday: THE CITY OF BRASS OF COURSE. This is truly the best worldbuilding ever. You learn about all the different cultures, the physical differences between people, the history, the architecture, the magic …. it’s just amazing!

TWENTY FIVE. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?

Once again I have several answers:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Heartstoppper — Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda — Geekerella — Tash Hearts Tolstoy — How to Make a Wish — Knit One, Girl Two — The Hating Game.

TWENTT SIX. Book that made you cry in 2017?

Can we talk about A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness one second? This little fucker made me cry all the tears I have in my body. Same thing goes to History Is All You Left Me, by the god of tears himself Adam Silvera.

TWENTY SEVEN. Hidden gem of the year?

I feel like not enough people talk about Future Leaders of Nowhere, by Emily O’Beirne, and it’s a shame. It’s a book with amazing rep such as lesbian and biracial protagonist, bisexual protagonist and NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE READING IT DAMN IT.

TWENTY EIGHT. Book that crushed your soul?

Go back to question 26. You’ll have your answer.

TWENTY NINE. Most unique book you read in 2017?

I’d say Homegoing once again because it’s the first time I’ve read a book about so many generations and how they all connect with each other.

THIRTY. Book that made you the most mad?

It’s a French book named J’ai avalé un arc-en-ciel — I swallowed a rainbow — and it’s utter bullshit. It’s full of rape jokes, bisexual erasure, cheating …… it’s NOT GOOD AT ALL.

ONE. New favourite book blog you discovered in 2017?

If you have to read one blog, it’s Fadwa’s. She puts her entire soul in her blog and the content she creates, she’s absolutely amazing.

TWO. Favourite review that you wrote in 2017?

It’s a review that isn’t on my blog, but you can find it on Goodreads, and it’s the one I wrote for The Hate U Give. It’s a review I found hard to write because I wanted to use the right words, and in the end it’s the review I’m the most proud of because it speaks the truth.

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

I actually have a few, so I’m just going to link them here if you want to check them out:

• I am not a stereotype.
• How I live with clinical depression.
• Are you an ally?
• Books can save your life.
• Your job as a privileged reader

FOUR. Best events that you participated in?

I live in France, which means it’s not possible for me to participate in all the amazing and well-known bookish events unfortunately. I’m not that interested in the events we have in my country.

FIVE. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

Definitely when I was asked to join The Book Bound Society. It’s my pride and joy. I still cannot believe I’m part of something so unique and amazing.

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

For my blogging life, it’s definitely having my weekly posts ready. It’s something I’ve been struggling with a little with my midterms and finals, but I’m finally getting back on track:)
I didn’t have anything really challenging when it comes to my reading. I just read what I wanted to. Maybe following my TBRs because that’s something I started doing this year and it helps me reading the books I buy.

SEVEN. Most popular post this year on your blog?

I just checked, and it’s my The ‘quality over quantity’ BS I wrote back in July. I remember being extremely fed up when I wrote this, I wanted people to stop judging me on the amount of books I read every month. It did pretty well, and that’s something I’m proud of!

EIGHT. Post you wish got a little more love?

I did a post on being an introvert, and though it didn’t do badly, I thought more people would connect with it. Same thing goes for the post I did on boosting ownvoices content.

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

I’m going to link some of my favourite bookish shops I discovered this year because they’re amazing:

• LovelyBookishMarks
• wordsbyjasmine
• twocandlethieves
• OtterNonsenseDesigns
• BookBifff

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

My only goal was to read 100 books and I read twice this number so I’m quite happy:)

ONE. One book you didn’t get to in 2017 but will be your number 1 priority in 2018?

Whichwood, by Tahereh Mafi. I still don’t understand what happened. This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2017. And yet it didn’t happen. But it’s on my January TBR, so it’s happening.

TWO. Book you are most anticipating for 2018 (non-debut)?

Let’s stay with Tahereh Mafi because RESTORE ME IS COMING OUR WAY GUYS AND I’M EXCITED. So yeah, Restore Me.

THREE. 2018 debut you are most anticipating?

One that is making my bisexual heart happy is Ship It, by Britta Ludin. It’s not coming out until May 1st but MY BODY IS READY.

FOUR. Series ending/a sequel you are most anticipating in 2018?

I am beyond excited for The Kingdom of Copper, by S.A. Chakraborty, which is the sequel to The City of Brass! We don’t have a release date yet, but I NEED IT NOW.

FIVE. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2018?

I hope to keep on reading at least a hundred books and every day + I’d like to develop my blog — I’m not telling you yet what, it’s a secret;)

SIX. A 2018 release you’ve already read & recommend to everyone (if applicable):

It’s a poetry collection coming out January 23rd — Take Me with you, by Andrea Gibson. It’s queer, beautifully written, and it made it to my favourites list!

AND I’M DONE OMG. It took me so long to write, but I’m happy to have answered all these questions! The only I have to say is:

I HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING DAY AND I’LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!