I saw this survey over at All The Books I Can Read but it turns out Bree stole this from The Perpetual Page Turner. I thought this was a nice way to reflect on the year, so I wanted to join in on the fun. Most people would know I was a cultural blogger (I’m sorry I’ve neglected it a little) and now blog about my reading journey and random book thoughts. I’ve only started this blog in April and I’ve have some much fun, I can’t wait to share my future thoughts with the readers.

Best In Books 2012

 1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)  

This is a hard question to answer, do I pick my favourite book released in 2012 or overall? I would say Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky was my all time favourite out of all the books I’ve read this year, with honourable mentions to Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway and Swimming Home by Deborah Levy .

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

It’s not that I didn’t like this book, but I felt that Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel by Robin Sloan really lacked the elements needed to make it great.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?

I went into Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann thinking it would be a generic family drama, but found some very dark elements to it that really pleased me.

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

I think I recommended Swimming Home by Deborah Levy and Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway a few times but I think my top recommendation was either The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

A little late to the party but The Passage and The Twelve by Justin Cronin, were great reading highlights in 2012 and I’m eagerly waiting the final book in the trilogy.

6. Favourite new authors you discovered in 2012?

I tend not to entrench myself too much but some new authors I’ve discovered that I can’t wait to read some more of their works include; Deborah Levy, Nick Harkaway, Gillian Flynn, Elizabeth Haynes, Jeffrey Eugenides and Michael Chabon.

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

I really try to read books in all genres so this question was a little hard for me to answer, but The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon was something I wouldn’t normally pick up but ended up loving.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, I was up to 4am at night wanting to know what will happen next.

 9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

The main one I plan to re-read would be The Artist as Mystic by Yahia Lababidi, there is a lot to it and I want to explore it further.

10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2012?

The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, it really stands out.

11. Most memorable character in 2012?

Peter Brown from Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell because the autofibulectomy scene has left me traumatised.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Currently the first book that comes to mind would be The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Trial by Franz Kafka and even The Artist as Mystic by Yahia Lababidi

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

 15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us”  by Franz Kafka, discovered while reading The Artist as Mystic by Yahia Lababidi.

 16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?

Les Misèrables by Victor Hugo is the longest (followed by 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami) if picture books count for the shortest it would be I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (if not it’s A Life with Books by Julian Barnes).

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It?

The Dinner by Herman Koch; luckily it was a book I read for one of my book clubs

18. Favourite Relationship from a Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc)?

Wouldn’t that have to be Augustus and Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green?

19. Favourite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously?

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else?

From a co-motorator of Literary Exploration; When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger and The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach.

Book Blogging/Reading Life

 1. New favourite book blog you discovered in 2012?

Still Life With Books; I know she hates blogging but I always value her opinions on books.

2. Favourite review that you wrote in 2012?

I’m proud of my Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky review

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

My Experience with the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List where my favourite blog post that sparked some interesting comments, maybe Confessions of a Reader too.

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

I think I would say; go read Still Life With Books for thought provoking reviews.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

Can I name drop and say Supernova, where I met Melina Marchetta and John Birmingham as well as got to hang out with people like Rachel Caine and Felicia Day?

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?

As a new book blogger my blogging highlights include emails or tweets from authors thanking me for reviews and Publishers interested in having me review some books.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My ArmchairBEA posts got a lot of activity; Introduction, Best of 2012, Top Tips for Book Blogging and A Positive Experience with Books. It was an amazing experience and I found so many great book bloggers.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Expected some love for He Died with His Eyes Open but didn’t get any.

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

The Folio Society, it has so many beautiful books that I would love to own.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I started off with my regular 100 book challenge but half way through the year, I increased it to 150. I completed this challenge in November and now taking the time to read some bigger books.

Looking Ahead…

 1. One Book You Didn’t Get to In 2012 but Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

 Nothing comes to mine, I feel like I accomplished what I wanted this year. There are some review copies I need to read but I’m sure I’ll get to it.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan (I hope it’s still scheduled for 2013 and doesn’t get delayed) I love this series and want to see how it ends.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

I hope that the Literary Exploration challenge is a huge success; I plan to complete that as my reading challenge (as well as 100 books). As for my blog, I hope it continues to be entertaining.

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