The Perpetual Reader's 11th Annual End Of Year Survey

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  I love doing these year-end surveys found on the Perpetual Page Turner's blog. It is a fun way to take stock of your reading year.

2020 READING STATS

Number of Books You Read: 52
Number of Re-Reads: 4
Genre You Read the Most From: Thriller

Best in Books-

1. Best Book You Read In 2020? The Outsider by StephenKing was my favorite. The mix of crime thriller and horror had me excited to see what each chapter would bring. One of King’s best. Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes series returns to help Detective Ralph Anderson track down a psychotic killer that can be anyone it wishes. With a distinct three-act set-up, this book is very cinematic in its delivery. All culminating in a showdown finale that is straight out of your nightmares.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Did Not? Malorie by Josh Malerman was a huge disappointment for me. The beginning was solid and was exciting. But as the story progressed, Malerman wasted pages on scenes that did not contribute much to the overall story. And the return of a Bird Box villain was underwhelming. Malorie’s personality was off and she did things in this book that seemed far from her book one personality. It was a waste of time for me.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich was the latest Stephanie Plum book. It was a continuation of the previous book and was set to introduce a new heroine. However, the book was a lot of the same plot devices of past novels and the introduction to Gabriella Rose was short and barely touched the surface of who she was. The book had an excerpt from Gabriella’s book (releasing in 2021) that was more exciting than the entire Plum book. I expected this to be a lot better.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)? Daisy Jones and The Six by TaylorJenkins Reid. This book was an amazing read with the full-cast audiobook. The story of a 70s rock group’s downfall after major success was an often-heartbreaking trip through the world of music. The audiobook is presented in an interview format and sound s like a VH1 Behind the Scenes docuseries. I have read it twice.

 5. Best series you started in 2020? The Bree Taggert series by Melinda Leigh. The story of one detective’s search for her sister’s killer leads to an epic showdown that was heart-pounding. An excellent crime novel with a strong female lead that does not disappoint.

     Best Sequel? Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O’Connor was a delightful installment in the popular Irish Village series of cozy mysteries. Featuring fairy folk, superstition, and of course, murder, this fifth installment was a lot of fun. When a woman is found murdered in her cottage, the villagers think it is the fairy folk that is to blame. But Siobhan O’Sullivan knows better and sets out to prove that it was a person that is the murderer. The return of the O’Sullivan Six was one of   

     Best Series Ender of 2020? I did not read any series enders this year.

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2020? Melinda Leigh. Her writing is very addicting at times. I love her world-building and characters.

7. Best book from a genre you do not typically read/was out of your comfort zone? I did not read out of my comfort zone this year. I needed as much comfort as possible.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year? The Outsider by Stephen King. This book was too good to put down. I even listened to the audiobook while doing chores around the house. I was obsessed.

 9. Book You Read In 2020 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year? None of this year’s books will be re-read in 2021. However, I will be re-reading the Jane Hawk series by DeanKoontz, which was my obsession in 2019.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2020? Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O’Connor has a beautifully painted cover that I looked at often as I read the book.

11. Most memorable character of 2020? Daisy McDonough from the Red Mother series by Jeremy Haun. After she is attacked by a creature at night, Daisy is fitted with a new artificial eye. But the eye is a gateway to a demon known as the Red Mother. Daisy is a strong character with flaws. She is determined to figure out the mystery behind the Red Mother and her cult. Even pursued by the monstrous Herald, she is clever enough to solve the puzzles needed to get away from danger.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2020? Red Mother by Jeremy Haun. This comic book series is not only beautifully illustrated by Danny Luckert, but the writing is well-paced and offers a writing style not always associated with horror.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2020? You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This book touched upon manipulation, loneliness, and revenge. It made me think of past friendships and how I was manipulated. It also made me realize that we all have a little Shay Miller in us.

 14. Book you cannot believe you waited UNTIL 2020 to finally read? Carrie by Stephen King. Not only was the audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek, but it features some of the best visual storytelling in a horror novel.  

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2020? George Potts in Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich: “My heart is racing. I think I have tachycardia. I’ve got spots in front of my eyes and I might see an angel. There’s something floating in front of the car.”

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2020? Shortest: Red Mother #1 at 32 pages/ Carrie at 306 pages

 17. Book That Shocked You the Most- You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This book had me a nervous wreck and that ending…. Wow!

18. One True Pairing of the year (you will go down with this ship!)-Bree Taggert and Matt Flynn from the Bree Taggert series. These two have chemistry and it is electric. They are a couple to watch in fiction.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of The Year-Father Karris and Lieutenant Kinderman from William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist. This unlikely duo makes great friends in this crime-horror masterpiece. They seem to need one another more than they knew.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2020 From an Author You’ve Read Previously- You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Their collaborations have been hit or miss with me, but this one was excellent.

21. Best Book You Read In 2020 That You Read Based SOLELY on A Recommendation from Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.: Carrie by Stephen King was a best friend recommendation.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2020? Matt Flynn from Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh. That man is not only a dog lover but honest and sincere.

23. Best 2020 debut you read? I did not read any debuts released in 2020. But I did read Carrie, which was Stephen King’s first novel.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year? The Red Mother by Jeremy Haun was a vivid tapestry of places that I enjoyed.

25. Book That Put A Smile on Your Face/Was the Most FUN to Read? Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich was loaded with hysterical moments and odd-ball characters. I loved it!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2020? Considering the genres I read, none made me cry or tear up.

27. Hidden Gem of The Year? When I Was You by MinkaKent. This book is a wild book with an even wilder series of twists. Kent is one author I will be reading again soon.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul? You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This twisty book had me feeling sorry for the protagonist, Shay. But also had me yelling out loud at her for being so stupid at times. It was a rollercoaster.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2020? Red Mother by Jeremy Haun. The story, visuals, and excellent characters made this my most unique reading experience.

30. Book That Made You the Maddest (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)? You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. I was constantly shouting at the protagonist for her stupid decisions. I almost stopped reading it. I am happy I continued.

Your Blogging/ Bookish LIfe

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2020? The Book Geek on YouTube. She is friendly and delightful to listen to. I like her recommendations and she is not fake. I appreciate that.

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2020? Top 10 Quarantine Reads That Will Enchant and Thrill

 

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2020? The little free book library I found in Brookfield, CT.

4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)? New York Comic Con’s Metaverse panel with Star Wars authors.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2020? Ending my reading slump by marathoning Stephanie Plum novels.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year? Overcoming depression and the writer’s block it brought.

7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)? The Xepherus Reads 2020 ReadingChallenge.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love? My review for The Outsider by Stephen King.

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, bookstores, etc.)? Kindle sales on Amazon have stocked my library.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year? My Goodreads Challenge is finished. My persona challenge on my blog still has gaps.

Looking ahead

 

1. One Book You Didn’t Get to in 2020 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2021? One by One by Ruth Ware

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2021 (non-debut)? Lisa Gardner’s latest, Before She Disappeared

3. 2021 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? The first draft of my own novel

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2021? Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine

5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2021? Increase blog posts and Instagram stories

6. A 2021 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable): I have yet to read my ARCs for 2021

Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading this week.

 

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2021 Reading Challenge (blank version)

 2020 Reading Challenge (my challenge)

 

 Because there is always time to read,

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