Hi! Remember me? It’s been a few weeks… I never intended to take a little hiatus but it was needed more than I realized.
To get back into the swing of things I thought I’d reflect on last year, the year I started blogging, by completing The Perpetual Page-Turner’s annual End of the Year Survey. I see it float around every year and I’m excited to finally have an outlet where I can fill it out.
Note: The survey is for books read throughout the year, no matter when they were published, and is not limited to just books that came out in 2019!
2019 Reading Stats
Number Of Books You Read: 153
Number of Re-Reads: 5
Genre You Read The Most From: contemporary
Best in Books
Best book you read in 2019?
Don’t make me choose between You’d Be Mine (review) and More than Maybe – both by Erin Hahn. The latter comes out this year but once I had an ARC in my hands there wasn’t anything anybody could do to keep me from reading it.
[Related – Five Fast Facts About More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn]
Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
So. Many. I had a horrible time with pretty much all of the highly anticipated books last year. The top three most disappointing ones for me were probably Wilder Girls by Rory Power (review), The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring (review), and Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (review).
Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Have any of you read Scythe by Neal Shusterman yet? Most of you have already but I only just got around to it in November. I was nervous because it really didn’t seem like a book I’d enjoy but I was completely wrong and I can’t wait to finish the series this year.
[Force Me to Read… Scythe by Neal Shusterman]
Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did)?
So many people told me they read You’d Be Mine because of how I wouldn’t shut up about it and it made my heart incredibly happy every single time.
Best series you started in 2019? Best sequel of 2019? Best series ender of 2019?
I really don’t read very many series because I tend to not enjoy them. Standalones are where it’s at. The best one I started though was definitely Arc of a Scythe. The best sequel goes to Shatter City by Scott Westerfeld (review). The only series I finished last year was The Illuminae Files by finally reading Obsidio.
Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?
Erin. Freaking. Hahn. She’s on the same level as Gayle Forman for me and I didn’t think I’d ever find an author I love as much as her.
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Science fiction is one of the genres I touch the least but I gave Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor (review) a chance and I’m so glad I did! Not only did it sound good but Taylor from Stay on the Page absolutely loved it and I’ll trust her recommendations every time.
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry (review) didn’t stop once during it’s entire 325 pages. There were so many twists and turns and it was full of snark and I adored every single second.
Book you read In 2019 that you would be MOST likely to re-read next year?
I’m already planning a re-read of Deposing Nathan by Zack Smedley (review). He annotated a copy for Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag to auction off in benefit of First Book. My dad bid and won it for my Christmas present! I hardly ever re-read things but I’m really looking forward to this one.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?
There were so many incredible covers last year! I tried to choose only one but couldn’t so I’m going to give it to both When the Stars Lead to You by Ronni Davis (review) and The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson (review). LOOK AT THEM!
Most memorable character of 2019?
Alice from Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann (review). She was hilarious and flawed and so real.
Most beautifully written book read in 2019?
Shana Youngdahl’s debut, As Many Nows as I Can Get (review), was more than incredible. Every word had a purpose and it all flowed together so perfectly.
Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2019?
I love how different this answer will be for everybody and how the books chosen will give an intimate glimpse at who they are. This isn’t one I had to think about, my mind instantly went to Deposing Nathan. I wish I had had that book in high school and I’m so glad teens today have Nate’s story.
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read?
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth has been out for almost ten years but I only just read it last year thanks to Arin from Tomes of Our Lives. It was an absolutely amazing story and I’m so thankful Arin talks about it so much.
Shortest & longest book you read In 2019?
Shortest – The Good Listener by Delilah Fisher
Longest – Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)?
Annie and Clay from You’d Be Mine. They are absolute perfection and they own my heart.
Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year?
Winona and Lucille from Hello Girls. I would die for them.
Favorite book you read in 2019 from an author you’ve read previously?
Jennifer E. Smith is one of my most favorite authors and her latest, Field Notes on Love, did not disappoint! It was perfect, magical, and moving.
Best book you read in 2019 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure/bookstagram, etc.?
Y’all told me Sadie by Courtney Summers was good and that I’d love it but I uh didn’t.
Best 2019 debut you read?
There were really so many phenomenal debuts last year. One of my favorites was How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox (review). The writing was beautiful and poetic and the mental health representation was perfect.
Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you read last year?
Since I read mostly contemporary books this one is a little difficult but I’m going with The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman. It was so atmospheric and unsettling and I can’t wait for the sequel.
Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?
If you’re looking for a hilarious book that raises some really important discussions then you have to pick up Have a Little Faith in Me by Sonia Hartl (review).
Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2019?
I cried for most of More Than Maybe but only for good reasons.
Hidden gem of the year?
All of you slept on some really great books last year but if you could make sure and read Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer (review) at some point I’d really appreciate it.
Book that crushed your soul?
Holy shit, Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon (review) was spectacular, caught me off guard, and crushed me in the best way possible.
Book that made you the most mad?
Books don’t often make me angry but A Thousand Fires by Shannon Price (review) did. The main relationship in it was so toxic and unhealthy and hardly anybody talks about it.
Blogging/Bookish Life
New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2019?
I discovered so many incredible blogs last year! Some of my favorites were:
Favorite post you wrote in 2019?
Shattering Stigmas: Taylor Swift and My Recovery from Self-Harm
Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019?
I wanted to post more on Instagram last year and it just didn’t happen…hopefully this year it will. Of the pictures I did post though this was one of my favorites!
Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
My favorite bookish event was definitely Shattering Stigmas. Being able to co-host this event was such an honor. Not all of the posts were book related but they did all come from people within the book community and everybody shared some really incredible stories about mental health.
Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?
All of it? My blog was more successful than I ever imagined it would ever be and I’m so thankful for that. It has been an incredible journey and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store.
Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life last year?
Trying to keep my blog up while parenting a chronically ill toddler and spending time with him in the hospital was not easy but I did it!
Most popular post last year on your blog?
Post you wished got a little more love?
Grey’s Anatomy Book Tag [Original]
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I thought I’d be struggling to meet my reading goal of 50 books last year and I ended up reading three times as much.
Looking Ahead
One book you didn’t get to in 2019 but will be your number one priority in 2020?
I’m determined to read more for fun and not just for review this year and to start off I want to binge the Summer trilogy by Jenny Han.
Book you are most anticipating for 2020 (non-debut)?
Please can I have a new Gayle Forman book this year?
2020 debut you are most anticipating?
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2020?
This year I really want to prioritize reading more for fun instead of being stressed out constantly about reading what I need to for my blog.
A 2020 release you’ve already read & recommend to everyone?
Please just go ahead and pre-order More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn. It’s perfect and you won’t regret it.
What book are you most looking forward to reading this year? What is one thing you’d love to see on my blog? Let me know in the comments!
musings of a book girl 
This seems like so much fun, I can’t wait to do my own version now! I’m so so so so so happy you liked Cameron Post!! That book (and movie) mean so much to me and seeing other people enjoy them fills my heart with so much happiness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad I was able to inspire you to do the survey, Arin! And thank you for putting Cameron Post into my life! I definitely don’t think I would have read it if it weren’t for you.
LikeLike
I am forever always stealing your book tags. LOL I’ll be doing this one soon.
The Summer trilogy is so nostalgic for me. I hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I love when I can introduce somebody to a new tag. They’re one of my favorite things to fill out. And I’m so glad to hear that you love the Summer trilogy! I think I might read it in the next week or two. I need a break from review copies.
LikeLike
You are the second blogger I have seen who was disappointed in Aurora’s Rising. It’s good to have both sides of it. I have been curious about that, but haven’t read it myself. I’m sorry you didn’t like Wilder Girls more. That’s another one I’ve been considering. I’ve been hearing good things about The Devouring Gray, and am glad you liked that one. I am with you one struggling to find balance between offline and blogging. Our family’s ultimately win that struggle–and rightfully so. I hope you have a Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There don’t seem to be many of us out there that disliked Aurora Rising. Even though it wasn’t for me I love seeing how passionate people are about the story! Wilder Girls seems to be very hit and miss – a ton of people love it (which is great!) but a lot of people also seem to have the same issues I did. I do hope you pick up The Devouring Gray soon though!
LikeLike
It’s amazing that you are keeping up a blog and parenting, way to go! I didn’t read it but I feel like a lot of people were disappointed with Wilder Girls…was it advertised as something it wasn’t or something? Also, like you I am looking forward to You Should See Me In A Crown.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I don’t think Wilder Girls was necessarily advertised as something it wasn’t – for me I think a big part of why I disliked it was just the writing style. Also I hate endings that are open and not definitive.
LikeLike