2015 Year End Number Crunch and Top Ten Favorites

It's that time of year! I want to let you know how my reading went whether you want to know or not! So I bring your this post in two parts. First the stats, and then the list of my favorite ten books of the year. Enjoy.

Year End Stats

TOTAL BOOKS: 76
Total pages: 24,579
Total Re-reads: 4 (one of them I read twice just this year)

Authors
Men: 14
Women: 62

For:
ARCs for Review: 13
Supporting Utah Authors: 21
Book Club: 9
Read Alongs: 3
Beta Reading: 1
For Fun/No Reason: All the rest! (29)

From:
Library: 21
On my Kindle: 20
Bought/Owned: 35
Borrowed: 0

Genres
YA: 52
Adult: 17
Middle Grade: 7

From the YA category:
Fantasy: 17
Science Fiction: 8
Dystopian: 7
Contemporary: 17
Horror: 1
Graphic: 1
Historical Fiction: 1

From the Adult category:
Fantasy: 1
Science Fiction: 2
Classics: 3
Graphic: 3
Literary Fiction/Romance: 5
Poetry: 1
Mystery: 2
Non Fiction: 0

From the MG category:
Contemporary: 5
Steampunk: 1
Fantasy: 1

Star Ratings:
5 stars: 18
4 stars: 35
3 stars: 17
2 stars: 6

Thoughts:

• Um... nonfiction? Anyone? Anyone? Guys, I'm good with nonfiction! Why am I not reading more? Well, good thing our first book club pick of the year is a nonfiction choice. At least that number won't be zero next year!
• Also, my adult books are going down and down and down every single year. And while I love all the YA I read, I don't want those adult books to get less and less. I guess I really need to concentrate on this issue!
• My historical fiction category is very very lacking too. Must fix!
• 27% of my reading is of local Utah authors. How cool is that?
• I gave a few less 5 stars this year, but not much. Sorry not sorry.
• I don't know what else to observe. Everything is pretty much staying about the same as usual.
•  I didn't do as many review books this year, it felt like anyway, but still a good handful. 
• Last year I didn't do any read alongs, but this year I co-hosted three! So that was a nice improvement.
• My goodreads goal was once again 90. Last year I managed 85. This year 76. Do you see a trend? I think I'll lower my goal next year. Sigh. 
• What other sort of number would you find interesting? 

Top Ten Books of the Year

Usually I break this down between adult books and YA books, but since I didn't read very many adult books this year, it's all one list this time. And in no particular order. Links and blurbs from my own reviews.

The Martian by Andy Weir:  He didn't worry about word choice, or changing tense, or flipping in and out of different POVs . He just wrote the dang story and had the most awesome fun voice ever. And it worked. I loved it.


These Broken Stars: by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: I was so into the romance, and these characters and the survival story ( I seem to be a sucker for those) and the weird scifi stuff going on that I just couldn't breathe and until it was all over.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: You get the voice of the characters, you get the intensity of the things going on, you get their romantic connection (even though they are on different ships) and you get the conflict. It's really amazing and like I said, so so awesome.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski: It's a painful book, to be sure. But the writing is so beautiful that it almost makes up for all the pain it's putting you through!

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker: What fascinating characters with all their stories coming down to one crazy breath holding moment! 

The Tightrope Walkers by David Almond: The book makes my heart ache with both beautiful things and hard things.

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead: And... I loved the writing. Gah, there's some amazing authors out there! And PS. I really loved this boy Sherm. Like, a lot.

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby: The writing is amazing and blew me away. I know there's a lot of deep stuff this book is saying, but I just sat back and enjoyed.

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord: I loved the whole "nerds are awesome" theme too. I mean, I really really loved that especially.

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis: And the ending was a bite your fingernails off kind of ending. Yeah, it was all wonderful.

Bottom Line: Another awesome year of reading. Here's to next year! Bring it on!

2015 End of Year Book Survey

One of the tradition at year's end is to fill out this intense survey from Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner. Be sure to grab the questions, ponder your choices, post and link up!

Number Of Books You Read: 75 (as of this moment)
Number of Re-Reads: 3 (four if you count that I read another one twice this year)
Genre You Read The Most From: probably a toss up between YA fantasy and YA contemporary

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

YA Speculative: tie between Iluminae (Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff) and These Broken Stars (Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner)
YA Contemporary Romance: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
YA Fantasy: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
YA Historical Fiction: The Tightrope Walkers by David Almond
Adult Fantasy: The Golem and the Ginni by Helene Wecker
Adult Science Fiction: The Martian by Andy Weir
Adult Romance: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

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

Girl on the Train. Sheesh. This book did NOT live up to the hype for me in any way at ALL!

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

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Half Bad by Sally Green, which was a random unsolicited book I got in the mail, one I knew nothing about. But I loved it. I need to get my hands on its sequel!

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

I have no idea what I pushed a lot this year. These Broken Stars maybe, even though that's sort of an "old" book. Maybe Illuminae too perhaps.

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

Best series I started was The Starbound trilogy beginning with These Broken Stars. The last one just came out and I have it in my hands and hope to get to it soon. Illluninae was the start to a new series too! LOVED it!

Best ending book was probably Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi. I totally loved that series. 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

The author teams of Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner... and Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

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

I read a bunch of graphic novels this year... definitely not something I read much of, and I totally enjoyed American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.

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

These Broken Stars, Illuminae, The Martian, to name a few.

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

I don't know what I'll re-read from this year's list, but I really want to re-read Edenbrooke!

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

Illuminae for sure!

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Mark Watney from The Martian comes to mind. I also enjoyed Will from Me Before You, Tarver from These Broken Stars, Finch from All the Bright Places and Finn from Bone Gap.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

Bone Gap was beautiful. The Winner's Crime also beautiful. The Tightrope Walkers quite beautiful too.

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

Life changing? That is just so dramatic. Though provoking though? Maybe Me Before You would fit this category! I'd also say Wonder might work here too.

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

It took me awhile to get to Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Also, it took me too long to get to Wonder by R.J. Placio. Glad I finally read these two!

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

"Push yourself. Don't settle. Just live well. Just live." -- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Shortest: Joy Street at 28 pages
Longest: The Golem and the Jinni at 657 pages

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Saga. Yes, I read the first of this popular science fiction graphic series and was pretty shocked by some of it's content.. though I also expected it too. Shocked and not shocked. Is that a thing?

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Oh I love Lilac and Tarver from These Broken Stars!

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The relationship between Jill and Mandy in How to Save a Life. Lots to learn from them!

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

The Winner's Crime perhaps. 

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

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis which several friends bugged and bugged me to read and I did and I loved it! Bone Gap was also recommended and I loved it to.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?
Did I mention Tarver? Yes? From These Broken Stars. Sigh.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. That was a debut I think, yes?

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Oh my goodness! So many! I'm going with Illuminae for this one! So good!

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

The Martian was a blast to read and I smiled throughout much of it.

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

All the Bright Places is freaking sad and heart wrenching.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Heir to Edenbrooke is a tiny, little hidden gem! :)

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Winner's Crime of course. The best soul crushing series ever. I can't wait to see how it all ends soon!

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Illuminae, hands down. Yeah, have you noticed a theme here with this book?

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

The Winner's Crime made me mad because.. you know.. it ended and all.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

I've been so bad about making new blogging friends this year. The only one that stands out is Amy, even though I'm a terrible commenter there!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

These Broken Stars

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

Our first Book Banter about Jane Eyre got quite the discussion going! I loved it!

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

The best events I participated in where the three read alongs I helped to host, but my favorite one of the three was North and South for sure. We had so much fun with that!

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

I blogged about all my best moments of the year here, but I'd have to say that eating lunch with a bunch of Newbery/National Book/Printz/Caldacott winners was pretty much at the top of the list.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

I think the most challenging thing right now and all this past year is just sticking with it in the face of the fact that it seems to be going out of style.

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

Most comments: A Day in the Life post back in March. When are we going to do another one of these??

Most views: My review for The Bishop's Wife way back in January! Wow. Weird.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I always wish my music posts got more love... like when I gushed about Kendji awhile back. Sigh. I guess my love for books and music don't cross over much with you all as it does with me! 

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

I don't think I discovered anything particularly new this year, sadly.

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

I did not finish 90 books like I thought I would. I did not finish all the books on the PopSugar reading challenge, but I came close. (Here are the full results of that challenge.) Other than that, I had no specific challenges going on.

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

Dying to get to Their Fractured Light! Why have I not read it already? It will be read probably the first week in the year.

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

The Winner's Kiss!

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I don't ever know who is debuting!

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

The Winner's Kiss! Also, the next book after Illuminae whose name I forgot already. (Gemima!)

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

Change up my review format. At this writing I have no idea what that's going to be yet!

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

I haven't got my hands on any ARCs for 2016 yet!

Want to participate in this survey? Be sure to grab the questions and link up here!

Book Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Book: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
Genre: YA contemporary
Rating:★★★★★ 
For: Beehive long list
From: The library

Short Synopsis: Paige is dealing with the recent death of her first boyfriend. She is sick of everyone giving her that look... the pity look. She has decided that she will start all over this next school year, beginning with perhaps getting to know her long time crush, maybe even going out. And not feeling guilty about it. Of course, things don't go quite as she plans.

My Response: I loved that this, despite it's dealing with death theme, was a cute fun clean romance. Awesome. I loved that the the guy we thought would be the guy was not the guy after all. I loved that the guy we thought would be the guy was not the guy, not because he turned out to be a jerk, but because he was just not the right guy. I loved the whole "nerds are awesome" theme too. I mean, I really really loved that especially.

Bottom Line: I loved it. Like, a lot.

Other Reviews:

...this is a sweet coming-of-age book that focuses on the importance of family and friendship in a way many YA books do not. From Rhapsody in Books

I’ve not cared as deeply for a character as I have for Paige in a long time. She’s exactly the sort of character you root for and empathize with. From Good Books and Good Wine

The Start of Me and You was emotional and an excellent balance of friendship, family, and romance. From Ex Libris

...and while it is pretty clear how this story is going to end up, I'm going to quote the book here because "knowing what happens isn't the same as knowing how it happens. Getting there is the best part." (p124) This sentiment is always true... and the getting there in this book really is the best. From Sarah Reads Too Much

Movie Review: Star Wars VII The Force Awakens (Spoilers!)

Movie: Star Wars The Force Awakens
Genre: SciFi Fantasy
Starring: Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega
Rating: PG 13
My Rating: Two thumbs up

So. I think it's time for me to write down my thoughts. Spoilers ahead, some mild, some not so mild. Beware if you haven't seen it, but I've a feeling you've probably seen it by now.

What I liked:

• The new characters were awesome. Loved them actually. Daisy (Rey) reminds me a bit too much of Kiera Knightly, not my favorite actress, but it wasn't too distracting. So no matter. She was awesome. As was Finn. Fun, funny, quirky, strong, likable characters. Oh, and let's not forget Poe. Awesome!
• Yes, I even liked Kylo Ren. At first I wasn't sure. Upon viewing number two, I decided I didn't mind his angst and out of control emo-ish-ness. I think it makes sense for this character. It makes me feel for him as I tend to do these type of villains. 
• At first I thought BB8 would just be an R2D2 rip off, but then he came into his own and I warmed up and fell in love.
• The nods to the old movies, both in some phrases, some onscreen appearances, etc. It felt like coming home, just as Han says!
• The music, as always.
• The space shots, the battles, the gun fights, the lightsaber fights, as always.
• The end, that intensity, those looks from both characters, the setting, the music, the pan around shot... all of it. 
• Han was awesome. Chewie was awesome. Luke was awesome. Loved the beard on him. 
• The Imax 3D viewing experience. LOVED this. Saw it the second time at a normal theater and thought... wait... where's the screen? Where's the sound? LOL.. getting very spoiled by the Imax theater stuff. 

Poe!

Finn and Rey

Chewie and Han

Kylo Ren

Luke in a beard.

What I didn't like:

• I was bothered that the plot was basically A New Hope re-do. I mean, yes, it was fun to have the nods to the old stuff, but to totally use the same plot? Disappointed in that.
• Um. Han. Why why why!!! (Still, it made this movie especially emotional, yes?)
• Kylo Ren, the fact that the actor portraying him wasn't over the top gorgeous. I feel like he needs to be over the top gorgeous. Agreed? I think it would add to the drama of what's going on, plus given his parentage, I mean, you know?
• Princess Leia was... weird looking. She kinda gives me the creeps these days.
• That weird Nazi/Hitler scene. Where did that come from? Just... weird.

General Leia

The weird Nazi scene

Questions I Have:

• Did Han yell... BEN??? (Is Kylo Ren's real name Ben?) On the second viewing I paid very close attention to this and yes, it totally looks like he calls him Ben. For some reason, the answer to this question is very important to me!
• What is Rey's parentage? Where does she come from? Who is ripping her away from her family in the flashback? (Did you notice they played Luke's theme whenever she was onscreen there toward the end?
• Is Kylo Ren alive? I mean, I'm pretty sure he is, but I didn't get a confirmation that it's a sure thing. He has to be though, right? That planet collapsed pretty fast!
• Will we get some love stories going on? Don't skip over this stuff writers! Romance please!!! :)
• We will get much more Luke Skywalker in the next movie, yes?

Yeah, that's pretty much all I have to say about it right now. What are your thoughts? Are we on the same page or totally different? 

Bottom line: I have loved the re popularity of this movie this past weeks and months. It makes my heart so happy!

Trailer:

2015 PopSugar Reading Challenge Results

Do you remember this challenge that everyone loved and got excited about at the beginning of the year last year?  Did you keep up with it? Did you mark you books down? I did! Here's how it turned out for me:

• A book with more than 500 pages: The Golem and the Jinni
• A book that became a movie: North and South
• A book published this year: Ignite
• A book with a number in the title: The One
• A book written by someone under 30: Throne of Glass
• A book with non human characters: Shutter
• A funny book: The Martian
• A book by a female author: Ignite Me
• A mystery or thriller: The Girl on the Train
• A book with a one word title: Splintered
• A book set in a different country: Love Lucy
• A popular authors' first book: These Broken Stars
• A book from an author you love: Cress
• A book a friend recommended: Wonder
• A book based on a true story: Saints
• A book at the bottom of your TBR list: Lost Without You
• A book that scares you: All the Bright Places
• A book more than 100 years old: Canterville Ghost
• A memoir: American Born Chinese (okay so I stretched this one a little!)
• A book you can finish in a day: Joy Street
• A book with antonyms int he title: Love, Lucas
• A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit: This is What Happy Looks Like
• A book that came out the year you were born: Dune
• A book with a love triangle: It's Not Summer Without You
• A book set in the future: The Elite
• A book set in high school: The Fill-in Boyfriend
• A book with magic: Half Bad
• A graphic novel: Saga
• A book by an author you've never read before: The Things You Kiss Goodbye
• A book you own but have never read: Clockwork Angel
• A book that takes place in your hometown: The Bishop's Wife
• A book that was originally written in a different language: The Red Notebook
• A book set during Christmas: Landline
• A book written by an author with your same initials: Illuminae
• A banned book: Animal Farm
• A book you started but never finished: Silver in the Blood

Some I didn't manage, or that I counted as another category:

• a classic romance (why oh why did I not read a classic romance?)
• a book of short stories
• a nonfiction book 
• a Pulitzer Prize winning book
• a book your mom loves
• a book based entirely on its cover (entirely?)
• a book you were supposed to read in school but didn't (this book does not exist)
• a book with bad reviews (not sure if this book exists either)
• a trilogy (like a whole trilogy in one year?)
• a book from your childhood (would a picture book count?)
• a book with a color in the title (I had a few of these but used them for other categories)
• a book that made you cry
• a play
• a book based on or turned into a TV show (I'd love to read The 100)

Here's next year's challenge list. What do you think? Are you in?

Merry Christmas!!

This video does a great job of expressing my feelings of the season. Enjoy!

 

Airing of Grievances for Festivus 2015

As is my yearly tradition, I get to rant today, all I want without fear, for the annual Festivus celebration.

Please feel free to rant with me!

Ready, set, GO!

• You know how you update your phone, and then two weeks later it bugs you to update it again? And then when you finally give in and update, your phone is all messed up? Yeah, I hate that.
• I also hate it when I decided to be all good about exercising and then I get some ailment that makes it pretty much impossible to do so.
• I really hate commercials on Spotify, but I also really hate paying for premium.
• Speaking of, I also really hate it when I can't find certain music on Spotify!
• I hate it when our ice maker thingy gets stuck in the up position which makes it think the ice bin is full and then it stops making ice.
• I hate that my pregnant daughter has been in pain for the past week with kidney stones. I hate that worse than anything else! (Update: things are much better now!)
• You know those people who come to movies (or concerts) and then get up and down and up and down and up and down and in and out and in and out and in and out? They make me crazy.
• I hate it when people rag on the prequels of Star Wars.
• I hate that since Nano has been over and done I haven't found time to write a word on my story.
• I hate that I wasn't able to go see Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff at The King's English last month.
• I hate that there's not enough time to read all the books I want to read!
• Ditto for all the TV shows I want to watch!
• I hate the traffic craziness the couple of days before Christmas. And the parking craziness.
• I hate the last minute frenzy in general before the calm and peace (usually) of Christmas day and the week after. 

But I love that week! Have a good one guys!