Guys, the year Dumpster Fire 2016 is almost over, finally! Now, we can only hope that 2017 will suck less. (And tbh, no one is hopeful.) But let’s be in denial for a hot minute while we do the lovely Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner’s annual End of Year Survey!!
I feel like I will probably also do another wrap up/look ahead type thing… but not today.
(Also, because 2016 has been the actual worst, it decided to give me a nice illness of some sort as a parting gift. So I promise, I am not neglecting comments, emails, etc., I am just… feeling like absolute ass. Good times. I’ll get back to everything/everyone ASAP!)
Number Of Books You Read: 
Why thanks, Goodreads. I’d probably believe you more if you changed that line from last year but… I’ll take it.
Number of Re-Reads: 3 (The annual re-reading of The Hunger Games, of course)
Genre You Read The Most From: I have neither the time nor the energy to figure that out. Sorry. (Not sorry.)
1. Best Book You Read In 2016?
It isn’t everyday (or even every year) that a book makes my “elite favorites” shelf so… here you have it!
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
These are both very good surprises! I didn’t expect to fall in love as hard as I did with either 😀
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
I don’t know of any. I mean, I am sure I pushed books on some of you. I know Val read Return Once More recently. If I pushed you to read a book and you did, tell me about it!
5. Best series you started in 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?
The best new series:
The best sequels:
Best series enders:
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2016?
Non-debut, I assume? (Like asking the survey a question is going to get me an actual answer?) Hmm Mira Grant, Marcus Sedgwick, Jen Malone, Kendare Blake, Wendy Mills, Stacey Lee, Kathryn Holmes, Richelle Mead (I know, I know WAY late to that party), Wendy Higgins, and Kate Karyus Quinn
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Thriller-y types are hit or miss for me, but I really liked this one!
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
9. Book You Read In 2016 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Heh.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?
11. Most memorable character of 2016?
Gotta be Kaz and his band of merry misfits!
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2016?
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read? ALSO- 21. Best Book You Read In 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2016?
“If you’re going to live, you might as well do painful, brave, and beautiful things.”
― Jeff Zentner, The Serpent King
“And what do you know of love?”
“That it must be a choice.”
“Oh, my naive thief. ” I pause briefly to meet his gaze. “Love is rarely a choice.”
― Jessica Khoury, The Forbidden Wish
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)
I don’t know if I was “shocked” but there were a couple of gasping “oh shit, did that just happen?” moments in these:
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
No one tell me that Bellarke does not count, because IT. DOES.
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Kane and Indraaaa. Also, this counts too. Because I said so.
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?
I… don’t think I have one? I know, weird.
23. Best 2016 debut you read?
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2016?
Look, most of the books I like make me cry. It’s probably weird, but I can live with it.
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
So, fine, I didn’t technically read Nora & Kettle this year but… it came out in 2016 so it counts.
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2016?
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
I did not like it though. At all.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2016?
I have no idea when I discover stuff. So I might list someone and they will be like “hey, we have been friends since 1993”. Conversely, I may forget someone thinking we have been friends since 1993, but really, we met last Tuesday. Safer to just… not.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2016?
3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
“Best”? According to me? Or to others? I don’t know but since there is a most popular option down the road, I will pick my favorite!
I was being so… positive!
4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016?
Seeing these lovely humans, of course!
6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
Oy. 2016… was not kind to me or my blog. Or anyone. Let’s just move on.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
I based this on comments, because that was easiest. Ironically, this post about comments had the most comments so… fun.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Truly, I will never stop being excited about my win. I’m not even sorry.
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I don’t think I did discover any, and my bank account is pleased.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Just the ol’ Goodreads one. As for goals, I plan to look at those later next week. Because I am too tired. I think that was one of the goals though- calming down. And my apathy here shows some real progress, tbh.
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?
“One” bwhahhaha ?
These are just a few. And I know, you are thinking “bitch, Caraval isn’t even out yet!” but everyone else has read their BEA copy and well.. I am feeling like I should have read mine by now.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017:
For all of these, I’m just going to direct riiiight over here. Easier this way.
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2017?
6. A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
That is an excellent use of a Haymitch gif.? I LOVE THIS POST!! (Well apart from the several furious mentions of Half Lost WHICH I LOVED BTW but I’ll let you glare at it.??) And omg I want to read Caraval so bad.? And so much love for the cover of Like a River Glorious FOR SURE. And Kaz is my actual favourite creature of the darkness. Ahhhh…this year has been so good for books! Also congrats on completing your GR’s goal!
So my favourite book was…omg too many. But I’ll just say The Raven King because IT’S THE OBVIOUS ONE (but I also am insufferably in love with Crooked Kingdom, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and The Serpent King <3) and one of my biggest disappointments was actually The Reader. Whoops! I hope you have better luck with it than I did!
AND GET BETTER SOON. *sends you warm soup*
Like a River Glorious and Crooked Kingdom were my 2 of my favorite sequels too. Actuallu, CK was my favorite book of the year! I’m hoping to read the last to Half Bad books in 2017, so I’m disappointed to see you didn’t like the last book! =/ I feel like everyone else has read Caraval too! I have an eARC with no send to kindle option so I’m just waiting on the actual release lol. I’m almost finished with ATATN on audio and OMG! So good!
Happy New Year!
I also discovered Marcus Sedgwick this year. Now I have a mild obsession. I hope you like A Gathering of Shadows. It was one of my favorites of 2016.
The only books I’ve read on your list is Hunger Games. But that’s gotta count for something! I’m still saving Crooked Kingdom (and I didn’t get it for Christmas lol) That’s sad that Half Life was so disappointing! Maybe I’ll not read it now. (Not that I’ve read half bad yet…) Somehow Serpent King wasn’t high on my list. How’d that happen? Congrats on meeting your goal! I finally reached mine too!!
We’ve been sick over here too. Quite unpleasant and we can’t seem to shake it. Ugh! Anyway, I must now go off and read The Serpent King—I bought it because of you, so that counts for #4 (even though I haven’t read it yet).
Great post. I have heart-eyes for all your Phantom Limbs and Serpent King love. I keep telling EVERYBODY to read those books. For your books you didn’t get to in 2016, I can say 4 of those were fantastic (I did not read Torch — but I want to), so, if you find the time, you will not be disappointed.
*adds all your best books to my TBR/wish/library list*
Hey, good 2017 goal! Definitely stick with that. 😉
I hope you feel better soon!!! Great post I love all of the topics that you picked to reflect upon. I haven’t read The Serpent King, but will need to check it out. Have a happy new year!
The Serpent King tops my list too.
Well, this explains why I saw The Serpent King with the biggest sales pile at TTBF. If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t read Caraval yet. 🙂 Happy 2017!
Ooh ooh ooh book survey- I’ve been reading a ton of these the last few days. Fun! The serpent King huh? I’ll be checking that out. I keep seeing Three Dark crowns and I’m in, and you know TBH I just want the rule of Mirrors for that cover. If it’s good too, bonus. 🙂
OMG Kane and Indra. You’re killing me… I NEED The 100. Now. We only have a month!!!!!! And I agree Fear The Drowning Deep had some great worldbuilding. I think I have you to thank you sold me on that one.
Caraval lol. That’s another one that keeps worming its way into my head because of all the buzz. And 2017… no doubt. Welcome to dystopia mothereffers is how I look at it ha ha. We’re actually gonna make it to 2017 tonight… I think. 🙂 Seriously though- Happy New Year!!!!!
Thanks for sharing all the ups (and downs) of your 2016 reading, Shannon! A Gathering of Shadows is on my urgent reading list for 2017, too. I hope you’re feeling better soon and have a wonderful New Year’s!
I have never heard your actual voice, but somehow I hear it in my head when I read your blog. So weird. I loved seeing your lists and definitely think at least one of my book reads this year was due to your blog. I just can’t think of a specific one right now. But you definitely should count that as a yes.
I’m totally SHOCKED you plan to re-read The Hunger Game series in 2017. 😉 Looks like you had an amazing year, Shannon. Cheers to a killer 2017! Stay alive!! *hums a bit of Hamilton*
haha “stay alive.” Oh gosh, it’s so sad, it’s true. Sigh. I’m so over 2016. I mean, it’s 2017 now but I can’t see the world at large getting much better.
ANYWAY: I’m glad you beat your Goodreads goal. Yay for reading some great books though. There are a ton of books from 2016 (and before then) that I really need to get to still, but I’m ready for some of the new 2017 reads too.
-Lauren
I just got my survery done also. I love that your only goal is to stay alive. A new year is always a time for new goals and starting new things and that year is no different. That is a great wrap up of your 2016 and I wish you a happy 2017 where you read many more amazing books.
Stay alive is a solid goal and one I think you can do! Looks like a great reading year for you though. SO many great books. I still have to read books 2 and 3 in the Half Bad trilogy and you have me nervous now!!! Hope 2017 is amazing for you!
Ugh, 2016 was definitely a rough one for the world. I really do hope 2017 will be better but the cynic in me is very much in denial of that haha. At the very least though I hope it will be better for me personally. I hope 2017 will be good to you & that you feel better soon. Being sick is the worst, hahah in my case I use it as even more of an excuse to laze around ;p
You read quite a few books! I mean I read oily 27 this year oops. Be proud of yourself girl! LOL out of all the books you’ve listed in this post (and there were a lot lmao) I have only read one. Which was The Forbidden Wish, which I simply adored. The Serpent King is now at the very top of my TBR though, a elite favorite is definitely nothing to scoff at. And considering I trust you I know I’ll have a high chance of loving it myself [; I also really want to give Scythe a go. I’ve never read a novel by Neal and honestly all I’ve heard about his novels are gushing praise lol. So they must be good right? ahaaa
That photo from BEA 2016 made me smile <33 you guys are the cutest and I really really really wish I could have been there.
That Haymitch gif at the end of this post is my mantra for 2017 honestly LOL. Let us both hope we can make it through this year (;
Love and miss you always Shannon <33 Loved reading this recap
One of my teacher friends was telling me yesterday about an 8th grader she has who won NaNoWriMo and has like 40,000 followers on her blog and is in the Gay-Straight Alliance club and is kind of a misfit but also kind of a leader, and I totally cut her off and hollered, “HAS SHE READ THE SERPENT KING? BECAUSE I THINK SHE NEEDS TO READ THE SERPENT KING!”
Feel better soon! And yes, perfect use of Haymitch.
You’ve read so many books I haven’t gotten to yet. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY BOOKS. I want to read Flashfall so I’m happy to see that one on your list several times. And FEED I’ve had on my shelf for a LONG time. I NEED TO READ IT.
I hope 2017 is amazing for you!
You read so many books, well done! *_* You pushed me to read The Serpent King! After hearing you and two other bloggers say it’s absolutely amazing, I got it out from the library and I’m starting it this afternoon eek! I’m really excited to read it but terrified too because I know it’s probably going to break my heart. XD
My favourite book has to be Illuminae or Gemina – they were both so incredible! I loved the characters, the plot, the writing…EVERYTHING. I need the third book in my life. *_* The biggest disappointments would have to be We Were Liars and Love Letters to the Dead. My expectations were so high but my goodness, those books were so incredibly boring I could barely manage to finish them. XD
Happy new year, Shannon! I hope you have a wonderful 2017! <3
I’m still fairly new to your blog so I can’t wait to read more and see more recommendations.
My favourite book was Head Over Heels by Holly Smale. Biggest disappointment? Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I believe this year will be much better, though!
Happy New Year!
OMG, looks like you had an amazing reading year! And I just got a lot more books to either add to my TBR or bump up a bit 😉
I actually loved the Half Bad trilogy, but I do agree that the final made me so mad. It was such a brutal and heartbreaking ending 🙁
Bellarke TOTALLY counts as OTP <3
My favorite reads of 2016 were Crooked Kingdom, ACOMAF and A Gathering of Shadows, so I hope you'll enjoy ACOMAF and AGOS in 2017!
Three Dark Crowns, YES! I just read that one and it was so good!! I really need to get The Hunt and Corruption. So happy both of those made your best of list. So happy you finally read The Book Thief. I swear, it’s the most devastatingly beautiful book I have EVER read.
Shannon I am thinking of you, if you need to speak to someone, you know where to find me! You are amazing for 151 books, OMG that is amazing! YESSS for Mira Grant, I love all her books omg. I have Darkest Corners out for Kindle! I loved both Forbidden Wish and TSTQ too. Happy New Year Shannon!
I love love love that you re-read HG every year! That’s how The Raven Cycle is for me! This year, I want to re-read HP too. And The Serpent King is high up on my TBR!
Yay for meeting your GR goal but YES you are good at a lot of things!
Can’t wait for Always and Forever LJ and Words in Deep Blue in 2017!!
My 2016 survey!
Obvs I am behind as well… chiming in here 5 days after the fact. Hopefully by now you’re not feeling like ass? Maybe you’ve moved up to feeling like armpit or something? Fingers crossed. So with you on The Crown’s Game. Such a great new start to a series (series? duology?). I really need to read Crooked Kingdom. But first I need to read Six of Crows. And before that I need to read the Grisha trilogy. (Did I mention I am behind?) That Haymitch gif… is it wrong that I’ve been staring at it for… a while? I do love me some Haymitch.
I still haven’t read Phantom Limbs && Three Dark Crowns AND I have both on my shelf. For shame. Definitely starting soon, then. The Forbidden Wish was so gorgeous, i’m tempted to raise my rating. OMG, you beat your GR challenge lolz. Mine was 200 && I failed epically. Womp. I had about 35, sadly. 🙁 A bookish low, but yaaay
for bookish breaking records. haha