I honestly didn’t think that I would find the time to do a yearly wrap-up post with all the crazy that is happening in my life, but I did it. I found the time. This has been one of the most exhausting months of my life and I’m glad it’s finally over.

Unfortunately, I did not get to read more books this year than I did last year. Internship #4 basically guaranteed that. On top of five classes, it is quite impossible to find spare time to read. And don’t get me started on Superstorm Sandy and how that affected reading habits / personal life / school life / you get what I mean. 2012 isn’t over yet, and I’m still trying to get to 100 books, but I doubt that is even going to happen.

Looking back at all the books I read this year, I read quite the diverse list. There are definitely some good ones on the list, but unfortunately, a few bad ones also took up my reading time. Without further ado, here is my list of the Best and Worst Books of 2012:

Most Tear-Jerking Read: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I tried swearing to myself that I will not let this book make me cry. A book about cancer. How hard could that be right? This one involved too many tissues to count. As much as I resisted, John Green pulled at my heartstrings and I sobbed like a baby.

Biggest Disappointment: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick. After loving the first book, Ashes, so much, I was just flabbergasted on how much I disliked the sequel. It just didn’t live up to the page-turning quality of Ashes. This one just signaled a series break-up for me.

Most Laugh Out Loud Read: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. I read this one on audiobook. I don’t think I ever could have laughed out loud from listening to an audiobook before but then it happened. Libba Bray is a fantastic narrator on audio. I don’t think I would have enjoyed reading the book in print as much.

Sexiest Read: The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst. I accepted to review this romance novel for kicks and giggles. Adult contemporary romance is not usually my thing but I gave it a shot… and I ended up loving it. Seriously, I could not wait for more. I am still itching to read the second book (even if I have already read the third…)

Most “Makes My Heart All Melty” Read: Every Day by David Levithan. This book will always have a special place in my heart. David Levithan just captures so well what it is like to be in love.

Author Break-up: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I can’t even explain how disappointed I was in this book. The writing was just not up to par with my standards. The writing was no where compared to the writing in Half-Blood. This book was such a turn-off for me that I’ve been scared away from reading her other books.

Frenemies Read: The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. I had a love/hate relationship with Belly. As much as I disliked her, I couldn’t stay away from the books. As much as I hate to admit it, they are the perfect books to read over the summer.

Best Reread: The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan. It was just as good the second time around. I added so much more post-its to my copy.

I’m quite happy with what I was able to accomplish reading wise in 2012. I read such a different variety of books from middle grade to adult. I stepped out of my comfort zone a few times and I was rewarded handsomely for some reads and reminded why I did not pick up certain genres other times. I am proud of myself for finding the time to reread some favorites.

As for next year’s challenge, I am sticking to a goal of reading 100 books. I don’t know how busy I’ll be in 2013 as a whole, but January will be quite the month for me. I probably won’t be around blogging much. I’ll be spending the rest of my winter break in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Until next year, fellow readers!

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Permalink Random - Author: David Levithan, Author: Ilsa J Bick, Author: Jennifer L Armentrout, Author: Jennifer Probst, Author: Jenny Han, Author: John Green, Author: Libba Bray, Book: Beauty Queens, Book: Every Day, Book: Obsidian, Book: Shadows, Book: The Fault in Our Stars, Book: The Lover's Dictionary, Book: The Marriage Bargain, Series: Summer | 1011 words

OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review
Series: Lux, #1
Publication Date: May 15th 2012 by Entangled Teen
Rating: – Poor |

Book Summary: Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout Book Review Overview:

• Mary Sue-ish characterization aimed at book bloggers
• Over-repetitive descriptions of vanity
• Lack of chemistry

There are so many things I want to say about this book that I don’t even know where to begin. Unfortunately, most of them are negative. It sucks because I loved Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Half-Blood passionately. It also sucks because my best friend, Loreal, bought me a copy of this book for my nook – and if you know me, you know that I never ever buy anything for my e-reader. (Library for the win.) I had high hopes for my second read from author Jennifer L. Armentrout, but unfortunately, OBSIDIAN did not meet my standards of a good read.

Yeah, argue with me on this one, but Katy is not just coincidentally a book blogger. Honestly, she struck me completely as a not genuine character. She reminded me of a Mary Sue – a fan fiction term that I hate using when reviewing a book, but there’s really no better way to describe Katy. Katy is a Mary Sue for the book blogging community. She’s snarky, kind of kick-ass, and stubborn with a banging body but she doesn’t know it! GASP! And the best part is… she reviews books on her book blog! I don’t know… I just felt like OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout was trying too hard to cater to a (very) specific target audience and it was obvious. I don’t want Katy to be the idealized version of myself. I want her to be her own unique character.

And then of course, there’s Daemon, the love interest – or as how I like to think of him: The Biggest Jerk Ever. OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout plays on the whole forbidden romance between human and alien. Alright. I usually eat up forbidden romances like it’s nothing. But the romance in OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout was just all wrong for me. It didn’t even feel like Daemon was playing hard to get for me. He was just a jerk. He would have a rare tender moment with Katy in one scene then totally acting like she’s nobody the next. Not acceptable. Not sexy and definitely not cool.

… And don’t get me started on the over-repetitive descriptions of how sexy Daemon is. Because seriously, I got it the first time. The guy is a looker. But I really do not need a reminder every time the guy pops into a scene.

I couldn’t even enjoy the excessive banter between Katy and Daemon because the chemistry itself felt a little too forced. I didn’t feel an internal struggle with Daemon. I felt like he could turn off or on his views on friendships with humans. The danger about the friendship didn’t really sink in with me, and because of that, Daemon’s excuses were pretty lame without some strong backing.

Unfortunately, nothing went right for me in OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L Armentrout, and I will probably not continue with the series.

Other Book Reviews:
Book Rants
Elegantly Bound Books
Justin’s Book Blog

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Permalink Book Review, Two Stars - Author: Jennifer L Armentrout, Book: Obsidian, Borrow It, Genre: Romance, Genre: Science Fiction, Publisher: Entangled Teen, Series: Lux | 1094 words

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout (Lux Series, #1) Releases Tomorrow!

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Available Tomorrow, December 6th at: Barnes & Noble

I’m a huge fan of Armentrout’s Half-Blood, so I was really excited to hear that she had another series in the works. After reading the summary and reading Stephanie’s review of Obsidian, I’m convinced that I need to pick this one up! I can’t wait to read it.

Onyx Cover Reveal – The Sequel to Obsidian

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

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Permalink Book News - Author: Jennifer L Armentrout, Book: Obsidian | 462 words