2017 End of the Year Reading Survey

It’s probably a little late in January to be going back to discuss 2017 reads, but I don’t care. I’m doing it anyway! I first saw this survey done by Caitrona @ LittleBookOwl and really enjoyed the different questions so I thought I’d take a shot at it.

Original survey was created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner.

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2017 Reading Stats

• Total Books Read: 89
• Number of Re-Reads: 2
• Genre You Read the Most From: Fantasy (always!)

Best In Books

Best Book You Read In 2017?

 

The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman

I wish I could describe to everyone just how obsessed I’ve become with this series, but there are no words. Seriously, I love everything about it – the mystery, the Regency setting, the slow burn romance, ALL OF IT.

Honorable Mentions: Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2), The Serpent King, and Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

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

 

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress, #1) by Julie C. Dao

Yeah, if you read my review of this book then you’ll know how much of an intense hatred I hold for the main protagonist. Seriously, she’s awful. However, the author has confirmed that the sequel will follow a different character so I can get behind that.

Honorable Mentions: Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2), Windwitch (Witchlands, #2), and Bone Gap

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

 

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

What surprised me most about this book was that I didn’t enjoy it as much everyone else seemed to. This is such a beloved book but I found it to only be mediocre. Maybe my expectations were too high? Also, Leah is a terrible person. That’s right, I said it! Why does everyone like her so much?!

 

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

 

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

I literally recommend this book to everyone. Now I know a few of my friends have bought it but I don’t they’e read it yet. BUT THEY WILL!

 

 

Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?

Best Series Started – The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1) by Alison Goodman

Best Sequel – The Mime Order (The Bone Season, #2) by Samantha Shannon

Best Series Ender – Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2) by Victoria Schwab

Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?

Theodora Goss, Alison Goodman, Jeff Zentner

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

 

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

I’m not one for mystery/thrillers, but I really did enjoy this book. I thought it was very well done and unique in the story it was trying to tell. I especially loved the truly atmospheric setting that Locke created.

 

 

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

 

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer

Yup, everyone was right – this series is just so awesome. I’ve already got Cress on next month’s TBR, because I have to know what’s going to happen next with this wonderful cast of characters. Also, the snark is on point with this series, A+. I fully expect that to continue too!

 

Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I’m not really one for rereading books unless it’s for a refresher before a sequel gets released. But you never know!

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?

 

Most memorable character of 2017?

Abel from Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1)… He’s just so hilarious because since he’s an A.I., he has literally no social skills whatsover. I mean, who else would say outrageous things such as this?

“We’ll have to devise another means of income.”
“How?”
“At this point, our swiftest and more reliable means of making money is prostitution.”
“You–you didn’t just say– you think I should become a prostitute?”
“Of course not. You’re my commander. I serve you. Therefore, I would be the more logical choice to take on sex work.”
…
“Abel, I can’t let you.. sell your body.”
“The transaction is closer to a rental.”

Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

 

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

I’m sorry but this is the only valid answer for this question.

 

 

 

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?

 

American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse

I don’t read as much nonfiction as I used to, but this one was a really great read. I thought Hesse did a great job showcasing how a dying community reacts to a series of arson attacks, mixing socio-economic history with a true crime investigation.

 

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

 

This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1) by Victoria Schwab

I actually thought this was going to be a boring book and so I put it off for over a year. Hahahahaha… I am such an idiot. How could I have ever thought that?

 

 

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?

“For what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim.”

– Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

Shortest: The Wicked & The Divine, Vol 1: The Faust Act – 144 pages

Longest: A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas – 699 pages

Book That Shocked You The Most

 

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2) by Victoria Schwab

YOU KNOW WHY!!!!!!

 

 

 

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

Lord Carlston and Lady Helen from The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1) by Alison Goodman… So much angst and I’m totally here for it. You can cut the sexual tension with a knife!

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Arsinoe and Jules’ friendship in One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns, #2) by Kendare Blake… These two are just the absolute greatest. I love that we’re finally starting to get more YA novels with great female friendships. Yay, sisterhood!

Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

 

Lost Stars (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Claudia Gray

I’m just obsessed with Claudia Gray and wanted to showcase a different novel of hers other than Defy the Stars. Seriously, she writes such awesome science fiction and is definitely an auto-buy author for me.

 

Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

Ummmm…. I don’t really think I read any books last year based on peer pressure. I get recommended lots of books that I’m usually already interested in.

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

Because I can’t pick just one…. Lord Carlston from The Dark Days Club, Abel from Defy the Stars, and Matthias from Six of Crows

Best 2017 debut you read?

 

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

This book broke me. There was a lot of ugly crying going on while I was reading this one but I don’t regret any of it at all. Zentner did such an amazing job.

 

 

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

 

The Bone Season (The Bone Season, #1) by Samantha Shannon

This series is just so, so, so good. Shannon has created this new dystopian/fantasy setting of London. I’m obsessed with this world and this story.

 

 

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

 

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

This is such a well-known and beloved series already, that I’m sure you all know and agree with how fun it is. It’s a nonstop thrill ride from start to finish.

 

 

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

 

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Yes, I did cry… A lot. I’m not ashamed to admit that I did either. Books make cry all of the time, alright?!

 

 

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

 

Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

This book was just so much fun to read. It’s a mash up of western/fantasy/steampunk/historical fiction, and just so underrated. I wish more people would pick it up!

 

 

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

 

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo, I will NEVER forgive you for that!!!

 

 

 

Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?

 

The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1) by A.G. Howard

I loved Howard’s Splintered Trilogy, so I should’ve known she would be able to create such a unique setting but I was still blown away by this story. I don’t even know why I haven’t read its sequel yet! It was so good!

 

Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

 

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Teenagers can be such little idiots sometimes.

 

 

 

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What book crushed your soul in 2017? Was a hidden gem for you? Most unique? Do you agree or disagree with any of my choices?