2013 Book Wrap-Up

Last year I made a video about the books I had read in 2012. I thought I would bring the questionaire back this year! With the big move, I didn't have time to make a video. But, here are the answers to all of the questions.

I would love to hear about what you've been reading in 2013 as well! Link up at the bottom of the page or share in the comments how you would answer these questions! You can do it with movies, TV, or music too if you like.

So... here we go!

1) How many books have you read this year?

I read 52 books this year - which is way over my goal!

2) What book surprised you the most?

I think it was Dracula. I knew I would love it, but books from that time period tend to be really long and difficult to get through. But it actually read very quickly and enjoyed it way more than I had anticipated.

3) What book were you the most disappointed in?

Unfortunately, The Silver Linings Playbook. I LOVED the movie. It was fantastic. The story was cute, Bradly Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (along with the rest of the cast) were amazing. I absolutely loved it. But the book... I enjoyed it. But it didn't have the same heart and magic as the movie, which is weird. However, I've heard a lot of people say the same thing. So, I guess there are occasions when the movie really IS better than the book.

4) Did you start any new series?

I started several series this year.
The Divergent Triology by Veronica Roth
His Fair Assassins (Grave Mercy) by Robin LaFevers
Precious Stone trilogy (Ruby Red) by Keirsten Gier
The Infernal Devices (Clockwork Angel) by Cassandra Clare
The Caster Chronicles (Beautiful Creatures) by Kami Garcia and Margret Stohl
The Matched trilogy by Ally Condie
The Anna and the French Kiss trilogy by Stephanie Perkins.

5) Did you finish any series?

Absolutely!

I read all three of the books in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, I read Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares. (I didn't realize there was a final book to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books which she published under general fiction, not just young adult.) The final Sookie Stackhouse book by Charlaine Harris came out, and I also finally finished listening to The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien.

6) What was your favorite book cover this year?

Honestly, there weren't really any outstanding book covers this year. There weren't any that were bad. Most of the book covers of books I've read have been lovely. However, nothing that really stands out as being "WOW! That's amazing!"

That being said, I'll say I do appreciate the covers of the Divergent trilogy and the Matched trilogy.

7) What was the best non-fiction book you read?

There were two books that stand out to me as my favorite non-fiction. The first one is The Devil in the White City  by Erik Larson. Technically, it is a non-fiction book even though it reads like a novel. It was so interesting and creepy and intriguing. I loved getting lost in this portion of Chicago history.

The other one is Love Does by Bob Goff. Nearly everything he said is what I've been thinking and feeling about faith and life, but he just says it way better than I do.

8) What are you currently reading?

I just finished Someday, Someday Maybe  by Lauren Grahm the other day and I am starting Reached by Ally Condie so I can say I really did finish the Matched trilogy this year.

9) Any reading goals for 2014?

I read 52 books this year, so I'm going to set a goal of 60 books for 2014.

Also, I really want to do a better job of going through my list for the Favorite Books Project. I really slacked off on that and I want to try and read at least one book from that list a month.

10) What books are you looking forward to in 2014?

I did some research on new releases for 2014... and THERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS COMING OUT! I definitely have my work cut out for me.

-City of Heavenly Fire- Cassandra Clare (the last book for The Mortal Instruments series)
-Cress- Marissa Meyer (#3 in The Lunar Chronicles)
-Ilsa and the Happily Ever After- Stephanie Perkins (#3 in Anna and the French Kiss trilogy)
-The Iron Trial- Cassandra Clare (yeah! She's starting a new series!)
-The Seeker- Stephanie Meyer (Stop judging about Stephanie Meyer. It's a sequel to The Host which was SO MUCH BETTER than Twilight and I want to read it!)
-The Bane Chronicles- Cassandra Clare (Technically, these novellas/short stories are already released, but they will all be put together into one volume and I'll read them this year.)
-Landline - Rainbow Rowell (Because Eleanor and Park and Fangirl were amazing!)
-The Summer Queen-  Elizabeth Chadwick (I think it's already released in the UK, but not in the USA yet. I need this book NOW!)

Also... I've seen on Goodreads that John Green might be coming out with a new book soon AND Issac Marion might be releasing a sequel to Warm Bodies in 2014. Clearly, I need both of these.

11) What other books deserve a shout out?

Since in the next question I give you my top 3 books, this is where I can list all of the ones that almost made it to the top three.

-Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (Nun assassins you guys!)
-Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (This was my first book by him and I LOVED it. I can't wait to read more!)
-Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (So cute!)
-Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick (Because she's the best historical fiction writer. Like... ever.)
-Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth (I'm still mad about the end though...)
-Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice (This one was really fascinating.)
-Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (This book was written for our kind of people!)
-The Book Thief by Markus Zuask (Be prepared to weep.)
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Cause obviously this one needs a shout-out.)

12) Your top 3 books of 2013. 

This was SO HARD you guys! I read some really fantastic books this year. I didn't think I had read all that many really great ones, but when I looked back at my list I surprised myself with how many I really did fall in love with. However, I still say I will only say 3 books because if I added more the list would never end.

First, Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. 

If you've been reading my blog regularly this year, you know how much I loved this book and movie. I read it back in February and it has stuck around all year as one of my favorites.

Next, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffengger.

I actually read this one via audio book and I LOVED the two different voices reading for the two main characters. I loved their relationship and the struggles with time travel and how they dealt with it. I could not stop listening to this book and I eventually picked up a "normal" copy of it for myself.

Finally, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. 

This book was outrageously adorable. I know some people liked Lola and the Boy Next Door better, and I did love that one as well, but one of my favorite parts of that book was seeing characters from Anna pop in! I first read it in January when I was flying home from my trip to Orlando and almost finished it on my flight. I ended up finishing it when I got home the next morning. I then re-read it after I finished Lola because I wanted to read this one again. I love Anna and Etinne's friendship and how it grows and everything they go through. It's perfect if you want something light and fun. 

If you want to see my entire 2013 book list, you can find it here on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/580664?page=1

Also- don't forget to add me as a friend on GoodReads so we can share book updates and give recommendations! 

And... LINK UP! This link-up will be open until December 31!

OK.... the link-up was DUMB. The website kept acting up on me and clearly I don't know what I'm doing. So just leave the link to your blog in the comments and be sure to link back to this post from your blog!

Oh technology- we have a love/hate relationship.

Rules: 

1) You must be a follower of this blog via GFC, email, or Bloglovin. (If you follow in another way, let me know!)

2) You have to link back to this post in yours.

3) Visit the other blogs linking up!

4) Leave a comment with one book recommendation from what you read in 2013. I got a gift card for Barnes and Noble and need to decide how to use it!