December Wrap-Up + January TBR

December Wrap-Up!

This is a new monthly post that I have decided to put on so you get to know what's been happening within the last month and anything major I have in stock for next month, including by my TBR pile.

 

So December, eh?

 

Well, for me December was a pretty easy month. While the month dragged on and on, I can hardly believe its already over.

I had work experience for the entire first week and I got to spend that at a law firm in the city. The experience was very worth wile. I learnt so much and its was simply fantastic to be able to talk to and work with people in the business. My tasks including preparing files and other general administrative work but... *drum roll* I also got to attend directions meetings, observe meetings between the solicitors and their clients, and attend court for various matters. On the last day, staff member even took me down to the courts to watch the closing statements of a murder trial. It was simply wonderful!

Christmas also happened this month, obviously. I know that it a lot of people's highlights - I mean, who doesn't like getting presents!? - but I am not a huge fan of the holiday. Its for personal reasons. I am only mentioning this because I would love to haul my Christmas gifts but I didn't get any books this year to talk about. 

 

What's been happening this month blogwise?

 

Challenges:
Readers' Problems Tag 
Emoji Book Tag
'Tis the Season Tag
20 Things You Might Not Know About Me

Top Ten Tuesday: 
Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014
 

 Waiting on Wednesday: 
Duplicity
 

Extras:
2015 TBR Jar Challenge | Introduction
2014 End of Year Book Survey
2014 Favourites

 

 

Review:

 

In Search of Sam
Beneath

 

Read (including reviewed books above):

 
I did a lot of reading for the challenges I was participating in that month (a series/sequels challenge). You can read more about the Get Read Already Challenge here.

 

 

 

What Books Did I Pick Up?:

Bought:

 

 

For Review:

 

Allen & Unwin:

 

Edelweiss:

 

 

Xpresso Book Tours:

Netgalley:

 

 

January TBR:

What's coming up in the next month? I think I have a few cover reveals planned and a post about my New Year's Resolutions.

The Goals? Review copies and start on booky resolutions

What I Plan on Reading:

Planned Buddy Reads:

 

TBR Jar Pick:

Read more about it here.

 

My Shelves:

 

 

Pa's Challenge:

 

2014 End of Year Book Survey

2014 End of Year Book Survey

 

I know that yesterday I did a post about my favourite 2014 books but I have been seeing practically everyone do The Perpetual Page-Turners' 2014 End of Year Book Survey and I really want to take part. It looks like a fun way to round of the year so I am going to do it anyway. I hope it won't be too repetitive but lets see what happens.

 

You can see the original post on the link above.

 

 

2014 Book Stats:

 

Number of books read: 253

Number of rereads: 2

Genre You Read Most of: Young adult (I couldn't narrow down a specific genre. I am too diverse with my tastes but it probably would have been YA fantasy or YA mystery)

 

 

Best in Books:

 

Best Book You Read in 2014:

 

Check out yesterday's post for that!

 

Books You Were Excited For & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Didn't?

 

 

Most Surprising (in a Good Way) Book You Read in 2014?

 

 

Book You "Pushed" The Most People To Read (And They Did) in 2014?

 

I don't think I pushed anyone to read anything this year... I might have made some recommendations but I really cannot think of any book that I "pushed" at people.

 

Best series you started in 2014 (and didn't complete)?

 

 

Best Series Ender of 2014?

 

 

Best Sequel/s of 2014?

 

Favourite New to You Author in 2014?

 

Stephanie Perkins.

 

Best Books From a Genre You Don't Typically Read/Was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

 

I don't read many adults books, let alone adult fantasy books, so I was really pleasantly surprised by Ice Forged.

 

 

Most Action-Packed, Thrilling, Unputdownable Book of the Year?

 

 

 

Book You Read in 2014 That You Are Most Likely to Reread in 2015?

 

 

Favourite Cover of a Book You Read in 2014?

 

There were so many beautiful covers this year but these are three of my favourites...

 

 

 Most Memorable Character of 2014?

 

Oh what a loaded questions. Umm probably Allison Sekemoto from the Blood of Eden series? She is super kickass, witty and intelligent. I love her!

 

 Most Beautifully Written Book of 2014?

 

 

Most Thought-Provoking Book of 2014?

 

I think I would have to say Romeo & Juliet but not for the reasons you would think. I hate that book more than any book I have ever read. It infuriated me but it also made me think about how much media and books have an influence over society and a lot other things.

 

Books You Cannot Believe You Waited Until 2014 to Read?

 

Favourite Passage/Quote from A Book You Read in 2014?

 

"...that the battles are usually in her head does not lessen the bravery of it. The hardest battles always are." - Jackaby by William Ritter

 

Shortest and Longest Books Read in 2014?

 

 

Longest: Deathbringer = 603 pages

Shortest: Origins = 15 pages

 

OTP of the Year?

 

Josh and Isla from Isla & the Happily Ever After! Do they have a ship name? Ish? Jola? Hmm, not very catchy....

Favourite Non-Romantic Relationship of 2014?

 

This could be many, many people but the first one that came to mind was Dani and the other character's of In Search of Sam, especially her and her best friend.

 

Favourite Book in 2014 by an Author You've Read Previously?

 

 

Another great Jackson Pearce novel...
 

  Best Book You Read in 2014 Based Soley on a Recommendation From Somebody Else?

 

 

Thanks Mei!

 

Newest Fictional Crush From 2014?

 

I am going to take "newest" as in "most recent" so I only have to choose the book boyfriend from the latest book I read.. otherwise we might be here awhile! ;) My newest fictional crush is... Toby from A Pocketful of Eyes. *swoon* This guy does not get enough attention and I honestly don't understand why. He is quirky, he has a thing for random facts, he is sweet, he is hilarious and witty and has the best conversations, he is intelligent, he is a science geek, he is cute, that's never a downer, and he is just a genuinely a decent guy. I am in love.

 

Best 2014 Debut You Read?

 

 

Most Vivid Setting This Year?

 

Book That Was Most Fun to Read This Year?

 

This book just made me smile and smile!

 

 

Book That Made You Cry in 2014?

 

I am a bit of a crier so this is going to be a bit of a list, not just one book... and there about 20 more that I could add but I think this is enough.

 

Hidden Gem of the Year?

 

 

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

 

 

Most Unique Book of 2014?

 

 

Book That Made You Most Mad in 2014?

 

 

 

******

 

Your Blogging / Bookish Life:

 

Your New Favourite Book Blog?

The Reading Izzy - go check it out, its amazing!

 

Favourite Review You Wrote in 2014?

My review of 206 Bones probably.

 

Best Non-Review Posted on Your Blog This Year?

 

2015 TBR Jar Challenge Introduction

 

Most Popular Post on Your Blog in 2014?

 

20 Things You Might Not Know About Me - this is the most commented on.

 

Best Bookish Discovery?

 

ARCs and Edelweiss. Its such a joy being able to get access to a book before its released and provide a review for the authors - its kind of liking giving back to them for all the hours of entertainment and love they have given us over the years.

 

Looking Ahead:

 

One Book You Didn't Get to in 2014 but Will Be A Priority in 2015?

 

 

Book You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

 

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare.. even though we don't even have a cover or description yet.

 

2015 Debut You Are Anticipating?

 

I am trying to pick one that hasn't been hyped up much but I am still really excited for..

 

 

Series Ending or Sequel You Are Anticipating in 2015?

 

 

One Thing You Hope to Accomplish In Your Blogging/Reading Life in 2015?

 

Next year is going to be a big year for me, I can feel it already. I want to branch out, try new genres, read more, blog more, comment more, extend my blogging friend circle out... I just want to get really involved in this community. I plan on posting my new year's resolutions and plans soon so stay tuned for that.

 

A 2015 Release You Have Read Already and Would Recommend?