2016 End of Year Bookish Survey | Mostly YA Lit

December 31, 2016 / 6 Comments / Blogging Life, Book Extras, Book List, Personal, Reading Challenges, Wrap-Up

2016-end-of-year-survey-mostly-ya-litOk, so 2016? Not a great year. And yet, there were some pretty great books published this year, so I’m here today with Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner‘s End of Year Bookish Survey! Read on for my stats and favourites – and let me know if yours correlate.

Also, if you want to win one of my fave books this year, check out my best of 2016 post for an international giveaway!

2016 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 92 and I just started two! I made my Goodreads challenge!
Number of Re-Reads: 12. I’m not very good at tracking re-reads, but this is my best guess.
Genre You Read The Most From: Please…YA contemporary, although the adult contemporary romance is climbing.

Best in Books

mostly-ya-lit-best-books-of-2016-image
1. Best Book You Read In 2016?

YA: The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

New Adult/Adult: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

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

Aww, man, I wish I loved The Sun is Also a Star as much as everyone else did. I ended up liking it a lot, but the insta-love aspects brought it down for me.the-sun-is-also-a-star-nicola-yoon-book-cover

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

The Hating Game was a huge surprise because I didn’t expect it to climb up my favorites list the way it did. And If I Was Your Girl was a sleeper hit for me.

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

I definitely feel like I sold The Serpent King, The Hating Game, and The Unexpected Everything to a lot of people.

5. Best: Series you started in 2016? Sequel of 2016? Series Ender of 2016?

Series Started: I literally just finished To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and I am IN LOVE. I’m also really enjoying Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series, and Sarina Bowen’s True North series.

Sequel: GEMINA by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, and Steadfast by Sarina Bowen.

Series Ender: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Jeff Zentner and Natalie Blitt are faves both for their novels and their online presences.

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

fate-of-flames-book-cover-sarah-raughleyI really enjoyed Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley, and fantasy is not usually my cup of tea.

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

Action packed was definitely Gemina. Unputdownable was The Hating Game.

9. Book You Read In 2016 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

The Hating Game. You look at it for a second and you basically have to re-read it again.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?

 

On my faves list: The Sun is Also a Star, A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray (I can’t get enough of this series’ covers!), This Adventure Ends

11. Most memorable character of 2016?

Ugh, this is SO hard for me. I think it’s a toss up between Dill, Travis and Lydia from The Serpent King, Vivi from When We Collided, and Amanda from If I Was Your Girl. Yeah, I realize that was like five characters. #sorrynotsorry.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

when-we-collided-emery-lord-book-coverWhen We Collided by Emery Lord. I know I’m an Emery fangirl, but it’s tough to get better than this line: “Even the constellations can see us now: we are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know.”

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?

Not published in 2016, but read this year was Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. After I read it, I realized that my life was split into the before of reading that book, and the after. I’ve held the feeling of the final section of the book in my heart now for about nine months now, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. It’s stuck there.

Published this year, The Serpent King. I can’t even think about that book without getting tears in my eyes. Time for a re-read.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read?

I have so many! Second Chance Summer, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (stay tuned for my review), friggin Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood…I’m proud that I actually got to some backlist reads this year!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2016?

Oh man, since this section is all about Second Chance Summer, the whole ending of that book and the meteor shower. I can’t quote the whole thing here, but this is the moment when I lost my heart:

“Knowing that each breath was another moment he was still here and, simultaneously, that meant that he had just moved a little closer to being gone.” ?

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?

if-i-had-a-gryphon-vikki-van-sickle-book-coverShortest: If I Had A Gryphon by Vikki Van Sickle. 32 pages of adorable, fun, children’s book goodness.

Longest: I re-read all of Harry Potter this year, so probably Deathly Hallows at 784 pages. But really, Gemina is the longest at 604 pages.

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

I feel like a broken record, but The Serpent King had a shocking moment that I will never get over.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Lucy and Josh from The Hating Game. Or Andie and Clark from The Unexpected Everything. Or Gansey and Blue or Adam and Ronan from The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater. AHHH.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Andie, Palmer, Bri, and Toby’s friendship in The Unexpected Everything. Oh man, this is complex female friendship at its best.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read PreviouslyThe Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson Book Cover

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. She cannot write a bad book, I’m convinced, and this one was perfection for me.

21. Best Book You Read In 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. THANK YOU, Ginger @ GReads! and Gillian from Writer of Wrongs for pimping this book so hard.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

I think my favorite book boyfriend this year was Zeke from The Distance from A to Z, but close, close second goes to Clark from The Unexpected Everything.

23. Best 2016 debut you read?

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. Yeah, I keep talking about it, but the book is effing perfection.

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

Am I allowed to say The Raven King? I also thought the worldbuilding in Heartless by Marissa Meyer was brilliant.

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

YA: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson. It’s long, but you will BASK in it. I also really loved Wanderlost by Jen Malone.

Wanderlost Jen Malone book coverOther: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, and Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

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

So many! I wept buckets in The Serpent King, Second Chance Summer, When We Collided, and more.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

If I Was Your Girl – it came out very quietly and totally grabbed me. Highly recommend.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

OMG, Tiff, just stop talking about The Serpent King, won’t you?

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2016?

Maybe Boss Babes, the adult colouring book by Michelle Volansky? I don’t know if it counts as reading, but I really loved getting it to provide for giveaway, and posting about it!boss-babes-michelle-volansky-book-cover

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

I think possibly Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? I’m so on the fence with this book – mostly because it wasn’t really supposed to be a book. But when you wait as long as we have for new Harry Potter, I think a story like this deserves more than what it ended up being. In retrospect, it should have been a 2 star read for me. And yeah, I am hella angry about the plot and the portrayal of Hermione and Ginny.

Book Blogging

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2016?

Guys, I couldn’t just go with one!

paper-trail-diary-book-blog

Paper Trail Diary written by local blogger and new friend Jessica is one of my new faves. Jess posts book reviews, but she also does a lot of paper crafting and snail mail stuff, so clearly, she’s a blogger with my interests at heart.

read-read-read-book-blog

I got to know Milka of ReadReadRead last year when we were discussing contemporary books, and since then, her blog has been one of my faves. I love that she reviews classics and movies. Her reviews are always analytical and thoughtful.

finding-wonderland-book-blog

Rissi has been a follower of my blog for awhile now, and we’ve chatted online lots, but I finally got around to checking out her blog, Finding Wonderland, this year. It’s SO pretty, and she does reviews of costume dramas and other fun stuff as well.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2016?

two ya books to read on sexual assault banner mostly ya litI think my dual review of E.K. Johnston’s Exit, Pursued by a Bear, and Amber Smith’s The Way I Used to Be, and my discussion of rape, sexual abuse and rape culture was probably the best and strongest thing I wrote this year. Both reviews took me a lot of time to write, and I put a lot of thought into sensitivity and word choice. I’m really proud of that post.

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

No Fantasy imageI really loved my discussion of “What to Read When You Don’t Like Fantasy.” I’ve always been a mostly contemp reader and it was great hearing people’s recs, and what they do and don’t like about fantasy. I’m also very proud of my “I Don’t Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie” post. Both of these were huge reliefs to write – I have a lot of bookish hang-ups!

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

I had a great time at a lot of events this year, but I’ll be honest and say that my favorite bookish event was my book club’s summer meeting to discuss Dumplin, followed by our wander around the Annex neighbourhood in Toronto. Not only did everyone adore Dumplin (duh), but we ended up going to some bookstores, there was a street festival, we visited another blogger at her restaurant…it was the hottest summer day ever, but it was one of the most fun days I’ve had this year.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016?

I had special moments of squee this year when some of my fave authors let me know they appreciated my work. Like, actual possible crying moments because these are women I admire so much.

When I had a long, early conversation with Morgan Matson over The Unexpected Everything (spoilers everywhere if you look at the thread, sorry!)

When Morgan Matson said my interview with her was one of her faves ever. ?

When Emery Lord let me know I really got her book.

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

The “Which Morgan Matson Character Are You?” quiz with my ultimate Morgan Matson prize pack was super popular, and I’m really proud of the whole #UnexpectedlyEpic Morgan Matson week I put together.

7. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?if-i-was-your-girl-by-meredith-russo book cover

My review of If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo – in general, I just want this book to get more love, because it’s SO good, and such a great portrayal of a transgender romance.

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

I think my biggest bookish discovery this year was Book Riot’s Read Harder book clubs. Angel and Ardo started this club in Toronto where we just talk about the books we’ve read in the last month. It’s been a fantastic time every time to gab about books, pressure-free.

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

Yes, I surpassed both my challenges: over 90 books total on my Goodreads Challenge, and 49 books for my Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge!

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?

One? OMG…

kids-of-appetite-book-cover-david-arnold The Season by Jonah Lisa Dyer and Stephen Dyer a-million-worlds-with-you-claudia-gray-book-cover

YA: Kids of Appetite by David Arnold,  The Season by Jonah Lisa Dyer and Stephen Dyer, The Inside of Out by Jenn Marie Thorne, A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray. I am SO behind!

Other: Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels. My husband is reading them now and his obsession is making me desperate to read them.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017 (non-debut)?

15-books-most-anticipated-2017-banner-mostly-ya-lit

So many! Major ones are Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner, The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord, and Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios.

3. 2017 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I have a couple: Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane (YA about L.M. Montgomery as a teen), and When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2017?

The final Illuminae series book. I’m not ready.

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

Last year, I made a resolution to try to read one adult or non-YA book a month, and to work in more backlist books and non-fiction. I’m really liking this, and enjoying writing more mini-reviews of that stuff, so there will be more of that!

In terms of goals, I’m going to be working on my Bookstagramming a bit more – I’m liking the platform and loving practicing photography. And I’ve been exploring creative ways to monetize my blogging, because sometimes, it’s really expensive!

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

I’ve actually only read two romances so far – I really liked Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen and highly recommend it to anyone who likes sports romance. I’m just starting History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera and I can tell it’s going to be amazing.

What were your favorite books of 2016? What surprised you? Did you get any good books for your holiday presents? If you’re a blogger or reviewer, what were your big achievements this year? Let me know in the comments – and leave me a link if you’ve done the 2016 End of Year Bookish Survey so I can stop by!


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Want more YA reviews and bookish fun? Get Mostly YA Lit in your inbox and be the first to get notified on new updates.

6 responses to “2016 End of Year Bookish Survey | Mostly YA Lit

  1. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” has been on my TBR list for the longest time too. I really should get around to reading it this year!

  2. What a crazy fun post! I love end of the year posts like this that put together all of the favorite things we discovered or loved about the past year. Perhaps next year I’ll be organized enough to put this together!

    Emery’s and Morgan’s 2016 books where both one I intended to read and didn’t. As is “Wanderlost.” I thought that one looked too fun! *adds to 2017 TBR* “The Season” is one book I cannot wait to read either. It sounds and looks like my kind of read.

    Thank you SO much for the kind words and Finding Wonderland shoutout, Tiff. I appreciate you being a visitor/reader, and always enjoy visiting your bookish space here as well as chatting with you. 🙂 Jessica’s blog looks gorgeous, so I’m off to visit her space next. 🙂

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.