Yes yes, I know it’s almost the end of the year…not the middle of it, but I was tagged by Erika @ Erika in Bookventureland back in September and I told myself I would catch up on all of my book tags! So that is what I am going to do! Thanks a bunch for tagging me, Erika, and sorry this is so late…^^; Because I should have done this sooner, I’ll only refer to books I’ve read before Erika tagged me.
Best book you’ve read so far in 2015
Well, I re-read the Harry Potter series this year, so that is definitely up there, but because I’ve read them before I’ll pick something else. I’d have to say the best book I’ve read so far is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. It was a very fun and entertaining read. I’m definitely looking forward to what other books Albertalli comes up with!
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2015
Hmm, I guess I’ll go with Tiger’s Quest by Colleen Houck. I’ve read quiet a few sequels this year but this one was one of the better ones. I believe the fifth book in this series has yet to come out, but I’m interested to see how this series ends. I, like a lot of people, thought the fourth one was the last, since it pretty much wrapped everything up rather nicely, but apparently not.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
So, if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile you’ve probably noticed that I bring up the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher…a lot. xD Because it’s amazing, of course. Anyway, Butcher is coming out with a new Steampunk series that I’m interested in reading. The first book is The Aeronaut’s Windlass. When I eventually get around to reading it I’ll have to try not to compare it to the Dresden Files…too much, at least.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Ummm, honestly I don’t really have one. I don’t read a lot of new releases – at the moment I’m currently focusing on completed series – so I can’t think of any that I’m really looking forward to at the moment.
Biggest disappointment
Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz, the first book in the Blue is for Nightmares series. I definitely struggled through this one. The overall plot wasn’t completely awful, but I just couldn’t stand any of the characters. Not a single one. Usually there’s at least one, but nope. Nada. Zip. Zero. This was one series I decided I would give up on after the first book, which doesn’t happen often for me.
Biggest surprise
Zaria Fierce and the Secrets of Gloomwood Forest by Keira Gillett. This wasn’t the biggest surprise because I didn’t think it would be a good book, but because I never imagined that an author would actually approach me and ask me to read and review it. I’m truly thankful to Keira for giving me the chance to read the first of Zaria’s adventures and am also pleased that she has asked for me to review the second book as well.
Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Becky Albertalli. She wrote Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and although that is the only book she’s written, I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with!
Newest Fictional crush
I’m going to have to say Ren and Kishan from Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck. I really enjoyed both characters so I can’t really pick just one. I think Ren was a better fit for Kelsey in the end, but there was so much thought put into Kishan’s character as well that if I had been in her situation I honestly don’t know which I would have chosen. Once again, I’m looking forward to see how the series ends.
Newest Favorite Character
I would have to pick Simon from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. I know this is the third time I’ve brought this one up in the tag, but I enjoyed it immensely. As I stated in my review of this book, he is an awesome main character. His sense of humor and the fact that he loves Harry Potter made him very likable. I also found him quite relatable because, like myself, he’s nosy and uses the terms ‘freaking’ and ‘just saying’ often.
Book that made you cry
As mentioned earlier, I did happen to re-read the Harry Potter series this year, so obviously I cried through a couple of those, but again I’ll try to stray away from them for this tag. So, I’ll pick Tiger’s Destiny by Colleen Houck, the fourth book in the Tiger’s Curse series. I tend to get emotional during books, and movies as well, and there were at least four times while reading this book that I began tearing up. Judge me if you will, but I think that if I have come to like characters enough to cry over them the author has done a pretty fine job.
Book that made you happy
Okay, well I tried. But how can reading the HP series, or re-reading in my case, not make you happy?! So yes, I will bend and choose the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling for this section. I always feel happy when reading this series, but probably the happiest when reading the first book. It’s my favorite of the seven.
Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
Ummm, I can’t really think of one. I don’t even know if I’ve seen a book to film adaption this year…or, at least I don’t remember if I have.
Favorite review you’ve written this year
Once again, I don’t have one. I don’t really think I favor any one over the others. I think I’ve improved a bit from my first review earlier this year, but a review is a review.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. I know this book came out a couple of years ago, but I just got around to buying it this year. I’m hoping to read this series, as well as finish up The Mortal Instruments series, sometime next year. I’m also interested in seeing how the upcoming show, Shadowhunters, airing on ABC Family, will turn out. Honestly I’m kind of worried about it…^^;
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Well, back in September when I was tagged, I had planned on reading the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn. I’m currently on the twelfth book in the series and am hoping to finish the series by the end of the year. Only two more book to go! I also have only two more books left in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series, which I’ve been plugging away at for some time now. I am also hoping to finish it up soon.
And that wraps it up! Again, sorry this is so late, but I’m glad I finally got around to doing it. It doesn’t really make sense to tag anyone for this one now…being as it’s almost the end of the year. So I won’t.
Happy reading! :)
As I mentioned in my TT post, I am finally reading the twelfth book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series,The Penultimate Peril, by Lemony Snicket. I’m almost done with it too! Then just one more to go afterwards!
Last week I finished up fourteenth and final book in the Kitty Norville series, Kitty Saves the World, by Carrie Vaughn. It was a fun series to read and I will try my best to post a review in the near future! I haven’t done one in awhile…shame on me…^^;
I’m debating between two series right now. First is The Monstrumologist series by Rick Yancey. The second is The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I actually read the first three books of the TMI series back when they first came out and really enjoyed them. Back then it was actually only planned as a trilogy, so I thought I was done. But the author decided to add three more and I figured I would just wait until they were completed before coming back to the series. Plus, the show based on the series, Shadowhunters, is airing on ABC Family (soon to be known as Freeform) in January. So I feel now is a good time to refresh my memory as well as finish reading the books. Am I the only one worried about how the show is gonna turn out? ^^;
I finished up the thirteenth novel in the Kitty Norville series last night, 
All 'Bout Them Books and Stuff 