Monday, December 30, 2013

Giveaway and 2013 End of Year Survey

In 2013, I read 147 books in total. Discovered some amazing authors and bloggers this year, read awesome (and unfortunately not so awesome) books and had my first ever Harlequin Teen review request approved, haha. This craves for a celebration, right? So.. at the end of this survey, I’m giving away a copy of my favorite book read in 2013. Best of luck and see you all in 2014! This event is put together by Jamie on The Perpetual Page Turner.


Best book you read in 2013
Contemporary Young Adult: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Contemporary New Adult: The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski and Addicted for Now by Krista and Becca Ritchie
Dystopian: Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Fantasy: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Science-fiction: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Thriller: Altered by Jennifer Rush
Paranormal: Everbound by Brodi Ashton. DAT ENDING!!!! *gasps*

Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and Reboot by Amy Tintera. Also, Hookedf by Liz Fichera.

Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. I had seen the trailer before, but for some reason it had slipped my mind. Then I got the audiobook and oh boy was it evergreat! The narrator was good, delicate and suited the main character well. Plus, the witchery, magic, spells, intrigues, romance? Me wants more!

Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie and Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris. The first one was unique, sexy and had totally my kind of humor in it and the second one was just... amazeballs!

Best series you discovered in 2013?
The Dust Lands series by Moira Young. It’s so unique, has great world-building, awesome characters and quite a few plot twists up its sleeve. I am literally holding myself back from reading the sequel right this very moment because the third one is too far away for now *insert sad face*

Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
Definitely Miranda Kenneally and Gayle Forman. These two write some of the best contemporaries and their characters are so relatable and real. Bring on THE FEELS, ladies!

Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Breach by K.I. Lynn. That one was.. so hard for me to review. I still don’t know what I thought of it. Definitely worth a try if you’re into extremely dark romance stories. Memorable.

Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
Thrilling would probably be Altered by Jennifer Rush. Read that in a day. Same with Unraveling by Liz Norris. They just flew by.

Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
Oooh, that’s a tough one. I’d say.. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater because I want to read The Dream Thieves so bad and I think I’ll re-read TRB beforehand.

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?


Most memorable character in 2013?
Oh, man! This is tough. Why are these questions so hard? *shakes head* Ok, I want to say Connor Cobalt (Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie) for obvious reasons. Those who know me, know why. Though.. I’ll go with Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. These young ladies are kick-a!

Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
If I Stay by Gayle Forman is beautifully written, but Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Boys) always has that lyrical way of writing that makes her work feel like a small dose of magic. Yep, these two.

Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
Lola and the Boy Next Door without a doubt. Uniqueness is NOT a flaw, people! Awkward, cute, nerdy and passionate—these are golden. Never give up on your dreams. See? That’s some inspiration and huge impact right there.

Book you can’t believe you waited until 2013 to finally read?
Dude! There are so many. I feel like I’m late to every party lol. If I Stay, Lola and the Boy Next Door, The Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep. Also, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally.

Shortest and longest book you read in 2013?
Pfffftttt.. Do novellas count? In that case the shortest is Neverfall by Brodi Ashton and the longest would be Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare.

Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it?
The part in Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris where.. AHH! Who am I kidding? That whole book had me dying to discuss it with someone. Also, the endings of Everbound, The Raven Boys and The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. That last ending was wicked and downright nasty as a cliff hanger. Talk about feels!

Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship etc)?
Romance wise it’s Andrew and Camryn from The Edge of Never. There’re lots of great romances. I mean, Lola and Cricket had me dying of swoon, but Andrew and Camryn were the perfect showcase of slow-burn. The road trip didn’t hurt either, heh.
Friends? Perry and Roar from Under the Never Sky. I’d also like to mention Chaol Westfall and Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass.
Bromance? Lo, Connor and Ryke in the Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie.
Familial? Um..  families aren’t a big part of fiction nowadays. Go figure, right?! *eye roll* I’d go with Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown. Just because of the character growth in each of the family members. Lola and the Boy Next Door had awesome family dynamics though.

Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously?
Ok, I think you all figured out my main favorites before, so I want to bring out an author that really brought it in the final installment and that is S.C. Stephens with her Thoughtless series. The first two were good, okay-ish, so-so etc, but the third one—Reckless—was a blast to read! So many LOL moments on my part. Loved it! Hulk will never be the same to me, haha.

Genre you read the most from in 2013?
Contemporary. Especially New Adult. Thank goodness I’m tired of it (the New Adult NYT bestseller formula at least) and now I’m really in the mood for some good ole YA books. Yay!

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
CHAOL. CHAOL WESTFALL from YA fiction. CONNOR. CONNOR COBALT from NA fiction. *swoons* Honorable mentions: Perry (Under the Never Sky), Cricket Bell (Lola and the Boy Next Door) and Andrew Parrish (The Edge of Never).

Best 2013 debut you read?
OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu without doubt. It was so awkward, unique and the OCD-ness really made me feel like I had an OCD myself. It made me so uncomfortable and I didn’t know whether to rate it 1 stars or 5 stars or anywhere in between. It was fresh, exciting, the kind of book that makes you think. Loved it!

Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
I’ll go with The Lunar Chronicles world by Marissa Meyer. That is soooooo imaginative.

Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?
Addicted for Now by Krista and Becca Ritchie. First of all—the jokes. Ohhh boy! They made me laugh out loud, plus it’s so fresh in my memory thanks to it being an early November read so. Yeeeshhhh. Loved that one.

Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
Which book didn’t? LOL. If I Stay had me bawling so hard that I couldn’t see well enough to read so I had to go and look for some tissues. It was brutal.

Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?
OCD Love Story. That one is definitely under-hyped, let me tell you.



One book you didn’t get to in 2013 but will be your number 1 priority in 2014?
Gosh, there are so many. Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.. There’re just too many and I could go on and on and on for days.

Book you are most anticipating for 2014 (non-debut)?
Kiss the Sky by Krista and Becca Ritchie. Also, Evertrue by Brodi Ashton, Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. Landline by Rainbow Rowell. The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski. Pffftt.. This. Is. Too. Hard. I can’t even *pants*

2014 debut you are most anticipating?
The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings.

 Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014?
The Retribution of Mara Dyer. BECAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?
Just to meet awesome people like I have this year. Meeting Aman, Rachel, Jasprit, Nick, Christina, Tanja, Glass, Sam was the best thing to ever; talking to my other blogging buddies such as Jenni, Jenny, Brandi, Lauren, Andrea, BeccaKrista; and the rest of the people I talk to on Goodreads? They’ve all been wonderful and I’m so glad to have them in my corner. Also, since I have developed a certain taste in books, I hope to read lots of more “me” books in the future and not so many of the hype books. Trust myself more I guess. Can’t wait to read some amazing debuts, new books from my favorite authors and also finish some series. Here’s to a new, better year of blogging and reading!

Giveaway

I have read so many great books this year, but one of the books that really stood out to me was The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. Everyone told me how great it was, I didn't believe them. I should have--one of the best books I've read. So if you want to win this (or The Edge of Always if you've already read The Edge of Never), just fill the rafflecopter below and you're in it to win it ;) Open internationally, as long as The Book Depository ships to you. Good luck!

13 comments:

  1. That ending of Everbound was rather epic wasn't it Siiri? I did not see that coming at all, but I know I should of. I love it so much when that happens, it's fun thinking I know how everything is going to play out and then BAM! The author is all YOU KNOW NOTHING JENNY! :) I'm definitely looking forward to The Retribution of Mara Dyer as well, Evolution was another one with a rather brutal ending. I just can't wait to see how she ties everything together, there are so many little threads and questions and I want tied off and answered! SO MUCH GOOD STUFF TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014:)

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  2. Oh my gosh, how could I forget Everbound! I really liked that book. But the ending, not so much. ;) I'm so glad to see Lola and the Boy Next Door, Throne of Glass and Unravelling make your best books of 2013. I read all three last year and LOVED them. Chaol and Perry definitely make my favourite love interests too. Yay for reading Shadow and Bone and The Dream Thieves next year! As you know, I'm a huge fan of both. And I really hope you'll love them too! :D I can see Fangirl working for you, even if E&P didn't. And did we only meet this year?! I feel like I've known you much longer! I'm so glad we got to discover each other's blogs, Siiri. :) I hope you have an amazing year of blogging and reading in 2014. <3

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  3. Fuuuuuun post!

    YOU, darling, are the reason I got the Addicted series, and cannot wait to read them!

    Perry and Roar are the best bromamce. Ever!

    Happy New Year!

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  4. Unraveling was brilliant! Imo, the sequel is even better. I was sobbing by the end!
    Altered was such a fan and fast paced book!
    I agree with Andrea, Perry and Roar have the best bromance. <3

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  5. I really do need to try Addicted to You if you loved it so much, Siiri. I'm just hesitant because I have so many review copies to get through. That's basically what I've been working on during my blogging break. I loved Cricket Bell, too! I enjoyed Lola more than Anna. If I Stay had me bawling! So sad. I definitely recommend a re-read of The Raven Boys. There is so much you miss the first read anyhow and the book had me cracking up even more when I re-read it. It really added to my enjoyment of The Dream Thieves. Thanks for the shout out, Siiri! I love reading your comments and reviews, they always put a smile on my face or give me a laugh! :)

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  6. These are so fun but I think it would take me HOURS to do this! I read Born Wicked last year and really liked it. Do you listen to a lot of audiobooks? Any good ones you can recommend? I just started listening to them a few months ago and I'm hooked but so picky about narrators.
    Unraveling was awesome. Lola and the Boy Next Door was aweome! So were Crown of Midnight and Catching Jordan :)
    Have a happy new year!

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  7. Oh wow so many books I put on my TBR list while browsing this post! I also loved a lot of these books like If I stay! Such an emotional read! And yay you finally read Catching Jordan that's one of my fav books ever! I'm also reading this Addicted to You series right now. Finished Ricochet over the holidays and going to start on Addicted for Now soon! :D

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  8. I love Chaol, too. He's so amazing! I really want to read OCD Love Story, since I've heard so many good things. Also, I totally agree with you about the cover of Everbound being gorgeous :)

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  9. This is an amazing post girl and thank you for mentioning me! I'm so happy I met you too :)) Throne of Glass kick-ass girl and I loved it too! Not to mention Chaol! *melts* I haven't read The Edge of Never. I mean I have heard great things about it I had no idea it's this good! I need to check it out. Amazing post, Siiri :)

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  10. Gah, I haven't read most of the books you've mentioned. *hides* I got an egalley of The Edge of Never so I guess I should start with that asap! I didn't really love Lola and the Boy Next Door although I've read it long before I started blogging so who knows. I actually have The Dream Thieves waiting for me. I know! It's so bad of me to do that but TIIIIMMMEEE. :P

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  11. I haven't read or heard of Edge of Never, but it really sounds very interesting! I hope I get the chance to read it.

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  12. This is so amazing! Thank you for this awesome giveaway! :)

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  13. I can't believe I haven't read any of the books you mentioned. At least now I have some great suggestions for my wish list :)

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