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). 

Fill in the Gaps/Deal Me In Challenge Update December 2015

                           Sign Up                                                              Hosted by Bibliophilopolis

You may remember at the beginning of 2015 I challenged myself to read 100 books in five years. If I read 75 books then the challenge is considered complete. I revealed my list, which you can view here. Throughout the year I crossed off books as I read them and I made a couple changes to the original list after trying to read the original book I set forth for myself and not wanting to finish the book because I wasn't enjoying the book. I finally did the end of the year tally to see how many of these books I managed to complete in 2015. I'm so proud of myself. I managed to read 16 books, which puts me right on track to finish 75. I need to read around 20 a year to complete the 100, but if I manage to binge read some of the series I have on my list then I can made a lot of progress towards my goal.

So in no particular order these are the books I read for the Deal Me In/ Fill in the Gaps personal challenge.