End of 2013 Reading and Blogging Stats

2013 was a great year for me!  I got very involved in the book world, much more so than 2012!  Here are some highlights:

Starting vlogging and created my own YouTube channel 

Started a sister blog that features Adult and NA reads--Juliababyjen After Dark

Hosted my very first read-a-thon with my friend Dana!  A HUGE success!

Joined David Estes's Street Team--The Estes Angels!  (HUGE high for me!)

Became a moderator on a Goodreads Group (David's group)

Started organizing Q&A events with authors

Did my very first author interview

Celebrated my 3 year Blogoversary!

So really, not a bad year at all!  Let's get on to those stats!  I have to mention, I thought I had done a post like this last year, and apparently I didn't (or it got deleted!) so....I don't have some stats that are really important.  This year I'm writing everything down as well!

Blogging Stats

As of January 1, 2014...
I have 726 followers via GFC
I have 183 followers via Bloglovin
Pageviews: 46,932 (all time)

In 2013....
Blog Tours: 15
Book Blasts: 9
Author Interviews: 1
Reviews: 105

Most Popular Posts of 2013 (not including giveaways)

End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram Read-a-thon Announcment   1,046 pageviews
Strands of Bronze and Gold Review 583 pageviews
I Am Alive Blog Tour and review 412 pageviews
There Comes A Prophet Blog Tour and Review 146 pageviews
The Moon Dwellers Free On Amazon Announcement 146 pageviews
The End to a Great Month (David Estes Fan Video) 140 pageviews
September Author of the Month 133 pageviews
The Bane Review 131 pageviews

Reading Stats

Total books read (including rereads) 343 books!!!
Breaking it down my genres
Adult: 13 books
NA: 11 books
YA: 299 books
MG: 20 books
Novels: 317 books
Novellas: 26
5 star reads: 94 books
4.5 star reads: 16 books

Most Read Authors
1. David Estes--9 books
2. Michael Grant--8 books
3. Jennifer Estep--5 books, 1 novella
4. Julie Kagawa--4 books, 1 novella
5. Gayle Forman-- 4 books
5. Bella Andre--4 books
5. Jenny Han--4 books
6. Lauren Oliver--3 books, 4 novellas
7. Jennifer L Armentrout--3 books, 1 novella
7. Kady Cross--3 books, 1 novella
7. Keary Taylor--3 books, 1 novella
7. Katie McGarry--3 books, 1 novella
8. Beth Revis--3 books
8. Maggie Stiefvater--3 books
8. Leigh T. Moore--3 books
8. Sarah Dessan--3 books
8. Tera Lynn Childs--3 books

So, it was a great year, and here's hoping 2014 will be even better! Stay tuned for my New Year's Resolutions and Favorite books of 2013!

Reading Cram Wrap Up

I'm a little late with this post, so I apologize.  My last few days have been insane!  I did fairly well this readathon, but I did not even get close to my goal.  Between holiday events, and then getting sick, I read about what I normally do in a two week period.  But I had lots of fun, and that's what counts!  Here's what I read:

Day 1
Shift by Hugh Howey--Finished  243 pages
One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker-- Finished 366 pages
A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron-- 105 pages

Day 2
A Spark Unseen  by Sharon Cameron--Finished 247 pages
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa--Finished 342 pages

Day 3
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--70 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--67 pages

Day 4
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--94 pages
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--60 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--60 pages
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (reread)--61 pages

Day 5
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--Finished 114 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--213 pages

Day 6
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--54 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--Finished 110 pages

Day 7
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--Finished, 171 pages

Day 8
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan--Finished, 452 pages
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--148 pages

Day 9
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--121 pages

Day 10
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--Finished 94 pages
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--79 pages

Day 11
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--Finished 295 pages
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--133 pages

Day 12
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--198 pages
White Space by Ilsa J. Bick--84 pages

Day 13
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--finished--143 pages
Hereafter by Kate Brian--70 pages

Day 14
Hereafter by Kate Brian--finished--250 pages

Total pages read--4,608 pages
Total books read--12

Here's my list of eARCs that I finished off my TBR list

Additional books I read:

The Son of Neptune (reread) by Rick Riordan

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Shift by Hugh Howey (started before the readathon)

So it wasn't a bad read-a-thon!

I participated in most of the challenges.  I missed a few when I was sick!  The challenges were the most fun for me!

Dana and I also hosted many reading sprints on Twitter, and those were so much fun!  Twitter made this challenge feel more like a community event!

I have drawn the two winner from my giveaways, and will be in touch by email with winners!

Dana and I had so much fun doing this, and we hope to do another in the future!  Thank you to our hosts, and everyone who participated!  

Hereafter by Kate Brian

Goodreads
320 pages, YA Suspense
Shadowlands #2
My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 
But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

My 2 cents

Hereafter is the sequel to Shadowlands. I was really looking forward to reading this one, as Shadowlands had such a surprising ending that totally shocked me, and I had to know what happened next!

***NOTE--This will have spoilers from Shadowlands, the first book in the series**

So the story starts off with Rory learning more about being a Lifer, and also learning more about her fellow Lifers. At first, things seem wonderful, and she is thrilled to have a purpose. But then she makes her first ushering...and sends a dear friend to the Shadowlands. And she is positive he was supposed to go to the Light.

Something is wrong, but no one will listen, least of all Tristan. Rory must figure out what's going on and who's responsible, all while trying to keep herself out of suspicion, and make sure her own family is not sent to the Shadowlands.

So this one didn't have me as confused as the last one, mainly because I know how somewhat of a clue what was going on. Although this one still had plenty of suspense, and I really couldn't guess the ending. I did guess pretty close, though! 

My biggest complaint was really the character development. I was hoping for more with Rory and her family, but dear old Dad and Darcy were absent for most of the story. We did get to know Joaquin and Tristan a little bit more, which seemed important. 

But overall, it was another good story, and I read almost all of it in one sitting. I love stories that hook me in and keep me guessing, and Hereafter did that. One warning, this one does have another cliff hanger ending!

Last Minute Read-a-thon Sign Up

I found another read-a-thon to sign up for!  Hopefully I get caught up on some more reading the last week of the year!  Its being hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner and A Night's Dream of Books.

Here are the details!

Maria over at A Night's Dream of Books is helping me host the second Last Minute Read-a-Thon of 2013! I'm very excited!

This year has blown by super fast for many of us leaving little room for our reads. Do you still have books stacked up that you were hoping to finish before the year ended? How about reviews that you promised to post? Or are you simply looking for another challenge?

Then this read-a-thon is for you!

 

Requirements:

• You must post a Sign Up Post and put your link on the linky below.
• You may put up your post on your blog or Facebook.
• Must have our button with links to the hosts' blogs.
• Once the read-a-thon begins, you must post your launch post with your reading plans/goals.
• Have fun!

 

 

There will also be a prize for not one, but two winners!Along with posting the launch post, every challenge completed will be another entry into the Rafflecopter.

 

Here are the challenges:

 

Dec. 26th- Launch post with planned reads/goals (a must!)

 

Dec. 27th- Rainbow Book Spine....grab books from your shelf that have the following spine colors to make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, & violet.

 

Dec. 28th- Love it or Hate it: Post up book covers that you love and hate explaining why.

 

Dec. 29th- Remembering 2013: Answer the following...

1. Best Book of 2013

2. Worst Book of 2013

3. Favorite New Author

4. Book that surprised you

5. Book that disappointed you

 

Dec. 30th- Finish up your reads; post your wrap-up towards the end of the day or early the next day. 

I hope you can join us!

My Progress:

Reading Cram Day 13--Most Anticipated Releases of 2014 Challenge

Today is Day 13 in the read-a-thon!   Its almost OVER!! Here is my progress so far!

Day 1
Shift by Hugh Howey--Finished  243 pages
One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker-- Finished 366 pages
A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron-- 105 pages

Day 2
A Spark Unseen  by Sharon Cameron--Finished 247 pages
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa--Finished 342 pages

Day 3
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--70 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--67 pages

Day 4
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--94 pages
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--60 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--60 pages
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (reread)--61 pages

Day 5
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--Finished 114 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--213 pages

Day 6
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--54 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--Finished 110 pages

Day 7
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--Finished, 171 pages

Day 8
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan--Finished, 452 pages
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--148 pages

Day 9
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--121 pages

Day 10
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--Finished 94 pages
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--79 pages

Day 11
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--Finished 295 pages
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--133 pages

Day 12
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--198 pages
White Space by Ilsa J. Bick--84 pages

I have no hope of making my goal now, but I still want to read as much as I can!  Unfortunately, I have to work this weekend and trying to get ready for Christmas!

Most Anticipated New Releases of 2014

I'm so excited for 2014!! It's going to be a great year in books!  I already have a TBR list that's close to 100 books already! But here's the ones that have me excited the most!

One without covers:

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Throne of Glass #3 by Sarah J. Maas

Brew by David Estes (release date is uncertain right now)

I think that's all of them!  Most of them are sequels, but there is a few debuts, and also some new series by some favorite authors to look forward to!

What are you looking forward to?

Reading Cram Day 12 Updates

Today is Day 12 in the read-a-thon!   Here is my progress so far!

Day 1
Shift by Hugh Howey--Finished  243 pages
One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker-- Finished 366 pages
A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron-- 105 pages

Day 2
A Spark Unseen  by Sharon Cameron--Finished 247 pages
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa--Finished 342 pages

Day 3
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--70 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--67 pages

Day 4
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--94 pages
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--60 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--60 pages
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (reread)--61 pages

Day 5
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--Finished 114 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--213 pages

Day 6
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--54 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--Finished 110 pages

Day 7
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--Finished, 171 pages

Day 8
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan--Finished, 452 pages
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--148 pages

Day 9
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--121 pages

Day 10
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--Finished 94 pages
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--79 pages

Day 11
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman--Finished 295 pages
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry--133 pages

I have been somewhat under the weather the past few days, so I have fallen farther and farther behind.  Tuesday and Wednesday of this week all I really did was sleep!  I have no hope of making my goal now, but I still want to read as much as I can!

Spell It Out Challenge

Todays challenge is hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads.  Head on over to enter!

Reading Cram Day 9--Song Challenge

Today is Day 9 in the read-a-thon!   Here is my progress so far!

Day 1
Shift by Hugh Howey--Finished  243 pages
One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker-- Finished 366 pages
A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron-- 105 pages

Day 2
A Spark Unseen  by Sharon Cameron--Finished 247 pages
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa--Finished 342 pages

Day 3
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--70 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--67 pages

Day 4
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--94 pages
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--60 pages
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve (reread)--60 pages
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (reread)--61 pages

Day 5
Tent City by Kelly Van Hull--Finished 114 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--213 pages

Day 6
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--54 pages
Altered by Jennifer Rush--Finished 110 pages

Day 7
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spaulding--Finished, 171 pages

Day 8
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan--Finished, 452 pages
Countdown by Michelle Rowen--148 pages

I have fallen pretty far behind, but yesterday was a very busy day!  Also going to be another busy one today!

Song Title Challenge

Pick any book you read in 2013 and choose a song(s) that best describes the book.
You can even create a playlist if you want! Be sure to post links to songs (youtube, spotify, etc)

I made a playlist for this one awhile ago, and its one of my favorites!

Here is my video that describes my song choices!