2016 End of Year Book Survey (Roof Beam Reader)

Hi, everyone! It's the last day of 2016, which has been quite an eventful year. Not the most brightest in terms of reading, for me personally, but I did manage to squeeze in some lovely books during my free time. 

For the last post of the year, I have decided to take up a 2016 reading survey. Since I really liked Adam @ Roof Beam Reader's questions the most, I thought I'd take his survey as well. All credit goes to Adam, I'm just giving my honest answers! So thank you, Adam! You know you rock. 

Number Of Books You Read: 60

Number of Re-Reads: 0

Genre You Read Most: LGBT, Historical Fiction and Contemporary Fiction

Best Book You Read In 2016?

The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky by Manan Kapoor 

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

Another Day by David Levithan

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

My Best Friend, Maybe by Caela Carter

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

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Best series you started? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?

Surprisingly, I didn't start any series this year. I have realised that I prefer standalones. 

Favorite new author you discovered?

Adam Silvera 

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

The Karachi Deception by Shatrujeet Nath (Crime/ Thirller)

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

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

Book You Read In 2016 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera 

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?

Most memorable character of 2016?

Aristotle from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read? 

Madame de Sade by Yukio Mishima 

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2016?

"A day would come when the little boy with the biggest heart in the world might die of a broken one" -Howl by Kelley York 

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?

Shortest- Howl by Kelley York; Longest- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 

Book That Shocked You The Most

Branded by the Pink Triangle by Ken Setterington

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

Aristole and Dante! 

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Inayat and Aaqib from The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky by Manan Kapoor 

Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Spiked by Jennifer Lane 

Best Book You Read In 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

None, I don't really succomb to pressure (anymore). 

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

Kit from F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher 

Best 2016 debut you read?

The Lamentations of a Sombre Sky by Manan Kapoor 

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

I barely touched fantasy books this year, so none. 

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

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2016?

Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera 

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Most Unique Book You Read In 2016?

Every Day by David Levithan

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

F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher 

New favorite book blog you discovered in 2016?

Books and Strips by my buddy Chitra 

Favorite review that you wrote in 2016? 

Madame de Sade by Yukio Mishima

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

This one! Not really a discussion post, but it was super fun to make. 

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

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016?

When we received a positive and overwhelming response for our 2016 Monthly Giveaway concept.

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

The Readdicts Fourth Blogoversary Celebration Giveaway

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

This one! (Again!)

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

Hot Topic and Books-A-Million during my travel to the US 

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

I had meant to read more than 60 books, so no. 

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis 

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2017?

None! 

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2017?

Be more consistent with my reading schedule and focus more on books I bought rather than review books. 

A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

None! 

Do let me know your favourite reads of 2016, so I'll add them to my TBR for the new year. 

Wish you all a very happy, safe, healthy, prosperous and of course, bookish New Year! May 2017 be filled with books, happiness and yummy desserts! 

As always, thank you for stopping by, and thank you for your support! 

Review- Another Day by David Levithan

Another Day on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up.

Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person…wasn’t Justin at all.

In this enthralling companion to his New York Times bestseller Every Day, David Levithan tells Rhiannon’s side of the story as she seeks to discover the truth about love and how it can change you. 

Release date: August 25th 2015

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 327

REVIEW: 

I started 2016 by reading Every Day, so it only seemed fitting that I end the year with Another Day. While Every Day is still my favourite because it was such a unique, interesting and really mesmerising read, Another Day wasn't bad at all. What I liked most about the latter was that, in spite of it being the exact same story, although from another point of view, it was never even slightly boring.

Another Day is basically Every Day from the female lead Rhiannon's point of view. Now I really liked Rhiannon when I read about her from A's point of view, but in her own book, she really got on my nerves more than once simply because even when she knew she deserved better, she kept herself stagnant. In spite of people banging on her door and generously offering help, she just kept going the same old same old way. Now I'm not saying that at 16, she should have everything figured out, but all I'm saying is, she is smart and if only she used her brain...

When it comes to A however, I don't suppose it's ever possible to dislike A. A is such a unique character and that makes me fall in love with A more and more each time. While Rhiannon wasn't exactly my favourite person, the person she was with A was so accepting, kind, warm and welcoming which I really admired and rooted for. It was really interesting to read about A from another, innocent and vulnerable point of view.

Overall, I'm super glad I read this book because it took me back to Every Day, which like I must have said a dozen times already, was superb. Another Day, in terms of the writing and storytelling (where David Levithan never goes wrong) was just as nice, but I just had some problems with the main character, which I feel is okay, because I'm not supposed to like everyone and everything anyway. But definitely pick up this series, because it's mind-blowing, and I'm dying to know what happens next.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Waiting on Wednesday #183

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Other Breakable Things by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

Publication date- April 4th 2017 

Goodreads Summary:

According to Japanese legend, folding a thousand paper cranes will grant you healing.
Evelyn Abel will fold two thousand if it will bring Luc back to her.

Luc Argent has always been intimately acquainted with death. After a car crash got him a second chance at life—via someone else’s transplanted heart—he tried to embrace it. He truly did. But he always knew death could be right around the corner again.
And now it is.

Sick of hospitals and tired of transplants, Luc is ready to let his failing heart give out, ready to give up. A road trip to Oregon—where death with dignity is legal—is his answer. But along for the ride is his best friend, Evelyn.

And she’s not giving up so easily.

A thousand miles, a handful of roadside attractions, and one life-altering kiss later, Evelyn’s fallen, and Luc’s heart is full. But is it enough to save him? Evelyn’s betting her heart, her life, that it can be.

Right down to the thousandth paper crane.

I am SO excited for and looking forward to this book. If you know me, you know I LOVE Kelley York, and now that she has written a book with her wife, my excitement is doubled! Be here already, April 2017! 

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

Blog Tour: Review- Until Ashlyn by Aurora Rose Reynolds

BRING ON THE BOOM!

Meet Ashlyn & Dillon in Until Ashlyn.

NOW AVAILABLE

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Summary-

Dillon Keck knew Ashlyn Mayson was drunk when she suggested they get married. He knew he should have taken her back to their hotel room and put her to bed. Instead, he did what he had been craving to do since the moment they met. 

Claim her as his. 

Waking up married in Vegas isn't something Ashlyn Mayson ever thought would happen to her. Having Dillon, her boss, a man she thinks is a dick, insist they stay married is absurd, but every time he touches her, she gets lost in him and wonders if maybe they are meant to be together. 

But someone isn't happy for Dillon and Ashlyn and their new found romance, and they're willing to do anything to keep them apart. Even commit murder.

Release date: December 27th, 2016

Review-

I have read many books by Aurora Rose Reynolds so I know that her books are not everyone's cup of tea. I prefer reading her books only from time to time because that's the way I enjoy them the most. Until Ashlyn is the third book in the Until Her series. If you have previously read or liked any of her books from the Until, Until Him or Until Her series there is a good chance you will like this one. For me, Until Ashlyn was a good read, just not one of my favourites.

Until Ashlyn is the story of Ashlyn, obviously as the name suggests, as well as Dillon. We'd met both of them previously and there were definitely sparks flying all over the place. Let's start with Ashlyn. I liked her as a heroine. She was sweet but she was not a pushover. She had her insecurities like any other normal person. Even though she was attracted to Dillon she was not sure where their relationship stood.

Then we have Dillon. Like all Aurora Rose Reynolds heroes Dillon was an alpha male. Some might find them over bearing and annoying but like I said before, I do enjoy such books from time to time. Dillon was the one who had solid feelings and was extremely sure of himself with Ashlyn. He was protective and possessive and nothing could keep him apart from Ashlyn.

As the summary suggests, the book starts off only with Ashlyn and Dillon getting married in Vegas. This is one of the tried and tested tropes of romance and it definitely works for Dillon and Ashlyn. These two are very stubborn so there were ups and down in the relationship but overall they made for a great couple.

The best part about Aurora Rose Reynolds books is the feelings of family she inculcates in her books. I loved seeing old faces and couples whom we all know and love. I also really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Dillon's side of the family. Until Ashlyn does have a mystery thread going on side by side but it was quite easy to figure out that plot. Overall, though Until Ashlyn may not be my favourite of the bunch, it was still a good read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by TRSOR promotions in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

About the Author:

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.

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