Reflecting on 2015

2015 was a year full of new books! It was a year where I evolved, where I became aware just how much I can handle and I realized that I'm not sure who and what I want to be yet. It was also a year filled with milestones;

In 2015 I turned 18
In 2015 me and my boyfriend celebrated our 3 year anniversary
In 2015 I graduated or I became what we call 'student' here in Denmark
In 2015 I received my first proof copy
In 2015 I received my first actual ARC
In 2015 I reached 100+ followers on G+
In 2015 I reached 1000 followers on Instagram
In 2015 I started receiving physical books for review from Danish publishers and a Danish site
In 2015 I created a new blog in Danish called Frk. Litteratur (Miss Literature)

So, that's a quick summary of my year. The majority was reached in the last 4-6 months! I'm quite proud of everything I achieved this year.

Let's talk literature;

In 2015 I read a total of 130 books! I'm quite astonished with that number since my goal was 75. Aside from that I read 32 childrens books, short stories and novellas in total, I also read 3 graphic novels. Yes, I like to keep it separate since I don't think graphic novels count as books!
According to goodreads I read 43. 487 in 2015 - I have no idea whether that's true or not but it's probably around that number.
The best books I read in 2015 was;

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
• The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
• Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
• I nærheden (Nearby) by Peter Hugge
• All of the Above by James Dawson
• You (You, #1) by Caroline Kepnes
• A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
• If You Find This Letter by Hannah Brencher 

 I quite like that it's a mix of YA, adult and nonfiction!

When it comes to the amount of books read July was definitely an amazing month! Somehow I managed to read 20 books! I believe cramathon made that happen! I read the least amount of books in September where I managed to read 4.

The longest book I read was A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin with a whopping 780 pages - close second was Dublin or The Princes of Ireland - which is the original title - with 768 pages!
The shortest book I read was The Pearl by John Steinbeck though and I was not a fan!

The book which surprised me the most was The Selection (The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass. I picked it up on a whim expecting a mediocre but fast read and what I got was definitely a fast read but I loved it. I'm waiting for the last book to be released to I can marathon The Heir and The Crown since they are about the daughter!
I've also had some disappointing reads, as I'm sure everybody have. I have two that really disappointed me; 99 Days by Katie Cotugno and Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer.

Since I don't have any goals, except for reading 75 books, I really have nothing else to say about 2015. Here's to a great 2016!

A letter to the books I'll never read

Instagram has been full of pictures of To All the Boys I've Loved Before and P.S. I love you  by Jenny Han and it has inspired me.
I love making lists and this is definitely a great one. We always lists books we've loved or want to read and I feel like making a list with books you'll never read is a great idea!
I want to take some time to write a letter to all the books I'll, probably, never read. You're welcome to do this if you want to.

I've also written a letter to all the book's I've loved, which you can read here. 

I'll never read The Odyssey by Homer, I've read bits and pieces and I planned to read the rest of the book but I didn't really enjoy what I read. I'm sorry 'Ody' but it's you, not me... Okay, maybe it's me. 

I'll never read The Mortal Instruments or The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. I gave you a fair shot when I read City of Bones but it was seriously so bad so I'm not going to read either of you. I know you're popular and I know some people like you but you're just not my up of tea. I'll let you be with someone who actually wants to be with you

I'll never read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I tried, I really tried. You seem so intriguing and different and I love that you're narrated from death's perspective but I just can't do it! I didn't find you that interesting and I just don't think the chemistry's there. Sorry, I really wish it could've been us. 

I'll never read The Heroes of Olympus or The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan. I'm really sorry but I mainly read Percy Jackson and the Olympians because of the Greek gods and myths and it wasn't even as good as I'd hoped. I don't think you're worth it and I'd rather use my time on other books! I know I sound a bit harsh but we just have to face it, we aren't meant to be. 

I'll never read Every Day or Another Day by David Levithan. You don't really intrigue me and I haven't heard that great things about you. So, let's just rip the band-aid off, it's never going to be us and I just think you should know that

I'll never read The Rest of Us Just Live Here or More Than This by Patrick Ness. I've read the Chaos Walking trilogy and I really didn't like it, I was so disappointed and even though A Monster Calls is one of my favorite books I'm not going to give you a shot. I don't have time for every book and since I'm not that impressed with Ness' writing style I'm going to have to say no to you, I won't give you a shot. Sorry. 

I'll never read The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes. You're really popular and it seems like people really like you but based on your synopsis you're just not the book for me. I don't like books like you and even though a lot of people are impressed by you I can't talk myself into giving you a chance. You're just not my kind of book, sorry. 

I'll never read I Was Here, Just One Day and Just One Year by Gayle Forman. I read If I Stay and I enjoyed it but I didn't really like the writing style and I have no intention of reading the sequel. I don't think Gayle Forman is the author for me so I'll have to let you go! 

I'll never read Girl Online by Zoe Sugg. I have no clue what you're about, but I still have no intention of reading you, I don't watch Zoe's videos, I don't follow her on any social media. Everybody got those books you know you won't read even if you don't know anything about them, this is one of those books for me. 

I'll never read the His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaGevers. I gave Grave Mercy a chance but it was seriously so bad that I have no intention of ever picking up Grave Mercy again so I won't be reading any of you. Sorry.  

I'll never read The Young Elite by Marie Lu. I tried reading the Legend series but I had to give up after reading Prodigy and I'll therefore not reading The Young Elite. I don't like the writing style and I really don't think you'd be a book for me. 

Initially this list was miles long, but I decided I would make a 'series I won't finish post' sometime in the near future instead of putting the books on this list. Also, A Game of Thrones, Fifty Shades of Grey and a bunch of other books was actually on this list but I actually ended up reading them. So, I really looked hard at every single book on this list and if there was even the slightest chance I'm end up reading it, I'd take it off. 

Which books will you never read?

How to read more

I know a lot of people put 'read more' on their list of resolutions for 2015 but how can you read more? Most of these 'tips' are some I use daily and I read more and more. 

Time dedicated to reading
Choose a time every day where you 'have' to read, for example an hour every night before you go to sleep, from 5 to 6 or something like that. All you can do in that time is read, you can't do your homework, you can't blog, you can't use social media - you just have to read. 
I know this one work for most people, it's also a great way to relax before bed, that is, if you take an hour each night before you go to sleep. 

Do NOT force yourself to read
Even if you've scheduled some time for reading you should not pressure yourself. If you force yourself to read you'll probably end up not wanting to and that's definitely not the point. 
Reading when you want to is the best thing you can do.

Carry a book/reading material with you everywhere
I love this one. If you carry a book, an iPad or have books on your phone you always have something to read wherever you are. So if you're waiting for the bus you can just take your book out and start reading or if you have 10 minutes before class starts you can get through a couple of pages. 
I know that when I started sleeping at my boyfriend's I read every morning while I was on the train (10-12 minutes), while waiting for the bus (15-20 minutes) and when I was on the bus (10 minutes). I also read while going back to his place and during breaks and stuff. I could get through at least half a book everyday. 
So use the time wisely because all those pages add up and before you know it you've read a book. 

Audiobooks
I used to listen to audiobooks while I worked - because I worked, and still do, in a library. I just had to put the books back on the shelves so I could just listen to audiobooks while I did. It's a great way of doing multiple things at once; if you have a long way to school or work you can listen to a book on the way or if you like knitting or crocheting (like I do) you can listen to an audiobook while doing that as well. 
I often find that I don't read as much because I feel like I have to do so much - e.g. laundry, clean the house or walk my dog - but you can listen to an audiobook while doing all those things! 

Know what you want to read
This is what I call 'mood-reading'. If you know yourself good enough to know whether you're in the mood for a classic, contemporary, mystery or fantasy it's easier finding a book to read and because you don't have to spend a lot of time figuring out which book to read you have more time to read! Also, if you read something you want to read you're practically destined to read more. 

Learn to read faster - time yourself
This has helped me a lot! Also with schoolwork this is fantastic! If you're a slowreader you can learn to read faster; say you want to read a page in a minute. You just have to find your phone, set the timer for a minute and then you read as fast as you can - without just skimming of course. It's takes practice but it's so worth it once you get the hang of it - especially because you don't have to think about it after a while. 
You can test how fast you read here

Cut out distractions
Turn off your tv and put your cellphone away. Make a cup of tea and find yourself a fort of 'isolation'. If you cut off the distractions it's easier to dive into a book and really feel the book. 

Do you have any other tips to read more? 

Reading slumps!

I was in a bit of a reading slump back in July, but I, thankfully, got out of it after a week or two. I know I hate being in reading slumps since reading is what makes me relax after a tough day and I really miss reading when I'm in a slump - I just can't get myself to read it.

Firstly, what is a reading slump? A reading slump is a period of time where you don't read or rather can't really get yourself to pick up a book and start reading. It can last weeks and it can last months. If you don't have time to read - e.g. due to school - that's not a reading slump.

Reading slumps can be caused by a bunch of things. Maybe the book you're currently reading is the cause, you can't really find out what to read (too many choices) or maybe you've read a bad book or had a bad streak with books and have, in a way, given up.

Secondly, how do you get out of them? I've got a couple of ideas of how to get out of these unfortunate slumps, so here's my ideas:

1. If you're trying to read a book, and have been for a while, stop. Put it down and find the book on your ereader, at your local library or on your shelves that you want to read the most and read it. Sometimes the excitement of reading can push you out of a slump.

2. If it's due to a bad streak in books try reading a book you've previously loved. For me, I would probably read Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time. Please keep in mind NOT to read a book that has made you sad *cough* The Fault in Our Stars *cough*.

3. Let it take it's time. Don't pressure yourself to read, because if you pressure yourself you can end up in a worse state than before.

4. Get excited about reading! Watch some booktube videos, read reviews, make lists about books, talk about books etc. You don't have to read to get excited about reading.

5. Find the time to read; Do all your homework, clean your room, light some candles and make a cup of tea. If you're relaxed and don't have anything you actually have to do, you might find yourself wanting to pick up a book.


Do you have any ideas on how to get out of a reading slump? 

Being a reviewer

I've been asked a couple of times what it's like to be a reviewer. We get to read certain books before the release date and we receive books for review - obviosuly. 2 years ago I didn't know about any of this - it was around the time that I discovered booktube. I envied them - a lot - I wanted to receive books for review to. I didn't know how hard that actually is. Being a reviewer is fun but at the same time very stressful.

You probably know about sites like Netgalley and Edelweiss, well I discovered more sites where you can receive free ebooks in exchange for reviews; Bookblogging, blogging for books etc. And when my blog started gaining followers (when I was on the other domain) I began receiving review requests daily and then publishers contacted me.. So now I'm left with a ton of books - both digital and physical - that I have to read and review. I've already read a bunch of them, but I still have a long way to go.


Requesting a sh*tload of books
A problem when you first begin being a reviewer is that you get overwhelmed and request a load of books - which is a very bad idea. Netgalley is probably why, you can just press 'request' and then you find out whether or not you get the book and after a while with denials you start requesting more because you think 'I'll not get approved to all of them anyway' - which is an even worse idea, because once the ball is rolling; it's rolling! Limit yourself to a few instead of 20 like I did.
Another problem, very similar to that, is when you start receiving mails from publishers about which of these 10 books you want to receive - and you start thinking that and that and that and that and end up requesting a bunch of them because you don't know better in the beginning.

Not enough time
Readers always say that there's too many books and not enough time - well that enormous pile of books is just getting bigger when you're a reviewer. I know I didn't stop accumulating a ton of books when I started receiving books for review. I kept on buying and because I also had review books I made them a higher priority than the books I already own - which means that I'm now left with over a 100 unread books - and that's only the physical ones.
The problem is that you don't have the time to read your own books, you have to choose whether you want to read the review books or your own books.

Stress!
Another problem is that it is quite stressful; I like reading a book a while before it's release date so that I have the time to write a proper review that can be released on the release day or before - but if you have other things to do, it's quite hard finding the time to get those books read and sometimes you just end up reading a bunch of books and writing half-decent reviews.
Also having that big pile of books weighing on your conscience is stressful. One month - arc August -  I tried getting through them all but I ended up receiving more books because of it so it didn't even leave a dent in the pile.

Choosing
A thing I have a hard time with is choosing between ALL of the books; library books, review books, the books I own etc. Also; should I read newer books or classics? Should I read this or should I read that? I feel like you don't really have the time to devote the time to read classics when you're a reviewer because your focus lies on the books in front of you - which means newer books. Unless a classic is re-published you don't really get to read classics - I know I don't.
Choosing can also be quite stressful, but you feel like you're neglecting some books as well.

It's exclusive
My favorite thing about being a reviewer is probably the feeling you get when you receive a package full of books or an email saying you got approved to a certain e-galley. Being a reviewer feels quite exclusive because you don't have to pay anything, you literally just have to speak your mind and the fact that you can read books before others is also adding to that feeling. But is that feeling worth being stressed? To this day I still can't figure it out.


Don't get me wrong I like being a reviewer but it's not purely a good thing, it has two sides like everything else but if you can somehow find a balance in being a reviewer and being 'yourself' it's great! But if the scale tips more towards reviewer it gets stressful. Netgalley 'bans' are adviced!

2nd Annual End of Year Book Survey - 2014 Edition!

Number Of Books You Read: 107 (technically 108, since I read The Bell Jar twice)

Number of Re-Reads: 2

Genre You Read The Most From: Probably contemporary

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

Fantasy: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Childrens: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Science fiction: Across the Universe series by Beth Revis

 New Adult: The Edge of Never (Edge of Never #1) by J.A. Redmerski

Contemporary: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Adult: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

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

The one that disappointed me the most is probably Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy. I preordered it, waited and waited for it to arrive and started reading it the minute I received it and I did  not like the book.. I was seriously devestated.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014? 

Probably Waiting on the Sidelines (Waiting on the Sidelines #1) by Ginger Scott, it is a coming-of-age love story and I had a hard time getting into it but I ended up absolutely loving it.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

Wonder by R.J. Palacio.. I even got my friends to buy the book

 5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

The best series I started AND finished in 2014 is either Pivot Point by Kasie West or Across the Universe by Beth Revis. 

The best sequel and series ender is probably also books in those series..

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

I discovered a bunch of new authors in 2014, these are the ones I read multiple books from:

Beth Revis and Kasie West

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

The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson since it is my very first high fantasy book/series and The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never #1) by J.A. Redmerski since it was my very first new adult book

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

Probably Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington or Tear You Apart by Sarah Crossan - absolutely loved those books and I could not put them down. 

 9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Landline by Rainbow Rowell during wintertime or maybe Wonder when I'm in the mood for it

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

I've chosen 2...

11. Most memorable character of 2014?

Hmm Auggie from Wonder, Vin from The Final Empire and Madison Nichols from Accidentally Married

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

The Boy with the Tiger's Heart by Linda Coggin!

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

Landline or Wonder

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read? 

I have to pick Across the Universe by Beth Revis since it's the only book I loved, which I didn't discover or had on my TBR before 2014

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

 “Neal didn't take Georgie's breath away. Maybe the opposite. But that was okay--that was really good, actually, to be near someone who filled your lungs with air.” 

-Landline by Rainbow Rowell

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Peter Panda Melts Down - 40 pages and The Final Empire with 647 pages

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)
Deception Point by Dan Brown or Killer Instinct by S.E. Green

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

(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)
Madison and Jared from Accidentally Married

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Georgie and Seth from Landline

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
The Bell Jar, I think. I had to read it for a paper and my teacher was the first one who raved about it.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?
Ethan from Between the Lives

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

Feather Bound by Sarah Raughly

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
The Across the Universe series by Beth Revis

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

Accidentally Married or Cold Feet at Christmas

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Rain (Rain #1) by Christie Cote

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Red at Night by Katie McGarry

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Wonder... I was mad at the other kids but I absolutely love the book

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?

Daring Damsels, which is Ebony's blog - a great friend of mine.

    

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?   

Probably Wonder 

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?   

'To comment or not to comment'

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

I was supposed to go to a major book event here in Denmark but I was sick so I couldn't go. I haven't really participated in anything else but read-a-thons this year and I failed miserably at most of them.. 

   

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?  

Well, I got one saying that I was missed and my posts was missed and they were looking forward to when I came back - that made my day!

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

'To comment or not to comment'

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?   

I have been MIA for a while, but one of my most recent posts that I wish had got a little more love is my shameful book confessions - it was quite fun to do. 

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

There's Libib, which is an app that allows you to categorize your entire library. I don't think I've discovered that much really.

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

Check out my reflecting on 2014 post

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

This is a really tough one since I don't really have any... But maybe Shattered by Tery Teri so I can finish the Slated trilogy, start A Game of Thrones or maybe continue the Mistborn series

     

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?   

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven or Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?    

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas - her first actual book, I believe

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

   This is a tough one since I don't really read series.. But maybe Golden Sun, the sequel to Red Rising which I have yet to read.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

Just continue blogging, I guess, I've had a hard time finding the time for it these last months. 

   

6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

Tear You Apart by Sarah Crossan

Have you filled out the end of the year survey or are you planning to?