I came across this survey on the wonderful blog, Never Enough Novels, and thought back to those years in high school when online surveys were THE thing. I loved filling them out, so I thought a reading survey would be right up my alley. Some of the answers will be familiar if you read My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017 post, but there’s some new stuff in here, I promise.
This excellent survey is the creation of Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner, so I’ve linked this post to her site. I completed the first two portions, which focus on this year’s reading. I’m not sure if I’ll get to the final two parts, but check back in a week or two to see if I’ve updated the post. For now, please enjoy my year in books!
2017 Reading Stats
Number Of Books You Read:
As of today (12/21) I’ve read 152 but I’m still hoping to my 160-book goal by 11:59 p.m. on 12/31/17. Wish me luck!
Number of Re-Reads:
A big fat zero on this one! But I do plan on re-reading a bunch of my old favorites in 2018 to see if they’re still favorites
Genre You Read The Most From:
I read A LOT of children’s literature, but a good deal of that is for work, so I’m going to answer this question with grown-up books in mind. The answer is…I have no clue! In looking at everything I read, I was pleased to see how varied my grown-up reading is. Check out my Goodreads Year in Reading to see all the titles I got through in 2017.
Best in Books
Best Book You Read In 2017?
(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2017 release vs. backlist)
My cheat will be to choose one fiction and one non-fiction title. The best fiction book I read was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and the best non-fiction was You’ll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein.
Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Sip, by Brian Allen Carr
It was way more violent than I expected. I’m usually fine with violence, but I didn’t think there’d be any, so the fact there was quite a bit was alarming.
Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah (in a good way)
I usually shy away from thing that are popular or that tons of people are gushing over. The Nightingale definitely fell in this category, but when I read it, I absolutely loved it and was surprised at how well written it was. So, yay!
Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari
I recommended the audiobook in particular because Aziz reads it. His narration gives so much character and life to the text.
Best series you started in 2017?
Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan
I have the rest of the books sitting on my shelf and I can’t wait to dig in.
Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?
Fredrik Backman
He’s not a new author, per se, but he’s new to me. I read A Man Called Ove earlyish in the year, Beartown mid-year, and I just finished his Christmas book, The Deal of Lifetime, a week or two ago. I’m excited to get through his whole body of work!
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
I don’t dislike fantasy, I just don’t read much of it. I was very glad I took a friend’s recommendation on this one.
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Final Girls, by Riley Sager
This one was fantastically twisty and addictive.
Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
I’m not much of a re-reader, but if I had to choose one, it would be my favorite chapters of You’ll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein. If I were feeling down, I know they would make me laugh and buoy my spirits.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?
Goodbye, Vitamin, by Rachel Khong
What can I say? I’m a sucker for bright colors.
Most memorable character of 2017?
Don Tillman from The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion
Such a funny dude without meaning to be and infuriating but loveable…Don Tillman was a great character to get to know.
Most beautifully written book read in 2017?
Crossing To Safety, by Wallace Stegner
I have so many lines highlighted simply because the writing was so lovely.
Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?
The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too), by Gretchen Rubin
This book has changed the way I approach new people as well as people I’ve known forever. It’s amazing how well everyone fits into one of these four categories of personalities. Read this book if you want to understand yourself and others WAAAAAY better.
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I think it had been on my TBR for quite a while when I finally found it at a used book sale this spring. I guess not owning it was the only thing holding me back.
Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?
I am terrible at keeping track of quotes, and the one book (Crossing To Safety) that I actually highlighted quotes from was a library e-loan, so I lost them. Sad face!
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?
Shortest: The Princess Cora and the Crocodile, by Laura Amy Schlitz (80 pages)
Longest: Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2), by Diana Gabaldon (754 pages)
Book That Shocked You The Most
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)
Behind Her Eyes, by Sarah Pinborough
I went into this book knowing that it was going to have a major twist, but it was still a complete and utter surprise. Sarah Pinborough has quite the imagination!
OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)
Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon!
I think I’m a little swayed by the beautiful actors of the show, but I still stand by it.
Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Alex Petroski and his dog, Carl Sagan, from the wonderful book See You in the Cosmos, by Jack Cheng.
Jack Cheng truly shows how important relationships with our animal friends can be!
Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
It’s a tie between two of my favorite authors, David Sedaris and John Green. So, the two books are: Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977 – 2002, by David Sedaris (which I reviewed for my Worth the Read? series in July) and Turtles All the Way Way Down, by John Green.
Neither are my all-time favorite from either author, but they’re both super solid reads.
Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
Thank you to the art teacher (also someone I consider a great person and friend) at my school for recommending this. I’m not huge on series, but I think I’ll go for it with this one.
Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?
And it’s another mention of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I couldn’t get enough of Dawsey Adams! So siked to see Michiel Huisman (of Game of Thrones fame) play him in the upcoming film next year.
Best 2017 debut you read?
Goodbye, Vitamin, by Rachel Khong
Short, sweet, and a perfect blend of laughs and tears; I can’t believe this book was a debut.
Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson
The man is a genius at world-building!
Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians makes another appearance! The fact I’m half Asian made the book extra funny and enjoyable. I really related to a lot of the cultural aspects of the story and the playful ways Kevin Kwan poked fun at them.
Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?
I guess I’m a cold, unfeeling person because nothing got me even close to crying this year!
Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, by Michael Finkel
I don’t think this book truly qualifies as hidden, but I don’t read very much non-fiction, so it was a unique read for me.
Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Kindred, by Octavia Butler
I wouldn’t say the whole book “crushed my soul,” but the scenes of violence towards slaves were absolutely heart wrenching.
Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?
Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds
I am a ginormous Jason Reynolds fan and Long Way Down is so well done. It’s uniqueness comes partly from the fact it’s told in verse. However, what’s really different and special about the book is that each chapter is a stop on the main character’s trip down his apartment elevator. He is on a mission to avenge his brother’s death, and on each floor, he encounters someone connected with his brother.
Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf
I loved this book and what made me mad was how horrible one of the characters was treating his mom. Be kind and understanding to your moms, y’all!
What were some of the highlights of your 2017 reading year? Please share in the comments below!
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