End of the Year Survey!

I absolutely love surveys and instead of doing something boring for the end of this year, like listing all the books I chose as my monthly favorites, I decided I would do this survey instead! Since my blog is relatively new I thought this would be a good time for me to tell a little more about myself while talking about my favorite thing! This survey is hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner, go check out her awesome website!

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)

I don't even know where to start with this one, I read so many good books this year but my all time favorite had to be The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. This book was ultimately what started my blog, the moment I finished it I felt the need to go out in the world and proclaim how wonderful it was, thus Lovely Books Blog was born:)

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

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. I absolutely loved Delirium but something about Pandemonium just didn't do it for me. The characters and the story just felt different, and not in a good way.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012? 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton! I started this book thinking "ehh I guess I can't avoid it any longer" and ended up LOVING this novel! I don't know why I didn't think it would be good but I started the novel thinking I wouldn't like it and maybe that's why I was so blown away when I fell in love with it. Either way its an amazing novel!

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

Again, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I told everyone I knew to read this book, I told random people at the store to read this book, I begged my whole family to read this book! This novel is the definition of amazing.

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

Since I don't really count The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer a series even though it has a sequel I would have to go with the October Daye series. I absolutely love this series and the romance between Toby and Tybalt makes me want to scream and fall on the floor in joy any time something happens between them! This series is amazing, trust me!

 6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

Other than the obvious Michelle Hodkin I found that I absolutely love Jodi Meadows (Incarnate) , Gail Carriger (The Parasol Protectorate) , Brodi Ashton (Everneath), Seanan McGuire (October Daye), Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me), and Kady Cross (The Steampunk Chronicles)!

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

You Against Me by Jenny Downham, I rarely read realistic fiction and this novel wasn't just realistic fiction but it was also very SERIOUS realistic fiction. Dealing with serious topics such as rape and betrayal this novel was very different than what I usually read.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

I'm staring to sound like a broken record but The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! I read that book in one night, unable to put it down! Some close seconds would be A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, and Incarnate by Jodi Meadows.

 9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

Oh my god, my obsession with The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is starting to get embarrassing. Its feels like its my answer for every question!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

I just loved the sparkly dress on the cover of Fever! I know books with girls in dresses is a huge fad right now, but still, I just loved it:)

11. Most memorable character in 2012? 

Adrian from Bloodlines and The Golden Lily! Seriously, I'm in love with him. If he wasn't a fictional character...

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, it was so different and that's what made it beautiful. I loved the crossed out words, her writing was absolutely perfect for the story.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012? 

Burning Blue by Paul Griffin and You Against Me by Jenny Downham. I loved both of these novels and they really made me open my eyes and think. Burning Blue made me think about beauty and what really constitutes as beautiful, while You Against Me made me think about the horrific ramifications of rape and the impact it has not just on the people involved but their friends and families.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read? 

For sure Supernaturally by Kiersten White, I read Paranormalcy a LONG time ago, right when it came out. I loved it but for some reason I never got around to Supernaturally, which I can't believe because its a part of such a great series!

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012? 

“Wait," I said as Noah slipped a book from a shelf and headed toward the door. "Where are you going?"
"To read?"
But I don't want you to.
"But I need to go home," I said, my eyes meeting his. "My parents are going to kill me."
"Taken care of. You're at Sophie's house."
I loved Sophie.
"So I'm...staying here?"
"Daniel's covering for you."
I loved Daniel.
"Where's Katie?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Eliza's house."
I loved Eliza.
"And your parents?" I asked.
"Some charity thing."
I loved charity.
"So why are you going to read when I'm right here?”

- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I just loved Mara, she always made me smile. I loved this book in so many ways and the dialogue between Mara and Noah was one of my favorite things about this book.

 16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

At 584 pages the longest was  definitely Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. I'm fairly certain the shortest was The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell, however that book was so awful it felt like 500 pages not 293...

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

When Toby and Tybalt kiss in the beginning of Late Eclipses I couldn't help squealing in excitement. I had to call up my friend who introduced me to the series and fangirl with her for a long time... needless to say we are HUGE Toby/Tybalt fans.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

This is such a tough one! There's Noah and Mara from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, there's Toby and Tybalt from October Daye, there's Sydney and Adrian from Bloodlines, there's Sam and Ana from Incarnate, there's Matthew and Diana from A Discovery of Witches... I can't pick!! I'm such a sucker for adorable romance's...

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. Words cannot even begin to describe my love for Richelle Mead, seriously, she is hands down one of my favorite authors of all time. Not to mention I'm in love with Adrian so....

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I had absolutely no interest in reading this novel but one of my friends kept bugging me about it so I eventually gave in! Its a good thing too because I ended up really liking it!

 Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012? 

Such a tough one! I follow so many book blogs its impossible to pick just one!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012? 

My favorite one would have to be my Everneath review. I loved that book so much that I wanted to make the review the best it could be.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Since my blog is fairly new, (only 6 months!) there haven't been any real discussions yet but here's to hoping for 2013!

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

I don't remember who's blog it was on but I read a post on someones blog about how LGBT books were becoming more common for young adults and even children. I'm a huge supporter of equal rights so I was thrilled to find that they were becoming more accepted.

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

Since, as I said, my blog is new I didn't have the  chance to participate in anything this year! But 2013 is right around the corner!

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?

When I got my first request to review someones book! That was a really exciting moment for me, I was so happy that people were so willing to take my blog seriously that they would ask me to review their book! Thank you to everyone who's asked me, its been an honor!

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

Surprisingly it was my post about Anime and Manga and how most people overlook it as good reading material! That one really surprised me. The second most popular one was my review of You Against Me, which also took me by surprise.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My review of Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I loved that book so much that I slaved over that review until I made it the best it could possibly be, then nobody looked at it!

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

Free Kindle books on Amazon!! I never realized how many free books there were on their Kindle store!

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

I didn't really set any goals for myself this year other than getting my blog up and running, which was successful! I plan on setting a few more goals for 2013:)

Looking Ahead…

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

The Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Rayborn! I love the Lady Julia Grey series so I don't even know how I fell so behind.. but it will get read!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead! After the way The Golden Lily ended I didn't even know what to do with my life!

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

I hope I get the chance to read some more diverse books, even though I love all genres I always seem to stick to just one.

The Bottom Shelf: My Favorite Books As a Child

On the very bottom shelf of my book-case there is an odd combination of books, from picture books to slim learning-to-read chapter books the bottom shelf of my bookcase is home to the books I have loved so much in the past I can't possibly bear to get rid of them. Some of them are falling apart and all of them have been read multiple times, with creases on the pages and breaks is in the spine, these books have followed me from my childhood. While my bottom shelf is teaming with books there are three that stand out to me in particular.



Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus was my favorite book as a toddler, having forced my parents to read it to me on most likely a daily basis I had the story memorized word for word and could flip the pages along with the story without even knowing how to read. Leo the Late Bloomer is the story of a young tiger who is behind his friends in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, eating neatly, and drawing. Leo's father becomes concerned and Leo's mother explains that Leo is a late bloomer and by the end of the story Leo has "bloomed" and is able to do all the things he previously could not do.



Having purchased The T.F. Letters by Karen Ray at a school book fair in second or third grade it soon became one of my favorites. When young Alex finally looses her first tooth she writes a letter to the tooth fairy asking her to please leave the tooth behind when she arrives to leave Alex money under her pillow and help her fathers job as their family is moving from Texas to California. In a PS at the bottom of the page Alex asks the tooth fairy to please write her back and Alex's mother takes up the role of writing letters from the tooth fairy teaching Alex lessons and giving her words of wisdom along the way.



In fifth grade I went through the greatest obsession I ever had with a book, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau remains one of my favorite books of all time. Having at one time kept a running tally of the times I had read it in the front cover I got all the way to fourteen times before I lost track. The city of Ember is an underground city built to protect the inhabitants from nuclear war, having been given resources to live underground for 200 years a box with instructions on how to return to the surface has been lost when being passed down from mayor to mayor. In the year 241 resources are running out and the city is running out of light bulbs, the only source of light in the city, and is experiencing frequent blackouts. Twelve year old Lina and her friend Doon piece together the puzzle of escaping and rescue the cities inhabitants before it is too late.

Manga and Anime

One of my biggest loves in life is manga and anime, comics and cartoons from Japan. Manga are cartoons, usually serialized in popular Japanese magazines and later converted into books while anime refers to cartoons, usually based off a manga or book.  Manga and anime is created for all ages in Japan, from young children to adults, and is a huge part of their culture.

To my disgust I've found that most people in America don't find manga worth reading and don't consider it viable reading material. Like books, some manga is silly and funny while some can focus on serious questions and moral issues. What most people do not realize is how much work goes into creating a manga, most manga are hand drawn, hours of work go into creating one volume.

Getting into manga can be daunting, some series contain over 100 volumes and their anime counterparts can contain just as many, if not more, episodes. In this post I've compiled a list of fantastic manga and anime series that I love and sincerely hope you will give a try.

Bleach:

One of my favorite series, Bleach has become one of the more popular anime/manga series in America. Bleach is about a fifteen year old boy, Ichigo Kurosaki, who becomes a Soul Reaper (or "Death God") in order to save his family. It follows the adventures as Ichigo and his friends as they defeat ghosts gone bad called Hallows, who are out to destroy human life. The manga has been translated into English and the anime is both subtitled and dubbed in English. Personally I prefer the English subtitles because the low-budget in America for anime causes the voice actors in English dubs to be rather poor. Bleach appeals to both boys and girls but is aimed more towards boys.

The Wallflower:

The Wallflower takes the cake as my favorite manga/anime series. The Wallflower is a bit of an obscure series but never the less fantastic. Sunako Nakahara is a goth girl, obsessed with horror movies and gore. When she is sent to live with her eccentric aunt she finds that her aunt as employed the help of four beautiful boys to turn Sunako into a "proper lady", in exchange the boys receive  free rent and are able to live in the luxurious mansion Sunako's aunt owns. Absolutely hilarious The Wallflower is full of side-splitting moments as the boys struggle to make Sunako a lady and Sunako vehemently resists. The manga and anime are equally amazing, but the manga is a bit dark while the anime has a more lighthearted tone. The Wallflower is focused more toward girls and both the manga and anime have been translated into English.

High School Debut:

High School Debut follows the story of Haruna Nagashima, a tomboy softball star who recently started high school and is desperate for a boyfriend. With a tendency for ridiculous outfits and awkwardness she is having a bit of trouble finding the love of her life. When she meets Yoh Komiyama, the most attractive boy at her school, she begs him to become her mentor. Yoh eventually agrees with one condition, she must never fall in love with him. High School Debut has some of the most beautiful artwork I've ever seen in a manga, the characters are flawlessly drawn and the plot is hilarious. The High School Debut  manga has been translated into English and there is currently no anime series, High School debut is aimed at girls.

Death Note:

Death Note is on the more serious side of manga and anime, when Light Yagami finds a notebook on the ground, called a Death Note, he is granted the power to kill someone just by thinking of their face and writing their name in the notebook. Light soon becomes obsessed with killing criminals and cleansing the world of evil, his main goal is becoming a god of the new land. The killings soon become noticed by the government and by other nations, bringing in the force of the detective merely called L. Light and L play a game of cat and mouse as L embarks on his quest to catch Light and Light stays one step ahead of L. Death Note brings to question some serious moral questions, such as who has the power to decide who lives and dies. Death Note is both a manga and an anime and both have been translated into English, Death Note is centered toward boys but can also appeal to girls.