2012: Books in Review

Okay, so I totally lied. About the whole not posting thing. Because here I am, just days after I posted that I wasn't going to post...and I'm posting.

Ginger over at GReads! blogged about this great survey that Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner put together, all about her top books of 2012 - a survey I didn't think I could pass up!

So let's reflect back on all the books of 2012. What fine reads had you burning through the pages at break-neck speed? Which books made you shed a tear? And were there any that made you shake uncontrollably with silent laughter at 2am in the morning? 

Well, here are my answers - and if you're so inclined, feel free to fill out your own survey & link-up at Jamie's blog.

1. Best Book You Read In 2012?

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson. You can read my review here.

2. Book You Were Excited About and Thought You Were Going To Love More, But Didn’t?

NERVE by Jeanne Ryan. Reading the synopsis of this book, I thought the premise sounded really cool - however, it just fell flat for me.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?

ON THE ISLAND by Tracey Garvis-Graves

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
I've got two:

In it's second appearance on my list: THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

- and - 

CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers - you can see my review here.
 

5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

I can't believe I'm so late in reading this series - but GRACELING, FIRE, and BITTERBLUE by Kristen Cashore, was my absolute favorite series for 2012!

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2012?

Courtney Summers - author of THIS IS NOT A TEST, CRACKED UP TO BE, and SOME GIRLS ARE. I've got FALL FOR ANYTHING next up on my TBR pile and I definitely can't wait to get my hands on ALL THE RAGE next year! 

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Holly Cupala. A book about abusive and controlling boyfriends, life on the streets of Seattle, and the lengths one girl will go, to never be found. 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn 

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

SUCH A RUSH by Jennifer Echols.

11. Most memorable character in 2012?

Karou from DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE and DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor 

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

This one goes again to THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?

Hands down, REGINE'S BOOK: A TEEN GIRL'S LAST WORDS by Regine Stokke. Read all about it here.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?

GRACELING by Kristen Cashore - and the entire series.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012? 

“A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted - mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more.” 

SECOND CHANCE SUMMER by Morgan Matson

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

Shortest = TEXTS FROM DOG by October Jones. Hands down, one of the funniest reads, too!

Longest = DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor. It's so long, I'm STILL reading it!

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers! 

It wasn't just a scene, but the entire series of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, FIFTY SHADES DARKER, and FIFTY SHADES FREED by E.L. James that all had me thinking, WTF just happened??? And then asking, how can I possibly get those hours of my life back? Yes, I thought they were THAT BAD. 

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Fire and Prince Brigan in FIRE by Kristen Cashore. Love Prince Brigan. Love.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously?

THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater 

20. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

The SHATTER ME series by Tehereh Mafi.

21. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

 DETERGENT aka DIVERGENT #3 by Veronica Roth

22. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

There are so many things I hope to blog about in 2013 - hopefully a post or two will be to share good news about my own writing journey!

So what great books made YOUR list for 2012? 

Happy New Year everyone!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge: Day 6 - Letter F

Day #6 and today's letter is F on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. And my topic today is:

Favorite Books

Everyone has at least one.

Me? Way too many - but that's a good thing, right? Afterall, isn't that the point of reading - hoping to find that next amazing book that you just can't put down?

My list of favorites is constantly growing - and when I look back on all the good books I've read, here are ten great books (or series) that always pop up as books I'd recommend to anyone - plus, I've included links to my reviews, if you're interested in hearing what I thought:

1. Anything by Roald Dahl:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The B.F.G.
The Witches
James and the Giant Peach
The Twits
Matilda
The Enormous Crocodile
Fantastic Mr. Fox

2. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

3. The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay trilogy by Suzanne Collins

4. The Divergent series by Veronica Roth

5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Dark and Hollow Places trilogy by Carrie Ryan

6. If I Stay and Where She Went by Galye Forman

7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

8. Unbroken by Laura Hilenbrand

9. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

10. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Favorite Books - what have you read lately that will have a permanent home on your all-time favorites list? 

If you're out and about today, head on over to Jaime Morrow's website and check out her E post from yesterday on the 80's - it'll make you wonder, how did we survive that decade? 

Sarah Pearson is all about Friends, on her F post today - stop on by!

And Colin D. Smith has a Friday Fives post on his Favorite Fables - say THAT three times fast!

RTW #102: Best Book(s) for October

Similar to Friday Fives, Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ hosted by the fabulous ladies over at YA Highway. Each Wednesday, they post a weekly writing - or reading - related question, and I'll blog about my answer here!

And this week's topic:

What was the best book you read in October?

October has been an awfully quiet month for me in the blog-o-sphere, mostly because I've been crazy-busy doing major revisions on my current manuscript, for an amazing agent (one that shall remane nameless at the moment, but believe me, he's nothing but pure awesome!). It's been a tad bit hectic, but in the end, I know it will so be worth it.

But that also means it may stay a little quiet around these here parts for awhile. I'm still here, it's just my head is buried behind my computer screen, revising away!

I was also fortunate to spend the first part of the month, down in Cabo San Lucas with my husband, for our anniversary. We did absolutely nothing but lay in the sun, eat amazing food, go to the spa (ahhhhhh...), lay in the sun some more, and of course, read. 

Which leads us to today's RTW - what was my favorite book this month? Well, I've got two:

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins

Sequel to ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Lola (huh, that sounded so much better in my head). In fact, it actually was my very first eBook purchase for my iPad. Still not sure if I'm convinced about reading on an e-reader but Lola on the other hand, did not disappoint! 

Goodreads Summary:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

THE POWER OF SIX by Pitticus Lore

Sequel to I AM NUMBER FOUR - this was also a highly anticipated title for me. I really enjoyed the first book in the Lorien Legacy series and this second installment, was equally entertaining.

Goodreads Summary:

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us. 

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together? 

They caught Number One in Malaysia. 
Number Two in England. 
And Number Three in Kenya. 
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed. 

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive. 

And I'm ready to fight.

_________________

So with that, what great books did you read this October? Would love to add some new titles to my TBR pile!

RTW #96: Going Undercover

Similar to Friday Fives, Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ hosted by the fabulous ladies over at YA Highway. Each Wednesday, they post a weekly writing - or reading - related question, and I'll blog about my answer here!

And this week's topic:

What are your all-time favorite book covers?

So, so, many wonderful book covers out there, ranging from beautiful scenery images, to a little bit creepy. Either way, a good cover evokes emotion - and often times, get's a potential reader to buy it in the first place.

Have you ever bought a book simply based on the cover - and was it just as good...or better?

Here are a few of my favorites, although I'm sure I've missed several!

1. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series (SHIVER, LINGER, and FOREVER) by Maggie Stiefvater 

Loved the simplicity and color on all 3 covers.

2. The Mortal Instruments Series (CITY OF BONES, CITY OF ASHES, CITY OF GLASS, and CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS) by Cassandra Clare

Tons of hidden detail on each cover, that ties into the story.

3. THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

This cover was for the second publication of the book and I think it's much stronger than the first (even though the title is strong enough to pull you in on it's own!).

 4. BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris

This one is in my TBR pile, but I love the cover!

5. TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

Such a beautiful tie-in to a lovely story.

RTW #94: My Best August Read

Similar to Friday Fives, Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ hosted by the fabulous ladies over at YA Highway. Each Wednesday, they post a weekly writing - or reading - related question, and I get to answer it here!

And this week's topic:

What's the best book I've read in August?

I actually had two favorites this month: TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler and PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White.

Two very different reads: one filled with love, grief, friendship, and life - and another full of some of the funniest lines I've read in awhile! It was almost the most perfect balance to have read both, just days apart, because the humor from PARANORMALCY was just what I needed after the tears from TWENTY BOY SUMMER. 

So what book made you laugh or cry in the month of August? 

1. TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

Goodreads Summary:

"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it." 
"Okay." 
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?" 
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?" 

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. 

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer. Read my review here.

2. PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White

Goodreads Summary:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. 

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

So much for normal.

FYI: I just posted my review on 9/1/11.