Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Another great reading year. I read 106 books in 2016 which is more than I have ever read in a year!
Thanks to my challenges, I managed to read nearly all of the books from my TBR and I discovered manyamazing authors.
Thanks to my challenges, I managed to read nearly all of the books from my TBR and I discovered manyamazing authors.
Alright, alright, alright! I was told I really should write a review of my reading year. I've never done this before (just another new thing brought to you by 2016) so bear with me.
No, Winnie, not you! That was just a figure of speech! Oh well, fine, you can stay. After all, I did finally read this classic of all children's classic in 2016.
Overall, 2016 was a tumultuous year.
We had an American election that brought out the best and worst in people, crazy and frightening political developments across the globe, many terrorist attacks, weird weather and natural catastrophes, exceptional scientific discoveries and fantastic art (to name at least two positive things), lost a lot of childhood heroes and important figures, ... I listen to a podcast (that's right, only one and I only started it in 2016) about historical events and they recorded a conversation of different historians about the year 2016 and how bad it really was. They did not all agree but the discussion was very interesting (they all made very good points).
Anyway, for me personally, there were a few changes in my work place, a lot of stress, my health sometimes gave in or I heard bad news from other people (yes, I care so it affects me). Not too good.
But 2016 was also the best reading year EVER. I mean, 200 books! I'm quite proud of that.
And not just any 200 books. There was a little bit of everything: smut, classics, non-fiction, poetry, scifi, fantasy, horror, historical novels, biographies, children's books, comic books and graphic novels, plays, short stories, AND I let myself be persuaded to really try audiobooks. In the meantime I quite like them, actually (I even listened to Harry Potter at twice the usual speed)! I re-visited old loves (Harry Potter) and discovered new ones (Kate Daniels). I became a beta-reader. I tried new genres and ventured out of my comfort zone.
What else?! *taps chin* Oh yeah:
At the beginning of the year we re-did my room so I could fit even more book shelves in.
I signed up to be able to nominate books for the HUGOs.
I went to meet Chris Riddell in person (very nice man).
I went back to being an Apple user (yes, book-motivated).
I joined a group here on Goodreads and am very active there too. I even drew up a calendar so as to organize my reading life a bit more (which, I think, helped with reading so much).
I met new people online, some of which have left a lasting impression (and will, fingers crossed, not be gone from my life).
There were also quite a few wonderful movies (some of which were surprisingly good book adaptations).
Thus, 2016 was a year of daring, of trial and error, of contradictions.
And yes, I'm one of those who (despite the good reading life I had) is glad the year is over. Sadly, although I'm one of those hopelessly hopeful people, I doubt 2017 will be much better (all my childhood heroes are of an age when death is definitely a possibility, political problems have been brewing for too long to just solve themselves, terrorism won't simply vanish).
Nevertheless, as long as I have this "home" where I can be the nerdy geeky little bookdragon that I am, talk to likeminded people - about books and bookmarks and bookstores and shelves and who is pregnant so had the perfect excuse to build one hell of a bookish nursery and who has just started reading what book to their kids and who has what kind of pet and wether or not they like to read with their owners ... - I should be relatively fine (as I said: hopelessly hopeful).
Now, I know that many have singled out certain books they liked best but honestly, that is like picking your favourite limb to keep!
Two book series that deserve mentioning because they don't seem too well-known just yet: The Chronicles of St. Mary's (historical fiction / fantasy / scifi all in one) by Jodi Taylor (the audio version narrated by Zara Ramm is exceptional) and Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente.
If you want to know more, go check out my year in books -that is what it's for after all. ;P
I'll let John Oliver conclude for me:
No, Winnie, not you! That was just a figure of speech! Oh well, fine, you can stay. After all, I did finally read this classic of all children's classic in 2016.
Overall, 2016 was a tumultuous year.
We had an American election that brought out the best and worst in people, crazy and frightening political developments across the globe, many terrorist attacks, weird weather and natural catastrophes, exceptional scientific discoveries and fantastic art (to name at least two positive things), lost a lot of childhood heroes and important figures, ... I listen to a podcast (that's right, only one and I only started it in 2016) about historical events and they recorded a conversation of different historians about the year 2016 and how bad it really was. They did not all agree but the discussion was very interesting (they all made very good points).
Anyway, for me personally, there were a few changes in my work place, a lot of stress, my health sometimes gave in or I heard bad news from other people (yes, I care so it affects me). Not too good.
But 2016 was also the best reading year EVER. I mean, 200 books! I'm quite proud of that.
And not just any 200 books. There was a little bit of everything: smut, classics, non-fiction, poetry, scifi, fantasy, horror, historical novels, biographies, children's books, comic books and graphic novels, plays, short stories, AND I let myself be persuaded to really try audiobooks. In the meantime I quite like them, actually (I even listened to Harry Potter at twice the usual speed)! I re-visited old loves (Harry Potter) and discovered new ones (Kate Daniels). I became a beta-reader. I tried new genres and ventured out of my comfort zone.
What else?! *taps chin* Oh yeah:
At the beginning of the year we re-did my room so I could fit even more book shelves in.
I signed up to be able to nominate books for the HUGOs.
I went to meet Chris Riddell in person (very nice man).
I went back to being an Apple user (yes, book-motivated).
I joined a group here on Goodreads and am very active there too. I even drew up a calendar so as to organize my reading life a bit more (which, I think, helped with reading so much).
I met new people online, some of which have left a lasting impression (and will, fingers crossed, not be gone from my life).
There were also quite a few wonderful movies (some of which were surprisingly good book adaptations).
Thus, 2016 was a year of daring, of trial and error, of contradictions.
And yes, I'm one of those who (despite the good reading life I had) is glad the year is over. Sadly, although I'm one of those hopelessly hopeful people, I doubt 2017 will be much better (all my childhood heroes are of an age when death is definitely a possibility, political problems have been brewing for too long to just solve themselves, terrorism won't simply vanish).
Nevertheless, as long as I have this "home" where I can be the nerdy geeky little bookdragon that I am, talk to likeminded people - about books and bookmarks and bookstores and shelves and who is pregnant so had the perfect excuse to build one hell of a bookish nursery and who has just started reading what book to their kids and who has what kind of pet and wether or not they like to read with their owners ... - I should be relatively fine (as I said: hopelessly hopeful).
Now, I know that many have singled out certain books they liked best but honestly, that is like picking your favourite limb to keep!
Two book series that deserve mentioning because they don't seem too well-known just yet: The Chronicles of St. Mary's (historical fiction / fantasy / scifi all in one) by Jodi Taylor (the audio version narrated by Zara Ramm is exceptional) and Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente.
If you want to know more, go check out my year in books -that is what it's for after all. ;P
I'll let John Oliver conclude for me:
What a great year for reading! I read more books than ever before, and read so many amazing books!
This was my first year on Goodreads and I’ve loved it. I’m especially grateful to lots of my friends here who have been instrumental in helping me find some brilliant reads.
My favourite reads of the year
[b:A Constellation of Vital Phenomena|18428067|A Constellation of Vital Phenomena|Anthony Marra|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408313066s/18428067.jpg|19926928]
[b:Fates and Furies|24612118|Fates and Furies|Lauren Groff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434750235s/24612118.jpg|43913972]
[b:The Way Back to Florence|25642968|The Way Back to Florence|Glenn Haybittle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433162577s/25642968.jpg|45461025]
[b:The Last Painting of Sara de Vos|25664459|The Last Painting of Sara de Vos|Dominic Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437914450s/25664459.jpg|45487238]
[b:Arcadia|11866694|Arcadia|Lauren Groff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440680831s/11866694.jpg|16823763]
My favourite reads of the year
[b:A Constellation of Vital Phenomena|18428067|A Constellation of Vital Phenomena|Anthony Marra|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408313066s/18428067.jpg|19926928]
[b:Fates and Furies|24612118|Fates and Furies|Lauren Groff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434750235s/24612118.jpg|43913972]
[b:The Way Back to Florence|25642968|The Way Back to Florence|Glenn Haybittle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433162577s/25642968.jpg|45461025]
[b:The Last Painting of Sara de Vos|25664459|The Last Painting of Sara de Vos|Dominic Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437914450s/25664459.jpg|45487238]
[b:Arcadia|11866694|Arcadia|Lauren Groff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440680831s/11866694.jpg|16823763]
2016 has been a mixture of weird and wonderful things.
In comparison to 2015, my reading has been nowhere near as frequent, or as broad in terms of the genre and books I've picked up.
In the first few months of this year, I only picked up like 3 books, and 2 of them were re-reads. I just couldn't find the time for reading.
Most of my life this year has been taken up revising for my GCSEs, sitting them, and then, since September, trying to adjust to starting sixth form, which has left me with very little time leftover for reading. It's been a very academic year for me, but also one of the most rewarding years of my life so far. If I didn't miss all of this reading time, I wouldn't have came out with the amazing grades I got in the summer, and I think I would have found it a lot more difficult to transition into sixth form.
I think my favourite book I've read this year is either 1984 by George Orwell, or Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. I've read and caught up with all of the shadowhunter books this year, and I've really enjoyed that. You can see how much Cassandra Clare's writing style has developed from City of Bones through to Lady Midnight.
So while this year has been a pretty disappointing year in terms of my reading habits (although the 11 weeks I got off in the summer allowed me to read loads of books I've been meaning to read for a few years now, and since exams were over, it felt like a reward for all of my hard work!), I don't regret not reading as much, and I wouldn't change it.
So here's to next year! I hope 2017 will bring even more success, more brilliant books to read, and hopefully, I can manage my time a little better to be able to fit reading in as well as revising for all of my exams! :)
Happy new year to all my friends on here, I hope your 2017 is full of love, laughter and reading! :)
In comparison to 2015, my reading has been nowhere near as frequent, or as broad in terms of the genre and books I've picked up.
In the first few months of this year, I only picked up like 3 books, and 2 of them were re-reads. I just couldn't find the time for reading.
Most of my life this year has been taken up revising for my GCSEs, sitting them, and then, since September, trying to adjust to starting sixth form, which has left me with very little time leftover for reading. It's been a very academic year for me, but also one of the most rewarding years of my life so far. If I didn't miss all of this reading time, I wouldn't have came out with the amazing grades I got in the summer, and I think I would have found it a lot more difficult to transition into sixth form.
I think my favourite book I've read this year is either 1984 by George Orwell, or Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. I've read and caught up with all of the shadowhunter books this year, and I've really enjoyed that. You can see how much Cassandra Clare's writing style has developed from City of Bones through to Lady Midnight.
So while this year has been a pretty disappointing year in terms of my reading habits (although the 11 weeks I got off in the summer allowed me to read loads of books I've been meaning to read for a few years now, and since exams were over, it felt like a reward for all of my hard work!), I don't regret not reading as much, and I wouldn't change it.
So here's to next year! I hope 2017 will bring even more success, more brilliant books to read, and hopefully, I can manage my time a little better to be able to fit reading in as well as revising for all of my exams! :)
Happy new year to all my friends on here, I hope your 2017 is full of love, laughter and reading! :)
---[Top 10 Books of 2016 by rank]---
1. The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
2. A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O'Connor
3. Building Stories by Chris Ware
3. The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth
4. Why Are You Doing This? by Jason
5. The Divided Self by RD Laing
6. Sleepwalk and other stories by Adrian Tomine
7. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (Ursula K. LeGuin translation)
8. Patience by Daniel Clowes
9. The Arrival by Shaun Tan
10. Desperate Characters by Paula Fox
I read more incredible books in 2016 than in any other year. Camus and Laing have redefined my self-identity. Tan, Ware, Seth and Fox showed me new alternatives for narrative structure. O'Connor, Jason, Tomine and Clowes showed new alternatives to developing characters and pulling off plot climaxes.
---[Reader Development]---
I can now skim read faster and can read multiple ongoing narratives easily.
I can now more easily read and understand graphic novels.
My impression of existentialism isn't as profitable as I thought it would be. Beckett finds unfulfillment, Sartre finds meaninglessness, Nietzsche finds uncertainty (or rather, rhetoric conquers all)... I was more impressed by Kierkegaard and Camus as their outlook seemed more optimistic and instructive even if it was at (rarer) times no less damning. I think that maybe in this way the 'west is in decline', so I might go east for a while and expand my view if only to get away from unpragmatic philosophy...
I still don't really understand poetry beyond 'I know what I like when I see it'. Maybe I am not crazy/smart/old/wise/open-minded/imaginative enough. Maybe I am shallow. Maybe it is a hoax.
I feel like what I read in general this year was 'too sane or straight-forward'. Few new ideas, not enough psychoanalysis or postmodern.
---[Reading Pattern]---
In 2016 there were two main changes: a greater emphasis on graphic novels and experimenting with a change from my 'monogamous' reading commitment.
I began reading 'properly' only six years ago and have read more (and more easily) each year. Up until now, I have worked on trying to imagine every sentence as it would play out visually. This year I tried to see whether I could keep track of multiple narratives at once in this way. Most of this year I was reading three books at any one time, each book at a different time of day, and each book usually of a different genre.
Routine:
Philosophy or non-fiction in the morning when I am patient and focused;
Fiction in the afternoon for work breaks or commutes;
Graphic novels or poetry before sleep when I seek distractions and primers for dream imagery.
I found this to be an efficient method for broad multigenre leisure reading. Less ideal for philosophy or postulations than narratives or abstractions.
---[2017 plan]---
I might be cutting back on reading as I anticipate more play and work than last year. I will revert back to my 'monogamous' reading style as it will provide more attention for me to tackle harder and denser books with care, including Gravity's Rainbow and The Second Sex. I will probably be reading fewer graphic novels this year in place of more non-fiction relating to psychoanalysis, eastern philosophy, empiricism and feminism... So I'm going to set my goal at 50 again this year and see if I don't need to cheat it with books with an unusually low page or word count!
1. The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
2. A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O'Connor
3. Building Stories by Chris Ware
3. The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth
4. Why Are You Doing This? by Jason
5. The Divided Self by RD Laing
6. Sleepwalk and other stories by Adrian Tomine
7. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (Ursula K. LeGuin translation)
8. Patience by Daniel Clowes
9. The Arrival by Shaun Tan
10. Desperate Characters by Paula Fox
I read more incredible books in 2016 than in any other year. Camus and Laing have redefined my self-identity. Tan, Ware, Seth and Fox showed me new alternatives for narrative structure. O'Connor, Jason, Tomine and Clowes showed new alternatives to developing characters and pulling off plot climaxes.
---[Reader Development]---
I can now skim read faster and can read multiple ongoing narratives easily.
I can now more easily read and understand graphic novels.
My impression of existentialism isn't as profitable as I thought it would be. Beckett finds unfulfillment, Sartre finds meaninglessness, Nietzsche finds uncertainty (or rather, rhetoric conquers all)... I was more impressed by Kierkegaard and Camus as their outlook seemed more optimistic and instructive even if it was at (rarer) times no less damning. I think that maybe in this way the 'west is in decline', so I might go east for a while and expand my view if only to get away from unpragmatic philosophy...
I still don't really understand poetry beyond 'I know what I like when I see it'. Maybe I am not crazy/smart/old/wise/open-minded/imaginative enough. Maybe I am shallow. Maybe it is a hoax.
I feel like what I read in general this year was 'too sane or straight-forward'. Few new ideas, not enough psychoanalysis or postmodern.
---[Reading Pattern]---
In 2016 there were two main changes: a greater emphasis on graphic novels and experimenting with a change from my 'monogamous' reading commitment.
I began reading 'properly' only six years ago and have read more (and more easily) each year. Up until now, I have worked on trying to imagine every sentence as it would play out visually. This year I tried to see whether I could keep track of multiple narratives at once in this way. Most of this year I was reading three books at any one time, each book at a different time of day, and each book usually of a different genre.
Routine:
Philosophy or non-fiction in the morning when I am patient and focused;
Fiction in the afternoon for work breaks or commutes;
Graphic novels or poetry before sleep when I seek distractions and primers for dream imagery.
I found this to be an efficient method for broad multigenre leisure reading. Less ideal for philosophy or postulations than narratives or abstractions.
---[2017 plan]---
I might be cutting back on reading as I anticipate more play and work than last year. I will revert back to my 'monogamous' reading style as it will provide more attention for me to tackle harder and denser books with care, including Gravity's Rainbow and The Second Sex. I will probably be reading fewer graphic novels this year in place of more non-fiction relating to psychoanalysis, eastern philosophy, empiricism and feminism... So I'm going to set my goal at 50 again this year and see if I don't need to cheat it with books with an unusually low page or word count!
First of all - Happy New Year, everyone!! <3
I know I'm so late posting this and it's no longer 2016, but here I go!
My year in books
I've been an avid reader of stories since I could read them! But as I grew older it kept getting harder to find the type of books I liked for many reasons. But then I somehow found Goodreads a couple of years ago, and last year (2015) I gave the site a good look and I struck gold! So many amazing books to note that are exactly in the genres I'm looking for!
But that's not all. Goodreads also gave me the chance to interact with people who understand and share my love for reading. Who talk about books with the same enthusiasm. And 2016 is the year that I started becoming active on Goodreads, writing reviews for the first time, and making friends who've made my reading experience even more enjoyable and full of more thought and imagination this year. So, thank you for the discussions, for sharing your reviews, thoughts and recommendations, and for reading and liking my own posts and sharing my excitement or disappointment over the books! <3
So many amazing books I got read to read this past year! And I needed them especially at the start of the year when things were a bit tough and I needed a pick-me-up to get through.
Some of the books were wonderful new releases, and a lot of previously released series that everybody has read that I've resolved to finish as well! And since they were so highly rated, I ended up with a lot of great books!
My GR Challenge reading goal for 2016 was 60 books, and including novellas, comics, and a couple DNFs, I managed to complete it. Not bad, even though I feel like cheated a bit with those shorts and DNFs. It's just that some times it's hard to find to read and relax, but I didn't want the challenge to become a source of stress. I wanted it to remain fun, and it was!
But I'm excited to look back at my favorite books this year! I'll list them in order of reading them. Be warned, it's a super long list! ;D
--------------------
Best releases I read in 2016:
[b:These Shallow Graves|24187925|These Shallow Graves|Jennifer Donnelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430165052s/24187925.jpg|43775750]: This is a YA murder mystery with a dash of romance and beautiful themes of friendship and feminism that hit me right in the feels. I really enjoyed this book and it was the perfect start to the year.
[b:Passenger|20983362|Passenger (Passenger, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446749751s/20983362.jpg|40360384]: It's hard to explain how I felt reading this book because I have two contrasting emotions. For the first 50% of the book I was bored close to tears. For the other 50% I could not put it down, and was swept away completely. And when it ended all I wanted was the sequel which was a year way! And now it's only three days away and I am excited to start the year with this series again!! Plus, I love time travel stories!
[b:These Vicious Masks|23688792|These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks, #1)|Tarun Shanker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1428342329s/23688792.jpg|43297640]: this wonderful and witty blend of fantastic characters, Victorian era setting, and X-Men-like superpowers was the book that kicked me right out of my first book slump of the year. It was great! And the first GR review I ever wrote was for this book, so it's special in a way! ;p
[b:Starflight|21793182|Starflight (Starflight, #1)|Melissa Landers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456568054s/21793182.jpg|41045510]: Probably the most memorable book this year only because it was So. Much. FUN! I was never a big fan of sci-fi but this was the start of changing my mind on that, with its endearing and hilarious cew of characters, an adorable slow build hate-to-love romance, and a twisty and adventurous plot. It had it all!
[b:The Winner's Kiss|20443235|The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy, #3)|Marie Rutkoski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455809407s/20443235.jpg|31175868]: Even though this final book hurt because I couldn't connect with it like I did the first two, I have to give it a mention. Because this series with its heart-racing romance and characters I fell in love with instantly will always be, as a whole, one of my all time favorites stories.
[b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]: I'd read the Wrath and the Dawn before the New Year and was so incredibly enchanted and in love with this world! So the sequel was an inevitable enjoyment because of that. But now, after my excitement has cooled down, I can see that this sequel had a list of flaws. But I still love it so much. This duology with its characters, and the setting that takes me back to my favorite childhood fairytales, is so special to me!
[b:Fallout|23110163|Fallout (Lois Lane, #1)|Gwenda Bond|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418907660s/23110163.jpg|42657804]: A book all about my favorite childhood heroine who deserves to be known as so much than a superhero's love-interest? Of course I loved it! It's contemporary YA with a 'highschool' setting, which normally isn't my thing, but I loved it so much nonetheless. It made me wish to go back in time with the book and hand it to my teenage self as the best present ever. :p
(^ this last book was out 2015 but I read it in 2016).
--------------------
Whole series I read this year that became favorites:
[b:The Lunar Chronicles|11235712|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470056948s/11235712.jpg|15545385]: *fangirl squee!!* This whole series is fantastic, and especially the third book, [b:Cress|13206828|Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057005s/13206828.jpg|18390772]! It took me a while to give it a chance but I am so glad I did! It was everything this Disney and fairytale freak wished for! I actually read the books during a period of time I was feeling a bit down, and they managed to make me smile and laugh when I needed it.
And this had Captain Carswell Thorne, who made his way to my all time favorite characters list!
[b:The Grisha Trilogy|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325]: The series didn't blow my mind, it has its flaws, but it was very enjoyable and at times impossible to put down! And the best parts of course are the Darkling and.... Nikolai Lanstov!!! Eeee how I adore this sly and witty pirate prince! #1 book boy friend right there!! So yeah, that made the series for me! ;p
[b:Six of Crows Duology|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459349344s/23437156.jpg|42077459]: I really enjoyed this duology but I don't know why I don't have much to say about it. (I haven't gotten around to posting a review yet). Or why I took forever reading it... It's a mystery to me because it really is a very well written story with an intenstly creative world and outstanding characters.
[b:The Seven Realms|6342491|The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1)|Cinda Williams Chima|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379482652s/6342491.jpg|6528619]: An epic fantasy series that was everything I wanted! I loved the world-building, plot, characters, twists -- everything! :D
[b: The Illuminae Files|23395680|Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443433956s/23395680.jpg|26653661]: One word for this series: Wow. Before reading, I wasn't sure about the format and didn't know if the book was for me. But I was very quickly proven wrong and got swept away by this work of art book and its audio play that brought the exhilarating story to life!
Now I'm just waiting for the third book at the end of this year!
Phew that was a long list! That sums up my favorites.
-------------------
Some very notable mentions are:
[b:The Iron Knight|9659607|The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey, #4)|Julie Kagawa|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375920888s/9659607.jpg|14547221]: The Iron Fey series was fun but Ash's book was my favorite.
[b:The Caged Graves|12394044|The Caged Graves|Dianne K. Salerni|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346145476s/12394044.jpg|17375182]: An eerie mystery with a unique and slow-build romantic subplot.
[b:The Architect of Song|29631300|The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1)|A.G. Howard|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461870800s/29631300.jpg|49980892]: Unputdownable and romantic ghostly mystery that I enjoyed a lot!
[b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422721500s/24473763.jpg|40780371]: Romantic fantasy with very likable characters and unique love story. And a great sequel following it.
-------------------
Books that I liked but have some issues/complaints:
[b:An Ember in the Ashes|27774758|An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1)|Sabaa Tahir|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449158871s/27774758.jpg|39113604] (um... That love square...)
[b:The Bird and the Sword|29008738|The Bird and the Sword|Amy Harmon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462457112s/29008738.jpg|49250534] (the male MC got on my nerves sometimes)
[b:Calamity|15704486|Calamity (Reckoners, #3)|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437098338s/15704486.jpg|21366542] (very good series overall I read this year, but this final book was a bit disappointing)
[b:A Court of Mist and Fury|17927395|A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1452783825s/17927395.jpg|25126749] (book that had a lot of potential with its characters, but didn't turn out like I hoped)
--------------------
Comics:
[b:毒姫 1 Dokuhime 1 |7160808|毒姫 1 Dokuhime 1 |Mitsukazu Mihara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389014158s/7160808.jpg|7484247]. This year one of my Goodreads friends suggested this manga which turned out to be a lot of fun! And it got me into the genre!
I read some comics that I loved (mostly Superman)! [b:Superman: American Alien|26152411|Superman American Alien|Max Landis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473157654s/26152411.jpg|46108699], [b:Superman: Lois and Clark|28109895|Superman Lois and Clark|Dan Jurgens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476758215s/28109895.jpg|48117737] (how DC fixed things after they messed it up), and [b:Smallville Season 11 #1|18971788|Smallville Season 11 #1|Bryan Q. Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385491344s/18971788.jpg|26344780].
And I also read [b:Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal|20898019|Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 No Normal|G. Willow Wilson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1413031883s/20898019.jpg|41250341] which I loved it and am reading the next volumes!
And I tried to finish [b:Batman: The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns|Frank Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159] but I just couldn't get through it. It was boring and the art work hurt my eyes and head.
And mostly importantly, these little comedic gems: [b:Adulthood Is a Myth|25855506|Adulthood Is a Myth (Sarah's Scribbles, #1)|Sarah Andersen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481219756s/25855506.jpg|45724425] and [b:Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection|25205337|Heart and Brain An Awkward Yeti Collection|Nick Seluk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427674820s/25205337.jpg|44918016].
----------------------
There were books that were only okay and other DNFs that I did not mention. I need to wrap this up because I've been rambling for too long!
But I loved looking back at the books I read this part year. And my goals for this next year are to again, finish more of the series on my tbr list, plus the new awaited releases. But I also want to venture into Adult Epic Fantasy, like some of Brandon Sanderson's books which I'm excited but intimidated by because the page count can go over 1000+. And I'm not that fast a reader! Wish me luck!
And again, have a Happy New Year, all of you! And may you achieve all your goals, not just the reading ones!
I know I'm so late posting this and it's no longer 2016, but here I go!
My year in books
I've been an avid reader of stories since I could read them! But as I grew older it kept getting harder to find the type of books I liked for many reasons. But then I somehow found Goodreads a couple of years ago, and last year (2015) I gave the site a good look and I struck gold! So many amazing books to note that are exactly in the genres I'm looking for!
But that's not all. Goodreads also gave me the chance to interact with people who understand and share my love for reading. Who talk about books with the same enthusiasm. And 2016 is the year that I started becoming active on Goodreads, writing reviews for the first time, and making friends who've made my reading experience even more enjoyable and full of more thought and imagination this year. So, thank you for the discussions, for sharing your reviews, thoughts and recommendations, and for reading and liking my own posts and sharing my excitement or disappointment over the books! <3
So many amazing books I got read to read this past year! And I needed them especially at the start of the year when things were a bit tough and I needed a pick-me-up to get through.
Some of the books were wonderful new releases, and a lot of previously released series that everybody has read that I've resolved to finish as well! And since they were so highly rated, I ended up with a lot of great books!
My GR Challenge reading goal for 2016 was 60 books, and including novellas, comics, and a couple DNFs, I managed to complete it. Not bad, even though I feel like cheated a bit with those shorts and DNFs. It's just that some times it's hard to find to read and relax, but I didn't want the challenge to become a source of stress. I wanted it to remain fun, and it was!
But I'm excited to look back at my favorite books this year! I'll list them in order of reading them. Be warned, it's a super long list! ;D
--------------------
Best releases I read in 2016:
[b:These Shallow Graves|24187925|These Shallow Graves|Jennifer Donnelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1430165052s/24187925.jpg|43775750]: This is a YA murder mystery with a dash of romance and beautiful themes of friendship and feminism that hit me right in the feels. I really enjoyed this book and it was the perfect start to the year. [b:Passenger|20983362|Passenger (Passenger, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446749751s/20983362.jpg|40360384]: It's hard to explain how I felt reading this book because I have two contrasting emotions. For the first 50% of the book I was bored close to tears. For the other 50% I could not put it down, and was swept away completely. And when it ended all I wanted was the sequel which was a year way! And now it's only three days away and I am excited to start the year with this series again!! Plus, I love time travel stories! [b:These Vicious Masks|23688792|These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks, #1)|Tarun Shanker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1428342329s/23688792.jpg|43297640]: this wonderful and witty blend of fantastic characters, Victorian era setting, and X-Men-like superpowers was the book that kicked me right out of my first book slump of the year. It was great! And the first GR review I ever wrote was for this book, so it's special in a way! ;p [b:Starflight|21793182|Starflight (Starflight, #1)|Melissa Landers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456568054s/21793182.jpg|41045510]: Probably the most memorable book this year only because it was So. Much. FUN! I was never a big fan of sci-fi but this was the start of changing my mind on that, with its endearing and hilarious cew of characters, an adorable slow build hate-to-love romance, and a twisty and adventurous plot. It had it all! [b:The Winner's Kiss|20443235|The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy, #3)|Marie Rutkoski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455809407s/20443235.jpg|31175868]: Even though this final book hurt because I couldn't connect with it like I did the first two, I have to give it a mention. Because this series with its heart-racing romance and characters I fell in love with instantly will always be, as a whole, one of my all time favorites stories. [b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]: I'd read the Wrath and the Dawn before the New Year and was so incredibly enchanted and in love with this world! So the sequel was an inevitable enjoyment because of that. But now, after my excitement has cooled down, I can see that this sequel had a list of flaws. But I still love it so much. This duology with its characters, and the setting that takes me back to my favorite childhood fairytales, is so special to me! [b:Fallout|23110163|Fallout (Lois Lane, #1)|Gwenda Bond|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418907660s/23110163.jpg|42657804]: A book all about my favorite childhood heroine who deserves to be known as so much than a superhero's love-interest? Of course I loved it! It's contemporary YA with a 'highschool' setting, which normally isn't my thing, but I loved it so much nonetheless. It made me wish to go back in time with the book and hand it to my teenage self as the best present ever. :p(^ this last book was out 2015 but I read it in 2016).
--------------------
Whole series I read this year that became favorites:
[b:The Lunar Chronicles|11235712|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470056948s/11235712.jpg|15545385]: *fangirl squee!!* This whole series is fantastic, and especially the third book, [b:Cress|13206828|Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057005s/13206828.jpg|18390772]! It took me a while to give it a chance but I am so glad I did! It was everything this Disney and fairytale freak wished for! I actually read the books during a period of time I was feeling a bit down, and they managed to make me smile and laugh when I needed it.And this had Captain Carswell Thorne, who made his way to my all time favorite characters list!
[b:The Grisha Trilogy|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325]: The series didn't blow my mind, it has its flaws, but it was very enjoyable and at times impossible to put down! And the best parts of course are the Darkling and.... Nikolai Lanstov!!! Eeee how I adore this sly and witty pirate prince! #1 book boy friend right there!! So yeah, that made the series for me! ;p [b:Six of Crows Duology|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459349344s/23437156.jpg|42077459]: I really enjoyed this duology but I don't know why I don't have much to say about it. (I haven't gotten around to posting a review yet). Or why I took forever reading it... It's a mystery to me because it really is a very well written story with an intenstly creative world and outstanding characters. [b:The Seven Realms|6342491|The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1)|Cinda Williams Chima|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379482652s/6342491.jpg|6528619]: An epic fantasy series that was everything I wanted! I loved the world-building, plot, characters, twists -- everything! :D [b: The Illuminae Files|23395680|Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)|Amie Kaufman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443433956s/23395680.jpg|26653661]: One word for this series: Wow. Before reading, I wasn't sure about the format and didn't know if the book was for me. But I was very quickly proven wrong and got swept away by this work of art book and its audio play that brought the exhilarating story to life!Now I'm just waiting for the third book at the end of this year!
Phew that was a long list! That sums up my favorites.
-------------------
Some very notable mentions are:
[b:The Iron Knight|9659607|The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey, #4)|Julie Kagawa|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375920888s/9659607.jpg|14547221]: The Iron Fey series was fun but Ash's book was my favorite.
[b:The Caged Graves|12394044|The Caged Graves|Dianne K. Salerni|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346145476s/12394044.jpg|17375182]: An eerie mystery with a unique and slow-build romantic subplot.
[b:The Architect of Song|29631300|The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1)|A.G. Howard|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461870800s/29631300.jpg|49980892]: Unputdownable and romantic ghostly mystery that I enjoyed a lot!
[b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422721500s/24473763.jpg|40780371]: Romantic fantasy with very likable characters and unique love story. And a great sequel following it.
-------------------
Books that I liked but have some issues/complaints:
[b:An Ember in the Ashes|27774758|An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1)|Sabaa Tahir|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449158871s/27774758.jpg|39113604] (um... That love square...)
[b:The Bird and the Sword|29008738|The Bird and the Sword|Amy Harmon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462457112s/29008738.jpg|49250534] (the male MC got on my nerves sometimes)
[b:Calamity|15704486|Calamity (Reckoners, #3)|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437098338s/15704486.jpg|21366542] (very good series overall I read this year, but this final book was a bit disappointing)
[b:A Court of Mist and Fury|17927395|A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1452783825s/17927395.jpg|25126749] (book that had a lot of potential with its characters, but didn't turn out like I hoped)
--------------------
Comics:
[b:毒姫 1 Dokuhime 1 |7160808|毒姫 1 Dokuhime 1 |Mitsukazu Mihara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389014158s/7160808.jpg|7484247]. This year one of my Goodreads friends suggested this manga which turned out to be a lot of fun! And it got me into the genre!
I read some comics that I loved (mostly Superman)! [b:Superman: American Alien|26152411|Superman American Alien|Max Landis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473157654s/26152411.jpg|46108699], [b:Superman: Lois and Clark|28109895|Superman Lois and Clark|Dan Jurgens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476758215s/28109895.jpg|48117737] (how DC fixed things after they messed it up), and [b:Smallville Season 11 #1|18971788|Smallville Season 11 #1|Bryan Q. Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385491344s/18971788.jpg|26344780].
And I also read [b:Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal|20898019|Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 No Normal|G. Willow Wilson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1413031883s/20898019.jpg|41250341] which I loved it and am reading the next volumes!
And I tried to finish [b:Batman: The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns|Frank Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159] but I just couldn't get through it. It was boring and the art work hurt my eyes and head.
And mostly importantly, these little comedic gems: [b:Adulthood Is a Myth|25855506|Adulthood Is a Myth (Sarah's Scribbles, #1)|Sarah Andersen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481219756s/25855506.jpg|45724425] and [b:Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection|25205337|Heart and Brain An Awkward Yeti Collection|Nick Seluk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427674820s/25205337.jpg|44918016].
----------------------
There were books that were only okay and other DNFs that I did not mention. I need to wrap this up because I've been rambling for too long!
But I loved looking back at the books I read this part year. And my goals for this next year are to again, finish more of the series on my tbr list, plus the new awaited releases. But I also want to venture into Adult Epic Fantasy, like some of Brandon Sanderson's books which I'm excited but intimidated by because the page count can go over 1000+. And I'm not that fast a reader! Wish me luck!
And again, have a Happy New Year, all of you! And may you achieve all your goals, not just the reading ones!
Este año leí 79 libros, sobrepasando los 45 que me había puesto como meta.
Sin embargo no pude completar el 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge, solo leí 28 de los 41 libros.
Esto pasó porque en los últimos meses del año leía lo que se antojaba en el momento, sin importar sin encajaba en el reto o no (la mayoría no encajaba :P). Pero aun así pienso hacer el reto del 2017.
Leí pocos libros buenos del género juvenil o YA, no sé si es que ya estoy muy vieja para este tipo de lectura o que simplemente no di con mucha calidad, no pienso dejar de leer este género pero sin lugar a dudas lo leeré menos.
Mi amor por los thrillers y las novelas de crimen renació. De hecho mi libro favorito del año fue [b:El silencio del bosque|8978257|El silencio del bosque (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336130922s/8978257.jpg|3088141], esto ya no es una novela de crimen, es otra cosa. Ultra Recomendado. Tana French fue mi descubrimiento de año, solo he leído dos de sus libros y ya soy fan.
Mis 3 lecturas favoritas fueron:
1. [b:El silencio del bosque|8978257|El silencio del bosque (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336130922s/8978257.jpg|3088141]
2. [b:En piel ajena|23883525|En piel ajena|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418885902s/23883525.jpg|6504351]
3. [b:Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft|3217221|Locke & Key, Vol. 1 Welcome to Lovecraft|Joe Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377304780s/3217221.jpg|3251160](la serie completa) (para mí es como un solo libro, deal with it)
Hubo otras muy buenas lecturas en este 2016, para referencia ver aquí --> 2016 Best Books
A ver que nos trae el 2017 :D
Sin embargo no pude completar el 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge, solo leí 28 de los 41 libros.
Esto pasó porque en los últimos meses del año leía lo que se antojaba en el momento, sin importar sin encajaba en el reto o no (la mayoría no encajaba :P). Pero aun así pienso hacer el reto del 2017.
Leí pocos libros buenos del género juvenil o YA, no sé si es que ya estoy muy vieja para este tipo de lectura o que simplemente no di con mucha calidad, no pienso dejar de leer este género pero sin lugar a dudas lo leeré menos.
Mi amor por los thrillers y las novelas de crimen renació. De hecho mi libro favorito del año fue [b:El silencio del bosque|8978257|El silencio del bosque (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336130922s/8978257.jpg|3088141], esto ya no es una novela de crimen, es otra cosa. Ultra Recomendado. Tana French fue mi descubrimiento de año, solo he leído dos de sus libros y ya soy fan.
Mis 3 lecturas favoritas fueron:
1. [b:El silencio del bosque|8978257|El silencio del bosque (Dublin Murder Squad, #1)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336130922s/8978257.jpg|3088141]
2. [b:En piel ajena|23883525|En piel ajena|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418885902s/23883525.jpg|6504351]
3. [b:Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft|3217221|Locke & Key, Vol. 1 Welcome to Lovecraft|Joe Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377304780s/3217221.jpg|3251160](la serie completa) (para mí es como un solo libro, deal with it)
Hubo otras muy buenas lecturas en este 2016, para referencia ver aquí --> 2016 Best Books
A ver que nos trae el 2017 :D
So this year in goodreads... Its been a trip. And reading has been kind of a BITCH to me. But let's see...
The year started out amazing. I was excited to do the 100 book challenge and for a couple months I was on a ROLL! I read a shit ton!! But then school happened (where I learned that teaching is more than...well teaching. And where I learned how many OPTIONS one had to teach one unit. It was pretty overwhelming. ) and I slowed but I was okie.
Then the SUMMER HAPPENED AND HOLY SHIT I WAS HIT BY A TRAIN. Well....no. Not really. Just a MASSIVE Reading SLUMP. SMH.
Things just started getting better recently tho. Even though I had to drop my reading challenge to half of my original goal (*cries internally*) .
Other things that happened:
I became a reviewer on netgalley!
And publishers let me read The Bear and The Nightingale and The Bone Witch (*screams internally*).
And I realized how much I love histories and classics and how little I am starting to care about YA.
Its been a crazy year guys. But here's to hoping 2017 is AMAZING and were all rolling in the money. And books...DUH.
As for goodreads. Maybe they can dump this new profile/homepage bullshit and give us what we want. (*cough cough* half stars).
Here's to hoping. Love you guys.
XOXO Gossip Girl.
Lol just kidding.
The year started out amazing. I was excited to do the 100 book challenge and for a couple months I was on a ROLL! I read a shit ton!! But then school happened (where I learned that teaching is more than...well teaching. And where I learned how many OPTIONS one had to teach one unit. It was pretty overwhelming. ) and I slowed but I was okie.
Then the SUMMER HAPPENED AND HOLY SHIT I WAS HIT BY A TRAIN. Well....no. Not really. Just a MASSIVE Reading SLUMP. SMH.
Things just started getting better recently tho. Even though I had to drop my reading challenge to half of my original goal (*cries internally*) .
Other things that happened:
I became a reviewer on netgalley!
And publishers let me read The Bear and The Nightingale and The Bone Witch (*screams internally*).
And I realized how much I love histories and classics and how little I am starting to care about YA.
Its been a crazy year guys. But here's to hoping 2017 is AMAZING and were all rolling in the money. And books...DUH.
As for goodreads. Maybe they can dump this new profile/homepage bullshit and give us what we want. (*cough cough* half stars).
Here's to hoping. Love you guys.
XOXO Gossip Girl.
Lol just kidding.
In 2016 I read 52 of my goal of 50 books.
10 were manga volumes.
12 were for school.
22 were easy or short reads.
Back then, I read so many books with heavy content for school that by the time I had time or energy to read for fun, I had little to no desire to. I played a lot of video games back then!
10 were manga volumes.
12 were for school.
22 were easy or short reads.
Back then, I read so many books with heavy content for school that by the time I had time or energy to read for fun, I had little to no desire to. I played a lot of video games back then!