2013 End of the Year Book Survey

It's time once again, to reflect on the books read during 2013.  I've decided to go with the Perpetual Page Turner's End of the Year Book Survey because it's my fave!

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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

 Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger...I loved her book Soulless but her new novel just didn't measure up for me. 

 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013? 

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley...I loved The Winter Sea but was super disappointed by The Rose Garden.  Unbeknownst to me, The Firebird was a sequel to The Winter Sea and I loved it even more than the first book!

 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Probably The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (another fiction fave of the year)

 

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

I really liked the Eon duology - both books were great!

 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

This is difficult because of how many great books I read this year!  I will answer Gretchen Rubin because her nonfiction book was a page-turner and I absolutely want to read her new Happiness Project book!

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn...I'm not a big crime/thriller reader and actually thought I would not like the book.  Luckily, I was proven wrong!

 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

 9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley...I love re-reading historical fiction!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

The coastline cover of Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

11. Most memorable character in 2013? 

Oh so tough!  I'm going to go with Fermin Romero de Torres from The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  Gotta love amazing supporting characters! 

 

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

This year, it would be The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013? 

Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach...it made me realize that getting dinner on the table is what's most important and encouraged me to seek out more easy, quick, and healthy recipes.

 

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read? 

American Gods by Neil Gaiman...I know!!  What's wrong with me?!?

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?

The Art of Fielding: "You told me once that a soul isn't something a person is born with but something that must be built, by effort and error, study and love. And you did that with more dedication than most, that work of building a soul-not for your own benefit but for the benefit of those that knew you.

The Shadow of the Wind: “Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.” 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

The shortest: The Game by Diana Wynne Jones at 181 pages

The longest: American Gods by Neil Gaiman at 656 pages (unless I'm allowed to count one that I'm still reading, in which case, it would be The Mists of Avalon at 876 pages).

 

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

Weeeell I can definitely think of a couple from Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn...namely the ending (but I'll say no more so as not to be spoilery).

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Eleanor & Park is an obvious choice :)

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I'm sounding like a broken record here but Eleanor & Park (I've previously read Rowell's book Attachments).

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn...crime/thriller fiction isn't usually my jam but I definitely enjoyed this book

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Fiction (Fantasy and YA coming in a close second and third)

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Both Ned (from the historical storyline) and Rob (from the modern storyline) were totally crush-worthy in The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

The Shadow of the Wind...so creepy and gothic!

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

Awkward by Marni Bates was so cringe-worthy but relatable and fun!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

I think I cried reading Eleanor & Park...but I don't remember.  Strangely, 2013 was largely devoid of tearjerkers for me.

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Longbourn by Jo Baker is picking up traction now, but I'm surprised it wasn't a bigger hit!