End of Year Book Survey – 2013 Edition!

December 26, 2013

Today I decided to take part in the 'End of Year Book Survey - 2013 Edition' created by Jamie over at the Perpetual Page-Turner. It's quite a long post - be warned! But it was a really fun one to do and a great way of reflecting on the year. 2013 has been an extremely awesome year reading wise and I honestly don't know how 2014 will met it's standards. I may have cheated a little for some questions but you can't blame me. There were an extra set of questions based on blogging but I decided to leave them out because I didn't want this post to become to long. Enjoy!




1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) -

Contemporary - The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Contemporary Romance - Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Dystopian - The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
Science Fiction - These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner
Vampire - The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine
Fantasy - The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Paranormal - The Mortal Instruments or The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? -
Definitely The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey! I don’t even really read Sci-fi sorts of books but the hype for this was about a mile long and I was so excited for it. I haven’t even reached page 100 and I’ve had it since July.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?  -
Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher and Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield, both such beautiful and moving contemporary novels.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013? -
I’ve recommended a lot of different series and books this past year! You must be getting sick of it. Recently I’ve been really recommending The Morganville Vampire series quite a lot, but the number one book I’ve recommended would be my favourite, The Fault In Our Stars.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013? -
This is really hard because this year has been a great one series wise but I’m going to go with The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, which I am obsessed with. But how could I not mention The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. I am beyond in love with that series.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013? -
I would say Cassandra Clare & John Green because they were new to me at the start of this year and have know become two of my favourite authors. But I realize they aren't exactly new. So I'm going to say Kasie West, Rainbow Rowell, Holly Smale and Katie Cotugno. But I discovered a lot of fab authors this year, so the list goes on.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? - 
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner, I don’t like Sci-fi but I loved it.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013? -
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas, for sure!

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? - 
There are so many! I’ve already re-read The Fault In Our Stars but I can definitely see a 2nd re-read in the future.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013? -
The Selection by Kiera Cass or Unravel Me by Taherah Mafi (even though my cover is so ugly). I also love the cover for How to Love by Katie Cotugno.


11. Most memorable character in 2013? -
I actually don’t have the faintest clue. It would probably be one of my thousand book boyfriends because I tend to remember them! But I’m going to pick Juliette from The Shatter Me series because she is a very challenged and annoying at times character. But somehow quite memorable. But a close runner up is Allyson from Just One Day or Reena from How to Love.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013? -
Argh so many fall under that category but I’m going to cheat and pick two, Unravel Me by Taherah Mafi and Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher!

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?  -
Allegiant by Veronica Roth and I think you all know why! But I also tend to be ranting about The Elites by Kiera Cass a lot with Francoise, that book brought out a lot of strong emotions.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?  - 
Yet again I could list so many under here. I think I’m going to go with The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare! But The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter is another series I saw everywhere but didn’t read until this year.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013? -
“What is a Gallagher Girl?" Liz asked one final time. "She's a genius, a scientist, a heroine, a spy. And now we are at the end of our time at school, and the one thing I know for certain is this: a Gallagher Girl is whatever she wants to be.” 
― Ally Carter, United We Spy

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013? - 
Longest - Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare: 570 pages
Shortest - The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop: 208 pages

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! - 
Everyone’s saying this is obviously the best choice. Unravel Me by Taherah Mafi, Chapter 62.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc). - 
Romance – Hazel Lancaster & Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Friendship - America Singer & Marlee Tames from The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
Familial- Hannah & Reena Montero from How To Love by Katie Cotugno

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously - 
When you say previously do you mean not this year….. I’m not sure so.. next question.

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else: - 
My school friend lent me her copy of City of Bones for me to read because she loved it so much and I actually had no idea it was so big in the blogosphere until I became part of the fandom.

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013? - Contemporary

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013? -
I’ve fallen for some many different fictional characters this year it’s shocking! So I’m not going to name them all but who would I be if I didn’t mention Jace Wayland, Will Herondale and Augustus Waters.

23. Best 2013 debut you read? -
There were some great debut’s this year but I’m going to pick ACID by Emma Pass. Pivot Point by Kasie West and How to Love by Katie Cotugno were also fabulous debuts I loved in 2013.  I LOVE ALL THREE OF THEM. *Wraps books into a awkward book hug*

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013? - The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa.

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013? - 
Geek Girl by Holly Smale and it’s awesome sequel! These books are so fun and hilarious. They never fail to brighten my mood.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013? - 
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare and Allegiant by Veronica Roth. PS. I actually can’t cry. But when I read Butterfly Summer by Anne-Marie Conway last year, I don't think I’ve ever cried so much in my life.

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out? - 
I know a lot of people loved ACID by Emma Pass but I think it should be receiving so much more attention because it is such an incredible novel. Amazing!


1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014? - 
Without a doubt, the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I know, shame on me. I’ve been meaning to get around to it for ages and I am determined to these holidays.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)? - The third Throne of Glass novel by Sarah J Maas.

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? - I actually had to look at Goodreads for this one because I had no clue off the top of my head, but after looking I’d say Side Effects May Vary
by Julie Murphy.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014? -  Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi and City of Heavely Fire by Cassandra Clare.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014? - I think the dream for any blogger would be to be on top of reviews. My unread pile of review books this year has at times eaten me alive so I would love to not only read and review all of them but to have at least two posts published a week.

What about you? What were your favourites of 2013?
post signature

10 comments

  1. I also discovered John Green this year. I can't believe I've waited so long to read him. I haven't read half the books you've mentioned but they are all on my TBR list. The ever growing list that I never seem to make a dent in.:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I totally agree with you and The 5th Wave, you know my thoughts on that! This year overall has been really good and you can see that clearly when you map it out like that. Because I didn't start reading until later I have a lot of catching up. So many books and so little time and it's really starting to dawn on me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. OH. MY. FUN SIZED PIECE OF FRIDGE FUDGE. YOU HAVEN'T READ THE HARRY POTTER SERIES?! *banishes you to Azkaban* HOW COULD YOU DO THIS YOU..YOU..TRAITOR. *brandished wand* get on that STAT.
    also. *swoons* Gus and Hazel! <3
    I've not read the Shatter Me series. i don't know whether i will. I've hear rave reviews of it and I know you and Lucy like it but i've also heard some really really really bad reviews of it. WHAT TO DO!
    Alsoooo, you've read These Broken Stars?! LUCKY LIL' GRASSHOPPER. I've wanted that book for ages but i don't have itttttttttttt *screams*
    Anyway,
    YOU GOT THROUGH IT! *gives you a medal*
    well done ;p

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love love love your blog! I'll be sure to tell all my other blog friends. Could you check out my blog, tell me what u think and, uh, um, write a review on it? It'd really make me happy. I'll be sure to do the same!
    www.diaryofasugarmonster.blogspot.com
    From your friend on goodreads(add me)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh, How to Love and Ketchup Clouds in on my TBR. Glad to hear it was beautifully written. I always loves that kind of books :D
    And I'm the same too about those crying thing, so I'll most definitely check Butterfly Summer out! Gonna try Geek Girl too since lots of people say it's really funny. I'm in need of fun book since Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins :)

    Anyway, thanks for sharing, Sunny!

    Neysa @ [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]

    ReplyDelete
  6. I also thought Acid was a really great debut novel! I'm surprised it wasn't all that big in the book blogging world! CLOCKWORK PRINCESS! No, I must not think of that book. I do not want my soul to tear apart again... I'd definitely say that's the book that had the greatest impact on me! I was so upset and frustrated over it but it's been such a beautiful series. WILL HERONDALE!<3

    I'm glad you'll be trying the HP books out again! I seriously hope you enjoy them! Read them when you're in a whimsical mood - when you want to be transported to another world - and I'm sure you'll be able to appreciate them more! Okay, Dobby? Okay.

    I haven't even read ALL of TFioS but I can do word play with it. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You need to read Harry Potter, Sunny! I read them for the first time this year and loved them. Once you read the first, you'll be hooked. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I loved Shatter Me! I still need to read Unravel Me, though! :D I also only read some of the Mortal Instruments books this year, so *high five* :D

    Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic
    My 2013 End of Year Book Survey!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ACID by Emma Pass, is going straight on my 'to read' list - it sounds fantastic! I only discovered Cassandra Clare this year too - I'm glad I'm not alone.
    Hang on, you haven't read Harry Potter??? Woah. Do it, do it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lots of great books are mentioned in your answers. I really enjoyed Divergent, but wasn't as blown away by Insurgent and definitely not by Allegiant. These Broken Stars was such a great read, I can't wait for the sequel. I really enjoyed Ketchup Clouds when I read it, such an interesting book. And you NEED to read Harry Potter! Great answers. My End of Year Survey.

    ReplyDelete

Thank for stopping by my small corner of the web, I hope you enjoyed your time here. Feel free to leave a comment, I love reading them. Sending you a thousand lovely days x

© A Sunny Spot. Design by FCD. Header using graphics from Freepik.