Monday, January 19, 2009

Everybody's doing it - Year End Summary (part 1)



Yes, I do believe I am the last person in blogland to post their 2008 year end summary. I know some of you have been patiently waiting for this post and without further ado, here it goes. I am going to do this in two posts. The first post will encompass all the books I read this year, with statistics. The second post I will only talk about the books published in 2008 and pick my top reads. I probably won't post the second part until AAR holds it's Annual Reader Poll.

First, I will start off with some statistics. Yeah, I am a total nerd. I love numbers and lists and graphs and what have you. Work with me people!

Total books read = 159

By Publishing Date
published in 2008 = 57
published in 2007 = 40
published 2000 - 2006 = 34
published 1990 - 1999 = 22
published 1980 - 1989 = 3
published 1965 - 1979 = 3

As you can see the largest percentage of books read was 36% and were published in 2008. I wish this percentage was higher, maybe 50%. But seeing as how I only started reading romance a few years ago, I have a lot of catching up to do. With there being so many great books already published that I haven't had the pleasure of reading.

By Review Rating
Grade A = 14
Grade A- = 14
Grade B+ = 40
Grade B = 29
Grade B- = 27
Grade C+ = 4
Grade C = 16
Grade C- = 5
Grade D = 8
Grade F = 0
DNF = 1

I guess it is no surprise that the largest percentage of books received a B rating. What I am surprised with is the number of A grades that I gave. I thought I was pretty stingy with my A rating. Apparently, I read some really good books this year.

By Genre
Contemporary = 21
Erotic = 15
Fantasy = 4
Futuristic = 4
Historical = 33
Medieval = 6
Mystery = 4
Paranormal = 33
Romantic Suspense = 23
Urban Fantasy = 11
Western = 5

I think the most disappointing realization for me is the low number of medieval books I read. That is my favorite genre and I only read 6 books and one of those was a DNF. None of them rated an A. A pleasant surprise though, is urban fantasy. A new-to-me genre, but one that is quickly moving up to a favorite. I think it is interesting to note that historical and paranormal are tied. If you asked me, I would have thought I read more paranormal than historical.

I have more to come in my next post. (thanks for being so patient!)

13 comments:

Kwana said...

All I can say is 159! Wow.

Jill D. said...

Kwana, before I started blogging that number was in the 200s. But hey, the way I look at it, I am socializing more :)

Leslie said...

Graphs? We need graphs? LOL

I haven't done my list, mostly because I wasn't that organized last year.

Great job reading 159!

Lori said...

It looks like you are also a pretty forgiving reader. I always feel like I look more kindly upon books than others, but looking at your grades, I feel better about myself.

And although I didn't keep track, I'd guess I read at least 150 or so books. I think I only reviewed about 30, LOL!

Chantal said...

Wow! You even have them listed by date published. You go girl.

Christine said...

159 Books in one year is FANTASTIC! Good for you!

I love the graphs and charts and stats. Glad to see I'm not the only geek reading romance. ;)

I agree that it's more fun to blog more and read less than to read more, but not have anyone to talk about it all with!

nath said...

That is a great number Jill and you exceeded your yearly goal, so yay :D

what genre are you categorizing the Women of the Otherworld series? Just wondering :)

LOL, I'd say you're a nice grader :D Seriously, I think that you got it all spread out well (the years)... I can't wait to see the part 2 post :)

nath said...

ps - It's still January, so I think you're fine with end of the year post... I mean, they take a long time to compile!!

Jill D. said...

Thanks everyone! I had a fun time working on the graphs and compiling the statistics.

Lori, sometimes I felt like I was so harsh with a review. Although, I didn't ever have to give out an F grade.

Nath, I looked back at my notes and I said 4 books of Kelley Armstrongs were urban fantasy and 3 were paranormal. Whoops, I guess I should be more consistant with that.

Rowena said...

Wow what a thorough list. I do think that this is my most favorite best of list that I've read EVER. Great job sweetie and 159, yay you!

Holly said...

HAHA! I seriously love that you did a pie chart. LOVE IT!

I think 159 is excellent. =)

nath said...

LOL, that's what I was wondering... because I know you've read almost the whole series this year, but it didn't add up...

Guess what I got yesterday? Men of the Otherworld!!! Yay!

Jill D. said...

Rowena, You are way too kind. Thank you for the nice words :)

Holly, I actually two other pie charts and I thought that might be overkill!

Nath, You lucky dog you. I can't wait to hear what you think. Had you already read some of the stories on the internet?