Life update January 2016

To you guys it might seem like I have been very present lately, but to me it feels like forever. You see all the posts you guys have got over the last two weeks I wrote in December. I wanted to get a lot of posts wrote over break, so I could continue to post once I started my crazy semester at school. This post is going to be a quick life update. I will have my January Wrap Up and February TBR up sometime in early February.

So here goes the craziness I call my life. I'm taking 21 credits this semester. Take a deep breathe and think about this. In all truth I sit in class 16 hours a week. One class doesn't start until the 2nd 8 weeks and my 3 credit early childhood practicum only meets occasionally. The main idea of that course is to get our hours in at our preschool or kindergarten setting. I already completed many hours for this over Christmas break, but I'm looking for a placement here at college, so I can complete the assignments. I only need about 30 hours here to complete this, but I'm open to more.

Otherwise the rest of my classes don't seem too bad. I'm just trying to stay ahead with the work because when I fall behind that is when it gets overwhelming. I miss my mostly free Fridays I had last semester because that would work so well with my Early Childhood placement.

Since this is my last semester that I will be living on campus I'm trying to make time for my friends as much as possible. I wish it has hit them as hard as it has hit me. Everything is going to change after we leave this May. Our friendships are going to become a lot more difficult to maintain as distance and time will become our enemy. I know that and realize that. I realize that we are all going to end up far apart when we graduate and as much as I would love to continue to see them all the time our friendships will eventually become where we only see each other a couple times a year.

As I look towards my college graduation I look at all the lasts so much different. I just had my last month long Christmas break. I just had my last first day of college classes. I am going to have my last spring break. As a teacher I'm still going to get summer vacation and Christmas break, but they are a different type of break than the college ones. Although I'm excited about my future I'm not quite ready to leave college life behind. I have loved college. It has been a great experience. It is just really starting to hit me that the real world is close.

Life is every changing for me right now. I have a year and a half left and then I will be teaching in my own classroom. Its crazy to believe that this dream I have had ever since I was a little girl is finally coming true. For now I'm reminding myself to make time for myself, do things I enjoy, and not stress out about the present or the future.

#ShelfLove 2016 January Post: My TBR Pile 2016

Here's all the books that I have at my house that I have not read. I see so many lovely books on this pile that I do hope to get to this year. 

Then these are my ones I have at school. I have managed to read Wonder since I took this picture. Last year I only had 30 books to read off my TBR and this year my number is 57. This still isn't that high, but I bought these books with the hope of reading them and I hope I do get the opportunity to read many of them this year. 

I do not plan to go on an all out book buying ban nor do I plan to start a budget. Neither of these work for me. I just plan to buy books if I know that I want to read them. 

Top Ten 2013/2014 Releases I Still Haven't Read

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I promised an update on the two top ten lists I wrote last year where I featured the 2013/2014 releases I missed. Below I have the books off the lists I still haven't read, but I do want to say I read a few books off the list. Of the 10 books on my 2014 list I finished 2, which are To All the Boys I loved Before by Jenny Han and Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber. of the 10 books on my 2013 list I read 3 books, which are Five Summers by Una LaMarche, The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider, and Sold for Endless Rue by Madeline E. Robins. 

These books are in no particular order. I have added three new books from last years list. I will try to point out which year each book is published, but just know that all these books were published in either 2013 or 2014. I did feature the 2015 releases in a previous top ten tuesday post.
1. Just One Day by Gayle Forman 2013- I now own this book. I picked it up at Barnes and Noble after buying the 2nd book at a library book sale. I think this is a book that I have to be in the right mood for as it is an emotional read.
2. Poison by Bridget Zinn 2013- this is a book I have kind of forgotten about. There was huge hype around this book when it first came out since the author passed about before the book published, but now that the hype is died down I hope to read and enjoy the book.
3. Golden by Jessica Kirby 2013- I also own this book and I think I will enjoy it. I hope to get to this book soon.
4. Landline by Rainbow Rowell 2014- Rainbow Rowell is usually one of those authors I read right when the books come out, but for some reason it hasn't happened with this book.
5. Destiny Rewritten by Katherine Fitzmaurice 2013- I think I'm really going to enjoy this book and as I need to read middle grade for my literature class I think this would be a great choice.
6. Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour 2014- I own this book and I was so excited to be it, but it still sits on my shelf.
7. Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson 2013- This is a retelling of Rumpelstilskin and I'm hoping to read more fairy tales this year, so far they have been my main interest.
8. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson 2014- one of my sister's favorite books of last year and we do own it. I hope to read this one soon. I have heard glowing reviews for this author.
9. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Mryacle 2013- I own this book and think the cover is beautiful.
10. My Name is Rapunzel by K.C. Hilton 2013- I love Rapunzel and that is what has drawn me to this book.
11. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins 2014- it is my goal to finish this series this year.
12. The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith 2014- Another book I own and think I will enjoy.
13. The Crystal Heart by Sophie Mason 2014- This is a book I need to inter-library loan, but it is a Rapunzel retelling, so I have high hopes.
14. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson 2014- I can't wait to read more books by this author.
15. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 2013- on my recommended list this year and something I'm sure to enjoy.
16. Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis 2014- a fairy tale retelling with mixed reviews, but I'm excited to read it.
17. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee 2014- this is one I saw and was interested immediately, but haven't picked up yet.
18. The Dyerville Tales by M.P. Kozlowsky 2014- another middle grade I should read for my literature class. 

My sister and I are on a book buying ban until we read some more books off our shelves. I have finished one so far this year, but I own 60 books that I haven't read and that number needs to change. We buy really high quality books that we believe we will enjoy and I would like to take the time to enjoy them this year. So here are the books that made my list again this year. Are any of these books still on your list? Are any of these favorites I should start with? 

2015 Book of the Year: Winner Announced

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie. 

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han is my winner for 2015. I loved this book. I related to the older sister Margo as she left for college and the middle sister Lara Jean as she has a bad sense of direction. I enjoyed the family relationships in this book as well as Lara Jean's relationship with both Josh and Peter. The Love Triangle in this book wasn't annoying like it is in some. I still have not read the 2nd novel, but it will be one of my top priority books for 2016. My review can be found here.

I'm interested to see which books won for everybody else. This is such a fun challenge. I would recommend any book from the final 16 down, but when you are look for the really good books look at the final 8.

2015 Book of the Year Bracket Challenge: Final Two

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie. 

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

 This one was a really hard decision for me. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour won on the right side hands down, but the left side was such a hard decision. I loved The Nightingale. I thought this novel was such a different take on WWII and it was one book that made me cry in 2015. To All the Boys is one of the books I most related to and loved in 2015. That is the reason I decided to go with To All the Boys as my final two. I still highly recommend The Nightingale.

So which one do you think will win Amy and Roger or To All the Boys?

2015 Book of the Year Bracket Challenge: Final Four

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie. 

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

My top 4 seriously represents some of my favorite books of 2015. It is going to make it hard to choose my winner.

1. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
2. The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
3. Zac and Mia by AJ Betts
4. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

I own 3 out of these 4 books. I'm glad to own such great novels.

2015 Book of the Year Bracket Challenge: Elite 8

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie. 

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

Here are the Books that made it to the Final 8

1. Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Smantha Van Leer
2. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
3. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
4. The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
5. Zac and Mia by AJ Betts
6. The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
7. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
8. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Kasie West didn't make it as far this year, but there is still two Jessica Day George Books in the Line Up out of the 4 I read by her this year.

Challenges 2016 Part 2

So its not like I need any more challenges. As you all know I have plenty to keep me busy over this year, but I found a few that really interest me and didn't make it into my original challenge sign up.

Hosed by Great Imaginations

The goal is to complete one or all five of the paths. I think I'm going to go with the green path. This challenge runs until April 1st. 

Pink

Book with LGBTQ Romance:

Clairvoyance/Sixth Sense:

Characters with Code Name:

Scandinavian Born Charcters:

Yellow

>500 pg book:

Dragons:

Book to Movie Adapatation:

Novel with a Map:

Green

Stand-A-lone Fantasy: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Single Word Title: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Enchanted Forest:

Strong Female Friendship:

Blue

YA Fantasy:

First Book in a Series:

Purple Themed Cover:

Supernatural Fued:

Purple

YA Sci-Fi:

Novel with a Rebellion:

Prince or Princess:

Last Book in a Series: 

Hosted by Novel Heartbeat

I'm going to try to complete as many squares as possible. I don't believe I will finish the entire card, but if I do that is great. 

B

Listen to an audiobook:

A book with a number in the title:

Read a dystopian

A book with star-crossed lovers:

A book with more than 600 pages: 

I

An author’s sophomore book:

A book with an animal sidekick:

A book that made you cry:

A book with an antihero:

Read a book with a cat:

N

A book with red on the cover:

An author you’ve never read:

A book with a sword or dagger on the cover:

A book with a steamy romance:

G

Re-read an old favorite:

A book with a one-word title: 

A book with a shifter:

A book with a male protag: 

Read a middle grade book:

O

Read an anthology:

A book that’s been on your TBR for a long time:

A book from a debut author:

A book from a genre that’s outside your comfort zone:

Read a book you own:

Hosted by Around the Year in 52 books

This is a goodreads group. It is not only reading 52 books in a year it is specific challenges to complete with 52 books. I completed the first 2 weeks and I'm excited to see how many I complete. I do not expect to complete all of them, but if I achieve over 20 I will consider this challenge complete. 

The 2016 List

1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
2. A book set in a different continent: Soundless by Richelle Mead
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated)
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015 
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name
6. The highest rated on your TBR
7. A book about books
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages
9. A book that was mentioned in another book
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge
12. A childhood classic
13. Reader’s Choice
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago)
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels
17. A book with a beautiful cover
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list
19. A non-fiction book
20. A book with a first name in the title
21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page
22. The first book in a new to you series
23. The next book in a series you are reading
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.)
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you
26. A book everyone is talking about 
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own
31. A work of young adult fiction
32. A historical fiction book
33. The 16th book on your TBR 
34. A book about mental illness
35. An award winning book
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read
38. A book about an anti hero
39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list
40. A novella from your favorite genre
41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)
42. A top 100 fantasy novel
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have
46. A crime story
47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title
48. A dystopia
49. A book with a great opening line 
50. A book originally written in a language other than English
51. A short story from a well-known author
52. A book published in 2016

2015 Book of the Year Bracket Challenge: Sweet 16

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie. 

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

 I didn't make any cuts that really were too hard in this section. I find it funny that 2 Debbie Macomber books got put up against each other. Books that I thought would make it farther didn't because they were put up against some good books such as Beginning of Everything and Sold for Endless Rue.

The books that made it are:
1. Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Smantha Van Leer
2. The Fill in Boyfriend by Kasie West
3. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
4. Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
5. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
6. Five Summers by Una LaMarche
7. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
8. The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
9. Zac and Mia by AJ Betts
10. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
11. A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber
12. The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
13. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
14. A Step from Heaven by An Na
15. Sold for Endless Rue by Madeline E. Robins
16. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Series 2016

Crazy that I have done this post for three years now. Check out my Series 2014, and Series 2015 to see my progress or lack thereof over the three years I have done this post. I'm hope to binge read series this year as I have many completed trilogies on the list and a couple doulogy where I own both books in the series. 

Started, but not finished:

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer- The Lunar Chronicles has been on my list since I originally did this post as a Top Ten Tuesday Post before I ever started the series. This is one of my all time favorite series. I read Fairest this year shortly after it came out in a day. It would be completed by now if the library was a little faster, but I'm still waiting for my copy of Winter to come in. This will be the last year that this series makes it on the list, but do not fear Marissa Meyer has a new series coming out and I will read anything this woman writes. 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- I said Isla would be a priority in 2015, but it didn't happen, but I want to finish this series in 2016. 

Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber- I just read A Cedar Cove Christmas. I have four books left in this series, so I think it is a real posibility that I will finish this series this year. The TV show is working on book 5 right now. 

Once Upon a Time by Various Authors- I read Golden and Sunlight and Shadow in 2014. I did not return to this series this year. I may read a couple books off this long series in 2016. 

Faerie Tale Collection by Jenni James- I read Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel in 2015. I have requested Jack and the Beanstalk and Snow White through Inter-Library Loan, so I will read them early in the year. I own The Frog Prince on my kindle. This series is ever expanding and Jenni James has many plans for new novels in this series. Expect to see it on this list in 2017. 

To All the Boys by Jenny Han- I read the first book in this doulogy this year and we bought the second book, but I haven't picked it up yet. I hope to finish this dou this year. 

Castle Glower by Jessica Day George- I picked up Tuesdays at the Castle randomly this year, but I have yet to continue the series. 

Fangirl & Carry On by Rainbow Rowell- Rainbow Rowell wrote the companion novel to Fangirl this year. I have it checked out from the library and it will probably be one of my first reads of 2016. 

Haven't Started, but Want To

Blossom Street Series by Debbie Macomber- This is the next Debbie Macomber series I plan to tackle. Since I will finish Cedar Cove it might be started sometime this year. 

Delirium by Lauren Oliver- My sister read and enjoyed this series. I hope to get to it at some point. 

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare- I love me some Cassandra Clare so I need to read this entire trilogy before she starts the Dark Artifacts trilogy. I have until March of this year. With this entire series on my Homework Assignment challenge this trilogy will be read this year. 

Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu- This has been on my list for the past three years. If I don't get to the books this year I will probably remove them from the list. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor- I think this is a trilogy I will enjoy. 

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski- I own the first two books and the trilogy will be complete this year. 

Hundred Oaks by Miranda Kenneally- This series is now up to 6 books and I haven't read any, but I would love to read this series. I'm especially interested in Breathe Annie Breathe since it is about running. 

Series Finished in 2015:

The Princesses of Westfalin Series by Jessica Day George- I finally read my first Jessica Day George and let's just say I fell in love with this series. It was magical and Jessica Day George did an amazing job. 

Caroline Series by Maria D. Wilkes and Celia Wilkins- It took me 9 years to finish every Laura Ingalls Wilder and every spin off series, but I have finally completed all of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, and all the books about her great grandmother Martha, grandmother Charlotte, mother Caroline, and daughter Rose. The pioneer spirit is still alive through Laura's books. These are books I hope to read to my children in the future. 

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer- Jodi Picoult and her daugther wrote these novels. Compared to Jodi Picoult usual novels these are more lighthearted. The companion novel was magical and it was so exciting to see Oliver come to life. The ending was spectacular and I'm glad that there was a happy ending.  

After finishing many series in 2014 I took a break from series reading in 2015. I do hope to continue to read many standalones in 2016, but I hope to complete and start some series also. 

2015 Book of the Year Bracket Challenge: Bracket Revealed

BOTY Bracket Challenge is hosted by Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie.

January 20th : Initial eliminations. All rounds of eliminations needed to get the number of contestants reduced to 32. 

January 21st : Elimination to find the Sweet Sixteen.

January 22nd : Reducing challengers to eight books - the Elite Eight.

January 23rd : Quarterfinals. Determine your Final Four.

January 24th : Semi-Finals. Only two may enter the final arena.

         January 25th : Finals...the Champion will be determined. Announce your Book of the Year!

 I read 38 books this year, so this is my starting bracket. I eliminated a few books to make the 32 bracket work. I will be skipping the 7th's post since this is my final 32.

Let Me Know: Did you read any of these books in 2015?

2015 End of Year Book Survey

Hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner

It just wouldn't be an end of the year wrap up with out the end of the year book survey. I didn't read as many books or blog as much as usual in 2015. Overall not a lot of books that I read this year really stuck out to me. I was in a reading slump for majority of the year. I'm looking forward to better reading year for 2016.

Number Of Books You Read:38
Number of Re-Reads:0
Genre You Read The Most From:Contemporary

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, and Off the Page by Jodi Picoult. I never can have just one favorite. I will narrow it down in My Book of the Year Bracket Challenge coming soon. 

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

 I was super excited for The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows and I ended up really not enjoying this book and it put me into my huge reading slump that lasted until early December. I read throughout this reading slump, but much slower than usual. I loved Jodi Meadows Incarnate series, but this book just didn't have a whole lot going on and I wasn't able to keep up with what was going on very well. Some people loved this book, but it just wasn't for me. 

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I expected to love this book, but I didn't expect to get so emotional attached to the characters and learn so much about history from this book. 

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

 This year my sister pushed me to read To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and I did and I loved it. 

 5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

 Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George is the best series I started and finished. I loved all three of these books. 

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

 Morgan Matson. I need to read more books by her. 

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

 A Step from Heaven by An Na. I had to read this book for my ESL class and I chose a short book, so if I didn't like it wouldn't take up too much reading time. I was pleasantly surprised to love this book. 

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

 The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider. I read this one in a day for Dewey's April Read-A-Thon. 

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

 none I do not reread a lot. 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

 Vianne and Isabelle from The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Another year where I'm going to sing Kristin Hannah's praises. 

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

 I don't think I had one this year. 

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

 Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

Like last year I'm going to skip this one. I don't keep track of quotes. 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

 Longest: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Shortest: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (that ending)

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Lara Jean and Josh from To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

 Vianne and Isabelle from The Nightingale

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider (my sister again)

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Roger from Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Josh from To All the Boys by Jenny Han

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

no debuts this year. 

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

-skip

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Nightgale by Kristin Hannah

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Princess Series by Jessica Day George

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows. I think frustrated is more the word for this book. 

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

Geeky Bloggers Book Blog 

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

I really didn't feel like writing reviews this year so I didn't. I reviewed very few of the books I read this year. I don't necessarily have a favorite. 

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

I didn't really write discussion post this year. 

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

Dewey's Readathon

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

I enjoyed taking this year off from review requests and just having a laid back year for 2015. I enjoyed the challenges I participated in this year. 

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

My 6 month reading slump was definetely a challenge. I read throughout this reading slump, but very slowly. I just didn't feel like reading and I don't believe I enjoyed the books I read during this period as much as I could have. 

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

Looking for Alaska by John Green Book Review

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I love comments and would love to get more love on all my posts. My personal posts are mostly ignored, but I sure do enjoy writing them. 

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

Bookoutlet, enough said. 

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

I completed majority of my reading challenges and goals for this year.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Last year I hoped to read Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins and that never happened, so I will be sure to read that book in 2016. I would say my number one priority is going to be Winter by Marissa Meyer. I'm waiting (not so patiently) for my copy to come in at the library.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (My goal is to read the Clockwork trilogy before this one comes out).

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I don't pay much attention to debuts, but I love when I find out that I'm reading a debut. 

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

To be truthful none. I haven't been keeping up with series. 

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

I hope to continue to read the books I want to read and enjoy reading. I'm heading into a very busy 2016 where I will finish up my last semester of classes before I begin student teaching in the fall. 

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

-I have not read any 2016 releases. 

I am so looking forward to seeing everybody else's end of the year book survey because that TBR always needs more books (not).