As 2015 Comes To An End...

Well it's that time of the year again... December is coming to a close and I lament the fact I haven't read anywhere near as many books as I wanted to and that my To-Read pile has grown to dire heights.

I read 21 books this year, some of which I never got to write reviews for including Every Word, the final in the Mycroft and Watts series by Ellie Marney which I adored; Out of Control by Sarah Alderson, which I scrambled for after loving Conspiracy Girl; One True Thing by Nicola Hayes as I tick off all the fab Aussie YA on offer; and Storm and Spark in Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series, featuring the delicious Merrick brothers!

So out of those 21, the question is, what did I love the most? Well I was able to narrow it down to three and funnily enough, one is OzYA, another is US, and the third is UK. These were amazing and I highly recommend you read them all. Click on the covers for the links to my reviews.

      

2015 Faves!

This was my 6th year of blogging and the only thing I love more than reading all the incredible YA lit that is produced, is being part of the amazing community. I've been rather absent this year, particularly in the last 6 months but I have been so proud of watching how everyone has come together in support of the LoveOzYA movement and those who continue to spread the OzYA love. It warms my heart every time I see a shout-out. Check out the hashtag #loveozya on all platforms!

I also joined the bookstagraming crowd which has been super fun. I've included a sample video below with some of my pics. Come follow me at @thetalescompendium

There were so many exciting books released this year and evidently, I didn't get to most of those on my TBR. But with this sadness comes the excitement that I always get through a rather large portion of my yearly tally in January. So with that in mind, I have set aside part of the pile to tackle throughout January. 

I'd love to hear what your favourite reads of 2015 were and what you can't wait to tick off your TBR in 2016. Leave a comment below! No matter how large my pile is, I'm always looking for new stuff to add to it!

The Annual End of Year Book Survey - 2014 Edition

This year, book wise, has been shocking for me. Reading and blogging have been practically non-existent compared to previous years and my Reading Challenges were an EPIC FAIL (again). But when I did find the time, there were some wonderful books and now that I only have one semester of uni left, and half the workload, I hope to get the blog back to its former glory. No promises, But that's my goal.

Until then, I'm going to answer some of the questions that are part of Jamie's 5th Annual End of Year Book Survey over at The Perpetual Page-Turner. I've only read 19 books this year but I'll do my best to answer most of the questions. Here we go...

~ Books Read in 2014 ~

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider 
The Diviners by Libba Bray
The Rig by Joe Ducie 
The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn 
Amplified by Tara Kelly  
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller 
The First Third by Will Kostakis 
Me Since You by Laura Wiess
Jewel in the Thames by Angela Misri
Every Word by Ellie Marney 
Spark by Rachael Craw
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 
Notes From The Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin  
The Astrologer's Daughter by Rebecca Lim
Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith  
The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl by Melissa Keil

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

~ Best in Books ~

Best Book You Read In 2014?

The Impossible Knife of Memory, The Diviners and Me Since You. I can't possibly choose between these three. They were/are amazing.

Best Series You Started In 2014? Best Sequel Of 2014? Best Series Ender Of 2014?

Best start to a series was The Diviners and I am thoroughly looking forward to Libba releasing the follow-up, Lair of Dreams, in 2015. Every Word, the follow up to Every Breath, is a wonderful edition to the Sherlock Holmes-inspired novels that have been gracing bookshelves this year. And the best series ender is of course the long-awaited Isla and the Happily Ever After. I just wish it wasn't the end! 

 

Best Book From A Genre You Don’t Typically Read/Was Out Of Your Comfort Zone?

I'm not usually a fan of books set in the past or from the sci-fi genre, but both these books were wonderful surprises. The Diviners is set in the 1920's so automatically I put it in the 'not-my-thing' basket. But it is a crime/murder mystery set in New York so I gave it a go. It ended up being one of my favourite books of the year. Spark is a genetically modified sci-fi with suspense, action and romance that kept me awake until 2am as I had to finish it before bed!

Favourite Cover Of A Book You Read In 2014?

Without a doubt, Wild Awake was my absolute favourite cover this year. The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl comes in second.

Most Beautifully Written Book Read In 2014?

I refuse to choose between The Impossible Knife of Memory and Me Since You.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book Of 2014?

Sounding like a bit of a broken record here but... Me Since You.

Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2014 To Finally Read?
Something Like Normal and The Diviners.

Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

"My earbuds were in, but I wasn't playing music. I needed to hear the world but didn't want the world to know I was listening" - The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Favourite Couple From A Book You Read in 2014?

Rachel and Mycroft from Every Breath

Favourite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?

The father/daughter relationship between Andy and Hayley Kincain in The Impossible Knife of Memory and Alba's friendship group in The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl. Also, from The First Third, Billy and Sticks (and Sticks's family, especially when his dad teaches Billy to ride a bike).

 

Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (I can't believe it took me so long, Becca!)

Best 2014 Debut You Read?

The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on her second novel, The Protected. 

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

Isla and the Happily Ever After, The First Third, Every Word, and Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.

 

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Me Since You was just incredible but it had me crying for literally half the book. The Impossible Knife of Memory and Something Like Normal also had me reaching for tissue boxes. Coincidentally, all three books discuss PTSD.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.

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

Spark. Thanks, Rachael Craw. Major Cliff-hanger at the end! Grrrrrrr

~ Blogging/Bookish Life ~

Favourite Review That You Wrote In 2014?

Me Since You and Severed Heads, Broken Hearts

Best Discussion/Non-review Post You Had On Your Blog? 
My post about a Harry Potter Party that I attended. Seriously awesome :)

Best Moment Of Bookish/Blogging Life In 2014? 

I met John Marsden....

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

My review of Jewel of the Thames was the most viewed post with 3000 views more than any other post. 

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My Me Since You review.

~ Looking Ahead ~

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

Just One Year by Gayle Forman. I meant to but for some reason just never got to it. Probably because I wasn't the biggest fan of Willem in Just One Day.

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

The Howling Boy by Cath Crowley, Cloudwish by Fiona Wood, I Was Here by Gayle Forman, I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson... I could keep going...

2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

The Way We Bared Our Souls by Willa Strayhorn

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

Every Move, the third and final book in Ellie Marney's Rachel Watts and James Mycroft series. Also, Lair of Dreams, the followup to The Diviners by Libba Bray.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

I want to get back to reviewing a book a week as I have missed my blog this year. And my TBR pile/cupboard/bookcase looks as if it will tumble over soon!

Happy New Year to you all! May your 2015 be filled with amazing books xx

The Annual End of Year Book Survey – 2013 Edition!

Once again, Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner is hosting her annual End of Year Book Survey. Click this link to read all about it, get the full list of survey questions, and link up your name to the list of other participants.

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

I’m going to cheat and make it a four-way tie because all four were amazing for different reasons and had an impact on me. Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil and Zac and Mia by AJ Betts 

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

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Everyone raved about it and it has been voted in a number of polls as the best YA Contemporary book of 2013 but it just didn’t do it for me. I don’t know why, I really wanted to love it. It’s not that I didn’t like it, it’s just that I finished it and had nothing to say about it, it didn't have any impact on me, hence why I never wrote a review about it. I’ve only discovered one other person who felt the same way and she has encouraged me to try another novel by Rainbow Rowell so that is my goal for 2014. 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013? 

Girl Defective by Simmone Howell. I read Everything Beautiful a few years back and didn’t like it so I was nervous about reading Girl Defective. I needed not worry. I guess some books speak to you, others don’t and it isn’t necessarily a reflection of the author’s abilities. Girl Defective ended up being one of my favourite novels of 2013. 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield and Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

I’m actually not a fan of series as I get frustrated having to wait for the follow-ups. Plus, series are mostly associated with fantasy/sci-fi/supernatural stories and I usually prefer contemporary. That said, I really enjoyed Every Breath by Ellie Marney and I have heard there will be future stories featuring the same characters so I will  make that my ‘series’ pick. 

6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2013?

Melissa Keil. I absolutely loved Life in Outer Space and I am totally hanging out for her second novel Cinnamon Girl due for release in 2014.

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

I was pleasantly surprised by The Mimosa Tree which is written by West Australian author Antonella Preto. Set 26 years ago in 1987, I generally prefer stories set in the present day but the novel was refreshing with relatable situations for teens.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

I suppose for the most part ACID by Emma Pass would have been the most thrilling of the stories I read in 2013 but the most unputdownable would have been Friday Brown.

9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I rarely have time to re-read and with a sky-high TBR pile, re-reading is not a priority for me. However, I do plan or re-reading Divergent before the film comes out and also Daughter of Smoke and Bone before the final book is released (OK I cheated since I didn’t read any of them during 2013). If I need cheering up at some point I’d be most likely to re-read Life in Outer Space from my 2013 selection.

10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2013?

None of the books I read this year had particularly impressive covers. I suppose Creepy and Maud by Dianne Touchell would be my favourite due to the simplicity, gender neutrality and how it reflects the story.

11. Most memorable character in 2013?

Friday Brown from Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield or Allyson Healey from Just One Day by Gayle Forman. Both characters stayed in my head for the days that followed completing the books and I just couldn’t stop thinking about them.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Friday Brown. Or Zac and Mia by AJ Betts

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

Once again, Friday Brown, Just One Day, and Zac and Mia

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Shutterspeed by AJ Betts

15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013? 

I have lots. Here are four.

 

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Shortest was Shutterspeed by AJ Betts at 160 pages and longest was the final book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, The Enchantress, by Michael Scott at 513 pages.

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!

I don’t really recall needing to discuss the scenes with people but they were definitely ‘!!!’ moments: Willem and Allyson in the artist squat (Just One Day) and Rachel and Mycroft finally breaking the tension in Every Breath. I’m also pretty sure there were some seriously ‘awww’ moments in Life from Outer Space. 

18. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

My favourite friendships would have been between Sybilla, Michael and Lou in Wildlife by Fiona Wood, and the individual friendships between Allyson and Dee and Allyson and Wren from Just One Day. Other great friendships can be found in Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson and Life in Outer Space.

19. Favourite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously: 

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Friday Brown. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Rebecca from Reading Wishes

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

YA contemporary

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Nathan from Psych Major Syndrome

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Friday Brown. It's contemporary but the descriptions are are breathtaking. I was completely mesmerised by the prologue.

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

Every Breath and Life in Outer Space

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

Easily Zac and Mia and Friday Brown

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Zac and Mia. While it won the Text Prize, it received unwarranted scepticism from people who compared it to The Fault in Our Stars without reading it. 

 

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?

I have a lot of these, so many in fact I actually made a reading challenge for 2013 to try and tackle them all. I failed miserably so all but three go back on the list. Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith is a new addition and goes straight to the top of the list. Also, This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales has shown up on lots of people lists as a favourite book for 2013 so that’s also been added.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?

Without a doubt, TheHowling Boy by Cath Crowley. Haven't read anything by Cath? Check out Graffiti Moon or A Little Wanting Song.

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Me Since You by Laura Wiess

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins is technically a companion novel but I think it still counts. I’m also looking forward to the final Daughter of Smoke and Bone novel by Laini Taylor, Dreams of Gods and Monsters.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?

My main goal is to keep the blog running as it has severely suffered throughout 2013. I’d like to read more than I did this year and post at least once a week. Basically, get my blogging mojo back to where it was when I first started.

I'm pretty disappointed in myself this year as I failed epically at reaching all of my reading challenges, mostly due to uni being far more demanding than I anticipated. I only managed to read 24 books this year, although I am pleased to say that 12 of these were Australian authors and out of the 24, 9 were debut authors.

I did get to take part in some pretty cool events though. In February I went to the Perth Writers Festival and met the amazing Vikki Wakefield and caught up with AJ Betts. In March I hosted Aussie Author Month and interviewed and reviewed a bunch of fantastic Australian talent.

AJ Betts, Julia Lawrinson and Vikki Wakefield
at the Perth Writers Festival

June saw me head over to Melbourne for the Reading Matters Conference where I got to hang out and discuss YA with Danielle from ALPHA Reader and Adele from Persnickety Snark, as well as YA royalty Libba Bray, Gayle Forman, Fiona Wood and Vikki Wakefield, as well as many others.

At Reading Matters and yep, that's Gayle Forman in the middle!

Back in Perth, August saw the launch of Zac and Mia, the Text Prize winning book from Perth author AJ Betts. I also happened to be back in Melbourne in December and so pure luck allowed me to attend the Centre for Youth Literature's The Year Ahead in Youth Literature where we got a sneak peak from the publishers into the 2014 YA releases.

AJ Betts signing copies of Zac and Mia

When I look at it like that, the year doesn't look so bad, regardless of how many books I read!