End of 2011 Book Survey

Last year I filled out a cool book survey from Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner, and this year she’s created a 2011 edition! Yay for surveys!


1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

Click here for the full post!

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

‘Salem’s Lot by: Stephen King

This wasn’t a bad book, but my expectations were kind of high. Stephen King’s novels tend to be hit-and-miss for me but in general I think he’s brilliant. Plus, I love vampires, so I figured this one would be perfect since it was two good things in one. But, I ended up being just entertained for the moment. It was nothing too memorable.


3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

Hush, Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick

I thought it was quite disappointing the first time I read it (and even called it the most disappointing of 2010 in last year’s survey), but for whatever reason, when I read it back in January I really enjoyed it!

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

Like I mentioned last year, most of my good friends are guys, so I never end up recommending any girly books… So I recommended these awesome books:

The Hunger Games Trilogy by: Suzanne Collins
The Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger
The Diary of a Young Girl by: Anne Frank
The Help by: Kathryn Stockett
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by: Seth Grahame-Smith

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by: Carrie Ryan

I’m not sure if it’s called The Forest of Hands and Teeth Series or what, but whatever the official term is, I loved it.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Carrie Ryan
Elie Wiesel

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Night by: Elie Wiesel

I’m not good with sad books/movies, let alone true Holocaust survival stories. I’m too empathetic and I knew that this book would tear me apart, but it was a really good book. It’ll make you think about things like death, food, and humanity.


8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins

These books were amazing! They were almost impossible to put down and kept me flying through pages like a mad woman! In the midst of so much action, there was still a ton of emotion – both elements by themselves are present in a huge way in these books.



9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?
The only books that I highly anticipated this year and actually read was Awakened by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast and Illusions by Aprilynne Pike.

Others that I was so excited for but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to read this year:

Across the Universe by: Beth Revis
Silence by: Becca Fitzpatrick
Destined by: P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

Torment by: Lauren Kate

Honorable Mention: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by: Seth Grahame-Smith

 

11. Most memorable character in 2011?

Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger)
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games Trilogy by: Suzanne Collins)
Gollum (The Lord of the Rings by: J.R.R. Tolkien)
Aibileen (The Help by: Kathryn Stockett)
Miss Celia (The Help by: Kathryn Stockett)

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

Night by: Elie Wiesel
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by: Carrie Ryan

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011?
 
Night by: Elie Wiesel

This book made me different. As I read it I didn’t want to eat anything because all I could think about were the starving people. I’d randomly cry out of the blue thinking about the monstrosities of the damned Holocaust, wondering how people could ever be so awful to each other.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read?

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by: J.R.R. Tolkien

I’m a nerd. I love fantasy and classic novels, yet I haven’t read any of these books until this year! What’s with that? And I haven't even read Return of the King yet!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011?

Night by: Elie Wiesel
-Juliek’s death scene.

Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins
-There is a paragraph in there somewhere in which every other sentence is “Making knots.”

The Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger
-The part where he admits that he feels the need to be a catcher in the rye.


16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012?

The Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger
I want to read it now, actually. I’ve wanted to read it since I put it down!

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

Even though this one is elaborated, I’m still not quite sure what it’s talking about lol…

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2011?

Steph Su Reads is basically my favorite book blog!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2011?

I don’t really have favorite reviews actually.


3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Artist Evolution

It talks about how artist tend to change over time and how “fans” freak out. I think it’s the only discussion on my blog.


4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?

I'm sure I've read multiple of these, but I can't remember specific ones.


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

I’ve never been to one.


6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?

Being asked to review one!

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

By Views:

1. The House of Night, Books 1-6 by: P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
2. ‘Salem’s Lot | by: Stephen King
3. Favorite Voices
4. End of 2010 Book Survey
5. Fallen | Evanescence
6. Look What I Made!
7. The Unforgiving | Within Temptation  
8. The Fame Monster | Lady Gaga
9. Evanescence | Evanescence
10. A Thousand Suns | Linkin Park

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Any book review. The only book review in my popular posts is for ‘Salem’s Lot and the one where I did mini-reviews of the first six House of Night books, which is a terrible example of my reviews! Come on, guys! Show the books some love, too!

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

Barnes and Noble is way cheaper than Borders and Books-a-Million. Just saying.

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

Nope. I failed at the 2011 Stephen King Reading Challenge.


1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?

SO MANY! But, I think Across the Universe by Beth Revis will be top priority next year, as well as Pathfinder by Orson Scott-Card.


2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

I’m too preoccupied with this year’s books that I didn’t read that I can’t even think about next year. Ask me next year.


3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?

Maybe get my first ARC. I don’t want a ton of them like a lot of bloggers get, primarily because I don't have the time, but maybe one or two a year.


So... that's it! I hope everyone has a wonderful new year, and hopefully everyone will have a very awesome upcoming year for reading! Thanks so much for reading my posts; being heard is always appreciated.