2019 End of the Year Book Survey

Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner has once again posted her end of the year survey and I am so exited to share all my answers. This year I had so much fun reading amazing books and meeting new blogging friends. Shout out to all the Latinx bloggers and authors in the community who really made my year. I read a little bit more books this year than last year, reread a lot of favorites, and tackled a handful of buddy reads. Leave me a link in the comments if you are also doing this survey, I’d love to check out your favorite reads!

**2019 FINAL READING STATS**

Number Of Books You Read: 73 (will be 74 by the time January 1st rolls around)
Number of Re-Reads: 10
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2019?

Nina Moreno’s Don’t Date Rosa Santos was EVERYTHING. I cannot praise this book enough. It’s one of those books that felt written especially for me and I haven’t felt like that in a while. If you haven’t been charmed by this beautiful contemporary, do yourself a favor and get it!

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

Oh, I really really really wanted to love Five Midnights by Ann Dávila Cardinal. I’m always on the lookout for horror novels and horror novels by Latinx authors are so rare in the YA world, but alas, this one was a letdown.

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

I have enjoyed all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books, but hadn’t yet read her debut novel. What was I waiting for? Signal to Noise is just as impressive and ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year.

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

I think I pushed Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri the most this year. It was my last read in 2018 and I have been thinking about it every since (even fit in a reread at the end of the year). Please, please, PLEASE read this work of art. You will not regret it.

5. Best series you started in 2019? Best Sequel of 2019? Best Series Ender of 2019?

Why does it feel like I read Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves two years ago? It took me a good minute to realize it came out this year. I loved it so much and with a reread fell even more in love with these characters. You are all not prepared for the sequel.

There were some really great sequels this year, but shout out to Susan Dennard’s Bloodwitch. I have been waiting for this sequel for two years and the wait was worth it. It was so darn good.

I didn’t finish a ton of series, but one that stood out was Tasha Suri’s Realm of Ash, it’s the conclusion to her The Books of Ambha duology and while it hit differently than Empire of Sand, it was just so beautiful.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?

Do you ever get a really good feeling about an author and their work? Something tells me that Hafsah Faizal is going to end up being one of my favorite authors. While her debut We Hunt the Flame isn’t without its flaws, it was so engrossing and I am really looking forward to the sequel.

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

When have you seen me pick up a nonfiction book? You haven’t because I just don’t. I was in a reading slump at the time and could not for the life of me find anything that felt right. I ended up reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and just need all nonfiction books to be this unputdownable.

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

I loved the action in both Maya Motayne’s Nocturna and Rebecca Roanhouse’s Storm of Locusts. I did not want either of these novels to end.

9. Book You Read In 2019 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I could see myself rereading several of my 2019 reads, but I think I would most likely revisit Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?

My favorite cover of 2019 without a doubt was Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High. It is breathtaking. And the naked hardback? I’m swooning right now.

11. Most memorable character of 2019?

This was a difficult question and I couldn’t quite decide until I recalled Silas from Sorcery of Thorns from Margaret Rogerson. He’s not even one of the main characters in the novel, but he was my favorite and I grew so attached to him, I almost cried at the end.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2019?

Tasha Suri’s Realm on Ash was so beautifully written. I am really looking forward to whatever she write next. It will be an instant buy for me.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2019?

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar is one of the most beautiful, complex novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading. From menstruation, to gender identity, to cultural heritage, this MG is phenomenal. Please read this important novel.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read? 

It took me way too long to read Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman and it broke me. I might have to put her in the same category of Adam Silvera because this one ripped me apart.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2019?

So I am horrible at tracking quotes, but that really sticks out is from my reread of Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri. I get so emotional thinking about this quote.

“I would have been your clan, then,” he responded, so soft. “I would have loved you without vows or seals. Just my heart for yours, as long as you willed it.”

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2019?

The shortest book I read this year was Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and the longest was a reread, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

17. Book That Shocked You The Most?

I feel like I read The Wicked King by Holly Black ages ago, but that’s just because Queen of Nothing also came out this year. The ending to The Wicked King literally made me gasp.

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

Maybe it’s because I like anxiety ships and secretly love to be tortured, but I love Zafira and Nasir from We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. Also, shout out to Dani and Carmen from We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia. My poor girls better get a happily ever after ending.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

I loved reading about Maggie and Ben in Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse. I love that Maggie has no idea what to do with this teenage girl and every scene between them was pure gold.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2019 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

There were so many great sophomore books that I can’t just name one. Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High, S.K. Ali’s Love from A to Z, and Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns all stood out to me.

21. Best Book You Read In 2019 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.:

I was looking for some lighthearted contemporaries by authors of color and got recommended The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang and I enjoyed it so very much. I can’t wait to read The Bride Test.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019?

I reread Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri in November and somehow fell more in love with Amun. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK AND MEET MY PRECIOUS AMUN!!!

23. Best 2019 debut you read?

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno was my favorite read of the year and it is a stunning debut. I cannot wait for her sophomore novel. Auto-buy time.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson blew me away with its world-building. If you like fantasy worlds that just take you away, you need to read this one.

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

I had the most fun reading Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. I read and listened to the audiobook and I cannot count the number of times I just burst out laughing.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2019?

Several books made me cry this year. Don’t Date Rosa Santos and Starfish are two that really stand out.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud was such a delightful contemporary. You need to read it if romance is your thing and if you are in need of seeing more characters of color (particular black girls) being able to have that swept off your feet kind of story.  Also Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite deserves a shout out as well. I didn’t have a chance to write a review for this one, but I loved this story about a girl learning more about her roots.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Again, I am so sorry to mention it so many times (I’m not), but Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno crushed my soul and then restored it? Brujería.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2019?

Alexandra Villasante delivered one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read with her debut The Grief Keeper. An experiment that allows people to literally take away someone’s grief away? The ethic questions this one raises are plentiful. I wish I had been in a better place at the time because this one deserved a glowing review from me.

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

Is it terrible that I am slightly annoyed that I haven’t loved any of Renée Ahdieh’s novels since The Wrath and the Dawn duology? I didn’t have tons of expectations going into The Beautiful, but maybe I’m just mad that one of my favorite authors is no longer one of my favorite authors.

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2019?

I found a lot of favorite blogs and bloggers, but I’m going to give a shout out to one of my Latinx Book Club cohosts, Jocelyn @ yogi with a book. It’s always fun to find a kindred spirit in the blogging community and Jocelyn and I are always so in sync.

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2019?

Once again my favorite posts this year was my Latinx Heritage Month series, Talk Chisme to Me. I’m glad I worked on these early because I wasn’t in the best place when it came time to post them, but they helped me get back in the swing of things blogging wise. Check out all my posts below:

Talk Chisme to Me, Part I: The TBR

Talk Chisme to Me, Part II: Favorite Books By Latinx Authors I Read This Past Year

Talk Chisme to Me, Part III: New & Upcoming Releases

Talk Chisme to Me, Part IV: Biggest Influencers

Talk Chisme to Me, Part V: Under the Radar Books Added to My TBR

Talk Chisme to Me, Part VI: Looking Ahead at the TBR

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019?

I really like this photo I did of Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. You can see it along with other bookish photos on my Instagram here.

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

My favorite “event” that happened this year was #YellowforRosa on Twitter. Not only did it give us a chance to promote a Latinx author’s debut (Don’t Date Rosa Santos), but it ended up connecting me with so many wonderful Latinx bloggers.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?

The Latinx Book Club’s inception and its interview on Forbes.com felt pretty big.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Deciding whether blogging was still going to be an important part of my life after experiencing a major loss. I still want to keep blogging as it’s become such a sanctuary for me.

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

My most popular blog post this year that wasn’t a meme was Welcome to My New Blog…Kind Of. It’s not much of a post, but it was my announcement post after I gave my blog a whole makeover. Eight months later, I am still really satisfied with the changes.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I wish more people checked out my review of Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza. This duology is amazing and I need you all to read it!!!

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

I am going to go with Bookstagram. This year I finally gave in and joined Instagram. I am really enjoying the experience though to be honest I am still puzzled when it comes to Stories. Follow me here!

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

I set my Goodreads goal to fifty books because I didn’t want to stress too much and it was so nice. I also joined the Beat the Backlist challenge and failed!!! But I am okay with that.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2019 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2020?

There are a few 2019 books I really wanted to get to but didn’t get a chance. High on my TBR is Rin Chupeco’s The Never Tilting World. I preorder this one and still haven’t read this one. I will in January (hopefully).

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2020 (non-debut)?

I am so stoked for Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I am so stoked for her first horror novel. I have high hopes and this cover is one of the most gorgeous I’ve ever laid eyes on. I need it so bad.

3. 2020 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I am so excited for Claribel Ortega’s Ghost Squad. I have been such a fan of her for years and she’s one of those people am wishing all the success for. I will probably preordering this one.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2020?

I need Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova so badly! I am literally teary-eyed just thinking of this one. I’ve loved her Brooklyn Brujas series so much. Crossing my fingers I can get my hands on an ARC.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2020?

I read a lot of books by Latinx authors in 2019 and I might low-key aim for an even higher number this year.

6. A 2020 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

You all must read Anna-Marie McLemore’s Dark and Deepest Red. It was so so so so so good. Review coming so soon!

Did you do this survey? Leave me your link in the comments and I will visit!

2019 Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

Quick note that you will be seeing more blog posts than usual from me over the course of the next week because I preparing to go on hiatus for the month of July and have to fit all of these posts in before then. I am going to try to get to all the comments before the month ends, but I really can’t make any promises.

The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag was originally created by booktubers Read Like Wildfire and Earl Grey Books. I’ve been doing this tag for the last couple of years and I love that it gives me a chance to evaluate what I’ve read at the halfway point in the year. Shout out to Melanie and Mireille @ TBR and Beyond for tagging me this year. These (almost) last six month have gone by rather quickly for me. My 2019 has been largely defined by buddy reads and the Latinx Book Club. I’ve done more buddy reads this year than I’ve ever done in a given year and it’s both my first time participating and cohosting a book club. So far, 2019 has been full of new and exciting things and I’m looking forward to what the rest of the year holds in store. Covers below are linked to Goodreads.

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2018?

This is always the most difficult question, but I am going to go with Nina Moreno’s Don’t Date Rosa Santos because of the way it made me feel. I legit almost cried when I got my hands on the ARC thanks to Morgan @ The Bookish Beagle. Bless you. If you enjoy  multi-layered contemporaries, generational stories, Latinx protagonists, pick this one up, you won’t regret it!

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2018?

I’ve read a few really good sequels so far this year, but I will say Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard was my favorite. I’ve been waiting so long for this third book and thanks to the generosity of a fellow blogger (Amber Elise @ Du Livre, you angel!), was able to read an ARC and it met all my very irrational expectations.

3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

Um, how much time do you have? I’ve missed out on quite a few 2019 releases, but the one I am eager to get to before all the others is With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

4. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2018?

I can only pick one? So cruel. I am going to say The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh. I am really looking forward to this new series and am willing to give up my first born for an ARC.

5. Biggest Disappointment?

I hate to say it but I was really disappointed in Five Midnights by Ann Dávila Cardinal. I can’t remember the last time I disliked a protagonist so much and actively rooted against them.

6. Biggest Surprise?

I’m going with Maya Motayne’s Nocturna, not because I didn’t expect to like it but because words can’t express how much I ended up loving these characters. My beautiful, soft Alphie and my strong, but wounded Finn. It was a four-star read for me, but if I do a reread don’t be surprised if it gets bumped up to five.

7. Favorite New Author?

Margaret Rogerson. With Sorcery of Thorns, I am officially adding her to my favorites list. Her writing is so good and in the fantasy genre, it can sometimes be hard to find really unique storytelling and I’m just so in love with hers.

8. Newest Fictional Crush?

I think I’m just going to crush on Kai from Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts some more. I can never get enough Kai.

9. Newest Favorite Character?

Ben from Storm of Locusts. I feel like this character was able to breath new life into a mostly Kai-free Storm of Locusts, which is pretty impressive in my book.

10. Book That Made You Cry?

I kid you not, I got teary eyed on page two of Don’t Date Rosa Santos. That book made me really emotional throughout.

11. Book That Made You Happy?

As sad as it sounds, I don’t think I’ve read too many happy happy books this year, but you know what made me really happy? Being offered an ARC of Love from A to Z by the publisher.

12. Favorite Book To Movie Adaptation You Saw This Year?

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hand down. I love Miles Morales so much and this movie was a sight to behold. I’ve been counting down the days until it’s on Netflix so I can watch it again and again.

13. Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year?

I really enjoyed writing my review of Sorcery of Thorns. This is not something I say often, but I was literally thrilled to sit down (figuratively, because I wrote most of it while on my walk with my dog) and write it. I’m also quite happy with the way it turned out. Check it out here.

14. Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year?

Hands down it’s With the Fire on High. The hardcover made me super emotional and I just love it so much.

15. What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?

I just looked at the books I put down last year and I failed so hard, so this time I am only mentioning one book. I am determined to get to Vicious by the end of the year because it is time.

What’s your favorite book so far in 2019? What book are you hoping to get to before the year is out? Consider yourself tagged if you want to do this one! Leave me a link in the comments to your own Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag post, so I can visit.

9th Annual End of the Year Book Survey – 2018 Edition

It’s time for the annual End of the Year Book Survey! This survey was created by Jaime @ The Perpetual Page Turner and is a great way to look back on the reading year. I love sharing which books really stood out to me each year and this time around, I didn’t forget, so I’ve been working on this one since early December. So yay me! Let me know if you are also doing this survey and leave me a link to your own post in the comments. Covers/Titles are linked to Goodreads. Let’s get to the books.

**2018 FINAL READING STATS**

Number Of Books You Read: 68
Number of Re-Reads: 4 1/2 (currently in the middle of The Cruel Prince reread)
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy (not surprising)

1. Best Book You Read In 2018?

Every year this question is so cruel, but this year it feels extra cruel. I’ve read some really fantastic books this year and to make me choose which to highlight feels impossible. Which is why I am naming six favorite 2018 reads because no one can tell me I can’t. In the order in which I read them:

1. The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
2. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
3. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
4. Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali
5. Blanca y Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore
6. Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

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

I’ve had a lot of good luck with graphic novels, enjoying nearly every one I’ve picked up. Unfortunately, I did not like Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke & Key, #1) by Joe Hill like so many others did.

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

Amy Tintera’s Ruined really surprised me. If you asked me before I read it whether or not I would enjoy it, I would have bet that it wouldn’t be a positive read for me, but it really worked for me and I’m really intrigued by many of the characters and am very interested in seeing what happens next.

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

I’m hoping that I pushed enough people to read Lily Anderson’s Undead Girl Gang. I really love everything that she’s written and I’m really hoping she gets more recognition.

5. Best series you started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018? Best Series Ender of 2018

I read many really good first books in a series, but I’m going to mention The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty. Both impressed me as series openers and I can’t wait to continue both series.

For best sequel I am going with Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova. I am so in love with this series and eagerly awaiting the announcement for the third novel.

My favorite series ender I read in 2018 was Elizabeth May’s The Fallen Kingdom. This one made me feel all the emotions and I am really looking forward to seeing more books by this author.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?

Going to resist naming a bunch of debut authors and go with Seanan McGuire and Courtney Alameda. With the former I finally pick up a book from (Every Heart a Doorway) and with the latter, it was kind of like I rediscovered her with Pitch Dark.

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

I don’t pick up short story collections very often, but I fell in love with Carmen Marie Machado’s eerie and strange Her Body and Other Parties.

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

Courtney Summer’s Sadie was an unputdownable mystery. I grew so invested in Sadie’s story that I was racing to the end.

9. Book You Read In 2018 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

There were a lot of really good books I read in 2018 that I can totally see myself rereading. At the top of the list is Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Beautiful Ones. I found that book so satisfying and loved nearly every little thing about it.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?

There were so many beautiful covers this year, but one that stands out to me is Dhonielle Clayton’s The Belles. It’s such a gorgeous cover and makes me want to take all the book pictures.

11. Most memorable character of 2018?

I felt a really deep connection to Janna from Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali. She completely stole my heart. I wanted to wrap her in a blanket and protect her from the world. I just found out Ali is writing a sequel and I could not be more excited.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2018?

I don’t even have to think about this one. Anna-Marie McLemore astounds, enchants and beguiles with her writing. Blanca y Roja was everything I love about magical realism and fairy tales. McLemore is such a gifted writer whose every word feels like magic.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2018?

I could go several different directions with this one, but I’m going with Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X because it was a novel that challenges me to read outside of my comfort zone.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2018 to finally read? 

This one easily goes to Sandhya Menon’s When Dimple Met Rishi. I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book, but it was fantastic. If you ever need a book that will make you smile from start to finish, this is the one you need to reach for.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2018?

This is a difficult one, but I’m sharing a little excerpt from The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.

“Late into the night I write and
the pages of my notebook swell
from all the words I’ve pressed onto them.
It almost feels like
the more I bruise the page
the quicker something inside me heals.”

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2018?

The shortest book I read this year was Melissa Lozado-Oliva’s poetry collection peluda which I loved so much. I didn’t read a ton of big books this year, the longest was Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor at 536 pages.

17. Book That Shocked You The Most?

How can I not mention Tiffany D. Jackson for this category. Monday’s Not Coming ended up being such a compelling read. It another one of those books that make you want to turn back to the first page just to be sure about what you read.

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

*slams hand on table* Let me tell you about Maggie and Kai from Rebecca Roanhorse’s Trail of Lightning. Maggie is the broody one who keeps people at arm’s length. Kai is a ray of sunshine who makes every page he’s on light up. They are amazing together and I love them.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

I’m going to include the entire crew in Natalie c. Parker’s Seafire. I love how supportive these girls are of one another.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2018 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Let’s see, I would have to name Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Beautiful Ones and Anna-Marie McLemore’s Blanca y Roja.

21. Best Book You Read In 2018 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.:

Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince has been my consistent answer when it comes to questions involving hype. I really had no intention of reading this one, but it felt like everyone and their mothers were recommending it and so I caved. But it ended up being such a fantastic read and the sequel is now one of my most anticipated 2019 releases.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2018?

Kai from Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. Listen, he is a ray of sunshine and I love him and will protect him no matter what.

23. Best 2018 debut you read?

Factoring everything in, I’m going to go with The City of Brass by S.A. Charkraborty. I was so impressed with everything in this one. The characters and world-building were top-notch.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Mirage by Somaiya Daud stands out to me for its vivid and multilayered world-building. I can’t wait to see more from this author.

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

Mentioning Sandhya Menon’s When Dimple Met Rishi again because I have never been happier reading a book this year than when I was reading this one.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2018?

I am a crier. Well, not in real life, but fictional stories always make me cry for some reason. Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X had me in tears multiple times.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I say again, Lily Anderson’s novels are a must. I mentioned Undead Girl Gang earlier, but here I will mention another of her novels I picked up this year. Not Now, Not Ever is a smart, fun contemporary loosely based on The Importance of Being Earnest. Read her books!

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

This one goes out to History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera, who loves to crush all his readers’ souls with each book he writes.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2018?

I think Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is going to usher in a new era of fantasy books and I for one cannot wait.

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

I’m only mad about Justina Ireland’s Dread Nation because we have to wait so long for the sequel. I’ve heard both 2019 and 2020 dates and in all honesty, both of these are too long away. Okay, maybe not mad, just sad. *cries*

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2018?

Special shout out to Carolina @ Fictionologyst. I’m so glad I was lucky enough to be paired with you for the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge. I think you are amazing and I’m so happy we’ve gotten to bond over books.

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2018?

I love all of the posts I did for Latinx Heritage Month. I worked really hard on these and was really happy I could help spread the word about all the wonderful books written by Latinx authors. You can check out my series here.

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2018?

Don’t know if I have a favorite photo, but this one seems to be pretty popular over on Tumblr.

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

Does visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter count for this one? I finally got a chance to visit this truly magical place. My Potterhead heart was so full. I can’t wait to go back again.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2018?

I received my first physical ARCs from publishers this year and I was over the moon.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

I had to lower my Goodreads goal this year because I was kind of stressing about meeting it. I’ve decided I am going to keep my goal at 50 next year, so I don’t stress about it so much.

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

My most popular blog post this year that wasn’t a meme was Latinx Heritage Month, Part II: New & Upcoming Releases. If you are curious about books by Latinx authors being published between this October through 2019, check this out. I managed to find 50+ titles.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I do wish my post Latinx Heritage Month, Part III: Latinx Poets You Should Know got a little more love. These poets are absolutely incredible and I need more people to know them by name.

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

I finally gave in and became a Barnes & Noble member. So far it has been very worth it, though my bank account might disagree.

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

I met my Goodreads challenge and came up a little short with the Debut Author Challenge and I’m okay with that.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?

I have neglected this latest release from Naomi Novik and must make the time in early 2019 to pick up Spinning Silver. I reread Uprooted this December because I wanted to pick up something I was sure to love and it has me very excited to finally dive into this Rumpelstiltskin retelling.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2019 (non-debut)?

Do you know how much I love Roshani Chokshi’s writing? So so so much. I’ve already preordered The Gilded Wolves and am now counting down the days until I have this one in my hand. The cover for this one is so pretty, I can’t wait to see it in person.

3. 2019 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

There are so many 2019 debuts I am itching for, but I’m naming We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia. And yes, I’ve already preordered this one.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2019?

Again, there are a ton of sequels I am looking forward to. One I’m particularly excited about it The True Queen by Zen Cho. Sorcerer to the Crown is one of my favorite novels and now that we are getting a sequel/companion novel, I could not be happier.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2019?

I’m hoping to get to more books on my shelf which is why I am joining the Beat the Backlist challenge. Look for my sign-up challenge in early January.

6. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

I’ve only read one 2019 release, but felt pretty eh about it.

End of the Year Book Tag

I love doing end of the year tags and while I am still working on completing the annual End of the Year Book Survey, I thought I’d tackle this short one in the meantime. I was tagged by the lovely Annemieke @ A Dance With Books. She is one of my favorite bloggers and if you haven’t had a chance to check out her blog, you should do so now. Covers are linked to Goodreads.

1. Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

I am usually a strict one-book-at-a-time kind of bookworm, so I don’t have any partially read books I’m scrambling to complete by the end of the year.

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I feel like the only time there is a dramatic shift in my reading choices is back in October when I pick up all the spooky reads I can get my hands on. While I do associate big fantasy books with the winter, it doesn’t necessarily translate to a change in my reading habits.

3. Is there a new release that you’re still waiting for?

There are several new releases I wish I had my hands on, but I think any more book buying I may do will have to wait until the next year.

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

I am planning a buddy reread of Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince with Carolyn @ A Hundred Thousand Stories, I have an ARC of The Similars by Rebecca Hanover I need to start today, and I’m hoping to pick up Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, but I’ve been in the mood for rereads, so we will see.

5. Is there a book you think could still shock you & become a favorite of the year?

If I do get to Girls of Paper and Fire I am sure I will be blown away.

6. Have you already started making reading plans for 2019?

No, I have not, but I am contemplating joining the Beat the Backlist challenge hosted by Austine @ NovelKnight. It’s a pretty popular challenge that I think would do me some good. I have way too many backlist books on my shelf that need reading.

Tagging anyone who would like to take part. Leave me a link to your post and I will be sure to visit!