1. Best Book You Read In 2013?
In the past, I’ve tried to cheat with this answer. And this year isn’t going to be any different. Here’s a short list, because I can’t just pick one All Time Favourite! Some of these spread over a couple of genres, but who cares?
Fantasy: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Science Fiction: Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Thriller: Altered by Jennifer Rush
Paranormal: Pivot Point by Kasie West
Dystopian: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Other: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster. I was really excited for this debut since it was a standalone and there were murders going on and the worldbuilding had so much potential. It was still a good book, but the only thing I did love about it was my cat ship.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Altered by Jennifer Rush. I read it on a complete whim, and I ended up adoring it and recommending it to everyone. I’m glad all of my friends have loved it too!
4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
Altered by Jennifer Rush, for sure. I read it in January and since then I’ve been pushing it onto everyone! I’m pretty sure I’ve convinced at least 25 people to read it.
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013?
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else
21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?
Probably paranormal or fantasy? Or perhaps dystopian or science fiction. I don’t know, how do you keep track?
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
23. Best 2013 debut you read?
24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. I’m so deep into this world and its history now, I couldn’t NOT mention it.
25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?
People read fun books? Probably Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo because there was Sturmhond, who was epic, and also I really liked hating on Mal and wishing death upon him.
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?
27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?
Tiger Lily and Unbreakable, because not enough people are reading them.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
Paper Riot, Writer of Wrongs, and Pop! Goes the Reader. I think I discovered all three this year.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
My review of Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson because I worked hard on that one and it turned into an essay.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
Lauren’s post on LGBT+ representation in YA. It’s flawless.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
I have no idea! This is terrible. I often save discussion posts to read later, but with starting a new job and everything those posts just got forgotten about in favour of reviews.
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I took part in my first Bout of Books and it was epic.
6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
In terms of views, my Debut-a-Thon Sign Ups post was the most popular. Which pleases me, because it’s the first proper event or readathon I have ever hosted, and I loved it. In terms of comments (not including memes), people really liked my review of If You Find Me, and also Tatum’s review of Howl’s Moving Castle.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
*whistles*
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
My local WHSmith’s has a reduced section. Hehe.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
YES! I have completed my Goodreads challenge of reading 100 books this year, which is just as well because I’m now stuck in a reading slump. I don’t think I completed the “Amber Must Read 5 Classics” challenge, though. I’m pretty sure I’m at three.
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1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?
I’m not sure about #1 priority, but I really want to get to The Spartacus War by Barry Strauss. I can handle the pain, I promise.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?
3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?
Isa says
I need to read Tiger Lily, it’s been on my wishlist since it’s release. I still need to read a New Adult book but I have the same concerns as you but Between the Lines sounds fantastic. Locke & Key is freakin’ awesome.
Me after reading your post: MUST HAVE TIGER LILY.
And then this little part of my brain whispers, “B-but the book buying band? and you have entire shelf of books that need to be read!”
I’m so conflicted. ><
Also, I need to get on The Chaos Walking Trilogy, soon it will be two years since it was on my shelf but I lent out the first book to my friend and have yet to see it. ><
Amber (Books of Amber) says
I was really hesitant about reading Between the Lines, but it was a fun and enjoyable (and, later, heartbreaking) read. I want to give more New Adult a go, but they all sound the same right now so I’m waiting.
YOU MAKE FANTASTIC DECISIONS. Hahaha, book buying bans. I’m meant to be back on one after Christmas but instead I’ve been buying like crazy.
I hate it when people borrow books and don’t give them back! I lost so many books that way. I don’t lend them out any more, because people are thieves. I hope you get yours back, because the Chaos Walking trilogy is EPIC.
Renu says
City of a Thousand Dolls ended up disappointing me too. Altered was a surprising read for me as well, one of my faves of the year! And omg, Amber! Unbreakable made me feel all the feels too! I just fell in love with Barclay and was sobbing at the end. <3 I will def read anything that Norris writes tbh.
Amber (Books of Amber) says
I will never be over Unbreakable! I need to reread it so I can see Barclay again, because I adore him. Norris is ruining my life *weeps*
Maji Bookshelf says
i remember you putting Taken as one of the worst YA covers on your youtube channel.. but now it is your favorite cover? I’m confused 😛 I do know you put it as a bad cover on youtube because you hated the story.
anyways, yea you definitely need a break! Only way I’m sane right now is because I don’t post every single day (more like once every 2 to 3 days) and it is much better this way. Enjoy your break and happy holidays! and yes Kasie West is a genius!
– Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
Amber (Books of Amber) says
The list was actually Covers I Wish I Could Redesign, haha. It’s a beautiful cover and I love it, I just wish it had been put on another book. Taken doesn’t deserve a pretty cover.
At the moment I’m posting four days a week, and Tatum takes over on Fridays, but it’s still a lot. I’m definitely going to be taking more breaks in 2014. This one has been so refreshing!
Tatum Turtle says
technology confuses me, okay. and i’m not a real blogger person, i just sort of invade your blog every once in a while to shout about a book i’ve read. it’s terrible, i’m surprised people haven’t just been like ‘you need to give up now’ tbh.
also the song of achilles and the ask and the answer getting mentions *weeps forever*
SOBS HOW AM I THE BEST THING SOBS MORE
Amber (Books of Amber) says
You ARE a real blogger person. Publishers clearly think that you are since you’ve been approved for books and things. Just stop talking.
I was going to put the Recaptains as the best thing, but Reviewer X was by far the best idea I had.
Tatum Turtle says
as proof of my inability to technology, let us all take a moment to realise that i still haven’t figured out how to put an icon on these blogger post things
Amber (Books of Amber) says
I can’t remember how to do it, so I can’t help you there. Maybe go to your profile?
Lisa Schensted says
PATROCLUS AND ACHILLES.
Their relationship was incredible. So refreshing and OH MY GOODNESS.
I honest to shit just teared up reading those quotes from Chaos Walking. TODD HEWITT OWNS MY HEART.
Amber (Books of Amber) says
YAAASSSSSS. One of the best relationships I’ve ever read about. My friend bought me The Iliad for Christmas, so that’s going to be lots of fun. *sobs*
PATRICK NESS IS FLAWLESS.
Kara_Malinczak says
I hate Mal too. I don’t get how ANYONE can like him. He is a condescending, chauvinist prickhole. Also loved Not a Drop to Drink. I STILLL have not read To Kill a Mockingbird although I really want to. I wonder if Lyn has. If not, maybe we can do it for our Forgotten Fridays feature at some point this year. We’ll see.
Reviews from a Bookworm says
You’ve got a lot of great books in your answers! I have Tiger Lily sitting on my book shelf, waiting to be read. I really love the look of that and I’m really excited to get to it. I just got Pivot Point for Christmas and I will definitely be getting to that soon. I have also had my eye on Altered for a while now… may have to cave and buy that for myself soon 🙂 Great answers. My End of Year Survey.