1. Best Book You Read in 2013?
It's a tough choice, but I'm going to say The Book Thief by Markus Zusak was my favorite book. I read a number of books this year that I would add to my top favorites of all time. I think what puts The Book Thief above others is the combination of story line, writing style/quality, and having death as a narrator. The book has everything going for it and I never wanted it to end. I will definitely be reading more books from Markus Zusak.
2. Book You Were Excited About and Thought You Were Going to Love More but Didn't?
It's a tie between Ender's Game and Franny and Zooey. I was really excited to finally read both books this year, but they ended up only being so/so for me.
3. Most Surprising (in a Good Way!) Book of 2013?
I was really surprised by how much I loved Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. When my friend brought over a stack of books to loan me I took one look at the cover and thought, "nah, definitely not my kind of book." I'm so glad I decided to give this book a chance anyways, because it turned out to be much better than I was expecting.
4. Book You Read in 2013 That You Recommended to People Most in 2013?
The Book Thief, although for the first half of the year I recommended The Art of Racing In the Rain to quite a few people as well.
5. Best Series You Discovered in 2013?
The Shatter Me series.
6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2013?
In terms of authors I had no idea existed before this year, I'd say Tahereh Mafi.
7. Best Book That Was Out of Your Comfort Zone or Was a New Genre For You?
I never in my life thought that I would read and enjoy a romance novel, but I actually liked the Losing It series by Cora Carmack.
8. Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book in 2013?
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.
9. Book You Read in 2013 That You Are Most Likely to Re-read Next Year?
Anna and the French Kiss. I was ready to re-read the book 10 minutes after putting it down, but I am forcing myself to wait until next year. I want to re-read Looking for Alaska as well.
10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2013?
I love the cover for The Ocean At The End Of The Lane.
11. Most Memorable Character in 2013?
I think it's a tie between Alaska Young and Hans Hubermann. The feels. Both of these characters had a major impact on me and I was not prepared.
12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2013?
The Book Thief. Not only was Markus Zusak's story writing extraordinary, but his use of language was beautiful. It's like each piece of the puzzle was beautiful on it's own and then he put it together to make something even more dazzling.
13. Book That Had The Greatest Impact on You in 2013?
And no surprise here. The Book Thief, again. Seriously go read the book if you haven't. It's more than just a story about Nazi Germany, it's about family and personal struggle and everything. This book will make you feel all the things.
14. Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2013 to Finally Read?
I read so many books this year that have been on my shelf or my to-read list forever, but I'm really happy I finally got around to reading The Hobbit. I can't believe my mom never read me this book as a kid! I loved it!
And because I can't just pick one book; I also can't believe I waited so long to read Anna and the French Kiss and Looking for Alaska.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2013?
“No matter how careful you are, there's going to be the sense you missed something, the collapsed feeling under your skin that you didn't experience it all. There's that fallen heart feeling that you rushed right through the moments where you should've been paying attention.
Well, get used to that feeling. That's how your whole life will feel some day.
This is all practice.” - Chuck Palahniuk (Invisible Monsters)
16. Shortest and Longest Book You Read in 2013?Life Without Principle by Henry David Thoreau was the shortest book I read with 48 pages, and Angels and Demons was the longest book I read with 569 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.)
I think Losing It had a lot of wtf moments in it for me or times when I just couldn't stop laughing. *Spoilers* When Bliss first attempts to lose her virginity and uses her non-existant cat as an excuse to get out of the situation last minute, I nearly died. I laughed for a good 10 minutes and immediately texted my friend who had already read the book to discuss it.
18. Favorite Relationship From a Book You Read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc.)?
These questions are hard. I'm going with Enzo and Denny because there is something extra special about the relationship between a man and his dog.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From an Author You've Read Previously?
Looking For Alaska by John Green.
20. Best Book You Read in 2013 That You Read Based Solely on a Recommendation From Somebody Else?
There's a few books that I read for school earlier in the year that I would have never picked up myself. In terms of non-school related books, I don't think I would have ever read Adulting if my friend hadn't recommended it to me.
21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?
Does general fiction count? I don't think I read any genre within that category more than another.
22. Newest Fictional Crush From a Book You Read in 2013?
Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss. It seemed inevitable, besides the fact that I totally envisioned him looking like Olly Murs, St. Clair makes you feel all the emotions. He's the kind of character you want to help, but not the bad boy kind you want to change, the good kind that just need a hug. Plus he's British and i can't help myself.
23. Best 2013 Debut You Read?
Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown. Based off Brown's successful blog, the book is a compilation of steps on how to conduct your life as an adult. The book is perfect for any post-grad and/or anyone who's in their early-20's.
24. Most Vivid World/Imagery in a Book You Read in 2013?
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman contained some fantastic imagery. The story really jumped out at me and I still feel the need to make something artistic based off of the novel.
25. Book That Was The Most Fun to Read in 2013?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was quirky and quick, just what I was expecting. It was a fun read.
26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2013?
Oh man, I cry so easily, there's definitely more than one book. Looking For Alaska, Everything is Illuminated, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Last Lecture, The Book Thief, Faking It, Anna and the French Kiss. I feel like I cried/almost cried during other books, but I really can't remember at this point.
27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year or When it Came Out?
None that I can think of. I tend to read books that are/have been popular.
And out of the optional questions...
- New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2013?
I haven't read many book blogs before this year. The Perpetual Page Turner (who made this survey) has probably been my favorite discovery in that genre.
- Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals You Had For 2013?
Yes! My goal for the 2013 Reading Challenge on Goodreads was 30 books and I've read 34 books at the moment. I'm currently reading The Da Vinci Code and Something Blue, which will both hopefully be finished before the first of January.
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