2015 End of Year Book Survey

Now in its sixth year, Jaime at The Perpetual Page Turner has released this year's End of the Year Book Survey.

Number Of Books You Read: 39 :(
Number of Re-Reads: 0
Genre You Read The Most From: children's and then women's fiction

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard

I love Hubbard's work. It's wonderful to read about characters I've come to care about throughout a series.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Thankfully, nothing.

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

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I finally broke down and read the HP series. I am glad I did, as I ended up loving it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham

I suggested this for my online book club and everyone loved it.

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Started: Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber

Best Sequel: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur by Fiona Ingram

Best Series Ender: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Patricia Yeager Delagrande

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

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

Fantasy isn't my favorite genre, but Rowling did a wonderful job of blending the ordinary life of her characters into the magical world in which they exist. In this book, readers learned a bit about a main character, but didn't realize it right away.

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

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Death of a Clown by Heather Haven

I don't typically have time to re-read, but I would love to read this one again.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Serena from Taken Away by Patricia Yager Delagrange because I despised everything about her.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard

Hubbard has a wonderful style that draws readers in.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

Love Your Husband Love Yourself by Jennifer Flanders

A book that discusses Ephesians 5:22-33, which can be a controversial portion of Scripture.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” --Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Shortest: The Baked Potato Boy by Dorris Fortson

Longest: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling


17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Death of a Clown by Heather Haven

Shocking--but great--ending.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)

Sorry, romance wasn't much on the radar this year.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Death of a Clown by Heather Haven

While I have read Haven's work in the past, this one was a different style of mystery for her. It was superbly written with a more serious tone and lacked a sarcastic female lead. It's definitely a style that she should use more often, even though her other books are equally as wonderful.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

If my oldest daughter hadn't bugged me to read this series, it probably wouldn't have happened this year. Of course, since I listened to them on audio, she feels I really haven't read them anyway.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Sorry, my only crush is my hubby.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

None this year. This makes me so sad.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

In addition to Hogwarts, we get a glimpse at Malfoy Manor and more of the Ministry of Magic.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Love on the Menu by Ellen March

This is a funny, sexy romantic comedy. Makes it sound like a movie, but that's not a bad idea. I could see this book playing out on the small or big screen,

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

There is so much injustice and a horrible loss in this one. Definitely a book that leaves a lump in your throat.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

From Tours to Paris by Linda Kovic-Skow

In the interest of full disclosure, I edited this manuscript; but I have to tell you that if all travel memoirs were this good, I would read more of them.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother

This a true crime story. To even think there is this much evil in the world makes my stomach churn.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Rani in Search of a Rainbow by Shaila Abdullah

Inspired by the 2010 floods in Pakistan, this is a touching and delightful story of one girl’s determination to help after her family and friends are moved to a refugee campsite.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Taken Away by Patricia Yager Delagrange because I didn't feel Serena truly paid enough for her actions.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

Le Veque Novels

Kathyrn Le Veque writes Medieval romance novels. Not always my typical fare, but I have found some I truly enjoyed.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

Love on the Menu by Ellen March

A fun book to read and a fun review to write.

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

One of this year's early Musing Mondays posts talked about re-purposing books. You can read my thoughts here.

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

I tend to love Top Ten Tuesday. It really makes me think about what I am reading and want to read.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

This might sound silly, but making plans to work through my TBR pile is always a great time. I am a goal-driven person; though life doesn't always help me out. Here is one of reading challenges I am participating in for 2016 that will hopefully help.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Time. Since returning to work outside the home I've struggled to balance it all.

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

Most viewed: Book Blast & Giveaway for Love, Defined by Leila Tualla

Most comments: Top Ten Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read from the Young Adult Genre


8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester

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

Downtown Books is located in downtown Manteo, NC. I like to visit with the family when we vacation on the Outer Banks in July.

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

I miserably failed both reading challenges I undertook in 2015. Hopefully 2016 will bring me more success.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

The Forgotten Room by Karen White, et al. 

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

Shiny Broken Pieces by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

Read a minimum of 50 books.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

Nothing yet. Still playing catch up.