Reading Reflections: January 2012

Books Read:
The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong
The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy #2) by Kelley Armstrong
The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #3) by Kelley Armstrong
Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer
Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano
Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand
Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 8

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 8

Most Anticipated:
Darkest Powers Trilogy

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
Bittersweet

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Well it's certainly been a productive month reading-wise. I also used this month to catch up on books that have been on my TBR pile for a while. Hallowed was the only book I read this month that wasn't on my current TBR list (but it really should have been). So yay! for paring down said pile! The Darkest Powers Trilogy was just as amazing as everyone said. Thank you to all who recommend it! I gobbled up all three books in a very short amount of time. Andrea Cremer made a comeback in the Nightshade series with Bloodrose. Very reminiscent of Nightshade. Wither was an addicting book, but the polygamous relationships were a little off-putting to me. Curious as to where the series will go next. Cynthia Hand has won me over with her Unearthly series. I can. not. wait. for the next book in the series!!! Sarah Ockler has stolen my heart. Ever since Fixing Delilah I have been a big fan. Bittersweet was a solid, coming of age tale that completely took my breath away. Overall, it's been a strong reading month and a great start to the year. Sadly, my reading rate will most likely decrease. School has started up again. Also, I got a new job (my dream job actually). I have lot's to learn in both areas, so sadly my reading is going to take a backseat for a while. Keep checking back. I'll try to post as often as I can.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last….

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
I was first introduced to Sarah Ockler when I read Twenty Boy Summer for banned books week back in 2010. I immediately feel in love with Ockler's writing style. However, Ockler really won me over with her follow-up novel Fixing Delilah. I often reflect back to Delilah. It is a book that I know I will read again from time to time. Needless to say, I was uuber eager to get my hot little hands on a copy of Ockler's latest novel, Bittersweet. Ockler has a way of writing flawed characters in such a way that you wish you were friends with them. She reminds us that our imperfections are what make us human, and encourages us to remember that it's not important how many mistakes we make, but rather how we mend them. I looooove the characters in this book. Hudson is real. She struggles with the choices she makes. While I didn't always agree with her choices, I appreciate that she takes time to think through her decisions. I'll admit, there were times where I was more than a little irritated with Hudson's mother. However, this was a good reminder that life isn't perfect. More times than not, we are living in less than perfect situations. Ockler has such finesse in writing about these situations. There were times that this book made my heart soar and times where my heart sunk. There were also laugh out loud moments. This book has it all. Seriously, I could go on forever. This book is amazing. Just like Delilah, I will read this again and again. I am an Ockler fan for life. :) Also...the cupcakes are a FABULOUS touch!

Favorite Quote:

"Left too long without supervision, most kids would probably finger paint the walls, flush their underpants down the toilet, or, I don't know, set the whole place on fire. Our little genius? He turned our entire living room into an airport, complete with a four-foot-high LEGO traffic control tower and a fleet of paper planes, plastic army pilots taped safely into their cockpits. From deep beneath the couch, a large utility flashlight illuminates some sort of...landing strip? I crouch down for a better look. Oh. My. God. Stuck to the carpet in parallel, unbroken paths from one wall to the other are two lanes of brand-new maxi pads. Plastic dinosaurs stand guard at every fourth pad...protecting the airport from enemy aircraft and/or heavy flow." (p. 218-219)

Cover Art Commentary:
Simple. Elegant. Lovely.

Rating:

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
Wow. I don't even know where to begin! So I had some lingering questions after finishing off Unearthly. I was very, VERY happy to finally get some answers! Cynthia Hand takes the world that she created in Unearthly and deepens the story, and fills in the gaps. So much that happens in this book! The supporting characters play a much larger role and several new characters are introduced. Clara starts to mature and focuses on the big picture in life, rather than the small, nagging details. I rode an emotional roller coaster while reading this. There were times I laughed, times my heart ached, and times I wanted to cry. There are some loose ends left and some stories that need some fleshing out. Clara's journey is far from over! I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book to be released!

Favorite Quote:

"Something crashes. I sit up in bed. The best weapon I can come up with this time is a can of hairspray, like that will do any good if Samjeeza's here. 

Note to self: buy some nunchucks or something." (p. 224)

Cover Art Commentary:
Looooove this cover!  Beautiful shade of blue. The font is elegant and the angel feather is a nice touch! Curious to see the cover of the third book!

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie or Recommended Reads!

 A feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This weeks topic: "Freebie" a.k.a. a topic of your choosing or a topic already done that you did not participate in yet. I chose...top ten books that came recommended.

1. The Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong: This series was recommended to me by another blogger after reading The Gathering. FANTABULOUS recommendation! I gobbled this series right up!
2. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: This was recommended several years ago by a very dear friend. It took me a month to read the entire thing, but I learned soooo much. The Fountainhead was great too.
3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: I was rather leery of this one, but several book bloggers recommended it, and I am so glad I read it! It exceeded my every expectation.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This was actually recommended by the staff at my local indie bookstore. Morgenstern wove a magical tale that I wont soon forget.
5. The Help by Kathyrn Stockett: Recommended by a friend and book blogger. I just fell into this story and savored every bit. Great movie adaption too.
6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I waited sooo long to read this. I was really apprehensive as to whether or not I would enjoy this book. I am so glad I finally gave it a chance! It brought me out of a real low reading slump. Perkins is on my to-be-read author list!
7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: This was recommended by several bloggers as a must-read book that was challenged to be banned. Fab book. I immediately gobbled up Wintergirls after!
8. The Seven Kingdoms series by Kristin Cashore: I hadn't heard of this series until a good friend and blogger recommended it. I've been chomping at the bit to get a copy of Bitterblue!!!
9. The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger: This series was recommended by a good friend and book blogger. I won a copy of the first book and was completely sold. Just love Carriger's writing!
10. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab: Recommended by a fellow book blogger. FANTASTIC. That's all I have to say!

So, what books have you enjoyed that were recommended to you?

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Book Review:
Okay, so I've been meaning to read this for a whiiiiile now. With the recent release of Hallowed, I finally was inspired to pick up Unearthly, and I am glad I did. First of all, I'm happy to finally read an angel story that worked well. It wasn't over the top, but rather a tangible story of a girl who is part angel. Clara was a great protagonist. She definitely leaned more towards a teenage girl rather than an angelic being. This made her realistic and easy to relate to. The characters overall are colorful and individual. I really enjoyed Wendy and Tucker. They were easily my two favorite supporting characters. I also really liked Clara's relationship with her mother. While Clara didn't always agree with her mother's choices, she was a role-model and mentor to Clara. There's definitely more of a story to Clara's mom, and I hope that Hand fleshes that story out more in the sequel. While there were many things I enjoyed about this story, there are a few issues that ultimately made me knock down the rating from a five to a four. The pacing at the beginning was a little slow for me.  I don't think the relationship were as fleshed out as they could be. Also there were SEVERAL things, BIG things, that were left unanswered. This was completely frustrating. Finally, the ending just seemed a little rushed to me. I hope to get some much needed answers in the follow-up Hallowed. Overall, a very enjoyable read. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!

Favorite Quote:
“In fact, I've essentially given up on the idea of flight altogether and accepted that I'm going to be an angel-blood who stays earthbound, a flightless bird, like an ostrich. Maybe, or in this weather, a penguin.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I looooove this cover. It's purple and sparkly with a few angel-wing feathers thrown in for flair. Seriously, what's NOT to love?!

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Give it a try! Really!

 A feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This weeks topic: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read YA Books

1. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: Soooo many of my friends who are non-readers are ripping through this series right now. So. Good.
2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: I haven't read her other books, but this book was amazing. Definitely a darker, slower read full of drama and suspense. Aimed for a mature audience.
3. All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin: If you aren't a regular on my blog, you just might not know how much I LOVE this book. I've been ready for the sequel since page one. I highly recommend this book to everybody!
4. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly: One of my favorite historical fiction pieces to date. I really, really need to read Revolution too!
5. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab: This book was recommended to me by another book blogger. Fantastic. I'm hopping that Jarzab writes another book in the near future!
6. Across the Universe by Beth Revis: A great book for science fiction and dystopian lovers! Waiting on pins and needles for my copy of A Million Suns to arrive!
7. The Seven Kingdom series by Kristin Cashore: Another series that was recommended by a book blogger (who was NOT a YA fan). Sooo. Good. Can't wait for the release of Bitterblue.
8. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan: I still smile when I think of this book. Great for people who enjoy good music and snarky commentary.
9. Dearly, Departed Lia Habel: Fantastic mesh-up of genres. Zombies, apocalyptic, steam punk, war, Victorian societies, science fiction, romance...a little something for everyone. Sending this one to a friend who is not a YA fan. Confident that she will LOVE it! :)
10. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson: Great book! Topics deal with ethics, medicine, tough decisions. I've been meaning to get a copy of The Fox Inheritance, but at this point, I think I'll wait for the paperback to come out (hopefully soon)!  

What YA books would you recommend to non-YA lovers/readers?

Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive.

Book Review:
There are so many thoughts rolling around in my mind after reading this. It's definitely an engrossing read. I polished this book off in just a few hours. The idea behind the premise of taking genetic engineering too far is rather intriguing. (It could be that I work as a nurse, so the medical aspects were rather fascinating to me.) The mixture of the older (non-affected) and newer (affected) generations made for interesting dynamics. It would be horrible to know that you would die in the prime of your life. Rhine is a likable main character. She holds her core values intact, while adjusting to her new circumstances at the same time. While the reader learns some of Rhine's history, I would have liked to know her before she was abducted. Experiencing more of her back story would have made for a deeper plot. The interactions between the sister wives was unexpected. I am not a fan of polygamous relationships. At all. It was hard for me to swallow at some points, but DeStefano deals with the subject rather well. My favorite interactions were between Rhine and Gabriel. I hope that the next book had more interactions between those two. I also enjoyed the scenes with Jenna. Vaughn sends chills down my back. I know his story is far from over. There were parts of this book that made me smile, cringe, sad, and angry. It's definitely a book that makes you think and reflect. I am eager to read the upcoming sequel Fever, which is released in February. I have an idea of where the story might go, but you never really know what the author is up to!

Favorite Quote:

“Even the human race can't claim to be natural anymore. We are fake, dying things. How fitting that I would end up in this sham of a marriage.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
Well hello gorgeous! I love LOVE the color and the design of this cover! :) Rhine's wedding dress is unique and elegant. The caged bird in the bottom corner is a nice touch.

Rating:

Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Book Review:
Ok, so I'll admit I was a little leery of picking this one up after reading Wolfsbane. I just adored Nightshade and Wolfsbane was a big letdown. However, Cremer bought me back with Bloodrose. It's very reminiscent of Nightshade, which made this reader very happy. :) There is a lot more action and adventure. The commentary and interactions between the characters are MUCH improved! Plus, there is a lot more of Ren. :) Cremer's intricate plots amaze me. I also like how she releases her books on a schedule. I can easily expect a new book from her every 6 months. It seems that nowadays, authors release a good book or 2, then it's 1 book a year or sometimes even longer (Bitterblue anyone?). Ms. Cremer, color me impressed. While I can appreciate some tough choices that Cremer made plot-wise, I was a little bummed with some of her decisions. Honestly, good books have their causalities and I expected that with this novel, but I can still be sad, can't I? Also, I understand the direction she went with the ending, but again...a little sad. Sometimes it's hard for me when I have a direction I would like the story to go in, and the author takes a completely opposite approach. Overall, I am fan of this series, and am very excited to hear that 2 prequel books are already in the works. If you enjoyed Nightshade, I encourage you to pick Bloodrose up.

Favorite Quote:

“I've always welcomed war, but when the last battle ends, what life is left for a warrior?” 

Cover Art Commentary:
As stated  in my review of Wolfsbane, I'm not a big fan of the "new" covers. However, if I had choose a favorite among the "new" covers, it would be this one. I like the colors, and oddly enough the fur hood. :)

Rating:

 

The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #3) by Kelley Armstrong

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal. But normal is one thing I'm not. For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf. Not normal. My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently. Definitely not normal. And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying. As far away from normal as it gets.

Book Review:
Well, I am officially a Kelley Armstrong fan for life. What a gifted writer! I had a very difficult time setting down the books in this series! I finished them off in just a few days! If you haven't read the series, continue reading my review with caution. First of all, just let me say this is one of the best YA romances I've read. I was very, very with the final outcome. :) Second, I was pleased to learn more about the Edison Group and St. Cloud Research. However, I would have liked to learn even more. Perhaps Armstrong will explain more in the Darkness Rising series (I really, really hope so). Speaking of which, I really wish I would have read this series before reading The Gathering. I mean, it isn't necessary, but it would have made more sense. I kind of want to go back and re-read The Gathering, but I likely wont because there are so many other books I want to read. I will admit, I could easily read another 3 books of this series. I was sad to see Chloe's journey end. I'm also eager to get my hands on a copy of The Calling. April seems really far away! Ok, so to wrap this up...the series is awesome. It is everything I expected and more! I highly encourage you to read it if you haven't already! :)

Favorite Quote:

“Great. So if I saw a guy standing still, and he wasn't wearing an old uniform, I just had to ask him to walk through furniture. If he stared at me like I was crazy, then I'd know he wasn't a ghost."

Cover Art Commentary:
Again, not my favorite covers. However, I'm loving the purple jewel. :P

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: More Please!

 A feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This weeks topic: Top Ten Seven Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

1. J. K. Rowling: I am ready for another amazing series from this amazing author!
2. Kristin Cashore: Ok, so I know that Cashore is releasing Bitterblue in May, but it took a seriously loooong time.
3. Neil Gaiman: I enjoyed his children and YA books, but I am ready for an adult novel like American Gods or Neverwhere.
4. Kelly Oram: I just adored Being Jamie Baker. I'm ready for another fun story!
5. Andrew Davidson: I really enjoyed The Gargoyle. On his facebook page, Davidson says he's working another book, but it will take years to finish. :(
6. Marie Phillips: Gods Behaving Badly was a fun romp! I'm ready for more!
7. Anita Diamant: The Red Tent was a very special book. I plan on reading Diamant's other books, but I would love her to write more!

 So what authors do you crave more from?

The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy #2) by Kelley Armstrong

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.
Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

Book Review:
This is one seriously amazing series! I am totally in awe of Armstrong's writing. :) It was nice to read a sequel that is even stronger than it's predecessor. The plot deepens and the reader learns more about the Edison Group. I enjoyed watching the characters further develop, both in personality and in power. This book is action packed and really difficult to set down. I can't say much more without spoiling this book and the previous book. All in all, this is one fantastic series. I'm halfway through the last book, and I'm already sad to see it end. Can't wait to pick up the next book in the Darkness Rising series! :) For more info, check out Armstrong's website.


Favorite Quote:

“A girl my age had been murdered in these woods and I'd seen her last terrified moments, watched her bleed to death in this forest. A life like mine had ended here, and it didn't matter how many times I'd seen deaths in movies, it wasn't the same, and I wasn't ever going to forget it.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
Again, not a big fan of the covers of the series. I do like the blue jewel necklace.

Review:

The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, and meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

Book Review:
I have been meaning to read this series for a long time. I didn't know much about this series until I read The Gathering. Several of book blogging friends recommended the series, and I knew I had to see what all the buzz was about. When I started The Summoning, I wasn't so sure that I would really be into it. However, as the story progressed, I knew I stepped into a unique paranormal world. I had to know more. This story is exactly what everyone promised and more. Chloe is an excellent protagonist. I enjoyed watching things unfold through her eyes. I know that Derek is a bit of the underdog, but I'm really looking forward to getting to know him more. I'm also looking forward to discovering more about the "Lyle House." Great first book in the trilogy. I'm hooked and can't wait for more!

Favorite Quote:

“Simon: Anyone ever tell you your sense of timing really sucks?

Derek: That's why I don't play the drums. Now what's up?” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I'll be honest. I'm not really a fan of the covers for this series. I didn't think much them when I saw them on the shelves at the bookstore, which is one of the reasons I think it took me so long to read this series.

Rating:

'Tis my birthday!

Just wanted to share this special day with all my book-loving friends! :)

2011 Review

Books Read in 2011: 
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
Hexbound by Chole Neill
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Wake by Lisa McMann
Fade by Lisa McMann
Gone by Lisa McMann
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
See What I See by Gloria Whelan
Insight by Jamie Magee
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Matched by Ally Condie
Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter
The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
Clarity by Kim Harrington
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Choker by Elizabeth Woods
The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
Red Glove by Holly Black
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer
Flawless by Sarah Shepard
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Away by Teri Hall
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The Revenant by  Sonia Gensler
Awake at Dawn by C. C. Hunter
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherine M. Valente
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Dearly, Departed (Gone with Respiration #1) by Lia Habel 
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Total Number of Books Read: 62

Books read from TBR list:
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Wake by Lisa McMann
Fade by Lisa McMann
Gone by Lisa McMann
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
Red Glove by Holly Black
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Away by Teri Hall

Top Ten Books Read in 2011:
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter
Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Divergent by Veronica Roth
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Biggest Let Downs:
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Insight by Jamie Magee

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year!