Like any year, 2012 had it's pitfalls and it's downers. Overall, though, it's been a truly wonderful year. We have settled into our new home more fully, been on two wonderful convention vacations, had great holidays, spent time with wonderful friends, family, and my son. Everyone has remained healthy with no major disasters striking. I did lose my job, which is a struggle, but let's face it, it was a miserable job and I'm hoping something better is waiting for me.
I feel this year that I've discovered a lot of things about myself, grew closer to God, discovered MANY new genres of books and got even more majorly into Urban Fantasy. I bought more books this year than ever before, and I may even have read more than before of books that aren't re-reads.
In 2012
- I read - 126 Books
- Yearly Challenges Participated In - 12
- Week Reading Events (Series) - 2
- Seasonal Events/Challenges - 4
- New Books Acquired - 489
- To Be Read Shelf Grew By (And still hasn't been read, including borrowed and E-books) - 408
- Current Count Now for Physically Owned Books - 1,498
- Current Count Now for Books To-Be-Read (Including Borrowed and E-books) - 974
2013 Goals
- To buy less than 489 new books!
- To update site frequently
- To finish reviewing several series I'm backlogged on reviewing (Hello Urban Fantasy)
- To read more mysteries than I did in 2012
- To read at least 50 harlequin romances
- To finish several series
- To read more drama and general fiction
- To try more fantasy
- To read at least one anthology per month
Hosted by The Perpetual Page Turner ---
Best In Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
My favorites of the year to discover, although they were not necessarily published in 2012, were The Hollows Series by Kim Harrison, The Cirque Du Freak Series by Darren Shan, The Chronicles of Narnia Series by CS Lewis, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, Magic Series sequels by Ilona Andrews, Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane, Kara Gillian series by Diana Rowland, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Salem's Lot by Stephen King.
2. Book You Were Excited About and Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Soulless by Gail Carriger - was super excited and had it on wishlist forever. Finally read it and, while I liked it and laughed out loud, was a bit let down. Same can be said for Girl, Interrupted. I also was a bit letdown by the new Sookie Stackhouse.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory - NOT my usual kind of book but I was fascinated by it.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Since I discovered The Hollows series, probably that one. I also had my fiance read the Magic Bites series by Ilona Andrews.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Not to sound redundant, but The Hollows :) Also really loved Cirque Du Freak, Chronicles of Narnia, Downside Ghosts, etc as listed above
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Answered that here in this Top Ten
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Would also be The Bolyen Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. I did read a few other books not my usual style, but didn't love them, such as a western by Louis L'Amour, Crossfire Trail, and a nonfiction New Age type book called Stephen Lives! by Anne Puryear.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Eek, I don't know. Couldn't answer this one to save my life!
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
I need to reread the Hollows before the Ever After book comes out in January for a refresh. I will end up re-reading most of the others eventually but not in 2012
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Since the Hollows left such impression from, I'd say that group.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Flowers for Algernon. All should read this book. It showcases why books are considered art.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
The classics I read this year all held a big impact - Flowers for Algernon really made me think and feel compassion, The Catcher in the Rye was stunning on an emotional level, Animal Farm was intelligently simple but in your face at the same time.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
The Hunger Games!!
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which."
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Shortest Book - You Can't Scare me by RL Stine
Longest Book - Agatha Christie: An Autobiography
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!
Eek, the heartbreak at the end of For a Few Demons more
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Curran And Kate
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
Too many to count since I read so many series
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
Like a Charm by Candace Havens
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
Oh wow, there are so many. Since I came back to blogging this year, basically most of them are new to me.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
Not sure that I have a favorite. Think I did pretty well with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe,
Blood Men by Paul Cleave, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Salem's Lot by King, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Vampire's Assistant. Also think I did pretty well with the Masque of the Red death thoughts.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I had fun writing the Bizarre Order of Chronicles of Narnia, Fascinating Facts about Edgar Allan Poe,
Death Theories about Poe,
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
There's been several. Many blogs have raised great points regarding copyright and people stealing from blogs.
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
This Mailbox Monday post talks about meeting a few authors, including RL Stine this year. Also went and toured the local libraries and bookshops and made posts about them.
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
I liked that Nancy Haddock commented on my review of her book La Vida Vampire :)
I had great fun participating in all the challenges and read-a-thons, Where in the World are you segments, all the fun features and reviews, The Edgar Allan Poe week, and the CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia winter week.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Comments I think it's the 2013 Announcements of challenges
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Are our animals really out to get our books? Thought it was cute
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Abebooks for a book seller. I had heard of them before but never realized until this year how awesome they are. All the indie booksellers and larger may use them in one setting. They make it easy to order and I haven't had any issues yet. For a brand new book seller online I have fallen in love with Amazon all over again.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Yes, I finished almost all of them. :)
Looking Ahead…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
Oh, there's so many. There isn't a set book really.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
I gave a list for this here - Top Ten
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Goals posted at the top of the post. Wish me luck!
