Dec

Book Superlatives 2012 – The Best and the Worst

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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 Category 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 | Words 1011 words

Jan

Top of the Shelf #39

You are here: Home » Author: John Green

A weekly meme on the books on the top of my list to read and books recently acquired, borrowed, or bought. Inspired by the Story Siren’s In My Mailbox.

Top of the Shelf / Currently Reading
What’s next on my to-read list for the upcoming week. Oh my god!!! Look at all these Penguin books. Why, it’s a mini-readathon of YA Penguin novels! Yay!

Bought
My pre-order of TFIOS came in the mail! Woot. Unfortunately, I only received a J-scribble. No hanklerfish or Yeti for me.

Won from Giveaways
And not pictured: a swag pack of The International Kissing Club

For Review
I am most excited about The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda. I’m really pumped to read it and I can’t wait! I’ve already read Much Ado About Rogues and the review should be live on the blog in late March.

The Vlog

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Permalink Category Memes, Top of the Shelf - Author: Aimee Carter, Author: Amanda Hocking, Author: Andrew Fukuda, Author: Anne Osterlund, Author: Cate Tiernan, Author: John Green, Author: Julianna Baggott, Author: Kasey Michaels, Author: Lynne Weingarten, Author: Meredith Zeitlin, Book: Aurelia, Book: Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters, Book: Goddess Interrupted, Book: Much Ado About Rogues, Book: Pure by Julianna Baggott, Book: Switched, Book: The Covenant, Book: The Fault in Our Stars, Book: The Hunt, Book: The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers | Words 490 words

Dec

Top 10 of 2011: My 2012 Anticipated Reads

You are here: Home » Author: John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Expected Publication Date: January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile

I know I’ve only read one John Green book ever, and I’m really not the biggest nerdfighter out there, but there has just been so much excitement building up for this book. I’ve already got this one pre-ordered so I’m to receive it ANY DAY NOW.

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets . . .

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . even her heart
Expected Publication Date: February 28th 2012 by Avon

Sarah MacLean easily won me over with her Love by Numbers series. I’m excited to read more of her stuff! I hope I enjoy this series just as much.

Thumped by Megan McCafferty

It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day!

Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances.

To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.

The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous:

Tell the truth.

Expected Publication Date: April 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

I was a bit hesitant about reading something new by Megan McCafferty but I was anxious for no reason. I love Bumped and now I eagerly await for its sequel.

The Traitor in the Tunnel by YS Lee

I Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency puts quickwitted Mary Quinn on the case, where she must pose as a domestic while fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales. But when the prince witnesses the murder of one of his friends in an opium den, the potential for scandal looms large. And Mary faces an even more unsettling possibility: the accused killer, a Chinese sailor imprisoned in the Tower of London, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, engineer James Easton, Mary’s onetime paramour, is at work shoring up the sewers beneath the palace, where an unexpected tunnel seems to be very much in use. Can Mary and James trust each other (and put their simmering feelings aside) long enough to solve the mystery and protect the Royal Family? Hoist on your waders for Mary’s most personal case yet, where the stakes couldn’t be higher – and she has everything to lose.

Expected Publication Date: February 28th 2012 by Candlewick Press

I’ve already read this one but it’s one of those books that I need to have a final copy of!

Other Notable Titles

These are some that I am extremely looking forward to, but it is still early for them to have covers and/or descriptions:

Written with My Own Heart’s Blood (Outlander, #8) by Diana Gabaldon – You know this means that I have to do an epic reread of the entire series in 2012 but it will be SO WORTH IT. Oh my god, I am so excited just writing about it.
Shadows (Ashes, #2) by Ilsa J. Bick – Ashes left off with me wanting more. It was probably one of my favorite books this year and I can’t wait to get back into the world Bick has created!
Untitled (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2) by Laini Taylor – Again, another series that I started and loved.
Rebel Heart (Dustlands, #2) by Moira Young – Yet another sequel that I’m on the look out for in 2012. I started so many series in 2011, and this is one of the few that I plan on continuing. More Saba and Jack please!
The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt – Huge Barnholdt fan so I’m excited for anything that she puts out. This one has a cover, but no description yet. Whatever it’s about, I’ll probably read it regardless.
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins – Do I really need to explain this one?