Monday 31 December 2012

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!


8 comments:

  1. YAY, PTL and Ultraviolet both made it to my faves list as well! I liked Black Dawn, but I enjoyed Bitter Blood even more - one of my faves so far!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Blood Red Road was the first book I read in 2012, and Insurgent is going to be the first book I read in 2013! Glad you liked them SO much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing your favorites :) I also loved Insurgent and I'm really looking forward to reading book 3 when it's available.

    Happy New Year, Aa'Ishah!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've got some great books on your list, Aa'Ishah! I loved Pushing the Limits to pieces as well, the writing was SO raw and the characters were so real. It's not everyday you get to see that in a book! I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next, in Dare You To. I also can't believe I didn't include Insurgent in my list! *facepalm* Because it was really fantastic. I really need to pick up Nevermore. Every time I go to a used bookstore, I almost always see it sitting on the shelf, but I haven't bought it yet. I'll have to get myself a copy!

    Fabulous list. <3 I hope you find just as many amazing reads in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks like a really good list. Except that I hated Beautiful Disaster. I was expecting to like it, and then I just couldn't find any of it plausible. I suppose somebody has to like it though. haha.

    I'm glad you enjoyed Pushing the Limits so much though.

    And I'm looking forward to getting further through the Morganville Vampire series to Black Dawn.

    Great list and Happy New Year!"

    ReplyDelete
  6. I LOVED Nevermore,Beautiful Disaster,Pushing the Limits and Blood Red Road!
    You HAVE to Rebel Heart it was an awesome sequel! :D
    I'm DYING to get my hands on Insurgent(Tobias is so frigging awesome and Divergent had a cliff hanger-ish ending so *squeeeeeel*)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pushing the Limits, Blood Red Road, Insurgent, and Nevermore are some of my faves as well! I can't wait for Dare To You to release later this year, along with the final novel in the Divergent trilogy. Wonderful list, Aa'Ishah! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. PUSHING THE LIMITS! Oh, this was VERY nearly in my top 10, too, Ai'Ishah! Actually, it got pushed out only so I could make room for Under The Never Sky. It's a BRILLIANT book. AND INSURGENT ♥ AND UNRAVELLING. Oh goodness. I loved this boo so much I can barely explain. WONDERFUL. The ending was crushing.

    WONDERFUL list! xx

    ReplyDelete

Hello! Please feel free to leave a comment, I love hearing from you all! I read every one and do my best to visit your blog in return. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! :)

Please note that this blog is now an award-free zone. I appreciate the thought, but unfortunately I just don't have the time anymore.