My Top Reads of 2012

I was going to do a cheesy favourite twelve books of 2012, but there were so many books I loved this year that I didn’t want to cut them down! So, I have my favourite 2012 releases and the best books I read that weren’t published this year.

2012 Releases:

Cinder, Marissa Meyer

Technically, I read this at the very end of 2011, but as I didn’t review it until January, I decided it counts! Cinder takes the tale of Cinderella to amazing new heights. It’s imaginative, involving and I’m still thinking about it a year later.

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

There’s not much left to say about this that hasn’t already been said fifty times. Heartbreakingly sad, witty, thoughtful and brilliantly funny; The Fault in Our Stars has everything. No wonder it’s graced nearly every big ‘Best of 2012’ list this year.

Skin Deep, Laura Jarratt

This book crept up on me. I read it in two quick gulps of emotion, cheesy grins, tears and everything in between. I didn't expect Skin Deep to be the kind of book that I couldn’t forget, but it is.

We’ll Always Have Summer, Jenny Han

I actually read all three books in this trilogy this year, but this one I had to wait for. A surprise review copy landed on my doormat during a day in the Easter holidays that I’d planned to do work and I lost my afternoon to it. Beautiful, bittersweet and utterly perfect.

Chain Reaction, Simone Elkeles

This is a book I’d been waiting on for a while so when I got a surprise signed copy from S&S I nearly died of happiness. Although neither Rules of Attraction or Chain Reaction have quite lived up to Perfect Chemistry, I still devoured each page and was rather upset when I turned the last page and realise there were no Fuentes boys left.

City of Lost Souls, Cassandra Clare

Oh, Cassandra Clare, why must you hurt my heart so? The agony and panic that this book caused me was intense. My love and dedication to Jace was tested and I’m both terrified and excited to read the conclusion to the series in 2014.

Heart-Shaped Bruise, Tanya Byrne

This book blew me away. It’s one of the best UKYA I’ve ever read; compulsive, moving and deeply affecting. Tanya is a serious new talent and I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.

Throne of Glass, Sarah J Maas

Epic fantasy is a bit of a hit and miss with me, but I fell in love with Throne of Glass. Mystery, intrigue, danger and romance, what more could a girl want? But what I loved most was that I couldn’t work out who Calaena would end up with (or who I want her to end up with) – I can usually figure out the endgame within a few chapters.

Pushing the Limits, Katie McGarry

This romantic, emotional debut reminds me of one of my favourite trilogies, Perfect Chemistry series, and I devoured it. I was commuting to London while reading this and I wanted to stay on the ridiculously busy commuter trains to read more; that’s how much I loved it.

Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler and Maira Halman

Why We Broke Up is one of the books that stand out for me, even from this list. It’s just something so different. It’s written in an unusual style, has gorgeous full colour illustrations and you know the couple are going to break up from the very beginning. It was refreshing.

Unspoken, Sarah Rees Brennan

Sarah Rees Brennan really knows how to write strong female characters, a twisty plot and heartbreaking cliff-hangers! I was utterly taken in by this and I really didn’t expect to be. brilliant!

Bitter Blood: The Morganville Vampires, Rachel Caine

Rachel Caine has sustained my interest, love and involvement in this world and its characters for so long that Morganville almost feels like home, but everything changed in this one. Bitter Blood made me growl in shock and anger and cry at the end. Perfect.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post - Emily M Danforth

My love for this book crept up on me. It was shocking, emotional and made me think and consider things that never would have crossed my mind otherwise. It still crosses my mind now, five months after reading it, and I really wish it had received more coverage than it did. 

I had a bit of an issue when compiling this list; some of the top of the top of my list weren’t even published this year so I decided to split it up. So here are my favourites reads not published this year that I read and loved in 2012:

Anna and the French Kiss, Stephanie Perkins (2010)

*happy sigh* Even thinking about this book gives me the warm fuzzies. Stephanie Perkins is quickly becoming one of my heroes of contemporary YA with her incredible characters, butterfly-inducing romance and effortless writing.

The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han (2010)

If there was ever a perfect contemp YA trilogy, this is it. It’s a sultry summer series that could rival Sarah Dessen with Conrad, Jeremiah and Belly and the intense love and character difficulties. I want to erase them from my mind and read them again afresh.

Beauty Queens, Libba Bray (2011)

Firstly, Libba Bray is absolutely hilarious, but that’s not all this book is. There is such an important message about the restrictive ideas about female beauty, sexuality and the essential rights of girls and women put in a way that only Libba Bray could. Every girl should read this.

Hunting Lila, Sarah Alderson (2011)

Hunting Lila was one of my biggest surprises of this year. I read it as I knew Sarah would be at the S&S Blogger Presentation and I became completely obsessed with it; I nearly missed my stop on the train ride home!

From What I Remember, StacyKramer and Valerie Thomas (7^th January 2013)

This book was so much more than I expected it to be. Three-dimensional characters, a realistic portrayal of life for some teens and authentic dialogue and voice for each of the characters. Fans of contemp YA: you may have a new favourite on your hands.

Well, that’s my rather long list of awesome books I read this year with links to my reviews so you can see what I thought more thoroughly. I hope this prompts you to pick up any of these if they’re still languishing on your TBR pile!

Are any of these among your 2012 favourites? Where any of these among your least favourites? Could you pick just one book of 2012?

Sophie

Days of Blood and Starlight - Laini Taylor

Pages: 513

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Release Date: 8^th November 2012

Edition: UK hardback, review copy

Other Titles in this Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living – one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mother’s arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon’s secret temples and dreamed of a world that was like a jewel – a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with happiness.

This was not that world.

Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone is hands down one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read so Days of Blood and Starlight had a lot to live up to. Once again, Taylor nailed it.

I didn’t even get to the second sentence of Days of Blood and Starlight before I stopped and just went ‘oh’ to myself, completely awed by Laini Taylor’s stunning prose. I would give several limbs to be able to write like her. Honestly, if there was ever a manifestation of painting with words, this series is it. I lingered over the language and the imagery which made Days of Blood and Starlight a slow burner for me and I loved every second of it.

It has been a long time since I read the first book and not having time to re-read it, I went in with a patchy recollection of what had come before. Even in having to piece things together I got lost in Karou and Akiva’s story once again. As I came to each new chapter I was dying for them to be reunited. However, saying that, I loved that Akiva and Karou’s reactions to each other based on what they had seen and heard of the other were kept wary and realistic. They was no eye meet, everything falls away and they’re back where they were before they snapped the wishbone. It was realistic and in tune with their characters and annoying rare in paranormal YA. Well done, Laini Taylor.

Karou and Akiva both broke my heart in Days of Blood and Starlight. Karou was broken and shamed and I just wanted to shake her out of it and Akiva seemed utterly defeated and it was horrible! While those two were breaking my heart and making me pull my heart out, I was also falling in love with Akiva’s brother and sister, Hazael and Liraz. There was so much more to Liraz that I ever thought there could be: the fear that nobody thinks she feels and the love and loyalty she has for her brothers. I got to like her far more than I ever thought I would.

I loved every beautiful constructed sentence of Days of Blood and Starlight and I can’t wait for what I’m sure is going to be a truly epic finale. If only I didn’t have to wait until 2014 (according to Goodreads) to read it...

Thank you to Hodder for sending me a copy to review.

Sophie 

In My Mailbox 142

This meme was started by Kristi of The Story Siren who was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets unless otherwise stated.

For review:

Secrets & Sapphires – Leila Rusheed

England, 1912

Housekeeper’s daughter Rose Cliffe has always looked up to Ada Averley, the young mistress at Somerton Court. The girls have grown up together in the formidable big house, even though their destinies are so utterly different...

But behind their dutiful smiles and glamour of the Averley family, ruthless ambition. Forbidden attraction and unspoken dreams are entangled with Rose and Ada’s lives. And the secrets of Somerton are just waiting to be revealed...

Part one of the sumptuous and compelling At Somerton saga.

Thanks  Hot Key Books!

The Vincent Boys – Abbi Glines

Preacher’s daughter Ashton Gray is gorgeous, good and kind, and she’s dating Sawyer Vincent – handsome school quarterback and all-round gentleman, Sawyer’s perfect, and Ashton knows it.

But when Sawyer leaves town for the summer, Ashton gets to spending time with his cousin Beau. Unlike Sawyer, Beau is a bona fide bad-boy – drinking, sleeping around and generally going the way of his white trash parents.

Ashton knows it’s wrong, but something about Beau has her all hot and bothered. He’s bringing out the bad girl in this sweet southern belle.

Sultry, romantic, hotter than the Alabama sun – what will the Vincent boys do for you?

Thanks again Hot Key Books! My first new adult book - I won’t be out of the loop anymore!

Eternally Yours – Cate Tiernan

Nastasya has invested huge amounts of effort into forgetting her identity.

And has fought back against the dark immortals of her past...but can she fight against true love? In the exhilarating finale to the Immortal Beloved trilogy, Natasya ends a 450-year-old feud and learns what ‘eternally yours’ really means..

Thanks Hodder! I actually haven’t read any of this series yet. Is it any good? Also, seriously stunning cover. 

Sophie 

Cover Reveal: ACID by Emma Pass

The lovely Emma Pass whose book, ACID, debuts next April by Random House.

Emma asked me and a few other bloggers to officially reveal her gorgeous cover today, so without further ado, here it is:

Isn’t it stunning? And that blurb has me dying to get my hands on a copy! Luckily for you guys, Emma is hosting a proof giveaway on her blog so go and enter!

You can also pre-order ACID at Amazon UK, Waterstones, The Book Depository, or you could even go all old-school and go and buy a copy from your local indie on April 25^th.

Sophie 

The Lost Prince - Julie Kagawa

Pages: 377

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 23^rd October 2012

Edition: US paperback, purchased copy

Other Titles by this Author: The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight, The Iron Legends, The Immortal Rules

Don’t look at Them.

Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs – including his reputation – begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules protect his family. to save a girl he never thought he’d fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world – the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase.

And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

I’m a huge fan of Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey trilogy and I was really sad to see it end so when The Lost Prince was announced, I’m pretty sure I cheered.

The Lost prince begins twelve years after the end of The Iron Knight and the cute, scared, curly-haired little Ethan of the original series is an a surly, closed-off and rather angry sixteen-year-old. For the first few chapters it was a little difficult to make to mental jump, but I soon forgot about it and fell in love with him. I mean, he watches Firefly. I was intrigued as to all of the dealings he had had with the fey in the interim to make him so, so angry towards them. A few incidents were revealed, but I have a feeling that there’s some more to come. But even more interesting was his intense resentment towards Meghan for leaving and Ash for taking her away.

Speaking of Ash and Meghan, there were quite a few familiar faces that I was more than pleased to see. The first to pop up, unexpectedly, is the fabulous Grim. I do love that cat. Of course, Meghan and Ash made an appearance, which was all too brief for my liking. I missed them a lot. It was really interesting to see Ash through a stranger’s eyes though. He seemed to be back to the cold Winter prince of The Iron King with only hints of the Ash that Meghan brought out. Puck, of course, hasn’t changed a bit and he’s as brilliant as ever.

Julie Kagawa also introduced some major new characters, one of the biggest being the delightful Kierran. Now, I figured out who he was immediately as I had read the final novella that Julie Kagawa released, Iron’s Prophecy, which was set after the end of The Iron Knight. The hints at Kierran’s mixed heritage and the problems and appeal of it were really subtle and clever and it made me smile every time it made an appearance. There were also elements of his parents in some of his actions which were a really nice touch. I also loved how a few of the older characters saw Kierran and Ethan as rather similar to two other cheeky, former best friends.

The other big introduction in the feisty, stubborn Kenzie who speaks to Ethan on his first day of his new school. She’s a fantastic character that has a lot of history and her own motivation behind her. Her reasons for getting involved with Ethan and the dangerous world of the fey has dimensions that don't really come up too often. It was rather fantastic.

I loved The Lost Prince. Even though it didn’t quite hit the heights of the original series for me, I’m still eager to read The Traitor Son and get lots in the Nevernever once again.

I purchased a copy of this book from The Book Depository.

Sophie 

From What I Remember - Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

Pages: 436

Publisher: Electric Monkey (Egmont UK)

Release Date: 7^th January 2012

Edition: UK paperback, review copy

Other Titles by these authors: Karma Bites (not published in the UK)

I am jolted awake by sunlight flooding the room.

What time is it? Where am I?

I turn my head and that’s when I see him.

The gorgeous boy lying next to me.

Oh. My. God. Max.

This is bad. Very, very bad.

At midday, class brainiac Kylie Flores is due to give the most important speech of ehr life. And yet somehow she’s woken up in Mexico, in a bed she doesn’t recognise, with the hangover from hell and the hottest boy in school – and they’re both wearing wedding bands.

She might be a budding screenwriter, but even Kylie’s vivid imagination can’t come up with the ending to this movie.

Rewind 48 hours...

I’ve been hearing amazing things about this books for months so when a surprise copy arrived for review, I was extremely excited. I didn't even know it was being published over here!

One of the best things about From What I Remember is how filmic it is. It could have been a teen road trip movie itself. There is constant quoting of fantastic and famous movies, including two of my favourites, Mean Girls and 10 Things I Hate About You, between Will and Kylie. It’s kind of their thing and I loved it. There’s also a movie quote at the beginning of each chapter that gave a hint at what was about to happen. It’s also filled with authentic teenage dialogue that just seemed so spot-on in a way that can sometimes be better in teen films that books, but not this time!

There was a lot more substance to this novel than I thought there would be. So many issues were raised and explored by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas that it could have easily been too much, but it wasn’t at all. There was: struggles with sexuality, Asperger’s, bankruptcy and serious illness among others. They were handled brilliantly, and not as issues but as an inevitable part of life.

As well as the strength of dialogue, theme and my love of multiple narration, one of the best bits of From What I Remember is the characters and their growth and development over the novel. Kylie and Max obviously grew the most. From the uptight, straight-A student and the rich, arrogant jock to a girl in a beautiful dress letting go to the music and a sensitive guy with a camera and more going on under the surface than you’d ever think, they just became themselves when freed from the social pressure of their school. Then you have Kylie’s best friend, Will. Flamboyantly gay but terrified of what that means for him and Max’s bitch of a girlfriend, who although has problems of her own, I just struggled to feel anything other than hatred for until the very, very end. That’s only just scratching the surface of amazing characters in this novel!

I adored From What I Remember and if this is any indication of the standard of contemporary YA in 2013, then BRING IT ON.

Make sure to come back here on January 7^th for an interview with Stacy and Valerie as part of the From What I Remember blog tour.

Thank you to Electric Monkey for providing me with a review copy!

Sophie 

In My Mailbox 141

This meme was started by Kristi of The Story Siren who was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets unless otherwise stated.

From my lovely secret Santa:

Wild Roses – Deb Caletti

Here is something you need to know about me. I’m not a Hallmark card, ooh ah romance, Valentine-y love kind of person...

When Cassie meets her stepfather’s latest protégé she is irresistibly attracted to the boy on a bike with a dog called Rocket.

Ian Waters is a musical genius, like Cassie’s stepfather, Dino Cavalli. He is talented, gorgeous and funny, and Cassie’s starry-eyed and swept away. But she knows if Dino finds out the sky might as well fall in...

A bittersweet, star-spangled, completely compelling tale from the author of Honey, Baby, Sweetheart.

I’ve been meaning to read more Deb Caletti for years so I’m really chuffed with this!

Shatter Me – Tahereh Mafi

I have a curse.

I have a gift.

I’m a monster.

I’m more than human.

My touch is lethal.

My touch is power.

I am their weapon.

I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time – and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a riveting dystopian world, a thrilling superhero story and an unforgettable heroine.

Yes! I’ve been after this one for so long I can’t even remember! Thank you, Sya!

For review:

Paper Valentine – Brenna Yovanoff

Hannah’s best friend, Lillian, starved herself to death six months ago, and Hannah’s been haunted by her ever since. But now Lillian’s ghost has an urgent task for Hannah – someone is killing girls in their suburban neighbourhood, and the victims want justice. Drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets, Hannah slowly pieces the clues together, starting with the child-like paper valentines the killer leaves on each body. But her investigations are bringing her into the Valentine Killer’s orbit. How long before he strikes again?

REALLY looking forward to this! And isn’t the cover stunning? Thanks S&S!

Survive – Alex Morel

‘Are you okay?’ he says again, wanting to move on.

‘I should be dead.’

‘I understand.’

‘No you don’t. I tried to kill myself last night, in the bathroom, before the plane crashed. That’s why I survived.’

Jane is headed home to New Jersey. She has been given leave from the mental hospital where she’s been living for the past year. What no one knows is that she’s going to swallow a lethal dose of pills before she gets there. Then the plane shudders and everything goes black...For the first time, Jane has to fight for her life.

Ooh, this sounds good! Thanks Electric Monkey!

I missed a parcel last week and only managed to pick it up on Thursday. I had three lovely proofs from Walker!

Black Spring – Alison Croggon

An evocative reimagining of Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s timeless tale of doomed love.

When Oskar Hammel seeks refuge in the grim Northern Plateau, he discovers a patriarchal society where vendetta holds sway and wizards enforce the code of blood and vengeance.

Through a shocking encounter with the brooding Damek and his wilful young wife, Lina, Hammel uncovers a story of destructive longing and possessive desire beyond his bleakest imaginings.

I’m officially intrigued...

Hidden Among Us – Katy Moran

When Lissy meets a mysterious and strangely beautiful boy on her way to Hopesay Edge, she is deeply unsettled by their encounter.

She discovers that the boy, Larkspur, is a member of the Hidden, and ancient group of eleven people, whose secrets lie buried at Hopesay Reach. Before long, Lissy and her brother Rafe find themselves caught by a powerful magic and fighting to escape a bargain that can never be broken...

OMG! Is This Actually My Life? – Rae Earl

Hattie Moore’s OFFICIAL secret diary

Fourteen-year-old Hattie Moore doesn’t actually know who her dad is – but that’s the least of her problems. How can she become a TOTAL HOTNESS GODDESS when Miss Gorgeous Knickers at school hates her and no one fancies her because she has no breasts? And her family are an actual nightmare. Her unbelievably annoying brother is EVIL and on top of that, her gran is a TOTAL mental, who may be texting rude jokes to just about EVERYONE in the world. Including her dentist.

Hattie’s diary of this tumultuous year s an absolutely hilarious account of the ups and downs of teenage life, including a dating bogey phobia, near death from biscotti and a home-made breast-growing machine.

This is bit younger than I usually read, but it sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to dive in!

Requiem – Lauren Oliver

From Goodreads: It is the rule of the Wilds.

You must be bigger, stronger, and tougher.

A coldness radiates through me, a solid wall that is growing, piece by piece, in my chest. He doesn’t love me.

He never loved me.

It was all a lie.

‘The old Lena is dead’ I say, and then push past him. Each step is more difficult than the last; the heaviness fills me and turns my limbs to stone.

You must hurt, or be hurt.

Lena can build the walls, but what if there’s no one left to take them down? The powerful, heartbreaking conclusion to one of the most eagerly-awaited, talked-about series is here.

I have to confess that I haven’t read any of this trilogy yet. I really need to get on that. Thanks Hodder!

Sophie

UKYA Book Blogger Secret Santa: The Gifts!

The lovely Lynsey of Narratively Speaking set up a Secret Santa especially for the UKYA book bloggers and of course I had to take part!

About a week ago, I sent off my package and then I received mine on Monday morning! Look at the beauties that I got:

THE BOOKS:

Wild Roses by Deb Caletti

Here is something you need to know about me. I’m not a Hallmark card, ooh ah romance, Valentine-y love kind of person...

When Cassie meets her stepfather’s latest protégé she is irresistibly attracted to the boy on a bike with a dog called Rocket.

Ian Waters is a musical genius, like Cassie’s stepfather, Dino Cavalli. He is talented, gorgeous and funny, and Cassie’s starry-eyed and swept away. But she knows if Dino finds out the sky might as well fall in...

A bittersweet, star-spangled, completely compelling tale from the author of Honey, Baby, Sweetheart.

AND

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I have a curse.

I have a gift.

I’m a monster.

I’m more than human.

My touch is lethal.

My touch is power.

I am their weapon.

I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time – and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a riveting dystopian world, a thrilling superhero story and an unforgettable heroine.

THE EXTRAS:

Scrabble Fridge Magnets AKA testing my (limited) vocabulary

Paperchase Post-It Notes AKA going to be EVERYWHERE

Rose Heart Candle AKA *sniff* Aahhhh

A big thank you to Sya who was my Secret Santa and to Lynsey for taking on such a mammoth task with this!

Sophie