Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more info go here. 

Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Clarity by Kim Harrington

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Split by Swati Avasthi

Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: November 15, 2011 by HarperCollins
Pages: 338/Hardcover
Series: Shatter Me #1
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: bought


Summary:
 Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. 

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

Review: I had heard a lot about Shatter Me from other bloggers and most had loved it. I didn’t love it, but it was still a great book!

The style of writing in Shatter Me was hard to get used to at first, but once I did it made understanding Juliette a lot easier. The book’s written in a stream-of-consciousness style. It kind of flows along with whatever the character is thinking right then. So punctuation and staying on point can kind of go astray at times.

At the same time, this writing style really allowed me to see exactly what Juliette was thinking. This made it a lot easier to connect with her and feel her emotions about what was going on.

I feel like this book was much more characters based than action based, mainly because I didn’t see that much in the plot. She gets out of the prison she’s in and then ends up trying to escape the people who are keeping her. Besides these developments not a lot comes up. It’s mainly the characters we learn about: their pasts and secrets and powers.

I didn’t see much development in the plot, but the characters made up for it. With a unique writing style and even more unique characters, Shatter Me was a great book that also served as a good book to ponder. 

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Title: The Probability of Miracles
Author: Wendy Wunder
Published: December 8, 2011 by Razorbill
Pages: 336/Hardcover
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: bought


Summary: Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.


Review: This is by far one of my favorite books of 2011 if not of all time. I know that this review is not going to give this book the justice it deserves, but I’ll do my best.

The Probability of Miracles was amazing, to put it simply. The characters alone are proof of Wunder’s amazing writing ability. Each character had a complex history and personality. I felt like I could walk outside and meet any of the people from this book.

Cam was one of the strongest protagonists I’ve seen. She was also by far the most cynical. She was incredibly negative about the world, but throughout the story you see her learn to let go of her cynicism and live her life.

Asher was the sweetest guy I think any girl could ask for. He helped Cam learn to live and he didn’t treat her differently because of her disease. Not just Cam and Asher, but all of the characters played a special role in this story and brought it to life.

It takes a lot to make me cry over a book. I hardly ever do, but this book accomplished it. It was just so incredibly heartbreaking. The story really is like a slideshow. You can actually see Cam changing and learning to accept things and give hope a chance.

The ending is by far the saddest thing about the book, but I was surprised by how much I liked it. I feel like if there had been any other ending it wouldn’t have been as good or had the effect it had. The ending it has is really the only way to properly finish Cam’s story.

There is so much I’m leaving out of this review either because I don’t want to ruin the book or I’m too caught up in writing this review to remember, but you need to read The Probability of Miracles. There’s really no other book like it. It will make you laugh and cry, and I still haven’t done justice with this review.  

Waiting on Wednesday (51)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is:

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

May 8, 2012 

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

--

Awkward cover aside I think this looks like a really good book. I like that it's about the work involved in staying in love instead of love being the easiest thing in the world. It should give a different perspective on things I think.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Published: December 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 288/Paperback
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: NetGalley


Summary: What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.


Review: Catching Jordan was one of those books that I was really excited about, and after reading it I wasn't totally blown away or in love with it, but it made for a good read.I was surprised by the romantic aspect of this book. I knew by the summary that there was going to be some kind of romantic plot with the new football player on the team, but I wasn't expecting this to turn into a love triangle. However, once it did I realized that I really didn't like Ty. So I wasn't all that upset when Jordan made her choice.

Jordan was a constant source of annoyance for me until the end of the book. She was a strong character and went after what she wanted, except when it came to her boyfriend. She knew she didn't want to be with Ty but she stayed with him anyway. Some of her choices and decisions just didn't click with me. But she was still a good character, and even though she annoyed me she was a good fit for the story. 

And speaking of the story, I'm a sucker for any book involving a girl playing football. I don't know why but I seem to always love them. I loved reading about Jordan's interactions with her teammates and other girls off the field.

There were parts of Catching Jordan that didn't sit that well with me. I either didn't like what was going on or what the characters were doing, but it was still an enjoyable book that I think everyone should give a chance.

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more info go here. 

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

Karma by Cathy Ostlere

A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey 

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

A lot of these books have been out for a while, but some of them just came out this month. Either way these are all books that I've wanted to read for a LONG time, and hopefully Santa will be the person to bring them to me!

Blog Tour: Living Violet by Jaime Reed

Title: Living Violet
Author: Jaime Reed
Published: December 27, 2011 by Dafina
Pages: 304/Paperback
Series: The Cambion Chronicles #1
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: publisher for ARC tour


Summary: He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . . 

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile. 

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.


Review: I was honestly blown away by Living Violet. I really didn't think I was going to like it that much, but boy was I wrong.

It seemed like there was constant action and mystery around what was going on with Caleb. From the very beginning I was wondering, like Samara, if I could really trust him or not.

The characters were one of the things that made this story amazing. They felt like real people! At first I was wary and not too fond of Caleb, but he started to grow on me. This developed because his characters was developing like an actual person, not just a character in a book. It was like this for all o the characters, which were all funny and smart, and overall wonderful.

I'm kind of growing tired of paranormal books, but this one was a breath of fresh air. I've never read about "cambions" or anything like them, so it was nice to finally see something new in a usually predictable genre.

Living Violet was a great book and hopefully the beginning of a great series!

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is:

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

August 2, 2012

Seventeen-year-old Jane can’t quite face her mother’s alcoholism even though it sucks to spend all her time and energy keeping them afloat—making sure her mom gets to work, that the bills are paid when there’s money to pay them, and that no one knows her mom is so messed up. But when Jane’s mom drives drunk almost killing both them and Jane’s best friend, Jane can no longer deny her mom is spiraling out of control. Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left years ago to go to college. A summer away with him and his tornado chasing buddies may just provide the time and space she needs to figure out whether her life still includes her mother.

--

I've always been fascinated by tornadoes, and my guilty pleasure is watching the tornado chasers on tv. I've also been getting more into contemporary fiction lately. So I'm hoping that the two will mesh well together.

2012 Reading Challenges

2012 Debut Author Challenge

Learn more and sign up here.

1. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows 
2. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons 
3. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
4. Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
5. Everneath by Brodi Ashton
6. Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic 
7. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
8. The Selection by Kiera Cass
9. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
10. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
11. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
12. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris  

---

Sophomore Reading Challenge

Learn more and sign up here.

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
3. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
4. Until I Die by Amy Plum
5. Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
6. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
7. Perception by Kim Harrington
8. Truth by Julia Karr
9. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh
10. Timepiece by Myra McEntire

---

Completely Contemp Challenge

Pledge Number: 10

Learn more and sign up here.

2010:

1. The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
2. Freefall by Mindi Scott
3. The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
4. The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
5. The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells
6. A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
7. All You Get is Me by Yvonne Prinz
8. Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
9. She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott
10. Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald

2011:

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
2. Amplified by Tara Kelly
3. The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
4. Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman
5. Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
6. Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
7. Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando
8. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
9. My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin
10. The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan McVoy

2012:

1. The Statistical Probability of Love of First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
2. The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
3. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
4. Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
5. The Story of Us by Deb Caletti
6. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
7. Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
8. Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy
9. The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
10. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

---

2012 Standalone Challenge

Learn more and sign up here.

1.  Fracture by Megan Miranda
2.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 
3.  The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
4.  This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
5.  The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen 
6.  Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
7.  Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
8.  In Honor by Jessi Kirby
9.  First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky
10.  Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
11.  Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
12.  The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
13.  Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler
14.  The Story of Us by Deb Caletii
15.  Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Title: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
Published: November 22, 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Pages: 336/Paperback
Challenge: The Contemps, 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Source: NetGalley


Summary: Everyone's sorry. But no one can explain why.

Harper Scott's older sister, June, took her own life a week before high school graduation, leaving Harper devastated. So when her divorcing parents decide to split up June's ashes, Harper steals the urn and takes off cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going—California.

Enter Jake Tolan, a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession…and an unknown connection to June. When he insists on joining them, Harper's just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what Harper needs. Except…Jake's keeping a secret that has the power to turn her life upside down—again.

Review: I really liked Saving June. I'm a sucker for road trip books, and add in some emotional turmoil/grief and a cute romance and I'm in.

I loved that the story was about June but also focused on the other characters. There was a constant mystery surrounding June. Why she killed herself, how she knew Jake's friends, all are unsolved mysteries to Harper. Yet while we learn all about June we still get a connection to Harper and Jake.

One thing I love about road trip books is that they give the characters time to grow and evolve which I think the characters here did. There was a definite change in all of the characters by the end. At first I didn't get that connection with Jake, but by the end I had connected with Jake and Harper and Laney, pretty much everyone.

I also loved the ending. It was a bit vague in that you don't know exactly what happens, but it gives you enough closure to be happy with it.

Saving June was a story both happy and sad. It worked through complicated issues and had some great characters. Not to mention it had a great road trip!

Waiting on Wednesday (49)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

April 24, 2012

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. 

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. 

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

--

Yay for 2012 debuts with awesome covers! That's definitely a plus for me, as well as it having an awesome summary. I like that it's about a girl who doesn't necessarily want all of the fame and fortune that comes with being selected.

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more info go here. 

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

A lot of these books have been on my shelf for literally years. Some of them I started but just couldn't get into, but I thought I'd eventually get around to giving them a second chance, but that day hasn't come yet. Others I just haven't read yet. I bought it and it ended up on my shelf of unread-ness. So hopefully these books will one day be read and enjoyed.

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Pledge
Author: Kimberly Derting
Published: November 15, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 320/Hardcover
Series: The Pledge #1
Source: Galley Grab


Summary: In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….


Review: I read and loved The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, so when I saw she had a new book coming out that looked just as awesome (if not more so) I knew I had to read it. And trust me, this book was amazing!


I love Charlie! She was relate-able and like-able and just all around awesome. She had a secret that she knew she had to keep, but she didn't wallow in her misery of having to hide herself. Yes she had to work at keeping her secret, but she accepted it and handled it. She was a strong character who didn't rely on others to do what needed to be done.


Max, oh Max. He's your typical dark and mysterious bad boy, but he actually does have substance. And his relationship with Charlie! There needs to be more relationships like that in YA books! They both knew how the other felt and they TALKED and GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER even after they knew that they liked each other. It wasn't just "We like each other. Therefore I love you and will love you forever!" Their relationship was actually built off themselves and who they were.


Another thing that I liked about this book relationship wise was that it wasn't about having some forbidden romance between a high society guy (Max) and a lower class girl (Charlie). Sure that's what they were and that problem was discussed BRIEFLY, but Derting didn't make the entire story revolve around that problem. There were bigger fish to fry.


I thought the plot was very well thought out and the pacing was great. I'm not sure if this was an entire different "world" or just a different time. But whatever it was Derting did a fantastic job creating it.


The ending was the only thing that bothered me. It seemed like both sides came together a little too easily. But that's really the only problem I had with this entire book. The ending wasn't a cliff hanger per se, but I'm definitely wanting more about Charlie and Max and can't wait to get it!


More Books by Kimberly Derting
The Body Finder
Desires to the Dead
Enthralled (anthology)

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme started and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. WoW is a way for bloggers to post about a book or books they're excited or "waiting" for. This week my WoW is:

Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman

May 8, 2012

It's the summer before senior year and the alluring Angel is ready to have fun. She's not like her best friend, Inggy, who has a steady boyfriend, good grades, and college plans. Angel isn't sure what she wants to do yet, but she has confidence and experience beyond her years. Still, her summer doesn't start out as planned. Her good friend Joey doesn't want to fool around anymore, he wants to be her boyfriend, while Angel doesn't want to be tied down. As Joey pulls away, and Inggy tours colleges, Angel finds herself  spending more time with Inggy's boyfriend, Cork. With its cast of vivid and memorable characters, this tale from the Jersey shore is sure to make some waves.

--

I'm a fan of just about any summer time book. It can be serious or not, but if it takes place during the summer, I want to read it. Plus, it just sounds like it'll be awesome!

Coming Up in November 2011

This post was inspired by Tara's "Excited For..." posts over at Hobbitsies. I decided to do something a little like Tara does and show off some of the books that are coming out this month that I hope get the chance to read and review. Obviously not all YA books coming out in September are going to be here, but the ones I can't wait to read will be.

November 01: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber 

November 08: The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell

November 08: Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough

November 14: Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

November 15: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

November 15: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

November 15: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

November 21: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

November 29: Vindicated by Keary Taylor