2015 Resolution Update

Last year I created some goals for myself in 2015.  It was an eventful year.  Read on to see how I fared with my goals.

Reading

1. Cut back on the picture books.  I cut back a lot.  I only read picture books by my favorite authors.

2. Read more middle grade novels.  I really didn't do too well on this goal.  I need to be better about this next year.

3. Read all of my book club books this year.  Some family stuff got in the way of this goal at the end of 2015, but I started out the year fairly well.

4. I will not let my Goodreads To-Read shelf exceed 300 books.  I took a lot of books off  that I was never going to read, and tried to be really selective on ones I chose.  I'm currently sitting at 140.

5. Listen to at least two classics this year.  Ha!  This never happened.  Maybe in 2016?

Blogging

6. Make and stick to a schedule when it comes to posting.  I stopped blogging from mid-May to late November.  I got really burnt out from graduating and summer library programming.  I just needed a really long break.

7. I'd like to create my own feature.  I didn't do this.  I'm planning on expanding my content starting in the new year, so I'm hoping that will inspire me to create something new.

8. Keep up with my 2015 reading challenges.  Again, I did really well with this January - May.  I probably kept up with some of my goals, but it doesn't matter.  I won't be doing any challenges in 2016.

Personal

9. Work out at least 3x a week.  I started doing a workout class at work, but I'm still not up to 3x/week.  Eventually I will!

10. Try at least one new recipe a month.  The boyfriend and I love to try new recipes.  We really haven't done any repeats.

How did you do on your resolutions for 2015?

2015 Book Survey

The End of Year Book Survey is hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner.

Number Of Books You Read: 287
Number of Re-Reads: I'd say under 10.  When I read, I try to read something new.
Genre You Read The Most From:  Can picture books be a genre?  Probably fantasy then.

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?
(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2015 release vs. backlist)

Definitely a tie between Winter by Marissa Meyer and Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.

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

The Collector & The Liar both by Nora Roberts.  Her standalones have left me wanting more lately.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2015?

I picked up the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver on a whim, and I loved it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2015?

I pushed a lot of people to read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Best series started: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Best sequel: The Heir by Kiera Cass
Best series ender: Winter by Marissa Meyer

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

I wrote a whole post on this topic: New to Me Authors in 2015.

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

Girls Like Us by Gail Giles was really outside of my comfort zone, and I really enjoyed it.

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

Loved Red Queen!

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

A Court of Thorns and Roses.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

LOVED Winter.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

Girls Like Us forced me to think outside of my normal boundaries.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

Delirium.  I can't believe it took me until 2015 to discover Lauren Oliver.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

“Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Longest: Winter by Marissa Meyer (824 pages)
Shortest: Yours For Christmas (98 pages)

17. Book That Shocked You The Most?
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)

The HUGE cliffhanger at the end of The Heir.  Not cool.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)

Aelin & Rowan from Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Annith, Sybella, and Ismae from the His Fair Assassin trilogy.  Loved the girl power from these handmaidens of Death.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Winter.  Winter.  Winter.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

I usually don't take recommendations from others.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Helllllloooo Tamlin from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

A Court of Thorns and Roses.  Heck yes.

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

I loved reading Queen of Shadows.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

The Heir.  The ending of that book was just horrible, and now obviously I have to read the next book now.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I really enjoyed Love, Lucy.  I really loved the fact it was set in Italy.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Really no soul crushing this year.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

I really enjoyed the Ms. Marvel graphic novel series.

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

Again.  The Heir made me the most mad.  I hated hated hated that ending.

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1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl. 

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

Hold Me by Susan Mallery

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

Best Books I've Read in 2015.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

My blog is still fairly new, but I'd say Top Ten Tuesday.

5. Best moment(s) of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

I love getting to interact with authors on twitter.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?



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



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

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright.  I love anything royal.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

I want to set a schedule and stay with it in 2016.  I also want to incorporate more content so it's not relying so heavily on reading and reviewing books.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

No 2016 releases here yet.  I have a lot that I'm really excited for!

Tell me if you loved any of the books I loved this year!  Leave a link or comment to your own 2015 book survey!

TTT: First Half 2016 New Releases

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is first half 2016 new releases I'm most looking forward to.

 Here we go!

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Published: January 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

I loved Bracken's Darkest Minds trilogy, so I'm really excited to read another series by her!

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Published: February 2016 by Feiwel & Friends

More stories set in the Lunar Chronicles universe?  YES PLEASE!

The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Published: February 2016 by HarperTeen

I really loved Red Queen last year (and got many friends to read it).  I'm excited to see where Aveyard takes her characters.

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Published: March 2016 by Farrar Straus & Giroux

With how the last book ended?  I need this book now!

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Published: April 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

I LOVE Emery Lord, and anything she writes automatically goes on my to-read list.

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

Published: April 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

The last book in the Rebel Belle series.  I need to know how it ends!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Published: May 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Sarah J. Maas is an auto-buy for me now.  I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Published: May 2016 by HarperTeen

The ending of The Heir?  It made me angry.  I really hope Kiera Cass redeems herself with this book.

The Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Published: June 2016 by Bloomsbury Children's

I loved the first book in this series; a teenage Olivia Pope, what's not to like?

Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins

Published: June 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin

The list of authors who contributed to this anthology?  I love them ALL.  Plus I loved last year's holiday anthology, and plan on reading it again this year.  

Anything you're planning on reading as well?
Let me know in the comments!

TTT: Ten Books I'd Like to Get From Santa

Dear Santa... I've been really good this year.... I swear...

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is the ten six books I'd like to find under my Christmas tree this year.  Here we go!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I loved her premise about magic being tied to a certain blood color.  Can't wait for her new one in 2016.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime by Ree Drummond

I own all of the Pioneer Woman's cookbooks.  She makes things easy by having easy to follow step-by-step directions with accompanying pictures.

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

I already own Rebel Belle, the first in this series.  I just need this to add to my collection.

The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I love murders, mysteries, and mayhem.  These books fit all three.

My list was short this year, but what about you?  
What do you expect to find under the Christmas tree?

[Playlist] Trim the Tree

TTT: Best Books I've Read in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is best books I've read in 2015.  Here we go!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I looooved the unique premise to this book.  Dystopians have been very popular within the last couple years, and this was so refreshing!

Winter by Marissa Meyer

The finale in one of my all-time favorite series.  I'm so sad to see it go.

  

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

I will read anything by Sarah J. Maas.  She has this ability to create these complicated, wonderful, perfectly imperfect characters that I love to watch as they grow.

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

A great action-packed ending to a historical fiction trilogy.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson 

This book explored so many emotions in relation to family.  Definitely a must read if you like realistic fiction.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

I loved this dystopian series as well.  Love the characters!

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce is back in another mystery, this one concerning a body found in her chimney.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

One of my favorite fantasies this year.  I can't wait to see it translated onto the big screen.

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I love reading about serial killers.  Reading about a rag-tag group of misfits with special talents trying to catch them?  Even better.

What's are some of your top books from 2015?

[Favorite] Middle Grade Reads of 2015

Today I'm posting about my favorite middle grade reads from 2015.  Enjoy!

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow by Andy Griffiths

10 short stories that read like poems AND it's totally hilarious.

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

A novel about how bittersweet growing up can be.

This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki

Won a bunch of awards, most notably a Caldecott Honor.  

The Meaning of Maggie by Maggie Jean Sovern

Another bittersweet novel about growing up.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel

Charlie Laird must face his nightmares to save his entire town.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Funny and uplifting graphic novel about the author's experiences growing up severely deaf.

Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

Another fabulous fairy tale retelling.

The Terrible Two by Jory John & Mac Barnett

Two pranksters start a prank war at their school.

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot

I will read anything Princess Diaries.  Love that series.

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon & Dean Hale

Magnolia is a princess who turns into the Princess in Black to fight monsters.

Have you read any on this list?  Do you have any favorites I didn't mention?

TTT: New To Me Authors in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is 10 new to me authors in 2015.

 Here we go!

 

Author: Gail Giles

Books: Girls Like Us

A hopeful story about two special-ed teenagers entering the real world.

Author: Kass Morgan

Books: The 100 series

Since a nuclear war, humans have lived on spaceships.  Now 100 juvenile delinquents have been sent down to recolonize the Earth.

 

Author: G. Willow Wilson

Books: Ms. Marvel series

Kamala Khan gets superhero powers, but who is she?  Is she Muslim, a superhero, or both?

Author: Maisey Yates

Books: Copper Ridge series

A one-time bad girl comes home, and falls for the sheriff deputy.

Author: Lauren Oliver

Books: Delirium series

Set in a futuristic society where love is considered a disease.

Author: Jason Segel

Books: Nightmares! series

Charlie Laird must face his nightmares to save his entire town.

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Books: Red Queen

Red bloods have no powers- silvers have it all- until Mare discovers she has powers of her own.

Author: Catherine Anderson

Books: Mystic Creek series

Amanda has lived in fear of her husband, and now is trying to start over in Mystic Creek, Oregon. 

Author: Rhiannon Thomas

Books: A Wicked Thing series

A retelling of the fairytale Sleeping Beauty.

Author: Sarah Darer Littman

Books: Backlash

A very tough look about cyberbullying.  

Any surprises on here?  Which authors were new to you in 2015?