2017 Annual End of Year Survey

The Annual Year End Survey is hosted by Jamie@ Perpetual Page Turner but I first saw it over at Chuckles Book Cave.  It looked fun so I thought I'd give it a try.

1. 2017 Reading Stats

Number of Books Read: 102

Number of Re-reads: None

Most Read Genre: Probably Mystery closely followed by Horror

2. Best in Books

Best Book Read in 2017 (this is hard because I had more than a few 5-paw reads)

Books You Were Excited About and Thought You'd Love But Didn't

Most Surprising Book You Read (in a good or bad way)

I thought I'd be upset with Mayte and believed she was out to exploit her relationship with Prince but I was wrong.  I was even thrilled when she had a conversation with me via twitter.

Book You Pushed the Most People to Read

Best Series You Started in 2017

I really love the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mysteries

Best Sequel of 2017

Best Series Ender of 2017

Favorite New Author Discovered in 2017

No surprise here - Hunter Shea

 Best Book From a Genre You Don't Normally Read

Contemporary

Most Action-Packed/Hard to Put Down Book

Best Book You Read on 2017 That You Are Likely to Reread Next Year.
NONE

Favorite Cover of a Book You Read This Year
Gotta love my dogs!

Most Memorable Character of 2017
Atl and her dog Cualli

Most Beautifully Written Book of 2017

Most Thought-Provoking Book
I was soooooo wrong about poor Mayte and I had to take a good look at how flawed my favorite artist really was

Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2017 to Read

Favorite Quote or Passage
"I love mankind...it's PEOPLE I can't stand!"  Charles Schultz

Shortest Book Read in 2017
Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread |Desire
(The title is longer than its 48 pages)

Longest Book Read in 2017
Little Heaven is 496 pages, but it seemed like 1000 when I was reading it


Book That Shocked You the Most
I still don't know how to explain this one

One True Pairing of the Year
Olivia and Gabriel

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year
Cara and her fairy godfather Vincent

Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From an Author Previously Read

Best Book Read in 2017 Based Solely on a Recommendation From Someone Else
There used to be a Booktuber named Lindsey Rey and she raved about these books so I had to pick one up.  I loved it!

New Fictional Crush from a Book Read in 2017

SMOOSHIE!

Best 2017 Debut Read

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting

Book That Put a Smile on Your Face

Book That Nearly Made You Cry

Hidden Gem of the Year

Book That Crushed Your Soul
Unless the dog dies, I'm good

Most Unique Book Read in 2017
Gotta love DARK JUGHEAD

Book That Made You the Most Mad
Leave the orcas alone!!!!!!

3.  Looking Ahead

One Book You Didn't Get to on 2017 But Will Be First Priority in 2018

Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2018 (non debut)

2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018

One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2018
I would like to continue to connect with my favorite bloggers and meet new ones.  I also wouldn't mind hitting 150 Bloglovin' followers

A 2018 You Already Read and Recommend to Everyone
My review isn't up yet but this is one I think lots of people will like

Swords & Stars Reading Challenge

Since I am trying a few new challenges, I think I've picked my last one.  Other than the ones that run at specific times.  So in other words, my last year-long challenge.  I'll do a recap in my first Musts & Mights post (of course I think I also have to do my Cloak & Dagger sign-up - I always forget since I'm co-hosting).

Also, don't forget I'm doing a Puppy Love Challenge here during the month of February so keep your eyes open.  

Anyway, here's the rules for this one.  Head over to MsNoseinaBook if you want to join in.

The purpose of this challenge is to celebrate the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. This challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st (midnight). There will be a giveaway at the end of the year. There will be two winners. The prize for both is a $25 gift card through Amazon. This will be a random drawing. In order to qualify you must have met all challenges. The rules are as follows:

The Goal of this challenge is to read one book that matches up with each one of the challenges.

You must create a sign up post and link it up below so I and anyone else can follow your adventure. I’ll be providing monthly link ups as well as a Wrap-Up post link up so we can all check out reviews and find some new books. If you do not have a blog, you can link up your Goodreads review.

Please sign up via the Mr. Linky below. You can sign up anytime up to December 31st. Books count as long as they are read in 2018. This can be any format (print, audiobook, etc) and any page length other than specified in the challenges.

There are twenty challenges. All must be met in order to qualify for the giveaway at the end of the year.

Books read for other challenges definitely do qualify for this challenge. In fact, it is encouraged! All books must be of the Science Fiction or Fantasy genres.

Please use #SwordsnStars for Social Media Updates

1) Read a book with Dragons in it
2) Read a book over 500 pages
3) Read an SFF novella
4) Read a first book in a series
5) Read a Science Fiction classic
6) Read a Fantasy classic
7) Read a book whose title matches the first letter of your last name
8) Read a book that has a weapon on the cover
9) Read a book that has a Spaceship on the cover
10) Read a book that has been adapted
11) Read a book with time travel in it
12) Read a book that has been on your TBR shelf for over 2 years
13) Read a book whose cover has stars in it or whose title has any variation of the word star in it
14) Read a book with magical realism in it
15) Read an SFF graphic novel
16) Read a Sequel
17) Read a diverse SFF book
18) Read a Random SFF book – your pick!
19) Read a fantasy book inspired by another story, fairytale, myth etc.
20) Read a book with a map

So there you have it - it looks fun and a tad bit challenging...but I guess that's the point :)

Stacking the Shelves (141)/Sunday Post - The Christmas Physical Book Edition

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves or TBR piles, may it be physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in a physical store, online, books you borrow from the library or friends, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks! The original meme was started over at Tynga's Reviews. And it now has a new co-host where individuals can link up as well - Marlene from Reading Reality.  Clicking on the book (or title) should take you to the Goodreads page.  I'm also now linking up with the Sunday Post which is hosted by Kimberly@Caffeinated Book Reviewer. 

So this week I'm sharing with you the books we received at The Farm for Christmas.  Santa (aka Mr. Barb) was very generous.

With a gift card I purchased West Virginia's Dark Tourism.  I have already browsed through it and know it contains some stories about my hometown and the town I live in now.  It's a gorgeous book and Mr. Barb doesn't know it, but I see some road trips with the pups in the future.

I'm a little late for the bandwagon on this one but I do want to read it before the series starts.  I love big floppy paperbacks and this one fits the bill.

This one is proudly going on my shelves until next Christmas.  I'm weird about reading Christmas books after December, but I am thrilled to own this beautiful hardback.

Dear Martin isn't my usual read but on impulse, I've already picked it up and finished it.  It was a pretty good book and I only had a few minor issues.  Look for a review soon.

#moodreader

This is such a pretty book and it will double as a weapon if ever needed - it weights a ton.

I now have books 1-4 in this series so I'm officially ready to start it.  Oberon - here I come!

And finally Cass got me such a pretty box set of these two because....wait for it....BIRDS!

So what did everyone else add to their shelves this week???

Weekly Reads (12/29/17) - The Last of the Year!

So it's the last weekly reads of the year and I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday (if you celebrate) and have enjoyed lovely time with your family.  At the current time, I'm currently recuperating from the holidays and relaxing and spending awesome time with Mr. Barb and the pups.  Although it's quite arctic here and we're doing our best to stay warm.  At least we are off from work and don't have to venture out if we don't want to do so.  We were all spoiled and blessed for Christmas and even went and had snacks and drinks with one of our neighbors Christmas Eve (which we rarely do and let's be honest, probably wouldn't have it it wasn't three houses away).  It was enjoyable.  Mr. Barb also made Christmas dinner for an elderly couple that lives a few blocks over (we bonded over our love of dogs several years ago) and surprised them with it Christmas Eve day - complete with gift for their Basset Susie.

I've been reading some and gaming some and to be honest, have been kind of mood reading. Not good when I should be focusing on my COYER reading list.  We've been gaming (Video and Walking Dead Trivial Pursuit) and watching TV - good and bad.  Oh and lots and lots of football.  I do have a movie recommendation for you guys.  We watched "A Mountain Between Us" a few days ago and I  LOVED IT.  It was mostly an adventure tale with just enough romance to not bother Mr. Barb.  Oh, and warning, there is a dog in one of the initial scenes and my thoughts went to "The dog will die early" and even worse "oh no they're going to eat the dog."  But no, SPOILER ALERT, the dog lives!

Finally I do have a few books I plan on starting soon and I'm in the middle of one which was a totally unplanned read.  This is what is up on the stack for my New Year's weekend.

Have a safe New Year's everyone!

2018 Library Love Challenge

Anyone who follows my blog knows I love challenges.  I think they're fun and they are a great way to connect with fellow bloggers and meet some new ones.  I've looked for a few new challenges this year and think I found a few to add in with some of my old ones.  The 2018 Library Love Challenge is new to me this year and is hosted by Angel's Guilty Pleasures and Brooke Blogs.  Here are the rules:  

Details:

Runs: January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018. You can join any time.

• Put a sign up post on your blog or (dedicate a Goodreads shelf or LibraryThing) and link it below. Make sure it’s public.
• The goal is to read at least twelve (12) books from the library, but you can read more. While twelve is the minimum, there is no maximum limit. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you.
• Any format will work for this challenge (prints, ebooks, or audios); as long as you checked it out from the library, it counts.
• Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, etc.).
• Crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed, including re-reads. The goal is to support your local library and save money.
• Write a review to enter the giveaway – 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, “The plot was a delight, but the characters didn’t capture me.” “I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters.”
• As an added bonus: We are offering up a GIVEAWAY with this Challenge. Winner will be picked at the end of the year!! The entries are the direct links to your book reviews and you will have until Jan. 3rd, 2019 to enter your reviews in the linky and then the Rafflecopter. Go here to enter the giveaway: 2018 Library Love Challenge Review Link-ups.

Levels:

• Dewey Decimal: Read 12 books
• Thrifty Reader: Read 24 books
• Overdrive Junkie: Read 36 books
• Library Addict: Read 48 books
• Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books

To join the 2018 Library Love challenge,

• Please link your sign-up post in the linky below
• To enter the giveaway make sure you use the 2018 Library Love Challenge Review Link-ups page foundHERE 
• Grab the 2018 Library Love Challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post, so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads/LibraryThing (as long as you have a dedicated shelf someplace).

I think I'm going for the Thrifty Reader Level.  I have 3 awesome libraries in my area so it shouldn't be too hard.  Plus, maybe I'll save some money.