2014 was my first year in book blogging. Nandhini's Book Review Blog is a spark off from my personal blog Pages from Serendipity. It was Leadstart Publishing who first contacted me for a book review, in fact the people who introduced me to the concept of book blogging. I thank them at this point for what they have done. For most part of the year, my reviews appeared in Pages from Serendipity. In September 2014, I created Nandhini's Book Review Blog dedicated solely for books and only books!
What I adore the most of this book blogging:
One of the rich delights of my life - free books! Every time I receive one, I feel I am getting richer.
Getting connected with authors! To learn their humble stories of reaching this far is so heart-warming.
This survey was originally created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner
You can see the original post and questions here
I like this survey and am excited to be at Jamie's page!
This post is absolutely long, just a warning.
Number Of Books You Read: 20!
Number of Re-Reads: 0
Genre You Read The Most From: Self-help, Philosophy & Children
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)2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2014/11/5th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2014-edition.html#sthash.meOqKfvu.dpuf1. 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)2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?
- See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2014/11/5th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2014-edition.html#sthash.meOqKfvu.dpuf
1. Best Book You Read In 2014?Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta
It touched me somewhere deeper; undoubtedly the best of my 2014 collection!
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? Reflections By Mukesh Mehta I was impressed after reading the book blurb at a book blog but didn't find what I assumed it to have.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?Ajaya by Anand Neelakantan
The content surprised me. The good side of the so-deemed bad people!
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?I haven't traced out a way yet to check that. But based on the number of views, here's the top list:
5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?TheCarbon Conundrum by Adit Ambani This is the first book of the Trilogy series. The next two, I guess to be as interesting as this one. I haven't read a sequel or a series ender this year.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2014?
12 out of 20 I read in 2014 were of new authors! It was one of my interests behind this blog to promote new authors. I am glad I could make it to 60%. All new authors seem to have a unique style and frame of thoughts. I am appreciate of all twelve I read. If I have to pick from the list, here they are:
- Adit Ambani - Most importantly for his fabulous work for his age. He completed his first book at 13!
- Digonta Bordoloi - For the wit and humour in his narration
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?Seedlings:Fables from the Forest by C D Baker
I've started a collection of Children's books in 2014; not out of my comfort zone though. Seedlings was certainly a thoughtful book for kids.
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?Order of the Dimensions by Irene Helenowski I literally ran along with the book. The dynamism in the plot was fun!
9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
I am sure I will re-read this series several times to my son this year.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?A Cupful of Aha! by Anandaa If you've read the book, you will know why!
11. Most memorable character of 2014?
This would be difficult to choose because I connect more with the characters usually than with the plot or the author. Let me try:
Jahanara (Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta)Jahanara was a character with depth. Since she was a real-time historical character, I could connect with her then life more intensely.
Aurangzeb (Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta) This book changed the characterization of the well-kown anti-social Aurangzeb I've studied in school history texts. True to his heart and and principles, the Aurangzeb in this book has amusingly gained a soft-corner in me.Baba (Slow... by Digonta Bordoloi) Baba was again another character with depth. As a child, he had his own way of living, non-sync with most others around him. Yet, he chose not to sail along with the masses and stood alone instead.
Aditya Saxena (The Bluest Marble by Vipin Kumar)When I thought of all the books, this character stood out distinctly. A man who runs hither and thither in life to find the deepest meaning in it.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?
I would say all I read in 2014 were averagely written. So skipping this to the next year's survey.
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?
Again skipping this one. None seemed life-changing.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read? Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach A New york best seller and first published in 1970 finally found me in 2014
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?"Our destiny, what we are, what we will become in life, each and every action of ours can all be tracked back to a single thought. The origin of that thought is, more often than not, a simple realization." (Page 244, The Bluest Marble by Vipin Kumar)
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?
Shortest: A cupful of Aha by Anandaa (54 pages)Longest: Ajaya by Anand Neelakantan (456 pages)
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
Didn't have a shocking experience with books so far.
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Karna - Draupadi (Ajaya by Anand Neelakantan)Though the truth of their romantic relationship is questionable, there was a subtle love between them that was admirable.
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Jahanara - her mother, Mumtaz (Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta)Touching personification of a Mother-daughter relationship
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read PreviouslyYen Uruvaagirathu Putrunoi? (Tamil) by Padmahari This was the author's second book that I read. One of the important books on health in my collection.
21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
None
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?
None
23. Best 2014 debut you read?
Quite a lot!
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Slow… by Digonta Bordoloi Life in North East India was vividly narrated
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read? The Archers Revenge by Destination Infinity
It was on a lighter side. Though a book on revenge, there was nothing harsh and no bad emotions to get affected. A serenely written vengeance!
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?
Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?Marvels & Mysteries of the Mahabharata by Abhijit Basu
I didn't know before that Mahabharata had so much in it!
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
None
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?The Seller of Beliefs by Trishala D Shah The story line was unique with an admirable message in it.
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)? Me “N” Her – A Strange Feeling by Rikky Bhartia Your Love was all I had! by Kaushal Kumar JhaBoth were quite similar YA fictions. The run of the protagonists to get married to their love turned from romantic to terrible. I mean from the context of the plot, not literally.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?
Arya the Fangirl (The place from where I discovered this survey. Thanks Fangirl!)
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?
Humanshastrra by Jatin Bharmani
3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
For a Brighter Bipolar Life by Guinnevere Clarke
4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Haven't given a try for any of these events yet.
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?
When I opened a new Facebook page for this blog, author Abhijit Basu posted an encouraging wish on the timeline.Unfortunately, by mistake I deleted it while taking a screenshot but a good memory for the year!
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
The Bluest Marble by Vipin Kumar
But by considering the date of posting, The Archers Revenge by Destination Infinity has had 30 views in 5 days.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Slow… by Digonta Bordoloi
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Tulika Books
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I am still not convinced why reading should be set to a challenge or even considered a goal.
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?
The Road Less Travelled by M.Scottt Peck
This was a gift from a dear friend. With the pending review copies, I've been ignoring this for a while. I hope to do it soon.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?
I heard from author Destination Infinity that his second book, a historical fiction, is getting ready though I am not sure if he is planning to release it in 2015. I expecting an interesting plot!
3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
May be I am not aware of any.
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?
The sequel to AJAYA – Roll of the Dice by Anand Neelakantan
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?
Connect with bloggers more frequently. This was a big miss in 2014.
6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
Finding Ecstasy by Rebecca Pillsbury is a late 2014 release that I am already half way through now. I am sure it will be a good read to many.
I hope to add a lot more books at the end of 2015 survey. Wishing a pleasant year to all of you with more books & books & books......
