Showing posts with label end of year roundup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label end of year roundup. Show all posts

Friday, January 18, 2013

2012 Round-Up!


So my total book count for the year is…..
69
That’s 21 less than 2011, and I blame it purely on college and the way it eats up your time.

Also due to my general laziness and college work, I have not reviewed hardly any. And that sucks. I realize that, so I’m going to try to spend time on the weekend reviewing multiple books to post during the coming week. I’m also going to try to nail down a schedule of weekly posts I will participate in. So look forward to a more organized blog this coming year!!

(As I finally review them, I will update this list!)

Final list of books read by month:

January 2012:

The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson

The Agency: The Body at the Tower - Y. S. Lee

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

Deadly Cool - Gemma Halliday

Masquerade - Nancy Moser

Death Cloud - Andrew Lane

February 2012:

Mistwood - Leah Cypess

Variant - Robison Wells

The Future of Us - Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Faithful - Janet Fox

March 2012:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith

A Million Suns - Beth Revis

Fever - Lauren DeStefano

Legend - Marie Lu

The Boy Book - E. Lockhart

April 2012:

Out of Sight, Out of Time - Ally Carter

Social Suicide - Gemma Halliday

Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi

Spell Bound - Rachel Hawkins

May 2012:
Firelight - Sophie Jordan

Prom & Prejudice - Elizabeth Eulberg

Prisoners in the Palace - Michaela MacColl

Article 5 - Kristen Simmons

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

The Merman and the Moon Forgotten - Kevin McGill

First Date - Krista McGee

Paranormalcy - Kiersten White

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Graffiti Moon - Cath Crowley

June 2012:

Starters - Lissa Price

Supernaturally - Kiersten White

Making Waves - Lorna Seilstad

The Luxe - Anna Godbersen

Wanderlove - Kirsten Hubbard

Enchanted - Alethea Kontis

Bitterblue - Kristin Cashore

The Pledge - Kimberly Derting

Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cool Beans - Erynn Mangum

Latte Daze - Erynn Mangum

July 2012:

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel - Y.S. Lee

Beguiled - Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand

Pretty Crooked - Elisa Ludwig

Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

Grave Mercy - Robin LaFevers

Double Shot - Erynn Mangum

Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

For Darkness Shows the Stars - Diana Peterfreund

Ruby Red - Kerstin Gier

Keeping The Castle - Patrice Kindl

Scarlet - A.C. Gaughen

August 2012:

Born Wicked - Jessica Spotswood

Garden of Madness - Tracy L. Higley

The Scorpio Races - Maggie Steifvater

Dark Life - Kat Falls

Angelfire - Courtney Allison Moulton

September 2012:

Such a Rush - Jennifer Echols

A Midsummer Tights Dream - Louise Rennison

October 2012:

Ripper - Stefan Petrucha

November 2012:

The Crown of Embers - Rae Carson

The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan

December 2012:

Because It's My Blood - Gabrielle Zevin

Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson

Middle Ground - Katie Kacvinsky

Girl V. Boy - Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout

The Evolution of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

 

Some Favorites of the Year (in no particular order):

The Agency Series by Y.S. Lee

There’s one more of these coming out soon which I can NOT wait for. These books are fantastic. Mary has remarkable and realistic character development, the mysteries are always surprising, and James is super amazingly hot and perfect with his imperfections. I could read these again and again.

 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I really loved this book. I thought the romance was great and the whole “so I’m evil but don’t you still find me kind of hot?” bad guy to be an unexpected villain aspect. Even though in the end, it took an unexpected turn and I’m still confused about her “ability,” I really feel like the sequel is going to be amazing.

 

Legend by Marie Lu

I’m very excited to see where the sequel takes this story. Usually I’m not a big fan of dual narrators, but with the font change it was easier to read. I loved both protagonists and the conflicts they overcame. From the ending though, I have no clue where this story will go.

 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Ahh! Love!! Love the concept, love the characters, love the direction it’s heading. I love everything. I identified with Cinder more than any other protagonist I remember reading lately. I know that’s weird since she’s a cyborg and such, but it makes sense, I promise.

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Did any Divergent fans NOT love this book? I felt that it continued the story in an excellent manner. The only thing I didn’t like was Tris and Four’s relationship development. That sucked. Oh well, the actual plot was awesome.

 

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Kristin Cashore is a genius. I could not have been more eager for this book or more thrilled after reading it. Bitterblue was a perfect sequel to explain the continuing story we all wondered about. How did Bitterblue get the kingdom back to normal? How did Katsa and Po’s relationship progress? Also this book explained a lot about the Graces and just…it was so beautiful. I mean the actual book was beautiful. With the maps and diagrams, the black and white divider pages…I loved it. I love Kristin Cashore.

 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I came into Shadow and Bone with very high expectations that were all fulfilled. This was the most perfect book. From the detailed setting to the complicated romance, I loved everything. Seductive villains and childhood friends turned lovers. Character development from shy and overlooked to strong and confident. If you have not yet read this. Read it.

 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

You know how assassin books are always awesome? No exception here. Make those assassins formed from a group of men-hating nuns and add in some great faking-the-feelings-turns-to-real-feelings romance, and you have a real winner. Also, it’s super long. Which I LOVE!

 

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver always manages to break my heart. Whether it be through a terrible ending, another terrible ending, or yet again a terrible ending. Goodness woman, I can only hit a book in frustration so much. You suck. I love you. Keep writing. Forever.

 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This was my first Stiefvater book, and it won’t be my last. She has blown me away with her beautiful writing and characters that I just love. This was a stand alone too, which I LOVED because I’m sick of having to wait a year to continue a story. Even though the ending wasn’t all I hoped for, it was good. It included all it really needed to.

 

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Rae Carson can not get anymore wonderful. Although I kind of hated her a little for certain events in Girl of Fire and Thorns, I got over it. I moved on, embraced the new happenings until the end of Crown of Embers. OHMYGOSH. I NEED THE SEQUEL. You can’t end a book that way, it’s just wrong. Genius and a perfect setup for a sequel, but MEAN.


So that’s the end of it. I loved many other books, but those definitely stood out. I encourage you to check out the reviews I have linked of the books I read this year. And I will get right on the whole “actually posting reviews” part of blogging real soon. :)

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Saturday, January 7, 2012

2011 Round-Up


I read a total of 90 books in 2011. YAY!

Because I started the blog in February-ish, I didn’t get to review all of those, and neither do I have clear records of them, but as far as I can figure, I read 90.

Here’s the final 2011 list by month (with links!).
:)

January/February 2011:

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

The Amaranth Enchantment – Julie Berry

Inside OUT – Maria V. Snyder

Skeleton Key – Anthony Horowitz

Wildwing – Emily Whitman

The Maze Runner – James Dashner

Outside IN – Maria V. Snyder

Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer

 

March 2011:

Impossible - Nancy Werlin

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

Artichoke's Heart - Suzanne Supplee

Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins

The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Mary E. Pearson

 

April 2011:

The False Princess - Eilis O'Neal

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Enthusiasm - Polly Shulman

Climbing the Stairs - Padma Venkatraman

REREAD - Aurelia - Anne Osterlund

Girl in the Arena - Lise Haines 

 

May 2011:

Leviathan - Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth - Scott Westerfeld

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - James Patterson

The Season - Sarah MacLean

Maximum Ride: School’s Out - Forever - James Patterson

A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway

Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports - James Patterson

Defying the Diva - D. Anne Love

REREAD - To Catch a Pirate - Jade Parker

Extraordinary – Nancy Werlin

The Miles Between – Mary E. Pearson

Enclave – Ann Aguirre

Divergent – Veronica Roth

Exile – Anne Osterlund

Eagle Strike - Anthony Horowitz

 

June 2011:

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning - James Patterson

Maximum Ride: Max – James Patterson

Sorcery & Cecelia (or) The Enchanted Chocolate Pot - Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Maximum Ride: Fang – James Patterson

Maximum Ride: Angel – James Patterson

Restoring Harmony - Joelle Anthony

Pirates! – Celia Rees

Demonglass – Rachel Hawkins

Incarceron – Catherine Fisher

Between Shades of Gray – Ruta Sepetys

Flawless – Lara Chapman

How to Build a House – Dana Reinhardt

Once A Witch – Carolyn MacCullough

Reincarnation – Suzanne Weyn

Uncommon Criminals – Ally Carter

 

July 2011:

Tiger’s Curse – Colleen Houck

Blood Red Road – Moira Young

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks – E. Lockhart

Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins

Princess of the Midnight Ball – Jessica Day George

Starcrossed – Josephine Angelini

Hourglass – Myra McEntire

Before I Fall – Lauren Oliver

 

August 2011:

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty – Jody Gehrman

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

Withering Tights – Louise Rennison

Beauty Queens – Libba Bray

The Boyfriend List – E. Lockhart

Awaken – Katie Kacvinsky

Wrapped – Jennifer Bradbury

Delirium – Lauren Oliver

 

September 2011:

Steel – Carrie Vaughn

Always A Witch – Carolyn MacCullough

Wither – Lauren DeStefano

The Magnolia League – Katie Crouch

 

October 2011:

There You’ll Find Me – Jenny B. Jones

A Need So Beautiful – Suzanne Young

Waterfall – Lisa T. Bergren

All These Things I’ve Done – Gabrielle Zevin

Lola and the Boy Next Door – Stephanie Perkins

One Night That Changes Everything – Lauren Barnholdt

 

November 2011:

Cascade – Lisa T. Bergren

Dark Mirror – M. J. Putney

Pride & Popularity – Jenni James

Goliath – Scott Westerfeld

Suite Scarlett - Maureen Johnson

The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan

Across the Universe - Beth Revis

Scarlett Fever - Maureen Johnson

 

December 2011:

Girl of Fire and Thorns - Rae Carson

Entwined - Heather Dixon

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

Miss Match - Erynn Mangum

Rematch - Erynn Mangum

Match Point - Erynn Mangum

Torrent - Lisa T. Bergren

The Agency: A Spy in the House - Y.S. Lee

 

Some Favorites:
Not in order of love…just order of random.

                                     

Inside OUT and Outside IN – Maria V. Snyder
I loved this dystopian series! I loved the claustrophobic feeling, the characters, the plot, everything!

 

                                     

Hex Hall and Demonglass – Rachel Hawkins
This series is completely hilarious and fun, and I can’t wait for the next installment, Spell Bound, coming out this year!

 

Climbing the Stairs – Padma Venkatraman
Such a revealing view into the time period and the culture. Amazing characters, and great ending!

 

Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath – Scott Westerfeld
Another completely amazing series by Mr. Westerfeld! I loved the growth in the characters and the fun plot.

 

Divergent – Veronica Roth
I, along with everyone else, completely adored this debut novel. With the strong female lead, Tris, the mysterious Four, and the crazy ending, this series is shaping up to be rather incredible. I can’t wait for Insurgent, due out in May!

 

Between Shades of Gray – Ruta Sepetys
I will NEVER forget this book. It’s so powerful and moving.

 

Blood Red Road – Moira Young
Such a fantastically insane story with strong characters and a promising future as a series! I CANNOT WAIT FOR REBEL HEART THIS YEAR!!!

 

Before I Fall – Lauren Oliver
Lauren Oliver made all of her readers depressed (in a good way?) with this beautifully heart-breaking story.

 

Wither – Lauren DeStefano
This was DEFINITELY one of the most memorable, incredible books I read this year. The suspense, creepiness, and open ending, promises an excellent sequel in Fever, coming out in February.

 

There You’ll Find Me – Jenny B. Jones
The first book I ever received from Booksneeze was amazing! I fell in love with Christian fiction all over again.

 

Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent – Lisa T. Bergren
With the crazy never-ending adventure, beautiful romance, realistic characters, and satisfying ending, Lisa creating an unforgettable series.

 

Girl of Fire and Thorns – Rae Carson
This just might be my favorite book of 2011. I loved watching Elisa mature and become the hero she was meant to be. I loved the brutality of the author, to kill off people I love. I loved the completely craziness of the adventure, the setting, the desert, the forest, EVERYTHING. I NEED the sequel, The Crown of Embers, out now instead of Fall 2012!

 

Unwind – Neal Shusterman
I put off reading this for so long. I CAN’T BELIEVE I DID THAT! THIS BOOK IS FREAKING AMAZING!!! It’s so intense, horrible, thought-provoking, wonderful, fascinating, and terrifying. Holy Crap. Read this. Now.


That’s the year in review! :)
Now the little “Books by Month” part in my side-bar will be refreshed for 2012!

I hope everyone else has amazing books to look back on as read in 2011. For me it was completely excellent year in many ways.

I hope 2012 brings you a fantastic year in books!

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