Here we are, it’s 2013, and my To-Do list is so long, I can’t find the end of it! But I am home from vacation, so expect a plethora of posts over the next few days as I play catch-up.
It has been a really great year for me. I started this blog last spring. Actually, my husband gave it to me all ready to go. Little did we know, we had NO CLUE what we were doing. He wanted me to sell sex toys. (Figures, he’s a perv.) The book blog part was supposed to be small, I never wrote long reviews for the books I read (haha–you guys know how much I write now!). But, to be honest, all I cared about was the books! So he set up the blog as part of the Ana’s Attic site, but it never worked right, so I broke it off into Ana’s Diary in June, and here I am now, with so many new friends, that my life has totally changed.
This blog (and of course my family) has by far been my favorite part of the year. YOU GUYS, the people who read what I spend so much time writing, and who take the time to comment and share, mean so much to me. And of course, the books this year have been absofuckinglutely AMAZING.
Over the next few days, I will be posting a lot, including my Top Reads of 2012 (hardest choices ever), my top sellers of 2012, my top sellers for December, Reviews of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover and Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (both were AMAZING), plus the New Year’s Naughty Blog Hop, The Release Me by J. Kenner Blog Tour, and A Beautiful Lie by Tara Sivec Blog Tour.
In addition to that, I need to unpack, take down the shitload of Christmas decorations, entertain my kids for 6 more days, start a diet and exercise program, and continue to plan the Wicked Girl’s Book Weekend (February 15-18 in Orlando, FL). There will be more……I’m working on more surprises, including a blog redesign this month.
So, in 2012, the world didn’t end (but Twinkies did, which is close), so now we know we have lots of time left to enjoy our lives. What gives me the most enjoyment? My family, reading, and this blog. New year’s resolutions???? I do have to start eating healthier and exercise more. I will start reviewing audiobooks as well, because I will be downloading them so I get off my ass and walk while I read!
So, just for shits and giggles, I feel like giving away two $5 amazon gift cards for the new year, and a copy of Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. Comment here with your favorite book of 2012 or your New Years resolution to be entered to win. Follow the rafflecopter for more opportunities!
Happy New Year!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Lisa says
I have to say Fifty Shades of Grey but only because my love for that book opened me up to reading again, and I ended up finding tons of books I love
anasdiary says
Very true! It did that for so many. Say what you want about the book, but it started so many people reading again!
Tess says
Happy New Year Ana! Best wishes for 2013! 🙂
Lol, choosing a fav book is like choosing a fav child! So I’ll name a few 🙂 The Sea of Tranquility, This Man, The Edge of Never, Slammed/Point of Retreat, Beautiful Disaster, Gabriel’s Inferno/Rapture, and so many more!
My New Year’s resolution is to become 100% vegan, lead a healthier lifestyle, read more books and most importantly spend more time with my loved ones 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
anasdiary says
Wow…good choices, I haven’t gotten to a few. Vegan, huh? Damn….you go girl.
Lisa Figliolino says
I’ll have to say Thoughtless and Effortless. I felt invested in Kellan and Kiera making it work and get a HEA.
anasdiary says
So many loved that….it’s one of the few that people disagree with me on. I hated Kiera. Cheating and lying don’t work for me. I loved the writing, I was glued to the book, but Thoughtless made me so mad! Effortless was better, and I do want to read Reckless.
Amber S says
I accidentally read Effortless first, which I think helped me love the series a lot more than I would have otherwise. Lol
Jessica says
Thoughtless & Effortless were my favorite of 2012..my New Years resolution is to read more and get in better shape 🙂
anasdiary says
I actually resolve to read a little less! But I’m with you on the better shape thing….starting Monday.
Ricki says
I have to say 50 Shades because the book has changed my life in totally different ways than most people would think. I read it last January (before anyone was talking about it), then read the sequels. I told a friend about it and after she started it, we just kept talking about it so much that we bonded (and even did a road trip to go to EL James’ first US book signing) and are now best friends. Plus it renewed my love of reading;I found of other great authors, books blogs (including yours) and from there have met some incredible women who I now consider very dear friends. I’m so honored to be helping you plan the Wicked Girls Book Weekend in February!!!
anasdiary says
Helping me????? More like doing. I love you, and starting this blog has been so worth it just to have met and gotten to be friends with you! So yes, Fifty Shades is responsible!
tosha says
New years resolution would be to quit smoking!!!!
Favorite 2012 books well hmmm its had to choose 🙂 bared to you an reflected in you … annnd fifty shades trilogy. .
anasdiary says
you can do it!
Dawn Bush says
My New Year’s Resolution is to use reverse psychology! I’m going to try to gain weight, exercise less, swear more, eat more garbage food…you catch my drift. Usually my resolutions fail…hoping this tactic will WORK!!
anasdiary says
sounds good to me! And if all else fair, you’ll have fun keeping it!
susan says
to leave a good review for all the books I read this year on Goodreads and Amazon and lose more weight
Favorite book…OMG… that’s hard but I think Thoughtless/Effortless S.C. Stephens and Kristen Ashley At Peace….and Beautiful Diseater
Really: anything by Kristen Ashley, S.C. Stephans and Cherise Sinclair….
Dawna Newman says
My resolution besides to quit smoking is to get my tbr list down to a reasonable pile 🙂 .
Favorite book = The Immortalis series by Katie Salidas ( I just can’t choose one in this series.
Kris says
Happy New Year everyone!
I just got a Kindle for Christmas and in the past week have read Backstage Pass, At His Request and The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden. Before the Kindle I did the 50 Shades series and the Bared to You books. There are so many books I want to start on next, Hopeless, Wallbanger, the rest of the At His Request series. Loving this website!
Stacy m says
To many books to list but my resolution is to read the 180 plus books I have on my kindle that I haven’t even started yet
Linda Boswell says
Favorites book (s) – ANYTHING by Kristen Ashley or Tara Sivec. They pulled me through some really harsh things. My resolution is TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT. I really do understand that not everyone is interested in my snarky, sarcastic opinion; putting that restraint into practice is going to actually hurt my mind and mouth 🙂 Realizing that I am not the Center Of The Universe was totally crushing!
anasdiary says
BEST.ANSWER.YET. LOL
Nancy P. says
Pick a favorite?! Ack! I really liked On Dublin Street and can’t wait for the next installment. Also, another fave is Naked: A Blackstone Affair #1. All time fave author is Kristen Ashley… Motorcycle Man is YUM! Thanks!
HeatherRoun says
I loved Fifty Shades books but the Crossfire books were my faves. My before Fifty Shades favorite for dominant male was Cry No More. Resolution? Exercise more, but with my kids in a family fun way.
Bobbie Shultz says
My Favorites are the Fifty Shades Trilogy as it opened my world to a whole new genre of books. I have not read as much in the past 10 years as I have this past year!
aly says
Slammed! My new year’s resolution is to eat healthy and read more great books!
Gail D says
I don’t think I can pick a favorite…that’s usually the book I’m reading at the time!!
I plan to do more for myself instead of others, even if it’s only 1 hour a day!! More reading time…LOL.
Cassie Hoffman says
I want to write this year! And the best book of 2012, that’s hard but Beautiful Disaster
Holley says
There have been so many great books this year, it’s so hard to choose just a few. On Dublin Street, Seduction and Snacks, the Crossfire series, the Redhead series, The Mighty Storm, and so many more. I can’t wait for all the great books to come!
Kelly Watson says
My resolution is to finish my book. All you ladies have way tooo much fun and I can’t wait to be a part of it! 🙂
Mica says
Anything by Kristen Ashley! Rediscovered my love for reading in 2012.I’m going to try the audiobooks as well in 2013.
Erin Hill says
I can’t choose! I’ll say 50 shades because it’s the book that opened up to this genre and got me reading!
Jessica L says
I would say leave more reviews on GoodReads.
Favorite book is hard I started reading on April 1st with 50 Shades since then I have read 157 books. So that is my first Love.
I also love….
The Mighty Storm
On Dublin Street
Exquisite
The Edge of Never
I am sure there is more but that is all I can think of 🙂
Jessica L says
Oh and thank you for what you do. I found your site 2 months ago and now your site is one of the first things I look at every morning. And just because of you my TBR list is soooo long.
Karen G. says
My favorite books were, On Dublin Street by Samantha Young, Breathe, Law Man & Creed by Kristen Ashley, Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred , and Twisted by Laura Griffin
Jennifer says
I am a 35 year old who has not read a book since my teenage years, other than college textbooks. I thought my life was full and content just living daily life and watching lots of TV. A bunch of my co-workers were all talking about Fifty Shades this summer and I had already bought a Kindle for my son’s entertainment needs. We were about to go on vacation so I said, what the hell! I downloaded the first book and had it completed within 2 days. I could not put it down and was actually embarassed due to the constant blush on my face! After reading all 3 books within a week….I was hooked. I did a google search for what to read after Fifty Shades and came upon your website. I have read almost every book that you have blogged about! You and I have the same mindset for books. I agree with everything you write!! Reading has improved my sex life, my social life, my everything!! I feel like a cougar! I am so high on life right now! I dont know which book was my favorite…probably the Sinners series. Can’t get enough of those boys!! But I do have to give props to Fifty Shades. Without that series, i’m not sure I would have ventured on to this new lifestyle. Although, I can say it was definitely NOT my favorite this year!! Thanks so much for your website…your blog…your everything!
erin brosnan says
I think my favorite books so far are by Sylvia Day the Bared to You Series. I have way to many favorites to list amd amother rawnchy favorite and not for the weak at heart are the Claiming of Sleeping Beauty Set. Tjey are older but brought back last yr in reprint. My oh my. Amd since i dont own an ereader yeah bo me. I like to page turn i have broke the bank last year and am now living in a paper house…lol Happy New Year
Wendy says
My absolute favorite read for 2012 is BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Two words: TRAVIS MADDOX.
I fucking love that man!
There were so many others that were close including THE PROPOSITION, ON DUBLIN STREET, THE EDGE OF NEVER, EASY, THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN, and both DARK DUET books.
2012 was definitely no disappointment in the book world for me.
I can’t wait for all the new books coming out in 2013.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
nicki says
tough one. maybe 50 shades because it got me into the genre. but I also loved Down to you, Love unscripted, If i were you, Easy, Troubles and Treats…
New Year’s resolution, drop a couple or 10 lbs 🙂
Jennifer says
I spent 3 weeks this summer ready every Kristen Ashley book… I am completely addicted.
Ann says
I “read” several audiobooks this year, for the first time, while taking walks. This helped me attempt some books I had rejected previously (due to difficult-to-read dialect and non-English passages). I really loved The Help, which had been recommended by many, and was truly a great story.
Elizabeth H. says
My New Year’s resolution is to become more assertive. I have a tendency to be kinda shy. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Happy New Year!!
Donna M. says
I read so many books in 2012, it’s hard to choose. I loved Fifty. I LOVED Crossfire even more (Gideon = yumm!). Really liked the In Flight books, too. I’m also an enormous fan of Diana Gabaldon’s and her Outlander books take my breath away.
Anyhoo, my 2013 resolution is to read even more!! LOL
Happy New Year!
Stephanie Phillips says
Devoured by Emily Snow was probably one of my all time favorites this past year. There were many others, but that one takes the cake. 🙂
Maria Malaveci says
Favorite book of 2012 is On Dublin Street by Samantha Young!
brandy says
I found Alice Clayton redheaded series books OMG fell in love. Then wallbanger …….awesome.!!!!! So out of my hundreds read last year she is my new fav. But I’m still behind on my books to read. And cant forget sylvian Reynard gabirel books. Loved those as well
brandy says
Oh and a resolution for me would be to start again what I stopped and beat that heavy bag!!!!
Kelly Tannacore says
Wow, my favorite book this year would be pretty hard being as though I have read so many. It all started with 50 Shades of Grey Series…it seems like alot of others started that way as well. The next books I read after were the Thoughtles Series, Beautiful Disaster (which I loved both). I think that the recent book that I read that really packed an impact was The Edge of Never and The Sea of Tranquility, they were really impactful. As far as other favorites, my list will probably never end. Thank you for your blog and all your reccomendations, they are awesome! Happy New Year to you.
Kat Morrisey says
My fave book was Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair. But I liked Motorcycle Man and Creed by Kristen Ashley too. Oh, and her Ghost series. Crap, I forgot about On Dublin Street…darn it! I can’t pick just one! LOL Happy New Year!
Bianca says
Well my last years reading started with Fifty Shades. I had never read any kind of romance type of book before it and it has opened my eyes to so much. That lead me to every single one of Kristen Ashley’s books (definately can’t choose a fav from all of those because I absolutely loved them all!!). Although there was plenty of books in-between I think my fav of 2012 was one I finished the year on and it was Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. Oh and I’d have to mention Rock Me and Leave me Breathless by Cherrie Lynn. 😀
Jennifer Singh says
I have way too many favorite books of 2012 .. so I’ll name a few. Thoughtless/Effortless by S.C. Stephens, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, The Proposition by Katie Ashley, Disastrous by E.L. Montes, The Chocolate Lovers Series by Tara Sivec, Down to You by Michelle Leighton and many, many, many more!
bn100 says
lover reborn by JR Ward
Daniel M says
liked hunger games thanks for the giveaway
Jill M. says
On Dublin Street I believe was my favorite book in 2012 and my resolution is to diet and exercise and read more books!
pc says
So many great books in 2012 but since I just finished reading it I’d say Reflected in You by Sylvia Day was my favorite.
As for resolutions, get healthier, be happier and read, read, read!
ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cindy L says
Well to pick a favorite book is kinda hard I had a few of them like Thoughtless/Effortless, books by Kristen Ashley and Colleen Hoover and Beautiful Disaster,
Susana M says
A few made my list Nobody’s Perfect, Thoughtless/Effortless, Leave me Breathless, Beautiful Disaster, and Love Unrehearsed.
Maria Ramirez Esquivel says
I just finished fifty shades all three! I know where have I been. I waited because of all the reviews. Finally I read it. Omg! I couldn’t put it down! It was a sweet love story. My emotions were so high that I could not put the book down for fear that I would miss something while I was gone. There are a few books I can say that has happen to me! Thanks for the giveaway.
Amber S says
Fave book(s) of 2012: Love Unscripted/Unrehearsed, Slammed/Point of Retreat, and Seduction & Snacks.
Anais G says
My fav book of 2012?! Gosh there were soo many great reads… I would pick “Slammed” just based off of how I just feel compelled to tell everyone about it. Amazing! 😀 I think my New Years Resolution would be to read more often and more books than last year… Considering that I didn’t meet my goodreads challenge last year… Kinda bummed about that. 🙁
Kirstie says
I have to say 50 Shades as it was the turning point in my life. After reading this book along with the others in the trilogy I learnt to feel again…something I had stopped doing a long time ago. It also renewed my passion for reading…140 odd ebooks later and in an increase in my paperback collection. EL James changed my life and I will be forever grateful!