2014 End of Year Book Survey Part II

See my answers to Part I here. Questions still from The Perpetual Page-Turner.

Bloggish/Bookish Life

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?

The most recent book blog I’ve discovered is Thoughts and Afterthoughts, and I am finding all the posts delightful. Joey has a great style. I don’t actually keep track of WHEN I find blogs to follow, so that’s why the most recent blog will always win.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?

Ugh, I’m not super in love with any of my book reviews this year. I think they’re all fine, but nothing stands out as a favorite. Skipping this one.

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

5 Strategies for Reducing Student Email! Spring semester is about to start, so I’m really thinking about how to be as clear as possible in my writing so students can get their questions answered by the materials I provide.

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

I really had a lot of fun with A Month of Favorites. I found some new blogs to follow and actually posted some good content. Apparently, having predetermined topics to write about helps a lot because I can plan ahead.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?

Marissa Meyer did a talk at our local library and part of the swag she gave away was some awesome postcards. Since my friend’s daughter is a fan, I got one signed for her, and mailed it to her. The effusive thanks I received for that surprise gesture really warmed my heart.

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

The most popular post is actually an old review I did for Banned Books Week of Life Is Funny by E.R. Frank.

The most popular post that I actually wrote/published this year is my review of Spell Robbers by Matthew J. Kirby.

7. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

All of them, basically. I know people don’t tend to comment a lot on reviews, so I don’t take the lack of comments personally. I would be happy with a gajillion likes or tweets or shares, though.

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

Okay, so this is really a rediscovery for me, but. Every single year I forget how much I love reading on my Kindle until I take a trip. And every single year, I’m amazed at how great it is! Especially when I get to stick that little lightweight sucker in my purse and take it with me. So this year, I’m going to make more of an effort to read things on my Kindle.

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

DID I!

Okay, so I totally crushed the middle grade challenge I signed up for. Though I didn’t complete the reads for every category during the month they were listed, I did read a book from each category. Also, I read way more than 12 middle grade books. I actually read 18.

I also completed the Diversity on the Shelf challenge, reading 28 books (I committed to reading 25).

As for the Chunkster challenge…well, I definitely read several books that fit the criteria (10, actually), but I did not get anywhere near Roots by Alex Haley (the book I said I wanted to read for the challenge), so I have to count it as a no.

We don’t speak of the Harlem Renaissance challenge.

(If you’re interested you can see more information about each challenge here.)

 

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

Definitely not Roots. Hahahahahaha, sigh. I have a bag full of library books in my room, and one of those books is Yes Please by Amy Poehler, so I’m going to lead with that.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

Okay, I think this means a book coming out next year by an author I already know. If that’s the case, Meg Cabot’s new middle grade novel, From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess. I was already super delighted to hear about it, but I’m even more excited because the main character is black! YAY.

If it just means a book I’m looking forward to reading next year, then Cress by Marissa Meyer.

3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I don’t really keep up with these things.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot!

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

It is my sincere wish to find my blogging self more interesting in the coming year.

6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone

I don’t read ARCs, so…none. I did read an excerpt of Meg Cabot’s middle grade princess novel, though.

 

And that’s it! I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year’s Eve and Day. I plan to spend NYE on my couch reading. I will watch the ball drop–probably with Ryan Seacrest. Then I will check Netflix to see if Friends goes live at midnight. AND IF IT DOES, I’m going to watch “The One with the Routine” before going to bed. Because I totally need this in my life:

If not, then I’ll just rewatch that clip before bed since it is really my raison d’être re: that episode.