Favorite Contemporaries of 2013

Contemporaries.  Most are centered around romance, but not all.  They can be fun, light and fluffy--or dramatic, dark, and heart breaking.  Its not my most favorite genre, but I have found some amazing books over the last year in this category. And I read quite a few! Here are my faves!  And if you attempt to read any of these, get your tissues ready!

10. Being Henry David by Cal Armistead

9. Hate List by Jennifer Brown

8. Me, Him, Them, and It by Caela Carter

7. Looking for Alaska by John Green

6. If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

5. Fan Girl by Rainbow Rowell

4. Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

3. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

2. Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

What about you? What were your favorite contemporaries this year?

January Random Reads

I just learned about this fun challenge!  And I like it because its monthly, so you can participate as much or as little as you want!  Its hosted over at I'm Loving Books.  

The details:

In short, Random Reads is a meme where we pick a random book from our shelf to read within the month. Feel free to do more than one per month, but since a lot of people have a lot of books to read each month, only one is “required” for the meme. I’m on Goodreads so I’m using a combination of the sorting feature and Random.org to pick the book I’m going to read.

WANT TO JOIN IN ON RANDOM READS?

It’s easy…

1. If you’re on Goodreads enable sorting to your to-read shelf (you should see numbers next to each book now).
2. Go to Random.org and type in the Min as 1 and the Max as how many ever books are on your to-read shelf. Or you can enter a smaller number as the Max in order to always pick books that have been on your TBR shelf for longer.
3. Scroll down to the book matching the number Random.org picks.
4. Link up to your Random Reads post (below). If you choose more than one book per month, be sure to put a number by your name in the list so it doesn’t look like a duplicate.
5. Read and be merry. 

If you’re not on Goodreads just pick a random book from your list in whatever way you want to do it. You can use the method I used above or even just close your eyes and point randomly at a book on your bookshelf if you want (spin the bottle style). lol

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So, my Goodreads shelf has a ton of books that I don't own, and I didn't really want to spend the time sorting--so I just picked a random number and counted down my bookshelves until I got to that book.  I had random #90....so I'll be reading

An adult read for once!  I'm really pretty excited to read this one, too!  I picked it up at a thrift shop a few months ago.  Woot!

I think this month I'm only going to pick one random book, because I have so many review books to get to.  Buy this will be one book down on my shelves!  YAY!

Favorite Paranormals in 2013

I still have a lot of love for the genre, even if some of the themes are getting tired.  Reading Twilight is was got me back into reading YA, so I will always think fondly of vampires and werewolves.  And who doesn't love those cute, conniving fairies?  And in my opinion, you can never go wrong with a story about witches!

Here's the best I read in 2013!

12. The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

11. You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

10. Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep

9. Bound by J. Elizabeth Hill

8. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

7. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

6. Spirit Bound and Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

5. Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

4. Vanquished by Nancy Holder & Debbie Vigue

3. Born Wicked and Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

2. Boundless by Cynthia Hand

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

What were your favorite paranormal reads in 2013?

New Year's Resolution and Goals for 2014

2013 was an AMAZING year for me!  I really don't know how I'll top it, but I'm sure going to try!  When setting my goals for this year, I looked at last year's goals.  Some of them didn't get done, so those are going back on the list.  Here's a look at last year's goals.  The comments in bold are my new goals for 2014!

Reading Resolutions

Read 200 books this year. I feel this is a pretty good goal. Last year, I shot for 120 books, and read 150! So time to up it! Did it!! New goal: 300 books 

Keep up and finish all my challenges. I signed up for several, and I'm hoping I can follow through!Did about 75% of them I think. So this year, I will only sign up for 6 yearly challenges, and I think I will try to stick to ones on Goodreads. 

Read more adult books. Last year, I read almost entirely YA, which is fine. But I missed my adult time! FAILED. Massively. I need to count, but I know it has to be less than 10! Next year's goal: 25 adult books.  EDIT: I actually read 13 adult books, so I did a little better than I thought!

Finish up several series I'm reading. Vampire Academy, Sookie Stackhouse, Stephanie Plum, Rick Riordan's series, and there are several others! FAIL. Again. I finished Vampire Academy, and that was it out of what I listed. So add those others back on for next year! Also need to finish The Immortal Secrets of Nicholas Flamel, Eragon, and the Matched series.

Another one that wasn't in there was I made a goal to read at least 100 books released in 2013. I read 132 new releases in 2013! So Woot! Making the same goal for 2014: read 100 new releases!

Blog Resolutions

Try to review every full length book I've read. I did a really horrible job of this last year. I read 150 books, and posted 55 reviews! I'm just sticking to full length book reviews for now. I read a lot of short story and novella ebooks, and those are almost too short to write a review for. Another FAIL. I read over 300 books this year, and I reviewed 105. I was doing great until July. Then I completely fell off the wagon until September, and had a few more reviews then nothing until about a week ago. UGH. This year, I'm going to keep the goal more realistic--I will review ALL review books and ARCs I receive. There. That should be more doable! 

Make my reviews more interesting. I need to try a few new things. Like maybe added quotes from the book. Things like that. No idea...I think they are probably about the same. I did do a few on video, but those sucked I think! Going to skip this one for 2014!

Participate in less memes, but more blog hops. I do a lot of memes. I've been cutting down the last month. I will stick with the In My Mailbox for awhile. I will continue Top Ten Tuesday and What Are You Reading Monday when I have the time. Aced this one! So its off the list for 2014 

Do more giveaways, and try some Book Tours. I am participating in my first Book Tour later this month! I did do this, more in the first half of the year. I actually got a little burned out from it, but I found some fabulous books!! So I will aim for 1 new blog tour a month I think, in addition to any authors I already do tours for. 

Personal Resolutions

Make some more blogger friends. I've been blogging over 2 years, and I feel like I'm really suffering in this department! Totally did this! I aced this one and had so much fun doing new things, and I did make a ton new friends! Some really close ones, too!  But I'm keeping it on the list, because I just love making new friends!  If you want to "friend" me, the best place to chat with me is on Goodreads!

Keep the Mr. more involved in my blogging processes. I've just realized how interested my computer geek hubby is in my blogging and reading. I didn't realize I was excluding him so much! Yup, did this. And it was met either with extreme happiness, or complete boredom. Sometimes, he really wants to know, other times...not so much! Can leave this one off for 2014, just keep doing what I'm doing!

Learn 5 new things this year. I used to keep a bucket list of things I wanted to learn or do, and every year I'd try to knock 5 things off my list. I haven't done that in at least 5 years! So now is the time to get back on it! I might even include some of my adventures in my blog! Not sure on this one...5 new things. Here we go (turning on my brain) 1. Learned how to use a meat grinder. For work. New job in kitchen. Ya know. 2. Learned how to use my webcam! 3. Learned how to record and edit my own videos! 4. Learned how to play "Hearts" (card game). Darryl taught me a few weeks ago. Kind of dumb I didn't know how to play. 5. Learned how to play Apples to Apples. At Holiday Party. That I had a little too much fun at.
Some of those may have been reaching...they weren't life changing or anything, but they will help me in my life, so I guess that's all that counts! So I will make the same resolution for 2014, learn 5 new things!

Oh, one that wasn't on the list last year but is something Darryl and I do every year: Volunteer! We try to volunteer with the kids at least 4 times a year. Same for 2014! 

That's a pretty full list!  Here's hoping 2014 is even better than 2013!!

Favorite Dystopians in 2013

Ahhh...dystopians.  One of my true YA loves.  There is something about a good dystopian...the crazy world ending fear, drama, and action...sometimes a little romance on the side that is such a sharp constrast to the horror...and then people who risk everything and manage not to die--and maybe get a little "something something" on the side!

This year was an explosion in dystopians.  I read some great, some not so great.  The following stood out above all the rest.  And months later, some of them still haunt me!  And some of them I'm anxiously awaiting the sequels!

12. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

11. Angelfall by Susan Ee

10. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

9.Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

8. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

7.Unwind by Neal Shusterman

 6. Ashfall and Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin

 5. The Sun Dwellers by David Estes

 4. The Country Saga (Fire Country, Ice Country, Water & Storm Country) by David Estes

3. The Earth Dwellers by David Estes

2. Fragments by Dan Wells

 1. Prodigy and Champion by Marie Lu

 What were your favorite dystopians you read in 2013?

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!