2012 BOOKISH SURVEY

  

SARAH SAYS READ gave me permission to steal her questions for my 2012 Survey:

How many books did you read in 2012?

A dismal 48.  I strive for 100 every year, but 2012 was dang busy.  At some points in the year I was carrying 18 college credits, working full-time and chasing after my high-octane boys.  There's always next year right? 

Did you accomplish your reading goals?

Not even close (see above). 

Did you successfully complete any reading challenges?

I purposely stayed away from challenges this year.  Well, I joined Carl's RIP, but never did post a spooky read.

1. Ten favorite reads of 2012?  (These aren't in favorite order).

1.    The Awakening by Kate Chopin
2.    Some Assembly Required by Anne LaMott

3.    His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
4.    Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5.    Big Girl Small by Rachel DeWoskin
6.    Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (Mostly for the read-a-long fun)
7.    A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
8.   Where'd You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple
9.   The Racketeer by John Grisham

10. Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers    

2. Ten worst reads of 2012?

I don't think I'm going to have 10 because I didn't read enough.  I'll just give the grand prize to:

A Casual Vacancy by JK Rowlings.  There I said it and I won't be sorry for it.

3. Favorite authors that you read for the first time this past year?

I am now A-Number 1 Fangirl of Robert Goolrick.  I mean a real Fangirl.  Honorable mention goes to Gillian Flynn.

4. Worst authors that you read for the first time this past year?

I'm going Hanna Pylvainen with We Sinners.  I didn't get it and the chapters were quite out of order.

5. Favorite releases of 2012?

Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers.  This is not my usual genre, but it turned out to be quite a page-turner.

6. Favorite re-reads of 2012?  

I am not much of a re-reader lately.  I use to re-read regularly.  I think blogging has prevented me from re-visiting books because my TBR is a mile long.  I did re-read A Long Way Home, A Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang.  I did enjoy it the 2nd time as much or a more as I did the 1st time.

7. Funniest book you read this year?

Where'd You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple.  I'm not sure if it was laugh on the floor funny, but it was funny.

8. Saddest book you read this year?

Definitely An Interrupted Life and Letters from Westerbork by Etty Hillesum.  She was murdered at Auschwitz.

9. Book that made you want to throw it across the room?

A Casual Vacancy   by JK Rowlings

10. Favorite non-fiction read this year?

Some Assembly Required, A Journal of My Son's First Son by Anne Lamott


11. Favorite quotes of passages from books you read this year?

I've always meant to keep better track of all those passages that stun me.  Stay tuned.  In 2013, I do believe I will start a Quote Page on my blog so that I don't lose them.

12. Any new favorite bookish apps / websites / trends?

I have no idea.  I will try to track some of this down in 2013 though.

13. Any regrets over “read” or “to-read” lists?

I wish I could have read much, much more this year.  There were times in the year that I actually had to fight depression because I couldn't find "peace, solace or comfort" without my reads.

14. Favorite challenges or goals in 2012?

I don't know if I am a challenge reader/blogger.  I didn't do one this year.

15. How do you feel about your 2012 reading year?

Despair.  Pure despair.

16. Favorite blogs you discovered this year?

I don't like to assign favorite status to any blogs because I always feel crappy for the ones I leave off.  I love you all!  If you made it over to my blogger love sidebar, you can be assured that your blog makes me happy.

17. Did you attend any real-life bookish events? (signings, BEA, National Book Fest, etc.)

No, but I had plenty of missed opportunities.

18. Did you participate in any online bookish events? (readathons, readalongs, etc.)

I did Sarah Says Read mini read-a-thon this year and I participated in two read-a-longs:  The Moonstone and Telegraph Avenue.  I also participated in Banned Books Week at Book Journey.  All of them were a blast and made my blogger year special.         

19. Blogging highlights of this year?

I would say the read-a-longs have been the most fun for me.  I don't know if they translate well for blog readers that are not participating though.

20. What didn’t work for your blog this year?

My real life world got so busy that I did not have adequate time to spend on my blog.

21. Do you have any reading goals in mind for 2013?

I still and will always quest after the big 100 reads.

22. Are you participating in any 2013 reading challenges?

I signed up for the Classics Challenge, but I have a whopping 5 years to complete 50 books.  My kind of challenge - nice and slow.

23. What 2013 new releases are you looking forward to?

Robin LeFevers next installment of Grave Mercy trilogy in April.  I haven't kept track this year, but I'm sure there are a million more.

24. What are some of your 2013 blogging goals or things you want to focus on?

Just being present in a regular way.  Oh, and I'm 48 followers away from 500.  When I started my blog in 2011, I told myself when I hit 500 followers, I would have a successful blog.  Of course, I know better now, but I still am hoping for 500 in 2013!

25. Are you ready to get 2013 started?       

For a million different reasons, yes!

Thanks, Sarah, for letting me have your questions.