2012 Wrap-Up

Hey, everyone!

New Year's Eve has finally arrived, can you believe it?  I can still remember it being the end of last year.  2012 has zoomed by and proved the Mayans wrong in the process, something I would gladly like to rub in my brother's face.  But I'm too nice for that.

So anyway, I thought I couldn't possibly let this year go by without some sort of bookish tribute, especially since I'm in my first year of blogging.  The past six months have been truly amazing, and I would like to thank every one of my readers for being so supportive and giving me reason to carry on with this wonderful hobby.  I'd also like to thank you for being so understanding as to why my posts have been so sporadic the past couple of months.  You guys are all amazing.

OK, so.  Moving on to the books.  Not all of these were published this year, but they've made my top reads of the year.

Top Contemporary



Beautiful Disaster -  I really didn't expect to even like this one, let alone love it.  I'd seen the mixed reviews, and I saw how similar it was in ways to 50 Shades, which I absolutely hate - but somehow Jamie McGuire stunned me with her book.  Things that I usually don't approve of she turned into a somehow addictive read.  By the end of it I was very thankful I had bought a copy.

Pushing the Limits - I can't believe I put this off for so long!  I literally only finished it a couple of days ago and I can tell you, this is one story I am not going to forget.  It was so emotional and so raw...it just completely ripped at my heart.

Best Dystopia





Blood Red Road - I loved the risk that Moira Young took here with the language.  It really reinforced the idea of a backward, dystopian society, and the book overall was very unexpected in the way every aspect of it was way above average.

 

Insurgent - I think most of you will agree with me when I say that Veronica Roth's writing is out of this world.  'Nuff said.

 

Best Paranormal

 

Nevermore - Nevermore takes an original gothic turn, based on Edgar Allen Poe, and I simply adored the plot that Kelly Creagh has created here.  Not to mention Varen, of course. ;)

Black Dawn -  Rachel Caine never ceases to amaze me with her astounding ability to write a series this long.  Usually when I get several books into a series I find myself bored, but it seems to me that Morganville has only been getting better.  And I'm sorry, but I just have to mention Shane.  There's no Morganville without him. *swoon* Ahem.  But seriously, all four of our friends are fabulous, and they only keep growing throughout the series.

Best Sci-Fi

Ultraviolet - I read this early this year and I can still remember how shocked I was at the twist.  This book is not quite what it seems, and highly compelling because of it.

 

Unravelling -  Another book with a twist!  I seriously did not expect to read what I did, and I have to commend the author for coming up with such a plotline.  Janelle and Ben totally hooked me as characters; Janelle has unbelievable strength of character, and Ben is a really sweet guy.  After the ending, I can't wait to read the next one.

 

Special Mention

 

Crewel - Crewel is quite an intriguing mix of dystopia and sci-fi, and I couldn't do this post without mentioning it.  The ideas behind this...are amazing.  Having the ability to actually see time and matter?  Being able to manipulate it?  Gennifer Albin did a terrific job in bringing these new ideas into YA; I couldn't help but have high expectations for Crewel, and those were more than met.

 





Best Couple



 

Usually I don't do favourites because it's just impossible to choose when there are so many fantastic options.  But honestly, Pushing the Limits affected me.  A lot.  Noah and Echo are so broken, yet they're perfect for each other.  And they help each other heal.  Out of everyone, every character, these are the two people who I most wanted to support and who I most fell in love with.

 

So those are my top-reads for the year!  I can't wait for all the amazing releases 2013 has in store for us; it looks to be a brilliant book year.  What did you fall in love with?

 

Happy New Year, everyone!