End of the year survey

Now that 2015 is just about over, it's time for a bunch of end-of-year surveys instead of real posts. Which works out nicely for me cos instead of reading I've spent my time eating waaaaay too much food and watching stuff like Tiny House Hunters. Thanks Loni for this one!

1. Best book read in 2015?
There were a lot of amazing books this year BUT I think the one I liked the best was probably The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I don't know if "love" is the right word, but I definitely thought I'd enjoy The Intern's Handbook. Yeah, not a fan of that one...

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Maybe A Storm of Swords because it was finally the GoT book that really got me into the series. Prior to it I was enjoying things well enough, but not in love with it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
I don't know that I actually convinced anyone to read any of the books I read this year.

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?
So the only series I started this year was The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. I read A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows, as well as The Rosie Effect in terms of sequels, and out of those I'd say Swords was my fav. I didn't finish any series, which makes sense since I rarely start them.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
I guess I'd say Liane Moriarty because she's new to me this year AND she has some other books I would like to check out. Or maybe Elizabeth Peters because Crocodile on the Sandbank was super fun.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
The Monk probably, but I think a lot of that credit goes towards the super fun of the readalong and only some to Matthew G. Lewis and his batshit insane story.

Basically

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I don't know that I'd describe that many of the books I read as action-packed or thrilling (despite how many books I would categorize as thrillers) but maybe Locke & Key audiobook? That certainly had action and thrilling moments and OMG SO GOOD. I might actually have to read it and see the artwork.

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
The Graveyard Book, Furiously Happy, Men Explain Things To Me because I think I need to give that book another go when I'm in a different frame of mind.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
None of them super stand out and a good amount of my reading was done on my Kindle so no cover I can readily picture. That said, I do like the Station Eleven cover. (also the book itself, which gets an honorable mention for one of the best books I read this year.)

11. Most memorable character of 2015?
I think I'd have to say Bod from The Graveyard Book.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?
This is a toss up for two very different books but Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Revenge by Yoko Ogawa

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?
Probably Americanah or The Big Short, again in very different ways.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?
Graveyard Book which I realize I'm answering with a lot. But it's a book that's been recommended to me for awhile and cos I was sort of lukewarm on Gaiman before I didn't really prioritize it. Then I finally read it and wow.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?
I have no idea. I could probably look through what I highlighted or quoted in posts but that sounds like a lot of work.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?
Shortest: "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (64 pages), which is more of an essay than book SO runner up is Men Explain Things To Me by Rebecca Solnit (130 pages). Is it weird that both of the shortest are feminist pieces?
Longest: A Storm of Swords by George R. R. at 1,216 pages

17. Book That Shocked You The Most
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis because that book is wall-to-wall bananas.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
I feel like very few of the books I read have great couples. How about Leonella and Christoval from The Monk?

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Lafayette and George Washington from Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell. Though I guess it's hard to credit Vowell with that cos history. But seriously, Lafayette named his son "George Washington".

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Neil Gaiman for Graveyard

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure
At this point, it's hard for me to separate the books I found vs. ones someone else recommended. Maybe Locke & Key cos a BUNCH of people have talked about how great that is and Kayleigh (aka Nylon Admiral) provided the information that the audiobook was free and free is great. Of course I don't know if I can say that was solely a reco from someone else, cos I'm already a Joe Hill fan. OK, if not L&K then maybe The Monk cos that was fun and def not something I would have read sans readalong.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?
Um nope. I got nothing.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?
For the most part, I have no idea which books are debut books. And each book I guessed that I really enjoyed might be a debut turned out not to be. I've read a few debut books that weren't really my favs. Though I guess this just says "Best" but since in this case it would be more of a "ugh, I guess this one" I'm just gonna go ahead and skip it.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
It's hard to beat George R. R. when it comes to world building. I mean, damn.

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

Well I re-read The Martian in prep for the movie and always the most fun. 

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?
I remember crying both while reading Graveyard Book (and really trying not to cos I WAS IN PUBLIC, DAMMIT), as well as while listening to Locke & Key, which was extra awkward cos I was on an exercise bike at the time. At least that was in my own house. 

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
I don't know that I uncovered many gems. Most of the gems were recommended to me, and therefore already unearthed.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
The Dinner probably, and not in a good way.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Locke & Key. I mean, it was an audiobook of a graphic novel. Whaaaa?

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Intern's Handbook and no, I did not like it. The Big Short also pissed me off, but that one was not the book's fault. 

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?
Hamilton biography!! I mean, I didn't get to it in 2015 cos I JUST got it and also there is a readalong planned for it. But it is definitely a 2016 priority.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?
Ummm, said priority book. 

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Not a clue. I don't pay enough attention to which books will be coming out in 2016, especially not debut.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

I do not read enough series/sequels.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?
Catch up on my reviews. I'm currently 9 books behind. And instead of writing a review, I'm doing this. Good job, me.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone
I am not special enough to read that many ARCs to already not only know but have read upcoming releases.

So there you go. How'd your 2015 look?

I'm bored and lazy so IT'S SURVEY TIME

So sometime back in August (which I only know cos that's when the original survey is from [thanks, Brie!]) I saved this survey as something to do when I'm bored/not motivated enough to write a review. Or like, if the next book I'm supposed to review is allllllll the way over there and I'm sitting in a beach chair cos we still don't have our couch and beach chairs are not easy to get out of. It's been awhile, so hey, survey time!

A - age: 31. I'm only sort of in denial about it

B - biggest fear: deep water? Or maybe specifically the ocean because OMG so many things in there can kill you and I am useless in the water. I'm useless on land too but soooo much worse in the water. I sort of love sharks though. But I love them while I'm over here. On land. And they're in the sea.

Also watch out for tough guy belugas

C - current time: 9:33. PM. Eastern Time.

D - drink you had last: lemonade

E - easiest person to talk to: Umm Tom? Both easiest cos I tell him all the things and also easiest cos he's normally right there. Well not now cos I am watching Project Runway and he is watching baseball because yeah, we need to fulfill some stereotypes. Apparently.

F - favorite song: I have no idea. It used to be Rx Bandits but I haven't listened to them in awhile. And I'm pretty sure this is the first time in ever I couldn't come up with a favorite song. Let's just say Green Day's "When It's Time" because that was our first dance song, so I sure do like it.

G - grossest memory: I'm sure there are grosser things that I've blocked out, but last weekend Tom and I were wandering around NYC and were in Time Square (OK, it was in part to see what's going on with the painted ladies that are causing so much ruckus recently) and I'm roughly 98% sure this guy was peeing on this map (like a mall directory) in the area and...yeah, that was special.
EDIT so since writing this answer there was some loud crash in the house but we can't figure out where it came from so I was checking the utility closet and walked into a spider web and while I'm sure that's not the grossest memory ever, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SPIDER WEBS ALL OVER ME GAAAAAAAAAHHH. So yeah. I'll go with that for now.

H - hometown: This town in NJ that whenever people ask where I'm from I just name towns in the area because yeah, you're not going to know it. And then people go "No, just tell me the one." And I do and they're like "Oh wait, I don't know that one." It's near Morristown. People have sometimes heard of that one.

I - in love with: Lotsa things. Tom. My friends. My family. A bunch of TV shows. Way more material possessions than is probably healthy.

J - jealous of: people who don't burn if they think about the sun for more than 12 seconds. People who can speak other languages (how do you do that?? I hardly have this one figured out).

K - kindest person you know: I know a bunch of kind people, even if that kindness is hidden under levels of snark. DON'T THINK I DON'T SEE IT HIDING UNDER THERE.

L - longest relationship: With Tom cos it's been like 10 years? 11? I actually think our dating anniversary is coming up soon. Sometime. I dunno when. (Because I'm terrible.) But that's the one I like to count cos dude, 10 years. I put in the time, I'm getting the credit. I dunno who the credit is from, but I'm getting it.

M - middle name: Marie. Isn't that boring? Celebrities may come up with ridiculous first names but middle names are where you can go nuts cos who cares.

N - number of siblings: Just the one lil' brother. Who is awesome and does things like install surround sound and go see Straight Outta Compton with me.

O - one wish: Like genie-wise? Can I know ALL THE LANGUAGES? In part I guess so I can communicate with the world, but mostly so I can eavesdrop on people and then if they're talking about me I can be like 'OH WHAT NOW?" Except in their language.

P - person you spoke to last on the phone: Some wrong number that called my cell. Yes, that is the number you dialed. I've had this number since like 2001 so yeah, I'm sure whoever you're trying to reach is not here.

Q - question you're always asked: Is that your real hair color? It is, isn't it? You're Irish, aren't you? (Yes, yes I already said that, I'm not you lose.)

R - reason to smile: I just remembered there's a carmalita bar in the cabinet. They are these bars from Whole Foods that are usually just wrapped in saran wrap and in some bin by the bakery and they're made with oats and caramel and pecans and dark chocolate and probably crack given how much I love them. Oh also and like the love of friends and whatnot.

S - song you last sang: I'm sure it was something ridiculous. Something from a musical? Likely. I had "Anaconda" stuck in my head before so maybe that? Could be!

T - time you woke up: 6:20 this morning. Stupid work, being all far from where I am. I need more sleep.

U - underwear color: how apropos as ProjRun is doing an underwear episode. ANWAY green and white polka dots

V - vacation destination: like vacation I'm going to go on? recently went on? I dunno where we'll go next (I guess we'll see who is getting married next and when cos IT'S THAT AGE) but last vacation was to Chicago where we got to hang out with Alice (woooo!)

W - worst habit: nail biting? I do that a lot.

X - x-rays you've had: It was either x-ray or xylophone, wasn't it? I had my face x-rayed when I was like 8 and got hit with a baseball. I mostly remember it being very late and the x-ray tech guy was like 'OK little girl, why don't you sit in this giant scary room while I turn on this large machine and run out of the room, because obviously it's dangerous to be in here, k bye!" Not that I was that scared, more just "What the hell is happening to me right now?" I've broken bones since then but it's been my pinky finger and a toe, and an x-ray seemed unnecessary.

Y - your favorite food: that carmalita bar is pretty awesome. But also burritos. Or noodles. Plantains. Dumplings. So much food.

Z - zodiac sign: aries, which I'm pretty sure means angry?

So hey, you know you wanna do this to, right?

HEY LOOK another survey

Thank you, Sarah, for consistently providing me with surveys and giving me excuses to not write real reviews. I was going to do that 2014 survey thing that was going around, but we're fairly far into 2015 at this point and it seems silly to do it now. Which means I'll probably end up doing it in like March or something ridiculous. But in the meantime, I've got this one!

Four names people call me other than my real name

1. Alley

2. Al

3. Red

4. ...that's pretty much it.

Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Babysitter but for HOURS. Like 8-5 every day. I'd say "nanny" but I have a friend who is an actual nanny and it seems mean to compare what I did to what she did. This was a summer job and for my neighbors so I was usually in my PJs and the job was "Make sure the kids don't die". Which, btw, NAILED IT.

2. I worked at The Limited Too for a total of like 6 hours. They hired way too many people so there was no time for me to actually work. I did get to lie to the public, so that part was fun. (Only after I tried to tell the truth. But after repeating 4 times "I don't know what shirt you're referring to because I started here today. I'm happy to help you find someone else to ask." was ignored with "No but it was just here like 2 months ago" I finally told her "We sold out. Forever. There will never be anymore. Shame, really." She was fine with that answer.)

3. Compounder at a fragrance company. That's where you actually mix the chemicals together to make either a fragrance or a flavor. 

4. I've been trying to figure out a generic way to describe my current job for awhile now. Let's just go with Data Analyst for public relations company.

Four movies I would/have watched more than once:

First of all, that I would watch more than once? As if I couldn't come up with 4 movies I've watched on more than one occasion? Adorable.
1. Zombieland because I heart extra-nerdy Jesse Eisenberg

2. Mean Girls

3. A Midsummer Night's Dream the '99 version

4. The Princess Bride

Four books I’d recommend:
1. Lamb by Christopher Moore

2. World War Z by Max Brooks

3. The Martian by Andy Weir

4. Anything Bill Bryson

I could keep going. And going.

Four places I have lived:
1. NJ

2. Boston (EDIT: 8 apartments. Too many apartments)

3. Brookline (just outside of Boston but still on the subway line)

4. Long Island

Four places I have been:
1. Seattle

2. Ireland

3. London

4. Italy

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. One of those places I listed above

2. NYC but not for work stuff

3. Somewhere warm? Hmm yes, that'd be nice

4. In a bookstore

Four things I don’t eat:
1. Sea urchin

2. Tongue? I haven't tried it but I dunno if I could do it

3. Most organs. Though I've had some and some of them have even been delicious

4. Durian. Probably

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Mofongo. I could go for some of that right now. With slow cooked pork shoulder

2. Noodles? All kinds. Italian noodles, chow fun, noodle soup. 

3. Along that line: raviolis, dumplings. Mmm I'm getting hungry

4. Cheese. Just, all kinds.

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. Parks & Rec

2. Mad Men

3. Bob's Burgers

4. Always Sunny

Four things I am looking forward to this year (2015):
1. Getting this house sold

2. Buying a new place to live

3. Vacation to...somewhere. I'm sure we'll come up with somewhere cool

4. Christmas? Just in general. I like Christmas so don't see why I wouldn't look forward to it this year

Four things I’m always saying:
1. "Oowwww" because I am walking into things just constantly

2. "Hey...shut up" because I am EXCELLENT at comebacks

3. "Dee, you bitch!" because I express frustration via Always Sunny quotes

4. "I'm hungry" because it's always true

Four People I Tag:
Yeaaah, whoever wants to play