Challenging Myself in 2015

Challenging Myself in 2015

Jan 2, 2015

The Re-Read Challenge

Hosted By: Belle of the Literati & Me / Details & Sign Up

Y'all, I can't even tell you how excited I am about hosting this challenge! Kelly and I love re-reading, and we hoped that other bloggers and readers would want to join us in 2015. I think I can speak for both of us when I say that the response has far exceeded our expectations. Who knew that so many of you would want to spend more time re-reading in 2015?! I re-read more books in 2014 than I'd realized: 25 total! So, in an effort to actually challenge myself, I decided to aim higher in 2015. 

My Goal: 36 Re-Reads

I'm a little nervous about this number because I don't want to fail at my own challenge! I think this will require me to be a bit more intentional with my reading choices, which is obviously a good thing. I want to spend more time reading things that I love, that move me, that challenge me... and less time on things that I'm reading just because it's there. However, if I maintain my current reading pace, re-reads would still only end comprising about 18% of what I read in a year. So, I ultimately hope to surpass 36 books, but we shall see!

I often re-read based on my mood, so I know I won't be able to follow a strict reading list. But I do have some books that I've been dying re-read. Here's a handful!

Harriet the Spy / Number the Stars / Island of the Blue Dolphins / Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

All the Truth That's In Me / A Northern Light / Open Road Summer / Jellicoe Road

The Poisonwood Bible / Nowhere But Home / Attachments / The Help

Little Women / Pride and Prejudice / A Room with a View / Anna Karenina

Hunger Games / Emily / Mark of the Lion / Harry Potter / Little House

And I'm Joining These Challenges, Too:

Dive Into Diversity

Hosted By: Rather Be Reading & Reading Wishes / Details & Sign Up

When I saw how easy it was to participate in this challenge, I knew I had to sign up! I've never made it a point to track this aspect of my reading, but I think there's never been a better time to start. I love the idea of intentionally seeking out diverse books, so I'm excited to participate in this challenge.

Goal: 12 Diverse Reads

Flights of Fantasy

Hosted By: Alexa Loves Books & Hello, Chelly / Details & Sign Up

Over the last few years, I've fallen in love with fantasy. Hosting a fantasy event with Alexa in November was one of my favorite things I did on my blog last year... and fantasy was my second-most read genre in 2014. I never would have imagined that there would be a year where I read more fantasy than historical fiction!

Goal: 18 Fantasy Reads

A Series A Month Challenge

Hosted By: Love at First Page / Details

As a series addict, I had to join this informal challenge. I tried to participate in a series challenge last year, but I totally failed at it. Well, I actually did great at reading books that counted for the challenge, but I flopped at participating. So, I decided to try something new this year! I think this will work perfectly for me.

Goal: 12 Series

Book Blogger Organization Challenge

Hosted By: The Book Addict's Guide / Details & Sign Up

I debated joining ANOTHER challenge, but I just can't resist anything focused on organization. Some of my most popular posts last year were focused on organization tips. So can you blame me for signing up for this challenge, too? I like that there's really no way to fail - any kind of organization counts as progress!

Are you participating in any 2015 challenges?

And am I crazy to join so many?

READ POST

In 2015, I Want to Be...

In 2015, I Want to Be...

Jan 1, 2015

At the beginning of 2014, I decided to think in terms of more and less. I didn't want to focus on "shoulds" and "should nots." I'd been craving a change... itching for a new mindset and a different perspective. Blogging was still enjoyable, but there were aspects that felt like a chore. Rather than create a list of things to accomplish, I came up with five things I wanted more of and five things I wanted less of in 2014.

I Wanted Less

Looking back, I think that was one of the best things I could have done for myself and for this blog. In many ways, I felt like I hit my stride this past year. I wrote that I wanted less obligation, less pressure, less guilt, less hype... Feelings that had started to define how I felt about blogging, and I wanted to eliminate them completely. And honestly, I think that I did. 

I picked books because I wanted to read them, not because people were talking about them. If I didn't want to keep reading a book, I got better at just setting it down. I didn't feel guilty about not posting, not commenting, or not finishing a book. That's not to say I didn't have a few moments of feeling obligated or guilty, but those moments certainly didn't define my year.

There's only one thing I wanted to have less of that somehow ended up in the more column by the time the year was over: shopping. In February, I wrote: "Just because I can buy something, doesn't mean I should. Just because I want to buy it, doesn't mean I need to." But I didn't practice what I preached. If I wanted a book and could buy it, I did. I've got a few things planned now to hold me accountable and break this bad habit.

I Found More

So, what about what I wanted more of in 2014? Well, I think there's a reason why I loved and looked forward to blogging more than ever before. I was more passionate about what I was writing. If I had an idea that I liked, I pursued it. If I got tired of working on a post, I discarded it. I felt more creative, so my posts began to have more variety. And because I was on a roll, I was having fun planning, writing and scheduling posts.

I already noted this in my End of the Year Survey, but seven of the ten most popular posts on my blog (since I started three years ago) are from 2014. I think there's a reason. I put more heart into what I was working on. I started figuring out my voice and listening to my brain. I've been having fun, and I like to think that it shows. But even if it hasn't, even if no one else has noticed a difference, I know it's been there. And I'm thankful for it.

In a weird way, it's like I went back to blogging for myself. I realized I needed to take everyone else out of the equation. I began this blog because I wanted to write, loved to read, and knew that I plenty to say about books. That was it. No building an audience, developing contacts, receiving review books, or any other nonsense. Plain and simple: I needed a creative outlet. 2014 was the year I remembered why I started blogging and that I can tune out all the noise. So, I hit mute on a lot of things and haven't looked back since.

It's Time to Be

Now, it's time to welcome a new year. Surprisingly, I'm not making big plans or grand declarations for this blog. I think I've finally given this space the proper place in my life and in my thoughts. I have, if you will, re-prioritized. I love what I've created. I'm thankful for what I've learned along the way. And now I just want to enjoy it.

Just like last year, I have some small, specific goals for reading and blogging. Those are fun things for me! Usually, I'd also have some vision or plan for what I'd like to accomplish on my blog. But not this year.

Instead, I want to focus more on growing as a person than on growing my blog. On building my character and not just talking about characters. There are three things I want to BE in 2015:

Be kind. • Be wise. • Be thoughtful.

Online and offline, this is my hope for the year. I want to have more consideration for others, to show good judgment and to be more aware of the things that I say and the decisions that I make. It can be something as small and silly as what I tweet... or as big and important as how I treat others.

I learned how to hit mute on the noise around me, so now it's time to hit pause on my actions. In everything that I do, I get to choose my attitude and how I respond. I'd like to look back in 2016 and be able to say that I chose kindness, wisdom and thoughtfulness. There are so many other qualities I want to be true of me, but these are three I most want to cultivate this year. It's time to be the best version of myself.

READ POST

Your One Wild & Precious Life

Your One Wild & Precious Life

Dec 31, 2014

The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel

Release Date: December 30, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books
Pages: 368 pages
Source & Format: NetGalley; e-ARC
Add on Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

In this richly told story where Sliding Doors meets P.S. I Love You, Kristin Harmel weaves a heart-wrenching tale that asks: what does it take to move forward in life without forgetting the past?

After her husband's sudden death over ten years ago, Kate Waithman never expected to be lucky enough to find another love of her life. But now she's planning her second walk down the aisle to a perfectly nice man. So why isn't she more excited?

At first, Kate blames her lack of sleep on stress. But when she starts seeing Patrick, her late husband, in her dreams, she begins to wonder if she's really ready to move on. Is Patrick trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, Kate must uncover her husband's hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.

Thoughts on The Life Intended

I've never read anything by Kristin Harmel before, and The Life Intended wasn't on my radar. But when I got an email from a publicist about it, I was intrigued. The comparison to Sliding Doors and P.S. I Love You caught my attention, as did the blurb from Emily Giffin. I figured I might as well give it a shot.

Well, I'm so happy that I did! The Life Intended was such a pleasant surprise. Kate and Patrick were meant to be together, but that forever has been cut short. Patrick dies in a tragic accident, and Kate grieves that loss every day after. She doesn't expect to find love again. But, more than ten years later, she's finally ready to commit to Dan. Everyone thinks he's perfect for Kate, so why is she having doubts? And, more importantly, why is she suddenly seeing Patrick everywhere? She begins having vivid dreams showing her what her life would have looked like if Patrick hadn't died. And Kate begins to wonder if Patrick is trying to tell her something - and if she's living the life she was intended to have.

I may have started The Life Intended with doubts, but I ended up losing myself in this story of loss, grief and healing. It was a bit predictable, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment while reading it. I liked the idea of a parallel life and of Kate getting to see what her future would have held if Patrick hadn't died. It was bittersweet - a reminder of all the twists and turns life can take. And when Kate starts to take action because of the dreams, I was cheering her on. She enrolls in sign language courses, investigates the New York City foster care system... she begins to finally LIVE because of what she's seeing in the dreams.

Kate frustrated me at times, but only because I cared about her. She's so firmly entrenched in her grief, in all that's she lost, and there were moments I was desperate for her to move forward. When she finally begins to, it was bittersweet. It's obvious that Harmel did her research for this book. I loved what I learned about music therapy, sign language and foster care. This book could have easily felt like something that had "been done before," but those aspects of the story made this feel like a unique and refreshing read. I loved how the dreams intertwined with reality and how the life Kate was intended to have impacted the one she'd ended up living.

The Life Intended could easily have ended up being a sad, somber read. Instead, it was hopeful and emotional one! I read it quickly - captured by Kate's story and curious about how the different threads of this book would be resolved. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book, and I look forward to reading more by Harmel in the future. She's a great storyteller - taking something that could have easily felt cliché and making it a rich and heartwarming read. I think this is a book that would work for a variety of readers, so I can see myself recommending it a lot in the future!

So Quotable

"I knew before I met you... that I was meant to be yours."

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review.

READ POST

Go For These Goals

Go For These Goals

Dec 30, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!

Top Ten Resolutions for 2015

1. Read 150 books.

For my Goodreads Reading Challenge, I decided to go with 150 books this year. I read pretty far above that number last year, but I'd rather this number be something that I feel I can easily reach!

2. Read one non-fiction book - that I already own - per month.

I continue buying a lot of non-fiction, even though I don't read it nearly as often as I do fiction. This is almost the set goal I set last year, except this year I need to focus more on reading non-fiction that I already own.

3. Finish 12 series.

I set a goal to finish seven series in 2014, but I'd already met that goal by June. I'm increasing it this year so that I'm aiming to finish one series per month (just like Danielle's challenge). We'll see how I do! 

4. Request and/or accept no more than 36 review books all year.

I've been talking with Alexa about reading fewer review books in 2015, and we have something fun planned to keep each other on track. And I'm aiming for no more than three per month - 36 for the whole year.

5. Read at least five debut novels.

Once again, some of my favorite books in 2014 were debut novels. It's important to me to give new authors a shot! I almost set the goal higher, but I think re-reading and backlist will be more of a priority for me.

6. Re-read 36 books (three per month).

I'm hoping to re-read way more than one book per month, but this is my bare minimum goal. I used to re-read all the time, but I've slacked off since I started blogging. I'm declaring 2015 "The Year of Re-Reading."

7. Host one reading challenge, and participate in at least two!

I epically failed at this resolution last year. However, I'm hosting The Re-Read Challenge with Kelly so hopefully I'll be more successful at this challenge! I love re-reading and can't wait to focus on it more in 2015. And I already know what reading challenges I'll be joining: Dive Into Diversity and Flights of Fantasy.

8. Write one discussion post per month.

Discussion posts are my favorite to write! I still have a huge list of things I want to write about, so I don't think I'll have a problem maintaining this pace throughout the year. Plus, discussion posts are my favorite to read, too!

9. Leave five comments per week on other blogs.

I like a low-stress commenting goal. There were weeks last year where I didn't always leave five, but there were other weeks where I left 20+ comments. I think it balances out! I want to comment while still keeping it fun.

10. Start a new feature on my blog.

In addition to the challenge I'm co-hosting, I actually have two new features in the works, and I'm so excited about both. I'm also making a few changes to existing features - it was time for a little refresh!

READ POST

2014 End of the Year Book Survey

2014 End of the Year Book Survey

Dec 29, 2014

Created & Hosted by Jamie from Perpetual Page-Turner

I can't believe it's already this time of year! Where did 2014 go?! I always look forward to these end of year recap posts for because I always discover new book recommendations. But more importantly, there's something I love about reflection. It's nice to stop, think back over what's happened this year and gather my thoughts before starting the new year. I know this post can be so long, but I love doing it anyway.

1. Number of Books You Read: 200 Books Read in 2014

2. Number of Re-Reads: 25 Re-Reads

3. Genre You Read the Most From: Contemporary (57 Books)

1. Best book you read in 2014?

I wish I could pick just one book, but that's not happening. I've narrowed it down a little bit, but you'll see some of these reappear throughout this survey. However, whenever possible, I tried to highlight a variety of books. I didn't want to feature the same books over and over! But keep in mind that many of these could have been the answer for every question on this survey...

YA Contemporary: The Sea of Tranquility* by Katja Millay and Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

YA Fantasy: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas and The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

YA Mystery: Every Breath by Ellie Marney

YA Paranormal: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Adult Contemporary: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid and One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

Adult Fantasy: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier and The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Adult Historical: I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe

Adult Science Fiction: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

*Technically published as Adult, but I consider it Young Adult.

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn't?

Sadly, I was most disappointed by The One & Only by Emily Giffin. While I don't always love her characters or their choices, I generally enjoy reading her books. This one, however, just made me rage. I hated pretty much everything about it, and Giffin is no longer an auto-buy author for me.

3. Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2014?

I think that The Likeness by Tana French was my most surprising read. For some reason, I thought French's books would be very gruesome and dark. So, I only picked up The Likeness because Cass and I decided to read it for Favorite Factor. And I'm so glad we did! I fell in love with French's writing - it was nothing like I imagined.

4. Book you "pushed" the most people to read in 2014?

Just like last year, there are three books that I read and recommended most in 2014. They are: I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier.

5. Best series you started in 2014? Best sequel of 2014? Best series ender of 2014? Best series overall in 2014?

I've said it before, but it's still true: I'm a series addict. I finished 15 series this year, and that doesn't include the series I'm now in the middle of reading. The best series I started was The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. My favorite sequel was, without question, Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. The series ending that stands out in my mind is Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. As far as my favorite series overall, I think that's a tie between The Sevenwaters Series by Juliet Marillier and The Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan - two series that I read in their entirety this year and absolutely loved.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

I discovered a number of favorite new-to-me authors this year - see my 2014 author obsessions. But I think that Juliet Marillier is at the top of my list. I binge read her entire Sevenwaters series, and I've since bought seven other books from her backlist. Obsessed much?

7. Best book from a genre you don't typically read?

While I read quite a bit of non-fiction, I gravitate to specific kinds of non-fiction. There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene, a book that was part biography and part cultural/medical history, wasn't something I'd typically pick up. But as heartbreaking as it was to read, I loved it.

8. Most action-packed, thrilling, unputdownable book in 2014?

Once I started Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, I knew I couldn't stop until I'd finished it. I don't know why I waited so long to read it! It was the definition of thrilling and unputdownable. And more recently, I stayed up way too late at night to finish Every Breath by Ellie Marney. It was just as good as everyone had said! Now, I'm just dying for the second book...

9. Book you read in 2014 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Well, I've already read The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid twice this year! But the two books at the top of my to re-read list, excluding series I'll likely re-read in anticipation of new releases, are I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios and Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. However, since I'm co-hosting The 2015 Re-Read Challenge with Kelly, I'm hoping to re-read even more!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

I adore the covers for Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen and Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson. I think Lost Lake is just lovely and memorable, and the cover of Since You've Been Gone fits the book perfectly.

11. Most memorable character in 2014?

I'm always drawn to well-developed characters - it's probably one of the most important elements of a book for me. So, it shouldn't be surprising that the most memorable characters for me were from my favorite books: Kami from Unspoken, Reagan from Open Road Summer, Sorcha from Daughter of the Forest and Rosetta from I Shall Be Near to You. These are four of my favorite characters ever - not just this year.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

The minute I finished Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, I knew I'd found the answer to this survey question! The writing is absolutely stunning. Mandel weaves several voices into a moving story that stayed with me for weeks after I finished it. I was so enchanted by Mandel's way with words!

13. Most thought-provoking book in 2014?

I was surprised when I realized that the most thought-provoking book I read was Ignite Me by Tahehreh Mafi. When I finished, I wrote my longest review ever. The book made me think a lot about unreliable narrators, perception and first impressions. Although it's received mixed reactions, I think it provokes so much discussion!

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?

I was gifted a copy of Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier several years ago, and I just never got around to it. Once I finally did, I couldn't believe I'd let it sit on my shelves for so long! It was absolutely amazing, and I quickly devoured the rest of the series. I'm in love with these characters, this world and Marillier's writing!

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2014?

"I owe Dee for so much, for pinkie links and kindnesses and phone calls and bail-outs. This is the currency of friendship, traded over years and miles, and I hope it's an even exchange someday. For now, I do what all best friends do when there's nothing left to say. We lie together in the darkness, shoulder to shoulder, and wait for the worst to be over." - Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

"... it's okay to show people all of you. Not only okay - but empowering. The root of where our story is. Our real story, anyway. The imperfect, the intense, what you think is ugly and lame is actually what will set you free. What makes you the hero people will root for." - Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer

16. Shortest & longest book you read in 2014?

I decided not to include novellas in this question, so my shortest read was Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt at 139 pages. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons was my longest at 810 pages.

17. Book that shocked you the most?

There were a number of moments in Unspoken, Untold and Unmade that absolutely shocked me. Sarah Rees Brennan is a master of moments that take your breath away! From twists to cliffhanger endings, I was on the edge of my seat while reading this series.

18. OTP of the year?

My favorite romantic relationship? I can't narrow it down to just one! This year, I loved Mycroft and Watts (Every Breath), Arin and Kestrel (The Winner's Curse), Beast and Sybella (Dark Triumph), Rosetta and Jeremiah (I Shall Be Near to You), Red and Sorcha (Daughter of the Forest) and Bran and Liadan (Son of the Shadows).

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year?

I couldn't pick just one! So, I've broken down my favorite non-romantic relationships into a few categories...

Favorite Friends: Dee and Reagan in Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Favorite Hero + Sidekick: Celaena and Rowan in Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Favorite Siblings: Fergie and Anna in Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer

Favorite Mother + Children: Jess, Nicky and Tanzie in One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

20. Favorite book you read in 2014 from an author you've read previously?

A lot of my favorites this year were from authors I've read previously, so I decided to pick one that I haven't featured yet in the survey: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. This was such a great ending and included a delightful scene featuring all of the characters readers have grown to know and love.

21. Best book you read in 2014 that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else?

I've got to hand this one to Every Breath by Ellie Marney! The cover and the summary didn't really appeal to me, but then I started hearing so much praise for it in the blogosphere. It was Lisa from Bookish Broads who convinced me I needed this book in my life - and then I won a copy in a giveaway she hosted. Hooray!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

Emery Lord knows how to write some swoonworthy fellas... I fell for both Matt (Open Road Summer) and Max (The Start of Me and You) this year! The other two standouts for me are Rowan (Heir of Fire) and Red (Daughter of the Forest). They all embody elements of my favorite types, too!

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

There's no question on this one! My favorite adult debut was I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe, and my favorite young adult debut was Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. I cannot wait for more books by both of these talented authors!

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2014?

Although I read the first book in the series two years ago, I fell in love with the world and imagery in Days of Blood and Starlight and Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. There's something so haunting about the creatures and places described in these books! And it's not a fictional world, but I loved traveling to Russia during WWII in The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. She made this place and time period come alive!

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2014?

I had so much fun reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and You Had Me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane. Both of there were such pleasant surprises - funny, enjoyable and so memorable!

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2014?

I've talked before about how I rarely cry while reading, but something changed this year. I think I cried more than I ever have before! Here are the handful of books that made me cry quite a lot, though there are even more that made me tear up: I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan, Before I Go by Colleen Oakley and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay.

27. Hidden gem of the year?

Although it wasn't released this year, I think The Pursuit of Happiness by Tara Altebrando was such a hidden gem! Estelle from Rather Be Reading gifted me a copy, and I'm so thankful she did. I don't think I would have discovered this book otherwise! As far as new releases, I felt like A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller was definitely a hidden gem. I'm a big historical fiction fan, and this was just what I wanted!

28. Book that crushed your soul?

I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe and Before I Go by Colleen Oakley are the two books that just ripped my heart out this year. Just thinking about them makes me want to bawl all over again...

29. Most unique book you read in 2014?

I think Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White was one of the most unique books I read this year. I loved that it was reminiscent of Victorian England but with magic and completely different countries. It was unlike anything I've ever read before, and I absolutely loved it!

30. Book that made you the maddest?

Ugh. This is definitely The Summer Garden by Paullina Simons. I enjoyed the first two books in the series, but I have to pretend like the last one doesn't exist. It made me RAGE while I was reading... horrible characters, awful situations, and honestly one of the worst books I've ever read. I also raged a lot about We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, which I do not understand the hype for AT ALL.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?

I'm so happy I discovered Lindsey from Bring My Books, Laura from Scribbles and Wanderlust and Morgan from Gone with the Words this year! I've so enjoyed chatting with all three of these ladies on Twitter, too.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?

I think my favorite review that I wrote was when I shared 11 Reasons to Read The Lynburn Legacy Series. After binge reading this series, I knew I had to do something different for these special books. And I have to say, I was quite pleased with the result... I hope it convinced more people to take a chance on these books!

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

I think discussion posts have become my favorite part of blogging! I made an effort to write more discussion posts this year, and I think the results have been so worth the effort. I've loved writing them - and then it's been even more enjoyable to see the conversations they've sparked. I tried to pick just one, but it was impossible. My favorites: On Buying Books: Admiring & Acquiring, On Different Kids of Readers, On Talking About Books I Love, On Finding the Non-Fiction for You and On Learning to Trust Your Gut.

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

I absolutely adored collaborating with Alexa from Alexa Loves Books for Fall Into Fantasy. It was definitely my favorite online event that I participated in! And speaking of Alexa, I loved getting to spend a weekend with her at YALLFest. The event itself wasn't my favorite, but I was thrilled to meet Laini Taylor and spend more time with one of my favorite people I've met through blogging. Hanging out with Alexa made the whole thing worth it!

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?

I've got three this year... First, attending Book Expo America (BEA) was definitely an item off my bookish bucket list! Although I've since wondered whether or not the event is really worth it, I can't deny that this was one of my favorite adventures this year. I'm so thankful I got to see what all the BEA fuss was about and spend so much time with my blogging friends! I'll never forget this bookish experience.

Photo from Estelle

The second thing I loved? The relationships that have formed because of blogging. I never would have imagined that this blog would introduce me to so many new people, especially ones I would one day call some of my best friends. This post from Cassie sums it up (and totally made me cry, too). I'll always be thankful for everything that blogging has brought into my life. From daily texts to silly videos, my life wouldn't be the same without them. I don't have a picture with all of us together, but I have hope that one day it will happen!

Photo from Cass

And my third favorite moment of the year? Well, I had to include one involving an author! Getting to know Erin Lindsay McCabe, author of I Shall Be Near to You, has been one of my favorite things about this year. I may have fallen in love with her characters first, but I now adore the person who created them. She's kind and generous - even sending me a signed copy of this beloved book! From her guest post to the #IShall Twitter chat, it's been such a delight to get the word out about one of my favorite reads.

6. Most popular post this year on your blog?

When I was looking up my most popular posts this year, I actually had a moment of giddiness. Of the top ten most popular posts on my blog (since I started three years ago), seven posts were from this year. Y'all! For a while now, I've felt like this has been the year I hit my stride with reading and blogging. And this just confirms it for me! My three most popular posts this year were all about organization: Get Organized on Goodreads, My Book Blogging To Do List Printable and The Wonders of Wunderlist.

7. Post you wished got a little more love?

There are always reviews that I would love to get a little more love, but I know I would have enjoyed more feedback on my post about bookish love and critcism.

8. Best bookish discovery?

Book Outlet! I don't know when I first heard about this website, but I do know I was skeptical. A place I could buy bargain books? I was intrigued, but I was convinced the selection would be terrible or the shipping unreasonable. Thankfully, I was totally wrong. This site is amazing!

9. Did you complete any reading challenge or goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I did! I completed the Goodreads Reading Challenge. In fact, I far exceeded my goal of reading 120 books by finishing 200 this year! I also completed almost all of the resolutions I made at the beginning of the year, as you can see in my 2014 resolution recap.

1. One book you didn't get to in 2014 but will be your number one priority in 2015?

I'm ashamed to admit that I still haven't read the book I featured in this answer last year: Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund. I don't know why I still haven't read it! The same can be said for Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. I even pre-ordered both of these books, so why am I dragging my feet?!

2. Non-debut book you are most anticipating for 2015?

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is definitely at the top of my wishlist! I've got several other 2015 releases I'm dying to read, as well as a bunch of anticipated sequels.

3. 2015 debut you are most anticipating?

I'm looking forward to reading Lost & Found by Brooke Davis and An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Both sound so intriguing and seem like they've been receiving some praise in the blogosphere.

4. Series ending you are most anticipating in 2015?

I feel like a lot of series ended this year, and I'm not sure there are as many ending next year. It's going to be a year of middle books for me! However, I cannot wait for The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead. I have no doubt this conclusion will be epic! Although I'm a little scared for my heart...

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2015?

I desperately need to get control of my TBR, but that's not the thing I most hope to accomplish in 2015. Instead, I want it to be the year I return to my old love: re-reading. I spent so much time re-reading growing up, but I've fallen out of the habit since I started blogging. That's why I'm so excited about co-hosting The 2015 Re-Read Challenge! I think it will be good for me to spend time revisiting old favorites.

6. A 2015 release you've already read and recommend to everyone?

Oh! I've already fallen in love with several 2015 releases. I tried not to mention them too many times (if at all) in this survey since they aren't released yet, but I cannot say enough good things about these four books: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios, The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord, Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer and Before I Go by Colleen Oakley.

READ POST