Miscellaneous is the tagline to store random posts that don’t really belong elsewhere. They may involve tags, awards, challenges, and other book blogging nonsense.
What’s Miscellaneous Today?
Book Blogger End of Year Survey —
2015 Edition
Did I do this last year? I don’t remember if I did…BUT ONWARD WE GO. Survey and image credited to Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner.
I held a book awards ceremony two weeks ago that featured my own picks from best animal side kick to best fight scene and even character awards for best hero in an fantasy/action/sci-fi etc.
This survey is an extension to that post. Ish.
On Reading Stats
Number Of Books You Read:
I tried to get to 25 but nope…I could only make it to 24. Damn, I’m at this book blogging shit.
Number of Re-Reads:
Zero. I don’t really re-read books in their entirety. It’s only chapters that I-do-not-understand-wtf-is-happening that I’ll read things over again.
Genre You Read The Most From:
I think this year was dominated by everything fantastical.
On Books Read in 2015
Best Book You Read In 2015?
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands. lolbye.
Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.
I hate everyone and their hype. 2014 saw We Were Liars. Red Queen for 2015. WHAT’S 2016 GOING TO ENTAIL?! (Rage review here.)
Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Kim Thuy’s Ru. It’s CanLit (I don’t normally read CanLit). It’s a literary novel (I rarely read stuff that is heralded with merit). This is also one of the books I didn’t review.
Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
Um…I’ll have to just say anything Patrick Ness? After A Monster Calls and Chaos Walking, I can’t keep track.
Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?
The only series I started and finished was Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy. I did haul multiple series during the year…I just didn’t get a chance to read any of them LOL.
Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
Victoria Schwab. This is a hype I can get on board with.
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Historical Fiction meets Alchemy. The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands.
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Half a King by Joe Abercrombie. The pacing was just on point.
Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
None. I don’t really re-read.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab.
Most memorable character of 2015?
Oh my god this question is impossible.
Anonymous (Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld)
Jesper Fahey (Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo)
Nikolai Lantsov (Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo)
Bridget the Pigeon (The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands)
Mikey (The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness)
Most beautifully written book read in 2015?
For it’s prose: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie.
For world building: A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab.
Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?
Thought provoking due to being weird: The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?
Most of what I read was 2015 releases and those that weren’t are worthy of this prompt.
Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?
Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.
– Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?
Shortest: Ru by Kim thuy (141)
Longest: Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld (546)
Book That Shocked You The Most?
The Girl Who Fell by Shannon Parker
THIS BOOK PISSED ME OFF SO BADLY ERMAGERD (in a good way?). You’ll understand if/when you read it.
OTP of the Year?
Sorry books but television is where it’s at.
Fitz Simmons from Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD.
Tom and Elizabeth Keen from The Blacklist
Bellamy and Clarke from The 100
Connor and Oliver from HTGAWM
Helena and food from Orphan Black
Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?
Ravi and Olivia from iZombie
Brian Finch and anyone from Limitless
Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously?
Hello Patrick Ness…
Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?
None. I don’t base what I read solely on what someone says. Multiple sources influence what I read; the main one being myself.
Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?
Inej from Six of Crows
Bromance with Nikolai from The Grisha Trilogy
Best 2015 debut you read?
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Easy. A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab.
Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
JESPER FAHEY ANTICS AND KAZ BREKKER COMMENTS.
Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?
I remember tearing once this year. It was in The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands and it wasn’t even 1/4 way in that I was broken. Shit.
Hidden Gem Of The Year?
A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger. Why? Because it’s narrated by anorexia from a male’s body. It has it’s drawbacks but maaaaan is that eating disorder narrator a jerk.
Book That Crushed Your Soul?
[See previous answer on making me cry]
Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?
I’ll extend the definition of “unique” to encompass the “weird” — and Josh Malerman’s Bird Box was just plenty of wtf-worthy awkwardness.
Book That Made You The Most Mad?
The year isn’t over until I find that one book that pisses me off. And maybe This Is Where It Ends (Nijkamp) takes the cake. Yes…that super hyped school shooting book that’s coming out in 2016 was a mess for me.
On Blogging
New Favourite Book Blog you discovered in 2015?
As much as I have open dialogues with many of you Internet friends, 2015 was the year of building bridges outside of the online community. So it is in this reason that I will have to say Amanda @ Brains, Books, and Brawn (and her now-reader boyfriend Jerome) who I chilled with on many bookish occasions.
Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?
Take your pick:
Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
Literally like asking me to choose my favourite child (jokes on you, there’s always a favourite).
#14 – “I Let Out A Breath I Didn’t Know I Was Holding” (5/9/15)
#15 – Not All Fictional Men Smell Like The Great Outdoors (5/15/15)
#20 – What-If Bloggers Had Blurbs? (7/9/15)
#22 – “Ships Don’t Sink…They Turn Into Shipmarines” (8/20/15)
#24 – “13 Types of Readers You’ll Encounter on Public Transit” (11/04/15)
Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Either of these events for different reasons:
Fierce Reads Fall Tour / Book Blogger Ontario Meetup
Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?
The feels you get from talking about books in person with people from the community.
Had to edit this in because it literally happened yesterday. If you didn’t know, in the 2 years that I’ve been book blogging, I haven’t actually reached out to publishers [for ARCs] for various reasons that all link back to feeling inadequate. So it was extremely surprising to get an email from one of big four to join their blogger database. I died a bit. What a way to bring in the new year, yeah?
Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
Commenting back. I was (and still sort of am) slacking in this department, and so I apologize.
Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Any of my Brandon Sanderson reviews, particularly Firefight (which is actually indexed pretty high in Google searches!)
Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Any discussion post. I feel like most of the time my noone understands my brain vomits.
Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Just meeting the community in person!
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself?
Challenging a mood reader is literally the worst idea ever.
One book you didn’t get to in 2015 but will be your number 1 priority in 2016?
Alexandra Bracken’s Passenger. I bought this on Dec 23 WITH ALL THE INTENTS TO READ IT BEFORE IT RELEASED TO EVERYONE ELSE. But I suck.
Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?
2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?
Victoria Schwab’s A Gathering of Shadows
One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?
Self host (LOLOL I TOLD MYSELF THIS LAST YEAR TOO).
A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
It’s a hard sell to recommend Truthwitch. It’s world is intriguing like Avatar: The Last Airbender (at least, that’s what I’d best compare it to). Plus plenty of ships and other shit for you to enjoy.
Afterthoughts:
Hello, goodbye, and hello again.
Cheers,
Joey
connect: afterthoughtAn // twitter | anotherafterthought // goodreads
thoughts and afterthoughts. 
This is so cute 😀 and funny XD
Happy New Year!
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:D!
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Enjoyed reading this post. Congrats on achieving those goals, except for that 1 book. So close. And Happy New Year, Joey. Have a great hear ahead!
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I meant *year. #shame
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I will have a great hear in 2016!
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What a great post. Do you mind if I steal your questions – they’re so good!
And lots of good books – Ness and you also seemed to have enjoyed Bardugo as much as I did 😀
Hope you have a great 2016 too.
Lynn 😀
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Of course you can Lynn but they aren’t my questions haha! I found them over at Jamie’s blog: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2015/12/6th-annual-end-of-year-survey-2015-edition.html
Enjoy!
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Elizabeth & Tom Keen! LOVE IT! I would add Red Reddington and Elizabeth Keen to the best non-romantic relationship. 😉
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I hope Liz can get less annoying though in the second half of this season…
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So true! I like what Tom’s been up to, though. He’s so good when he’s bad!
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I will murder someone if they start trying to push Ressler and Liz…
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Lol! Hopefully they’ll steer clear of that one!
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“Challenging a mood reader is literally the worst idea ever.” YAAASSS!! (btw when I was typing that autocorrect changed it to AAASSS! LOL)
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MY SOLUTION: SETTING MY READING GOAL IN 2016 TO 1 BOOK LOL. I still haven’t beat the challenge though and it’s been 5 days sigh.
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#MoodReadersProblems *le sigh*
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Yes to all of your OTPs, especially Helena! ❤
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DID U SEE THE NEWS OF THE NEW CLONE? OMG I CANNOT EVEN.
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LOL The Deal! I remember us both reading that around the same time and talking about its ‘lacking’ areas. Good times. So close to your reading goal, Joey! Never mind, fantastic year nonetheless 🙂
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Didn’t I recommend you The Deal? I feel like I recommended someone that book but I don’t remember who…
I’ll send NA romances your way whenever I come across another one that eats my time.
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No, I don’t think you recommended it to me. Are you talking about before you read it? Because we read it at the same time. You wouldn’t be recommending it after your experience with it! But yes, please do send the NAs my way! I’m a little obsessed…
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Oh…must have been someone else then. I would totally recommend it for all the nonsense in the book LO if you like that kinda thing (it just din’t work for me okay :()
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Oh nooooooooo you missed it by one? *cries* I haven’t read ADSOM yet but I’m super excited for it! I’ve heard great things. OH MY GOSH YES YES YES ABOUT THE GIRL WHO FELL. I 100% agree.
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ADSOM was super fun. You should binge read it before A Gathering of Shadows releases!
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There’s always this year to reach that 25 book number! You were so close so have faith you’ll do it this year!! ^_^
I love Ravi and Olivia in iZombie too! Best (non-rom) pairing ever!!
Thanks for doing this post!! Hopefully I can do mine soon xD
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Ravi is the type of person everyone deserves to have one of in their lives. And maybe perhaps a Liz on one of her brain-eaten trips.
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I knew Nikolai would make the list 😂 I am also glad that someone else didn’t read a million books this year, I reached 30! Great post, Happy New Year😊
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There are few of us (within the blogging community) in this under-50-read book club…LOL.
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Tbh, Helena and food are the otp of otps..
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What about helena and jesse towing LOL
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pretty close..but you can’t beat Helena and jello LOL
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The Girl Who Fell surprised me in a good way as well, I was all ready to start ranting after the first three chapters but overall it ended up being enjoyable! And yassss I discovered Victoria Schwab this year as well and basically want to fling all my hard earned cash at her.
Happy New Year! May it be another filled with fantasy and awesome reads.
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WHAT HE DID TO ZEPHYR’S PET. UNFORGIVABLEEEEE.
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Ooh, so much Brandon Sanderson love in this. I really want to read his Mistborn series one day… I did recently purchase Steelheart and The Rithmatist so that’s a start. ^.^
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DO IT UP.
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So, this blog post was amazing, I loved it loads. i will continue to give your brain vomits much, much love. I feel I do understand them as long as I savor it, lol. Happy new year, and tell me your favorite Chinese food? (Unless, you’re not Chinese?) (I’m so so sorry if you aren’t because then it would be offensive…) 🙂
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I am Chinese! A lot of what I enjoy I couldn’t even begin to tell you the English romanization name of. Most are surely acquired tastes, like bitter melon with salted duck egg, chinese braised oxtail, any seafood preparation, and probably most/all dishes from Dim Sum (best if you just google that term instead of me trying to butcher an explanation).
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ooh thanks!
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I like your blogging style. 🙂 Found on Jamie’s end of year survey link up.
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Thanks for your kind words!
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I was so excited to find Zeroes on Book Outlet for $7.50. I can’t wait to read it. I still have yet to get to A Darker Shade of Magic and I really need to this year! I also really need to finish Chaos Walking. Now that iZombie is on Netflix, I think I am going to try to watch it again. I started to watch it when it first aired on TV, but then I just stopped watching after a few episodes. I preordered Passenger, but I think I want to read The Darkest Minds series (still haven’t read it and I’ve been wanting to since 2013) first, so I can get an idea about how Alexandra writes.
PS: Your link for Passenger goes to a different book.
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No rush on Zeroes — a lot of people didn’t enjoy it as much as I did LOL. Thank you for informing me on the passenger link.
And I looooove iZombie omg. You must watch them all.
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OMG! CONOR AND OLLIVER MADE IT TO THIS LIST!
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Not gonna lie, when that dude (I forget his name) basically walked into Oliver’s apartment I was like “NOOOO”. Oliver has done so much shit for Annalise, I’mma be so pissed when this character is axed.
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OMG finally another Bellark shipper! Sometimes I think we’re as rare as unicorns when it comes to that ship… Great survey, btw, I just discovered your blog and I cant wait to be reading it more frequently!
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