2015 End of Year Survey

Created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner

Since 2015 is coming to the end, here's a recap of books and blogging things that I do in this year, as well as my plan in the future!

Number Of Books You Read: 54 (I didn't complete my Goodreads challenge, though)
Number of Re-Reads: I think 1? I only remembered re-reading The Distance Between Us
Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary

My 2016 Resolutions and Challenges

I can't believe that 2015 is coming to an end! It feels like yesterday when it's started. Personally, I think 2015 is a good year for me. I read a lot of great books (a survey of it will go live tomorrow!), and do some new things. But right now, we're going to talk about my 2016 resolutions, especially my reading and blogging resolutions. Here is is :

Blogging and Reading Resolutions

• Interview an Author

Embarrassing, yes, but I've never interviewed an author before. I'm going to try it next year, but up until right now I still didn't know how to ask an author for interview (I mean, do you just send them an email asking for interviews? Or something else?). If you have some tips, feel free to tell me in the comment.

2016 Books I'm Excited for

There are so so many great books in 2016! To be honest, I have a hard time picking only 10, so there will be a *few* honorable mentions in the end. So, here it is :

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Best Book Boyfriends of 2015

Okay, before you read this post, I'm going to say that I haven't read many published-in-2015 books. That's why, this list is consist of 8 book boyfriends only. That doesn't mean I only read 8 published-in-2015 books, though.

Here it is :

Best Couples of 2015

If you follow me on twitter or in this blog, you'd know that I have a of OTPs (like, who doesn't?). Everytime I read a book, I could guarantee that I'd found a new OTPs there. That's why, today I'm going to write about my top ten OTPs in 2015 :

1. Jack and Bex from The Anatomical Shape of a Hearts (Night Owls in UK)
Okay, can we talk how adorable these two is? Both Jack and Bex is an artist (though a different type of artist), so I think that's why these two could understand each other better that anyone else. Also, Jack is sweet, (literally) bad boy type-of-boy, so it's hard not to fall in love with him!

Best Book Covers of 2015

As you can see, for the second day of A Week of Top Ten 2015, I will write about best book covers of 2015. Gotta admit, there's a lot of gorgeous book cover this year, so it's pretty hard to pick only 10!

Here it is :

Best Books I've Read in 2015

As you guys probably know, Jaime @ Two Chicks on Books, along with Rachel @ Fiktshun, Mindy @ Magical Urban Fantasy Read and Nancy @ Tales of a Ravenous Reader host this again. I didn't participate last year so I'm glad I could this year!

Basically, for 5 days, I'll make a list consist of books I've read in 2015 or books published in 2015, and today's topic is best books I've read in 2015. Eventhough I didn't read that many books, most of them are good. Without further ado, here is it :

ARC Review : This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

Title : This Raging Light
Author : Estelle Laure
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : December 22nd, 2015
Publisher : HMH Books

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

My Dream Literary Collection

So, a few months ago, Ryan from Invaluable.com (it's an auction site) contacted me to write a post about my dream literary collection. Admit it, in some points in our live, we're all want a first edition books or a signed popular books. Well, I'm no different, and today I'm going to write about rare books that I want. Here it is :

Hogwarts School of Blogcraft and Bookistry : History of Magic

Hi class! Welcome to the 8th class of Hogwarts School of Blogcraft and Bookistry!

So today, I'm going to teach you about History of Magic. Like the other class in this school, there will be 2 parts, blog and book. Without further ado, let's start, shall we?

ARC Review : The Trouble With Destiny by Lauren Morrill

Title : The Trouble With Destiny
Author : Lauren Morrill
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : December 8th, 2015
Publisher : Delacorte Press

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey... 

With her trusty baton and six insanely organized clipboards, drum major Liza Sanders is about to take Destiny by storm—the boat, that is. When Liza discovered that her beloved band was losing funding, she found Destiny, a luxury cruise ship complete with pools, midnight chocolate buffets, and a $25,000 spring break talent show prize. 

Liza can’t imagine senior year without the band, and nothing will distract her from achieving victory. She’s therefore not interested when her old camp crush, Lenny, shows up on board, looking shockingly hipster-hot. And she’s especially not interested in Russ, the probably-as-dumb-as-he-is-cute prankster jock whose ex, Demi, happens be Liza’s ex–best friend and leader of the Athenas, a show choir that’s the band’s greatest competition.

But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. After the Destiny breaks down, all of Liza’s best-laid plans start to go awry. Liza likes to think of herself as an expert at almost everything, but when it comes to love, she’s about to find herself lost at sea.

Top Ten New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For the First Time in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

So, it's been like, 3 months since I last do Top Ten Tuesday and I must say I miss it! This week's topic--as you can see at that super-long-title--is new-to-me favorite authors. Since I just started book blogging in December 2014, there's a lot new-to-me authors whose book became my favorite, but I managed to choose ten. Here it is :

1. Marie Lu

I know, Marie Lu already published her books since 2011, but I first read her book Legend in the beginning of 2015, and it immediately became my favorite! So far, I've read 4 of her books this year, and I like them all.

IT'S MY BLOGOVERSARY!

So today is 5th of December, which means

IT'S MY BLOGOVERSARY!

Seriously, this gif never gets old

I honestly didn't expect to went this far. I mean, before I have this blog, I used to have a fandom instagram (you know, the one who post quotes, movie scene, etc.?) and tumblr, but both only last for around 6 months. So it's a huge surprise for me that I've went this far!

Review : Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols

Title : Perfect Couple (Superlatives #2)
Author : Jennifer Echols
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : January 13th, 2015
Publisher : Simon Pulse

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

In this second book in The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Harper and Brody think they’re an unlikely match—but the senior class says they belong together.

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents’ bitter divorce left her wondering what a loving relationship looks like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been pushing her to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He’s confused about the match too. Yet they find themselves drawn together—first by curiosity about why the class paired them, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they’re attracted to each other, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating well. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But they feel so changed from making the effort, they can’t forget each other. What if this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

Monthly Recap : October

I actually planned to not write a monthly recap this month since it's no different than last month's recap. October is another slow-blogging month for me, and the excuse is still same--school. I have so many assignments and tests which make it hard to read and to blog, and when I didn't have it, I'm so tired I just wanna sleep (in fact, when I'm writing this, I just woke up from 3 hours-nap. It feels so good!)

Just for your information, I think I will be busier in November since I have to take my final examination. That's why, I think this semi-hiatus will last longer than I'd expected.

Blog Tour : The Anatomical Shape of A Heart by Jenn Bennett (+Giveaway)

This tour is hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club. Follow the rest of the tour here

Title : The Anatomical Shape of A Heart
Author : Jenn Bennett
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : November 3rd, 2015
Publisher : Feiwel & Friends

GOODREADS | AMAZON | B&N

Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital’s Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.

Jack is charming, wildly attractive . . . and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is—and tries to uncover what he’s hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in Beatrix’s own family’s closet tear them apart?

Blog Tour : Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall (+Giveaway)

This tour is hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Follow the rest of the tour here

Title : Signs Point to Yes
Author : Sandy Hall
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : October 20th, 2015
Publisher : Swoon Reads

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository | B&N

The author of A Little Something Different brings you the most adorkable romance ever.

Jane, a superstitious fangirl, takes an anonymous babysitting job to avoid an unpaid internship with her college-obsessed mom. The only problem? She’s babysitting the siblings of her childhood friend and new crush, Teo.

Teo doesn’t dislike Jane, but his best friend Ravi hates her, and is determined to keep them apart. So Teo’s pretty sure his plans for a peaceful summer are shot. His only hope is that his intermittent search for his birth father will finally pan out and he’ll find a new, less awkward home. Meanwhile, at Jane’s house, her sister Margo wants to come out as bisexual, but she’s terrified of how her parents will react.

In a summer filled with secrets and questions, even Jane’s Magic 8 ball can’t give them clear answers, but Signs Point to Yes. 

BBCreativityProject : School of Blogcraft and Bookistry

Welcome to Hogwarts : School of Blogcraft and Bookistry!

The faculty of Hogwarts (AKA RED TEAM of the BB Creativity Project) is hosting classes for aspiring wizards, muggles, and bloggers! We have a dedicated team of professionals ready to teach you on a variety of topics regarding books and blogging. There's tutorial, recommendations, and more.

Monthly Recap : September

September is one busy month. I have a lot of assignments and tests this month that made me can't read and blog much (I only posted 3 posts in September!). Not to mention, my school held a bazaar that runs from yesterday until tomorrow, and since I'm in the decoration team, I often have to stay at school until evening to finish the decor in time.

Also, one week from now, there will be mid-term tests. That's why, I think I'll take a hiatus for a while, probably until the end of October since I have a blog tour stop at that time. I hope you guys understand.

ARC Review : Never Never by Brianna Shrum

Title : Never Never
Author : Brianna Shrum
Genre : YA fantasy
Release Date : September 22nd, 2015
Publisher : Spencer Hill Press

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up.

When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child—at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children’s dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up.

But grow up he does. 

And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate.

This story isn’t about Peter Pan; it’s about the boy whose life he stole. It’s about a man in a world that hates men. It’s about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan.

Except one

Ten Books With Characters That Love Arts

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Some of you probably know that I'm a sucker for everything art-related. I love arts from music to drawing to dancing, eventhough I can do neither. That's why I'm going to list ten books with characters that love arts.

Bookish Academy Tag

I was tagged by Fiona @ A Girl Between the Pages to do the Bookish Academy tag. Thanks for tagging me, Fiona!

Monthly Recap : August

If there's one thing to describe August, that would be busy. I'm so busy this month (mostly because of school) that made me can't blog and read much. I even have to take a semi-hiatus since there's a lot of tests and assignments (we got tests every week!)

ARC Review : Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius

Title : Anne & Henry
Author : Dawn Ius
Genre : YA retelling, contemporary
Release Date : September 1st, 2015
Publisher : Simon & Schuster

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

In this wonderfully creative retelling of the infamous—and torrid—love affair between Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, history collides with the present when a sizzling romance ignites in a modern-day high school.

Henry Tudor’s life has been mapped out since the day he was born: student body president, valedictorian, Harvard Law School, and a stunning political career just like his father’s. But ever since the death of his brother, the pressure for Henry to be perfect has doubled. And now he’s trapped: forbidden from pursuing a life as an artist or dating any girl who isn’t Tudor-approved.

Then Anne Boleyn crashes into his life.

Wild, brash, and outspoken, Anne is everything Henry isn’t allowed to be—or want. But soon Anne is all he can think about. His mother, his friends, and even his girlfriend warn him away, but his desire for Anne consumes him.

Henry is willing to do anything to be with her, but once they’re together, will their romance destroy them both?

Inspired by the true story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, Anne & Henry beautifully reimagines the intensity, love, and betrayal between one of the most infamous couples of all time. 

YA Contemporary 101

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Since most of the books that I read this year is contemporary, I think it suits if I taught YA contemporary. Here's the list :

Weekly Recap : Semi-Hiatus Announcement

Linked to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Review and The Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Review : The Beginning of Never by O. E. Boroni

Title : The Beginning of Never
Author : O. E. Boroni
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : April 26, 2015
Publisher : Waves Corporation

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

Twilight meets Eleanor and Park in this contemporary romance story about a love that insists on forever.

When Lenora Baker and Nathan Roqué run into each other in their boarding school courtyard, they have no idea that they are about to begin a journey that will take them the rest of their lives to recover from. Both scarred from parents who were once in love but ended up destroying each other, they are sworn off the possibility that there can truly exist a love that will never end.

But when with each other they find a passion so strong that it heals as powerfully as it burns, a love that will run out is no longer an option for them. Together, they discover just how far they are willing to go to preserve what they know they will only find once in their lifetime.

This is the start of their journey, and here you will come to realize, that falling in love is only the first part of the story..

Singapore (and Malaysia) Trip Recap

So, as you may or may not know, a few weeks ago I said that I'll go to Singapore on July 1st until July 5th. Well, I lied (not really) because I went to Malaysia too. In fact, I spend more time in Malaysia rather than in Singapore. So what did I do in my vacation?

Top Ten Fairytale Retellings I Want To Read

hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

I originally want to make "top ten fairytale retellings I've read" but then I realize that I haven't read that many retellings. In fact, as long as I remember, I only have read 2 fairytale retellings, which is A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Summer of Chasing Mermaids. That's why, I'm going to write top ten fairytale retellings I want to read instead.

Blog Tour : Most Likely to Succeed by Jennifer Echols (Review + Giveaway)

Thanks to Fantastic Flying Book Club for organizing this tour. See the full schedule here

Title : Most Likely to Succeed (Superlatives #3)

Author : Jennifer Echols

Genre : YA contemporary

Release Date : August 4th, 2015

Publisher : Simon Pulse

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Book Depository | Kobo

In this sexy conclusion to The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Sawyer and Kaye might just be perfect for each other—if only they could admit it.

As vice president of Student Council, Kaye knows the importance of keeping order. Not only in school, but in her personal life. Which is why she and her boyfriend, Aidan, already have their lives mapped out: attend Columbia University together, pursue banking careers, and eventually get married. Everything Kaye has accomplished in high school—student government, cheerleading, stellar grades—has been in preparation for that future.

To his entire class, Sawyer is an irreverent bad boy. His antics on the field as school mascot and his love of partying have earned him total slacker status. But while he and Kaye appear to be opposites on every level, fate—and their friends—keep conspiring to throw them together. Perhaps the seniors see the simmering attraction Kaye and Sawyer are unwilling to acknowledge to themselves…

As the year unfolds, Kaye begins to realize her ideal life is not what she thought. And Sawyer decides it’s finally time to let down the facade and show everyone who he really is. Is a relationship between them most likely to succeed—or will it be their favorite mistake?

Monthly Recap : July

CAN'T BELIEVE JULY IS OVER. IT MEANS MY HOLIDAY IS OVER *cry in the corner*

So what happens with me in July? Here's my recap :

Blog Tour : The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler (Review)

Title : The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
Author : Sarah Ockler
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : June 2nd, 2015
Publisher : Simon Pulse

GOODREADS | PURCHASE

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .