Quest Reviews' Year in Review

For progressives in the United States, 2017 has been a garbage fire. We've all been dealing with the crisis in our own ways, and many of us, when we're not busy protesting or calling our elected officials, have retreated to our books to escape reality.

Without further ado, I give you the Perpetual Page-Turner's 2017 End of Year Book Survey.

2017 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 126 (as of December 17)

 

Number of Re-Reads: I don't count my re-reads. They just happen.

Genre You Read The Most From: Romance

Best In Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2017? 

 

The Duchess Deal, by Tessa Dare

 

 

 2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, by Mackenzi Lee 

I gave this book four stars, but I was really expecting it to be my favorite book of the year.

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

Ride With Me, by Ruthie Knox

 This book was so, so enjoyable, and it was written in a different style than Knox's other books. 

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

Turtles All the Way Down, by John Green

I told my mom to read this book, and she actually did. 

 5. Best series you started in 2017? The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) Best Sequel of 2017? Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels #3) Best Series Ender of 2017? Slightly Dangerous (Slightly #6)

All historical romances...

 

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017? 
Lucy Parker (Pretty Face)This new author, writes SO well, and so intelligently. I can't believe she doesn't have more books under her belt, for being such an accompished writer! 

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone? Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer

Ironically, I was assigned this book in college, but never read it until this year.

 

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

The Promise of Jenny Jones, by Maggie Osborne

Do yourself a favor and read this romantic, Western adventure!

 

9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? 

The Duchess Deal, by Tessa Dare

Let's be honest, I've already re-read it this year about six times, MINIMUM 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017? 

The Afterlife of Holly Chase, by Cynthia Hand

11. Most memorable character of 2017? 

Jessica Trent (Lord of Scoundrels)

 

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017? 

Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor

 

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017? 

The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins

I became an atheist this year, and this book actually made me stop feeling guilty about that. 

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read? 

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase

 

15. Favorite Quote From a Book Read in 2017? 

"I let go of the wheel halfway home and Jesus drove me the rest of the way." — Love Me Never (This book had too many fantastic one-liners to pick a solid winner, but this will do.)
 

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017? 

A Court of Wings and Ruin, by Sarah J. Maas and Silent Blade, by Illona Andrews

 

17. Book That Shocked You The Most: 

The Afterlife of Holly Chase, by Cynthia Hand

You just have to read it to see what I mean...

 

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

Jessica and Dain (Lord of Scoundrels)

 

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year: 

Domino and Wilson (Violet Grenade)

 

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously: 

The Duchess Deal, by Tessa Dare

 

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure: 

Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase 

 

22. Newest crush from a book you read in 2017? 

Mary Jane Wells, the audiobook narrator of The Duchess Deal

 

23. Best 2017 debut you read? 

Daughter of the Pirate King, by Tricia Levenseller

 

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

Harper's Bride, by Alexis Harrington

 

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

The Duchess Deal, by Tessa Dare 

 

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017? 

Forever Right Now, by Emma Scott

The big reveal in this book absolutely slayed my heart in the BEST way. (They were happy tears.)

 

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year? 

Violet Grenade, by Victoria Scott

 

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul? 

Forever Right Now, by Emma Scott

IN A GOOD WAY! 

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017? 

Love Me Never, by Sara Wolf

The humor of this book was SO out there and perfectly imperfect. It wasn't studied or practiced. The author just lobbed joke after joke at us.

 

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

Eliza and Her Monsters, by Francesca Zappia

I can't say why because of spoilers, but there was one character who I wanted to kick off the island.

Your Blogging Life

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017? Sierra?! Sierra?! Save me here!

 

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017? My Pride and Prejudice discussion post.

 

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog? Discussion posts are kind of my thing, but I'd say... my Asexual's Guide to Romance Novels 

 

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? Sierra went to BookCon and brought me back an entire BAG of gifts! It was almost like I was there, especially since we were on the phone a lot during her time in NYC.

 

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017? Coming out as asexual in a blog post.

 

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year? It has been SO HARD to stay motivated with writing posts and to keep in touch with other bloggers.

 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)? Same as last year! The infamous It Ends With Us post. 

 

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love? I LOVED writing my Pride and Prejudice post. Only Sierra and I have read it, I'm pretty sure.

 

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)? I subscribed to three months of OwlCrate and LOVED it.

 

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year? Not yeeeeet. I'm aaaaaalmost at my Goodreads reading goal.

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018? I have an entire Goodreads shelf devoted to this. 

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)? The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black

 

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? Not Even Bones, by Rebecca Schaeffer

 

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018? The Governess Game, by Tessa Dare

 

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018? Get everything back on track. Everything.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Pre-Blogging TBR Books Yet To Be Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Ellen: This week's topic is about our bitterest defeats of resolve, our worst failures to follow through. It's about our Top 10 TBR Books From Our Pre-Blogging Days That We've Yet To Read.

Ellen's Picks

The Light Bearer · Donna Gillespie

I've been meaning to read this since 2012, when one of my college besties told me that it was incredible. I EVEN OWN THE BOOK, I just haven't gotten around to picking it up. I know it's long and that's kind of intimidating.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower · Stephen Chbosky

I both do want to read this book, and don't. On one hand, it's quite famous and I feel like I should read it on that virtue alone. However, something tells me that I won't like this book. I don't know how I got that idea, but I can't shake it.

Cracked Up To Be · Courtney Summers

I've read Courtney Summer's zombie apocalypse duology, and really enjoyed it. I hear wonderful things about her contemporary pieces as well, and I really need to get around to reading them.

Feed · M.T. Anderson 

I truly regret having to pick this book and feature it, because the cover is one of the ugliest I've ever clapped eyes upon. But, "don't judge a book..." yadda yadda. I've been meaning to read this story since 2013, but have never gotten around to it. What's worse is, I own a copy of it already. I hear that it's a great piece of YA fiction, so that only adds to my guilt.

Like a few titles on this list, I own this book. In physical copy, e-book format, and the audio-recording. Yes, the triple crown. I guess I keep thinking that in a different format, I'll finish the book. It hasn't happened. I can't even with myself. Ellen, READ THE GODDAMN BOOK!!!

Night Beach · Kirsty Eagar 

Kirsty Eagar has three books under her belt. Including Night Beach, she's written Summer Skin and Raw Blue. I loved both of those two, latter books. Absolutely loved them. So why haven't I read Night Beach?!

Inkheart · Cornelia Funke

Inkheart is supposed to be a high middle-grade, low YA classic. The fact that I haven't read it yet stings.

Moby-Dick · Herman Melville

I really enjoy Herman Melville's dark sense of humor. So, I've been wanting to read his masterpiece, Moby-Dick, since college.

Franny and Zooey · J.D. Salinger

I was one of those people in high school, who really "responded" to The Catcher In the Rye. I figured at the time, if I was going to be a true Salinger fan, I had to read Fanny and Zooey. Never happened.

The Knife of Never Letting Go · Patrick Ness

This is a critically acclaimed YA and I haven't read it. In fact, I haven't read anything by Patrick Ness. Nope, not even A Monster Calls. The thing is, I've tried, with multiple books, to get into the writing, to no avail. Someone help me.

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That's it for this week, everyone! Make sure to leave your links below to your TTT and we'll be sure to visit and drop you a line! Happy Tuesday!

The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings » Week 3

Thank you for joining us for our THIRD week of The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings!

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Sierra's Pick

I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1) by Barry Lyga

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.

"By the time Jazz got to the field outside town, yellow police tape was everywhere, strung from stake to stake in a sort of drunken, off-kilter hexagon."

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

Pg 56
"In his sleep, there was a knife.
       A knife in a sink.
       There was always a knife in a sink.
       And a voice.
       And a hand.
       A hand on the knife.
       Sometimes he thought -
       (no)
       - he thought -
       (no don't don't don't you go and)
       Easy, a voice says. So easy. It's just like cutting chicken.
       And another voice says:
       (no)
       It's okay. It's okay. I want -
       And sometimes he thinks
       (no)
       A knife."

This book first came to my attention when Ali wrote a review about it on her blog, My Guilty Obsession. With a synopsis like that, I couldn't resist!

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We look forward to reading your Book Beginnings & The Friday 56! Remember to link them below so we can come visit :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books With An Ocean Setting

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Books With an X Setting, where X is each blog's own choice. Ellen immediately was drawn to a certain setting... the ocean. What especially is interesting to her, is how the ocean can play a meaningful part in the book, whether it's an important backdrop, a symbolic force, or even a source of conflict! With these choices below, the stories would not exist or be as powerful without the ocean being involved.

Sierra's Picks

A Ring of Endless Delight · Madeline L'Engle
Austin Family #5

This is a childhood favorite of mine that still holds up for me after all these years. I remember re-reading this book over and over again during those times that I longed to be a part of the Austin family. This book focuses on Vicky Austin and her siblings while they visit their ailing grandfather who lives on an island. During this time, Vicky gets involved with a friend's research on dolphins. Her time in the ocean and her connections with her dolphin friends play a big role as she tries to accept her grandfather's fate. As a fun fact, this is also a Disney Channel original movie! I believe Jared Padelecki made his debut here.

Ship of Magic · Robin Hobb
Liveship Traders #1

This has been a popular entry on my Top Ten Tuesdays! I can't help it guys, it just fits SO WELL. This is about a merchant family who makes their living from sailing their liveship from port to port. Liveships are made from a special type of wood which allows the ships to have a semblance of sentience. After three generations of family members pass away on the liveship, the liveship awakens as a fully sentient being. THAT PREMISE IS SO COOL. And you know, the ocean is important cause... ships. Duh.

The Scorpio Races · Maggie Stiefvater

One of my ALL-TIME favorites! It happens to be Ellen's as well and she also picked this one for her list! Her description is far superior than anything I could write up.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane · Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a gorgeous writer. This whole book is so damn quotable. It's also a wonderful introduction to Neil's adult works since this is the shortest of his published novels. This book is whimsical and child-like but not in a way that's patronizing or superficial. I will not say anymore. It is best to go into this book with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and lose yourself for a few hours with no interruptions.

Troubled Waters · Sharon Shinn
Elemental Blessings #1

This was my first Sharon Shinn book and it definitely wasn't the last! My memory of this book is a little dull (time for a re-read I daresay). I don't believe there is mention of the ocean per-say. However, the elements and elemental magic play a huge role within this society. Water, of course, is one of them.

Ellen's Picks

The Rapture of the Deep · L.A. Meyer 

Of course, I knew I'd be picking an L.A. Meyer book! The question was... which freaking one? It came down to In the Belly of the Bloodhound versus The Rapture of the Deep. I went so far as to put the cover up for In the Belly of the Bloodhound, but changed my mind when writing this feature. In The Rapture of the Deep, Jackie Faber is coerced by the British government into recovering huge amounts of treasure from a Spanish shipwreck off the Bahamas. They give her new technology, a diving bell, and tell Jackie to get them their money... or else. The descriptions of Jackie's underwater explorations are breathtaking. Also... feminism! As a British "lady" in the 1800's, it was extremely untoward for Jackie to be so athletic. Seeing her drop jaws and swim like a fish makes for fist-lifting triumph!

Daughter of Deep Silence · Carrie Ryan

The ocean is a striking backdrop for a vicious revenge tale in Daughter of Deep Silence. The book wasn't the best read on the planet, but I loved the role that water played in the story. It vacillates amongst being a harsh adversary, a chilling reminder, and a sensual surrounding. Although it isn't explicitly communicated, I also thought that the unforgiving and boundless ocean echoed the main character's rage and her need for revenge.

Read my full review of Daughter of Deep Silence HERE.

The Scorpio Races · Maggie Steifvater

The Scorpio Races is one of my favorite books of all time. In it, the mythology of the Capaill Uisce, or flesh-eating water horses, is brought to life. What if the Capaille Uisce were real? What if their only home on land was a small, cold island? What if people, from around the world, came to that island to witness an annual, deadly race along a rocky stretch of beach? All of these what-ifs and more are answered and explored in The Scorpio Races. 

Read my full review of The Scorpio Races HERE.

The Odyssey · Homer

In The Odyssey, an ocean separates Odysseus from his home and his family following the Trojan War. He must travel across the watery landscape for years, encountering and outsmarting the worst monsters that the sea and the gods can spew at him. This epic poem originated in Greece, and having the great fortune to have visited that country, I can attest that the ocean is a powerful and unescapable facet of the landscape. How apt that one of Greece's greatest epics would feature the ocean so prominently.

The Child of the Prophecy · Juliet Marillier 

This book is so romantic! The daughter of a reclusive sorcerer, Fianne is destined to play a crucial role in a prophecy. Fianne grows up knowing that she will have to make great sacrifices in her life, but her friendship with a traveling gypsy boy, Darragh, is an idyllic part of her childhood. One season every year, Darragh and his family travel to Fianne's village, and the children play by the rocky coastline adjacent to Fianne's home in the cliffside caves. When they grow up, however, Fianne must leave home to begin her heart-wrenching task. Darragh, however, will not give up on the girl he loves. This story is epic and beautiful, and the ocean becomes, many times, a way for Darragh to prove his incredible devotion. How, you ask? You'll just have to read to find out!

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We are so incredibly excited to see what you guys picked as your setting. Make sure you link your own Top Ten Tuesday so we can stop by and say hello!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings » Week 2

Thank you for joining us for our second week of The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings!

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Sierra's Pick

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen #1) by Alison Goodman

New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman’s eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!

London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.

"In the sun-warmed quiet of her uncle's library, Lady Helen Wrexhall spread the skirt of her muslin morning gown and snk into the deep curtsy required for Royal presentation: back held straight, head slightly bowed, left knee bent so low, it nearly touched the floor. And, of course, face set into a serene Court smile."

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

Pg 56
"Helen flexed her wrist, shifting the miniature into a firmer position against her palm. Her paper-thin kid glove was damp with perspiration, and stuck to her skin. There were too many bodies in the room, filling the air with an overpowering stink of stale perfume and sweat, not to mention the heavy anticipation that seemed to press down upon everyone like black clouds on a thundery day."

My dearest (and only) co-blogger Ellen has already read and reviewed this book. Find her thoughts HERE.

Ellen's Pick

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Faith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is modest and well mannered—a proper young lady who knows her place. But inside, Faith is burning with questions and curiosity. She keeps sharp watch of her surroundings and, therefore, knows secrets no one suspects her of knowing—like the real reason her family fled Kent to the close-knit island of Vane. And that her father’s death was no accident.

In pursuit of revenge and justice for the father she idolizes, Faith hunts through his possessions, where she discovers a strange tree. A tree that only bears fruit when she whispers a lie to it. The fruit, in turn, delivers a hidden truth. The tree might hold the key to her father’s murder. Or, it might lure the murderer directly to Faith herself, for lies—like fires, wild and crackling—quickly take on a life of their own.

 

"The boat moved with a nauseous, relentless rhythm, like someone chewing on a rotten tooth. The islands just visible through the mist also looked like teeth, Faith decided. Not fine, clean Dover teeth, but jaded, broken teeth, jutting crookedly amid the wash of the choppy gray sea."

The conversation promptly exploded into a debate about evolution.

Natural scientists liked to argue and debate. Back at the rectory Faith had grown used to her father’s guests smiling, bantering, and my-dear-fellow-ing over their tea, while racing their rival theories like prize ponies. The disagreements about evolution were always different, however. There was a crackle of fear behind them, a rawness like splintered wood.

The same rawness and tension filled the conversation now. To Faith’s surprise, the mild, courteous Clay was one of the loudest and most fervent voices.

“Lamarck and Darwin are leading the world into a great error!” he declared. “If we say that species change, then we say that they were created imperfect! We criticize God himself!”

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Ellen: There you have it, readers! The Dark Days Club and The Lie Tree are what we're working through now! Let us know below what you're reading. Remember to link your Book Beginnings and Friday 56's!

The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings » Week 1

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This is my first time attempting these blog memes, but it looks like so much fun that I absolutely couldn't resist.

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The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

No matter what he does or the decisions he makes, when death comes, Harry always returns to where he began, a child with all the knowledge of a life he has already lived a dozen times before. Nothing ever changes.

Until now.

As Harry nears the end of his eleventh life, a little girl appears at his bedside. ‘I nearly missed you, Doctor August,’ she says. ‘I need to send a message.’

This is the story of what Harry does next, and what he did before, and how he tries to save a past he cannot change and a future he cannot allow.

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.

"The second cataclysm began in my eleventh life, in 1996. I was dying my usual death, slipping away in a warm morphine haze, which she interrupted like an ice cube down my spine." 

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

Pg 56
"Why, in all my years in the east, had I not bothered to learn even a little kung fu?"

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I'm excited to finally read this book! It's a book I need to finish to accomplish one of my challenges for this year's Booktube-a-thon.

Happy Friday, everyone!