Tag: favorites

Book Survey // 2016

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I found this End of Year Book Survey from Jamie of Perpetual Page Turner and thought it was the perfect way to round up my 50 book challenge from this year! LET’S DO IT.

Check out my year in books on Goodreads!

 

READING STATS:

Number of books you read: 52

Number of re-reads: 1

Genre you read the most from: YA (obvs)

 

BEST IN BOOKS:

1. Best book you read?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I had been hearing a lot about this book, both from friends and online, and I was intrigued enough to give it a go despite the fact I don’t love the fantasy genre. While there were elements of this book I enjoyed, like Blue’s character and the backstories of the boys she becomes friends with, I tend to get lost in the details of fantasy stories. There is a lot of history to remember throughout the plot, and often times there are elements of mystery, which is difficult for me to process.

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

How To Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran

Seeing as this novel was on a number of feminist book lists, it had been on my radar for a while. It seemed like a decent plot – a girl who acts on her own agency to change the unfortunate lot she’d been handed in life – but I quickly realized that was a very loose summary. The failed construction of the main character is definitely intentional, but I was surprised by quickly the message of the book got lost in the plot.

4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read?

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Not only did this book inspire me to pay more attention to the world around me and continue learning, but I wanted nothing more than to share this education with others. Anytime I find someone who is interested in identity politics, intersectionality, and other topics Gender Studies nerds love to geek out about, I tossed this book in their direction. Thankfully, I found that it was met with eager and open arms.

5. Best series you started?

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

I’m not a big of series because I have a problem with commitment, but to my benefit, I didn’t know this novel was set as the first in a series. But when I read the summary about a girl in high school who identifies as bisexual and gets an internship with her favorite superhero…how could I not read it?

6. Favorite new author you discovered?

Michael Barakiva

One Man Guy has been on my list for a while and I’m so happy I finally picked it up. Barakiva perfectly executes the Armenian culture, the vulnerability of first relationships, and duh, it’s LGBTQ. Can’t wait to read more from him 🙂

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

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

This was one of the first books I read that got me interested in essay compilations. I liked the freedom of bouncing from one story to the next and learning about the author in the process.

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

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

I think I tore through this book in 2 days.

9. Book you read that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson

10. Favorite cover of a book you read?

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

I’m going to be real with you – I always judge books by their covers. Listen, I read a lot on the subway, and I don’t want people looking at an ugly book and thinking I have poor taste. So when I first started seeing buzz for Nicola Yoon’s debut novel, I was in love. It’s so beautiful. It might be my favorite book cover of all time.

11. Most memorable character?

Sebby (Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa)

Sebby! My beautifully sad and troubled baby! I was instantly drawn to Mira and Sebby’s relationship, and once I hit that first chapter from Sebby’s perspective, I was blown away. I wanted to know everything about him. I still do. Please, Kate Scelsa, can I have a book all about Sebby???

12. Most beautifully written book read?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Let’s just say, if you think the covers of Nicola Yoon’s books are beautiful, wait until you read what’s inside. She is pure YA magic. I can’t tell you the amount of wrong trains I got on because I was too engrossed in the beauty of this book. Holy crap.

13. Most thought-provoking/ life-changing book?

Buffering by Hannah Hart

Phew. Okay. This book was way more intense than I had expected. There were hints of Hannah’s difficult past in her videos and other content, but this book dives way deeper. Hannah is so brave in her storytelling and my heart ached for her as I read it, but I finished the book feeling more motivated than ever. I don’t know Hannah personally, but the energy and positivity she puts out into the world is so inspiring, and even more so knowing what she went through to get there.

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

Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz

I actually can believe I waited until 2016 to read this book…because…remember what I said about judging books by their covers? That’s the main reason I held back from reading this book. But I finally got over it and bought a copy, and because it was so great, it made me loosen up just a little bit on prioritizing a book’s presentation.

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read?

“I made the choice to never again be quiet, to never again suck it up. I challenged him. And I will do it again. If that makes me uppity, so be it. At least people know I’m no longer a vessel that they can use to act out their racist feelings. They will know that I think I’m worth fighting for. They will know I have a fire burning inside me. They will know that I’m alive.” – Phoebe Robinson, You Can’t Touch My Hair

16.Shortest book you read? Longest book you read?

Shortest – Dear Diego by Elena Poniatowska

Longest – Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

17. Book that shocked you the most

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This is my millionth Nicole Yoon reference and I don’t even care. There’s a major plot twist in this book and I think my jaw is still hanging on the floor somewhere…

18. OTP of the year

Nate/ET the Musical (Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle)

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year

Kate and Mark (You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan)

What I love most about this book is the fact that the two main characters never fall in love. Kate is a lesbian and Mark is gay and they become best friends and each help the other with their respective crushes. Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever heard?

20. Favorite book you read from an author you’ve read previously

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan

Yall, I’m tellin ya, these two authors are perfect angels. Because of their abilities to do so in the past, I knew these two special cupcakes would give me the LGBTQ storyline I love the most – one that isn’t about coming out or the hardships of not being accepted. SWOON.

21. Best book you read that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure:

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read?

Sarah (Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom)

The main character’s best friend in this story is so sweet and caring. But she also calls people out on their bullshit. Definitely my kinda gal.

23. Best 2016 debut you read?

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I LOVE HER A LOT, OKAY?

24. Best world-building/most vivid setting you read this year?

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

You wouldn’t think a book on a deserted island would have much to explore in terms of world-building and vivid scenes, but that’s the magic of Libba Bray.

25. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?

Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

26. Book that made you cry?

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Well, I cry with almost every book I read. But this one stands out to me specifically because I remember having 5 pages left while I was riding home on the train and I needed to sit in the subway station and finish reading and finish crying before I could go home.

27. Hidden gem of the year?

Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed

This was my 49th book of the year and I was so focused on finishing my challenge that I simply picked it because it seemed quick and easy to read. Little did I know the heartbreaking story that was about to unfold. I don’t even remember how I was introduced to this book, but I’m so glad I picked it up.

28. Book that crushed your soul?

It Looks Like This by Rafi Mittlefehldt

While this debut was incredibly written, I remember closing this book and feeling angry and confused about why I’m still reading so many sad coming out stories. I know they are very real, but that’s what made this book so difficult to get through. I often look toward books for an escape, and considering I see/hear about this story enough in real life, Mike and Sean’s story was very difficult to get through for me.

29. Most unique book you read?

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson

I love books about fandom life, and this is the first I’ve ever read that gives such a real look into how online friendships and relationships get built. These authors took the familiar format of online fandom communication and executed an incredibly genuine and provoking novel that I read in about 24 hours. As I already noted, I will definitely be re-reading it ASAP.

30. Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Mostly this book makes me mad because it is so brilliant and I’m angry I didn’t write it.

YOUR BLOGGING LIFE:

1. New favorite book blog you discovered?

LGBTQ Reads!

2. Favorite review that you wrote?

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

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

My NaNoWriMo experience

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

Seeing Phoebe Robinson and Ilana Glazer at Housing Works the day You Can’t Touch My Hair was released

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5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life?

When Libba Bray responded to my blog post:

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6. Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Brand New Eyes

7. Post you wished got a little more love?

Rory’s Boyfriends (Are All Dumb) because let’s face it THEY ARE!!

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

Bluestockings bookstore 🙂

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

I completed my goal of reading at least 50 books this year!

 

LOOKING AHEAD:

1. One book you didn’t get to read in 2016 but will be your number 1 priority in 2017?

I’m equally excited to read Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark and Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

2. Book you are most anticipating for 2017 (non-debut)?

Adam Silvera’s History Is All You Left Me!!!!!!!

3. 2017 debut you are most anticipating?

Meg & Linus by Hannah Nowinski because fandom, drama club, and two nerdy queer high schoolers. Obviously.

4. Series ending/a sequel you are most anticipating in 2017?

I’m really looking forward to continuing with Jess and Abby’s story in Not Your Sidekick #2

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2017?

Work toward another 50 books and possibly get a blog post published on a website.

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Is There Anybody Out There?

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Everyone’s got their favorites. Favorite books, favorite albums, favorite films. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a terrible time picking favorites, but sometimes they just hit you and you just know. At some point in our lives, we have read, listened to, and watched them for the very first time. We let their artistry infiltrate us, let their messages connect to us, and we immediately appreciated them for the way they were going to influence us moving forward.

Now, every time we read, listen to, and watch these favorites, we are reminded of that first read, that first listen, that first watch. The initial force that somehow managed to surpass all other forces finds its way into the deepest and most personal parts of who you are. And once they’re there, you know they’re there to stay.

But sometimes, sometimes, we re-read, we re-listen, or we re-watch, and we are flooded with an even more overwhelming force. It’s as if you actually are experiencing it all for the first time again. But instead of being unfamiliar and waiting for the sureness to flow through you, you crave it. Somehow, you find yourself in a position to fall in love all over again, and somehow, it’s even better than the first time.

This happens when we least expect it – which is a good thing. If we could pick and choose the moments for us to re-fall in love, they wouldn’t be as special or cherished. It is their spontaneity and unexpectedness that drives your somehow stronger acquaintance. You can be casually be listening to your favorite album in the background while you study or clean your room, and you are suddenly re-struck with the brilliance of a particular lyric, or bundle of lyrics, or transition, or modulation, or the stunning creation as a whole. You don’t know why, you don’t understand what brought it on, but none of that matters in that moment. What does matter is the moment itself.

We are reminded, in that moment, that connection exists. People have the ability to make art, no matter the medium, and have it mean something to somebody. It is the most powerful thing we are capable of – helping, teaching, creating. It is of infinite supply, creating, and its bounds are endless. To think we have any sort of power in its direction is sometimes overwhelming, but in the end, extremely gratifying.

The universe is billions of years old. In this retrospect, we are irrelevant. But in the same respect, we are also crucial. We may live for 100 years, but on a grander scale of existence, this is almost nothing. How can we possibly leave a dent? The path to figuring that out is what makes us crucial. How we choose to spend our time and connect with the world both relies on and is dependent upon us as individuals. Our time on Earth, though limited, is important – if want it to be. And if you do, what will you do to make it count?