I'm Going on Vacation...

To Florida!!!!

{ | } This will be the first time I've ever seen the ocean!  I'm SO excited and it won't feel real until I leave, I expect.  I'm leaving tonight with a group of friends, and we'll be back on Sunday; unfortunately, I have to go right back to work on Monday.  So my usual reviews and features will return ASAP including a new discussion post and If I Could Write a Letter to Me.  It may not be Monday, since I may or may not be exhausted on Sunday when I get home, but we'll see!  Thank you for bearing with me during this, and I will be back as soon as I can, loves!  Everyone have a GREAT week!

In My Mailbox - #19

 { ++ } Kristi at The Story Siren hosts this weekly meme which gives bloggers a chance to highlight the books we bought, checked out, won, or otherwise procured over the last week. And whether I've came into money (brb, laughing forever) or only had the goods to splurge on a book or two, they all deserve some love.

Books Mentioned

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington { Add it on Goodreads } 

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St James { Add it on Goodreads } 

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen { Add it on Goodreads } 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo { Add it on Goodreads } 

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer { Add it on Goodreads } 

Thank you to the Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours, Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours, MacMillan, and Jess at Gone with the Words!

In My Mailbox - #18

 { ++ } Kristi at The Story Siren hosts this weekly meme which gives bloggers a chance to highlight the books we bought, checked out, won, or otherwise procured over the last week. And whether I've came into money (brb, laughing forever) or only had the goods to splurge on a book or two, they all deserve some love.

Books Mentioned

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock { Add it on Goodreads } | For review

Tempest by Julie Cross { Add it on Goodreads } | Gifted

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood { Add it on Goodreads }

Across the Universe by Beth Revis { Add it on Goodreads } 

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins { Add it on Goodreads } | For review

Gilt by Katherine Longshore { Add it on Goodreads } 

Torn by Amanda Hocking { Add it on Goodreads } 

Thank you to Harper Collins, the Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours, and to Rhiannon!  

Waiting On Wednesday - #23: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

{ ++ }  This weekly event/feature is graciously hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine. You know that feeling you get when you're browsing upcoming books on Goodreads or Amazon and one strikes your fancy?  Maybe you squee.  Maybe you giggle to yourself.  Maybe you bounce in your seat. We all get excited (I do a combination of all three of the previous choices...) about new books, be it a favorite author you're familiar with, or someone whose work you'll be reading for the first time.  Jill's meme gives us the chance to spotlight what we are anxiously awaiting this week.

I'm Waiting On...

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong? 


Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. 


Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough... 


The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Timepiece by Myra McEntire
Expected publication: June 12, 2012
Add it on Goodreads

Why It's Worth Waiting On:  Is this a serious question?  Oh wait, I'm the one asking it.  Okay, honest answer (as opposed to the fangirl answer which is IT'S TIMEY-WIMEY AND ABOUT HOT GUYS AND EM AND WIBBLY-WOBBLY STUFF!) is: Myra is an excellent writer whose characters resonate genuinely, and who knows how to ramp up the action and romance.  Plus, it's about time travel AND IT'S FROM KALEB'S POINT OF VIEW, OMG.  (Sorry, slipped back into fangirl mode for a sec.  HEE.)


{ ++ } What are YOU waiting on this week? 

It's Once Upon a Prologue's First Birthday!

{ | } SO MY BLOG IS TURNING ONE - TODAY!  I've already put up a giveaway post, (up for grabs: a box of ARCs and as a runner up prize, a book of YOUR choice) but I wanted to take a minute to say a huge, heart-felt "THANK YOU" to everyone for the last year.  I've gained followers (which it still amazes me that anyone want to read this blog!)  It gives me a thrill when I gain a new follower; I never expected a dozen, much less several hundred. 

I've made blogging friends, and while I haven't been lucky enough to meet any of them in real life, I feel like I've started to get to know some truly wonderful, amazing, fun, and supportive people.  I'm still juggling the responsibilities of life with blogging (sometimes I wish my job was my hobby and my blog was an awesome job I got to do every day, though truly, I love my job and I adore blogging, so it all evens out.)  I've hit a few slumps but there have been a few people who've been with me from the beginning, and a few special, awesome followers who have really gone out of their way to welcome me to the blogging community.  I want to give a shout out to ALL of my followers/readers but to these amazing few:

1. Alison at Alison Can Read (She was one of my first few followers and is extremely nice!)
2. Rachel at Parajunkee's View (In case you don't know, Rachel is AMAZING.  She and Alison featured me for Follow Friday last fall and it gave my blog a wonderful boost.  Plus Rachel is such a pillar in the blogging community with her well-thought out reviews and Book Blogging 101 posts!)
3. Mickey at I'm a Book Shark (Mickey is totally fun to talk to, especially over Jodi Picoult novels.  Her blog is a great place to hang out and she's super encouraging!)
4. Anna at Literary Explorations (Her blog is awesome-sauce, and I always enjoy chatting books with her, or whatnot, and ARC swaps.)
5. Marie at Ramblings of a Daydreamer (Marie is one of the sweetest and most supportive people I know, and her blog is always a treat to visit)
6. Mimi at Mimi Valentine (How SWEET is Mimi?  She writes incredibly enthusiastic reviews
7. Michelle at Oh! For the Love of Books (Michelle invited me to participate in a blog hop in the fall and we've had a lot of fun getting to know each other since then!)
8. Jessica at Thoughts at One In the Morning (Jessica is such a passionate blogger, fellow writer, and we've hit it off over books and TV shows, like Castle!  HEE)
9. Caitlyn at The Cait Files (Cait is just plain fantastic!  She's supportive and hosts awesome discussion posts, is fun to chat with on Twitter, and writes amazingly honest reviews, which I LOVE.)
10. And a special, from the heart and soul, thank you to one of my BEST friends... Suz at A Soul Unsung.  Suz is the reason I started my book blog, and sometimes, the reason I kept mine going.  I admire her SO much for all the hard work she's put in to her blog and am so happy for the recognition she's been getting lately.  Seriously, if you don't follow her, please at least consider stopping by her blog.  Suz is "fantastic...and do you know what?  So was I."  (I went a little Doctor Who there at the end, but S won't mind.  ;))

I've had so many great moments and memories from this past year!  I wish I had the time and space to recap them all, but there's just TOO much... from writing my first review, to receiving my first ARC, to figuring out what the heck this whole "NetGalley" thing was, to reaching various followers milestones, being featured in Follow Friday, participating in blog tours...and through it all, reading some FABULOUS, heart-wrenching, life-changing books.  I can't wait for another wonderful, awesome year, and I hope y'all will be with me for the ride!

Top Ten Tuesday - #12: The Soundtrack of a Story

{ ++ } Hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish, this meme features a different theme every week, and hey, it's Tuesday - we've got the rest of the week ahead of us.  We all need a little fun, and who doesn't love the challenge of ranking their top 10 anything...especially when it comes to books?!  I know I do, hence why I thought it'd be fun to participate, and spice things up a little!

February 28: Top Ten Books I'd Give A Theme Song To

{ 1 } Saving June by Hannah Harrington | theme song: "Over You" by Miranda Lambert.  I had this song on repeat while I read this book, and between Harper (the main character) and Miranda Lambert, I fell right into the story.  "Over You" is such a beautiful song, and to me, the lyrics could be that of someone who has lost a loved one, a romantic partner, etc.  They really spoke to me and made Harper's grief even more poignant.  Now, when I see Saving June, which was an amazing, cathartic read in a book store, I think of "Over You," and because the book and the song are all tangled together, I smile, and I think of: "but you went away, how dare you, I miss you.  They say I'll be okay, but I'm not going to ever get over you."

{ 2 } Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins | theme song:"Gravity" by Sara Bareilles.  It's a heavy song all about the highs and lows of love, and someone trying NOT to fall in love.  It's one of the most heartrendingly beautiful songs I've ever heard and in my opinion it fits Anna and St Clair as they traveled friendship and slowly, beautifully, more. 

{ 3 } Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver | theme song: "Steer" by Missy Higgins.  This song makes me think of Sam and how she grows SO so much as a person throughout this book, and how she learns, at a high price, how to live her own life. 

{ 4 } The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead | theme song: "We Found Each Other in the Dark" by City & Colour.  I know using a whole series is cheating but the underlying love for me with these books, aside from the heart-pounding plot and awesome characters, was Rose and Dimitri.  So since they are present in each novel and are definitely a factor, I'm cheating!  To me this song is so THEM.  "Cause we're gonna live, we're gonna live, we're gonna live at last."  They went through so much to be together, and because of it were so genuine and amazing.  

{ 5 } Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins | theme song: "Someone Like You" by Adele .  So I'm pretty sure I can't do a Top Ten without mentioning THG at this point.  Mockingjay was terrible.  And amazing.  And ripped me apart.  And I can't think of Mockingjay without thinking of Gale and Katniss, and if there is anyone out there who feels the same way about them as I do (I'm in the minority, but I'm used to it!) this song will, I think, make sense. I can see them, a few years down the road, this song playing.  Maybe I'm in my own little denial world, but...that's okay when it comes to this pairing - aka my heart. 

{ 6 } The Catastrophic History of You & Me by Jess Rothenberg | theme song: "The Light" Sara Bareilles.  I know this is a little cheesy what with lyrics like "I'll follow you into the light" but this song makes me think of Brie, her journey, and her feelings for Patrick (both when she denies them, and when she doesn't).  (Side note: this book was AMAZING.)

{ 6 } Hourglass by Myra McEntire | theme song: "Hold You In My Arms" by Ray LaMontagne.  Ahh, Emerson and Michael.  They were a bit tormented, a LOT hot, and very emotional and poignant.  This song says it all. 

{ 7 } Delirium by Lauren Oliver | theme song: "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.  First off, this is one of the most perfect songs about love EVER EVER EVER.  Secondly, it really speaks to me, when I think of Lena and Alex, especially "I will be brave, I will not let anyone take away what's standing in front of me." 

{ 8 } Take This Regret by Amy Lichtenhan | theme song: "As You Turn Away" by Lady Antebellum.  I started playing this song while reading the prologue.  It played almost nonstop throughout the rest of the book.  Take This Regret reached in and got ahold of my heart and did not let go.  It's been months since I finished it and I STILL think about the characters sometimes.  Amy did an amazing job of bringing them and their situation to life, and asking: could you trust or love again someone who had betrayed you?



Okay so that's all I could think of.  I know, I know, I'm a HUGE music geek and I can't get to ten.  In my defense, I'm super tired.  BUT I want to see for sure what y'all came up with, so link me!  I'll visit your blog in return.  : )

Top Ten Tuesday - #11 : Top Ten Books I'd Save If...

{ ++ } Hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish, this meme features a different theme every week, and hey, it's Tuesday - we've got the rest of the week ahead of us.  We all need a little fun, and who doesn't love the challenge of ranking their top 10 anything...especially when it comes to books?!  I know I do, hence why I thought it'd be fun to participate, and spice things up a little!

February 11: Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If My House Was Going To Be Abducted By Aliens

{ 1 } The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.  This is one of my all-time favorite books.  It features a tough, loyal, sensitive, smart-ass hero called Kvothe, action, emotion, history, and magic.  And that doesn't even come close to describing why I love it.  There just aren't words. 

{ 2 } Hourglass by Myra McEntire.  Um.  Emerson + Michael forever.  I think that says enough.  :D  But if it doesn't... Myra's debut novel was full of time-travel, so so so much meaningful emotion, a wonderfully amazing family dynamic between Em and her brother and sister-in-law, a fascinating mythos, and amazing characters plus a sizzling romance.  I truly adored it. 

{ 3 } Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews.  There are MANY of her books I'd want to save, but assuming I could only take one, it'd be FITA.  It isn't my absolute favorite of hers but it IS the one that made the biggest impact on me, and part of the reason I got into role playing, which led to meeting two of my best friends. 

{ 4 } Wizard and Glass by Stephen King.  This is the fourth book in his Dark Tower series, and imho, it is also the best.  It's the last one he wrote in the series for some years, and when he came back to the series it was VERY different, a completely different feeling and direction.  I adored Wizard and Glass, even if it was incredibly sad. 

{ 5  } The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan.  I've adored his Wheel of Time series for years, and when he passed, I cried and cried.  The Shadow Rising introduces my favorite female character, Aviendha, and the culture of the Aiel, which I loved learning about, and there was SO much going on that this was just a thrilling read and in some ways, one of my favorites. 

{ 6 } The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell.  It's been months and months since I read this one but I adored it, absolutely loved it.  Amelia and Nathaniel's story was amazing, and I fell whole-heartedly for Saundra's writing style.

{ 7 } Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.  I don't know that this is my absolute favorite HP novel, but for me it was the one that truly turned the tide of the series and really introduced a more adult theme to the books.  I loved all the new characters and various events that happened in GoF.  And it was the first one to make me cry. 

{ 8 } Steal the Dragon by Patricia Briggs.  This was the FIRST Briggs book I read, so in a way, it's so very close to my heart.  I love that Patricia Briggs writes fierce heroines who aren't afraid to state their mind.  I've read a few of her urban fantasy novels, but more of her...I'm not sure what to call them.  Epic fantasy?  They're short, fun reads, kind of like fantasy-meets-chick-lit.  Not earth-shattering books but I DO love them, and I have a soft spot for Steal the Dragon. 

{ 9 } Magic Kingdom for Sale - Sold! by Terry Brooks.  I read most of Brook's Shannara books before I ever read his Landover series.  It was VERY different.  Lighter, irreverent, funny!  I really loved it, and I think basically I just chose the right time to read this book and this series.  This one is really close to my heart. 

{ 10 } A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony.  I didn't make it past book 5 or 6 in his Xanth series but I LOVED the books in the series that I did read, and none more so than the first book.  I will never forget my high school English teacher telling the class about this book and about the guy who meets this girl who is "too stupid to come in out of the rain."  I wasn't too sure about this one until I read it and again, I just read it at the right time, I think.  As the series left behind the original characters, I lost interest, but I loved Anthony's funny writing style! 



{ ++ } And y'all?  What are YOUR top ten books you would save?  What books have made THAT much of an impact on you?  Spill!  : ) 

In My Mailbox - #16

{ ++ } Kristi at The Story Siren hosts this weekly meme which gives bloggers a chance to highlight the books we bought, checked out, won, or otherwise procured over the last week.  And whether I've came into money (brb, laughing forever) or only had the goods to splurge on a book or two, they all deserve some love.


{ ++ } This is my IMM for the last month!   I waited so that I actually had a couple books to show y'all!  : )  Be sure to leave me links to YOUR IMM!  Also in mine at the end is a special message to all my followers, old and new! 

Received for Review

Grave Mercy by R.L. Lafevers

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Croak by Gina Damico

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Starters by Lissa Price

Partials by Dan Wells

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuery

Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves

 Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie 

* Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, HarperCollins/Harper Teen, Flux, Amulet Books, Delacorte Books for Young Readers, and Farrar Straux and Giroux *

Purchased

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (special edition)

{ | } What did y'all get in YOUR mailboxes?  Don't forget to share your links.  : )

If I Could Write a Letter To Me - #1: So You've Started a Book Blog

{ ++ } Inspired partially by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner, partially by the Brad Paisley song (Letter to Me) and mostly by my desire to share some of the knowledge that I've learned in the months since I started blogging, I am introducing a new feature here at Once Upon a Prologue called If I Could Write a Letter to Me.  Each month I'll tackle a different subject in the form of a letter to my younger blogging self - sort of a "things I wish I'd known when I started," and a collection of tips and tricks I've picked up along the way.  I may or may not keep the letter format, just depends on if it's easy or difficult to write.  It should be fun, I think, and maybe I'll pass along some info.

If I Could Write a Letter to Me- #1:  So You've Started a Book Blog

Dear Blogging Self, Day 1:



So earlier today, you had this great idea, totally inspired by Suz over at A Soul Unsung.  She started her book blog a couple weeks ago, and you started thinking, “huh, maybe I should start one too,” then today, you did.  You’ve clicked the sign-up button, thinking “it can’t be that much different than LiveJournal,” and now you’re staring at the pre-made templates wishing you could design something kick-ass for your blog.  It’s only been a few hours and already you’re fantasizing about giving it a cool book-ish name, jazzing it up, and ooh, what’s this cool thing called GFC?    It’s pretty much immediately apparent that the book blogging world is a huge place, VERY different than LiveJournal (your usual platform where you’re comfortable,) and that it’s going to be a great big adventure…if you can ever figure out how to get started. 

Here are a few pointers, some do’s and don’ts.  (If you’d known these, your transition from fumbling geek to honest-to-goodness book blogger might have been easier, but it wouldn’t have been half as much fun.)

2011 Year-End Book Survey

{ ++ } Hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner (and also one of the great minds behind The Broke and the Bookish), this is a fun and cute way of summing up your year of reading.  This was a unique year for me, considering I originally set a goal of 50 books this year intending to make my way through my physical TBR stack.  Instead, I hit a reading slump, started a book blog, and bought way too many books, which ended up in INCREASING my TBR.  Oy.  BUT.  It's also been kind of a magical nine months in that I've discovered amazing new books, made new friends, and found the book blogging community.  

1. Best Book You Read In 2011? 

This is a difficult question, because there were so many books that I read this year that I adored, for different reasons: characters, relationships, plot, romances.  A good book is one that makes me FEEL something, for the characters, for what they’re going through, and I experienced that with so many books, most of which I’m sure I’ll talk about throughout this survey.  

I have to mention Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  I read it in the middle of January of this year.  It almost could be the best book I've read in 2011 but I think of the three Hunger Games books as one long story, and I can't fully separate them. The Hunger Games series means so much to me, and is so close to my heart, but I'll be talking about the trilogy and the characters a little closer to time for the movie.  

And then there was The Wise Man's Fear.    I paced back and forth practically waiting for the sequel to the Name of the Wind.  I've rarely fallen for a character the way I did for Kvothe.

But the BEST book I read this year is Tempest by Julie Cross (read my review).  I can’t explain it.  But this book somehow got ahold of my heart.  It hasn’t let go since.  I’m a HUGE Doctor Who fan, so that’s probably why the time-travel aspect appealed to me.  The story itself was great, with room for improvement like any book.  But it was the emotion to the story that really stuck with me.  I’m STILL thinking about the book and the characters, especially Jackson’s relationship with one particular character.  There were several scenes in the book that had me actually sobbing.  I just…I NEED the sequel.  

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane.  I go into every book I read hoping to love it, but this book was just a mess, in so many ways, which definitely sucks because it seemed so unique.  I’d probably read more from the author though, to give her another try.  

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?

Probably The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell (read my review).  I haven’t read that many “period” books so I wasn’t sure what I’d think of this one.  But oh, holy wow.  The writing style was so gorgeous, and absolutely blew my mind.  The main character, Amelia took my breath away a bit, as did her romance, which was absolutely my kind of be-all-end-all courtship.  I wanted to hug Saundra for writing this amazing novel, and  I think I’ve probably told her so, at some point.  Plus she is absolutely totally friendly and fun to chat with on Twitter.  

Runner-up: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (read my review).  I've never really read many ghost stories and this one was  really unique and different - part spooky story, part YA, part folklore. 

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

Either Hourglass by Myra McEntire or Tempest by Julie Cross.  I’ve talked various friend’s ears off about both book.  Both were amazing debuts, and incredibly promising starts to their respective series.  Tempest especially struck my so hard, emotionally, in a good way.  If you haven’t read them, oh please do.  Hourglass is already out and Tempest will be published in January, 2012.

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

 

Hmmmm, another tough question.  I think I’m going to go with the Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer.  I was broke when Wolfsbane (read my review) first came out, and waiting a week for it was TORTURE.  It was absolutely worth it, though once I did get the book, all I wanted to do was savor it.  Andrea is a fantastic author who knows how to create characters you’ll just care so much about, and a story that keeps you turning page after page.  I'm absolutely, totally on edge waiting for Bloodrose (the final book in the trilogy) to be released.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

I’ve read more YA novels this year than ever before, thanks to friends and largely, to the blogging community for recommending such awesome, amazing novels.  I’ve also read some self-published novels, something I’d never really considered before blogging.  So to list ALL my new favorite authors would take forever, but I’ll put a few out there who really reached out to me with review requests and whose books were stunning, or who I’ve interacted with through email/Twitter and adored their novels: Christine Nolfi, Saundra Mitchell, Ashley Willis, Amy Lichtenhan, Andrea Cremer, Tahereh Mafi, Myra McEntire, Jennifer L Armentrout, Victoria Schwab, etc.  (If I listed them, their books are worth reading, definitely.)

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  It's part historical fiction, part women's fiction, with a bit of a Gothic tinge.  I'm not really sure how to classify it, but it was kind of like when I first read Jodi Picoult, how I knew I'd found something different, an author I was definitely going to love.  The Forgotten Garden is so unique, full of mystery, just a dash of romance, and family secrets.  I absolutely adored it.  It was kind of like a grown-up V.C. Andrews without all the taboo-ness of VCA's novels.  I highly recommend it!

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead.  Just knowing it was the final book in her Vampire Academy series - everything was on the line - made it so breath-taking to read.  Plus, it was really kind of awesome. 

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss.   I've fangirled over this man and his books since I picked up The Name of the Wind on a whim and fell utterly, head-over-heels-over-head-over-heels in love with the world he has created.  If you haven't read Rothfuss, we need to talk. 

Runner up: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.  Which I…still haven’t read.  *hides*  I plan to get to it hopefully in February!  

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

Oh definitely the cover of Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Look at that funky, beautiful cover!  Isn't it just absolutley swoon-worthy?  :)  And that book is SO awesome!!!

11. Most memorable character in 2011? 

Emerson Cole from Hourglass.  Emerson is full of strength and courage.  She’s so genuine, and relatable.  She’s a very sympathetic character, whom I immediately bonded with.  I was head-over-heels for Em shortly after starting the story.  She just stands out in my mind as a true heroine, inspirational, and yet so human.  

Runner up: Elena from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series.  Elena is a female werewolf, and she is so strong, stubborn, and fierce.  I’ve only read the first two books of the series, but Elena is amazing, and I admire her so much.  Her personality just kinda leaps off the pages at you, and you can’t help but love her.  

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2011?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.  I knew the basic premise of it, but I did not expect the haunting, ethereal writing style, the “voice” of Juliette, the protagonist.  There were some passages in Shatter Me that made me cry, and the book as a whole has stuck with me.  I HAVE to know what happens next.  I just, I adore the book, and Juliette, so much.  

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2011? 

That would have to be Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall.  It is one of the VERY few books that, months later, I am STILL thinking about.  The character growth alone was so stunning and impressive.  And Lauren's writing is golden, and so emotionally-wringing.  I just, I adored the book.  The characters all felt real, and Sam's journey...oh man.  I tear up still thinking about the book.  I've been wanting to re-read it for months but I'm waiting awhile, so that I when I DO re-read it, it will feel like the first time all over again.   I savored every gorgeous word the first time, and I want to be able to do that again. 

Runner-up: Saving June by Hannah Harrington (read my review.) This one made me cry quite a few times.  Also: Take This Regret by Amy Lichtenhan (read my review).  I laughed and cried, I cheered, I despaired, I raged.  I ran the gamut of emotions...this novel was AMAZING. 

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2011 to finally read? 

Probably Hush, Hush (read my review).  I remember wondering what all the hype was about when a few of my friends read the book when it first came out, then thinking, “okay, can it really be THAT good?” and for the most part, it WAS.  I’ve been slowly reading a bit here and there when I can on the sequel, but I’m so anxious to continue the series.  

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2011? 

“Maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you there's a tomorrow. Maybe for you there's one thousand tomorrows, or three thousand, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around it, let it slide like coins through you fingers. So much time you can waste it. 

But for some of us there's only today. And the truth is, you never really know.”  - Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

16. Book That You Read In 2011 That Would Be Most Likely To Reread In 2012? 

Definitely The Vespertine, and probably Hourglass, in order to be ready for the sequel, Timepiece.  I think I’ve already mentioned loving/flailing over both books, but they were THAT good.  I would definitely also reread Shatter Me, and probably will when it’s closer to time for the sequel.  

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

Mmmm, Shatter Me for some of the steamy scenes between Adam and Juliette, A Need so Beautiful (THAT ENDING OMG), Wolfsbane for some of the amazing twists, Hourglass for a few scenes near the ending!

Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2011

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2011? 

Well considering this was my first year of blogging, I’ve really loved ALL the blogs I’ve discovered.  But I like to think I’ve kinda built relationships with a few bloggers in particular, like Marie at Ramblings of aDaydreamer, Laurie at Bona Fide Reflections, Anna at Literary Exploration, Lisa at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me, Rebecca at Kindle Fever, Liza at BookCrook Liza, Mimi (who is awesome!) at Mimi Valentine.  And I have to mention Suz at A Soul Unsung.  Suz is one my IRL BFF’s and the reason I started my own book blog.  

2.  Favorite review that you wrote in 2011? 

Probably my review of Shatter Me.  I thought it was way too fangirly, but then Tahereh Mafi herself read it and called it “eloquent.”  I about had heart palpitations.  HEEHEE. I could kick myself for not favorite'ing that Tweet!

3.  Best discussion you had on your blog? 

Unfortunately I didn’t do a lot of discussion posts this year, though with 2012 approaching, that is definitely something I want to start doing more often!  I want to get my followers involved, too!

4.  Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?

Specifically, I’m blanking on any particular one, but I ALWAYS love reading Rachel (Parajunkee’s) Book Blogging 101 posts and her 101 parties on Twitter.  Rie at Mission to Read’s Blogger Helper posts are also kinda awesome, and I’ve learned SO much from her!  (She was the first blog to feature me!)

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

I always always have loads of fun participating in the Book Blogging 101 Twitter chats.  And doing IMM has been so much fun this year, getting to show off my pretty new books, doing videos, and seeing what other bloggers have received.

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2011?

Being featured on Parajunkee’s Follow Friday (at Alison Can Read).  I felt so honored to be able to participiate and be featured.  It gave my blog a nice boost, for which I’m still grateful for daily.  I was also jazzed to hit 300 followers this year.  I don’t get to spend as much time as I wish I was able to promoting my blog, so I’m so happy being at 300+.

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

Definitely my giveaways, which is awesome, because it brings new traffic to my blog.  In 2012, I hope to continue that trend and to also drum up interest in the new features I’m starting: Guest Who (a monthly guest post from a fellow blogger) and Once Upon a Blogger (a monthly interview with a fellow blogger in order to get to know my followers better.) If you'd like to be a part of either of those features, simply send me an email at courageousgrace (at) gmail (dot) com because I'd LOVE to have you!

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My review of Cinder!  I was SO psyched to read the book, then to share my love for it with the blogging world, and it could use a few comments.  This is a GREAT book, y’all, I promise.  

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

The Book Depository!  They’ve been great so far with my orders.  I use them for giveaways for the free shipping.  I also discovered some new features at Goodreads and started posting reviews at my Amazon.com account.

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

I set a goal to read 50 books this year in order to make more time to read and less TV watching/etc.  Unless something changes in the next day or two, I should make that goal, just barely.  I hit two or three massive reading slumps, or I think I definitely would have read more.  My tentative goal for 2012 is to read 75 books.  

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn't Get To In 2011 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2012?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.  I’ve heard amazing things about both (yes, I cheated a little on the question) and need and want to read them both soon to find out for myself what’s going on with them each. 

 

2.  Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2012?

Timepiece by Myra McEntire.  Hands down, my most-anticipated.  Emerson is one of the strongest protagonists I’ve ever read about, and Myra just let us in on a Timepiece secret the other day that has me SO SO anxious/excited for the book.  

       3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2012?

I’d love to see my blog continue growing, both in number of followers, but most importantly, in building relationships with those followers.  It means more to me to have a smaller number of people that I KNOW are reading my posts and commenting than 1,000 who click the “follow” button, then never come back. So in 2012 I want to continue reading amazing books, posting quality content, and building my readership. 

{ ++ } If y'all participated in this survey, please leave me a link in case I miss your post so I can come and check yours out!  This was SO much fun!