Best Reads of 2011

Another year is over and done! I hope everyone has a fantastic and fun New Year's Eve and an especially bookish new year. In honor of the new year (and my blogoversary) I thought it would be nice to go over the past year and highlight my favorite reads of 2011 plus a few other things (lets call it my Top Ten Countdown)! If you haven't had the chance to read any of these novels, I highly encourage you to do so!

1. The Cream of The Crop (in no particular order): 

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano

It would be a crime to exclude Wither from this list. It has to be my favorite read of all this year, and my favorite cover. It's a fantastic dystopian--it seems as if we've had quite a few great dystopians in 2011, haven't we?--and carries through an overwhelmingly stunning plot. Characters, writing, development, and dialogue are superb. It grabs you on the first page, throwing you straight into the action. I thoroughly loved every single aspect of this novel. 

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Another Dessen classic, I was very surprised by how much I loved this one. An avid reader of Sarah Dessen's novels can usually dive right in, fully expecting every plot twist and not looking to be amazed. While What Happened to Goodbye isn't my favorite of Dessen's (This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever hold those reins), it's definitely one of the best.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Everything you look for in a good novel is easily found in this one: solid characters, realistic [and believable] romance, honest friendship, mystery, suspense . . . it's like the perfect burrito at Chipotle; you won't find one person who doesn't like it.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The summary of this one is misleading, and that upsets me. I know many who have turned this book down because it seems very middle-grade, which actually turns out to be very untrue. This novel is amazing, very suspenseful and mysterious and sometimes puzzling. The writing of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children has to be my favorite aspect, as well as the very unique plotline. Read it if you haven't!

2. The Disappointment

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin; it wasn't bad, per se, it just didn't hold my interest enough for me to get into it--or read more than the first three chapters. I'll try again next year.

3. Boy, Did You Give Me a Shock

The most surprising read of 2011 (for me) has to be Hooked by Catherine Greenman. I'm not a fan of teen pregnancy novels (especially after Dessen's Someone Like You and Knowles's Jumping off Swings) so I was really shocked by how much I loved this one.

4. Have You Read it Yet?

The novel I recommended to more people than I can count is definitely Wither by Lauren DeStefano. It's definitely my #1 for this year.

5. The Next One Doesn't Come Out 'til When?

The best series I discovered this year is Mythos Academy. I recieved the first two both as ARCs this year, and hosted a guest post and contest for the first of the series. I'd kill for the next one!

6. Oh, Sorry, Were You Talking To Me?

The most un-put-downable, suspenseful, nail-biting read of this year also, I must admit, is Wither by Lauren DeStefano. I read the whole novel during a drive back home from California, and I have to say I cannot remember one thing someone said to me the entire time.  

7. Beauty and [Some] Brains

The books with both beauty (BEST COVER) and brains this year have to be: Wither (Lauren DeStefano), Hourglass (Myra McEntire), and  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin). All gorgeous covers, all great books.

8. The Teacher's Pet

My favorite (and the most memorable) character from this year is . . . Well, there are two. Gwen Frost from the Mythos Academy books and Emerson from Hourglass. Both were very kick-ass and hilarious.

9. I'm Not A Kid Anymore

My favorite non-YA read this year is Water For Elephants. I know I'm cheating, since it didn't come out this year, but I read it this year. A lot of people loved the movie and didn't read the book, which I think is so lame. Read the book!

10. If Only There Was More Time in the Day

Books I really wish I'd gotten the chance to read this year but didn't:

The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Angelfire by Allison Moulton

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Hourglass by Myra McEntire

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Review:

I was captivated at the very first page. Hourglass is an absolutely fantastic debut from Myra McEntire. Emerson is an irresistible character, one that you love from the very beginning. She is hilarious and quirky and vulnerable and strong. She is fierce (think Gwen Frost or Evie). The story wouldn't have been as impressive with any other character: she truly makes the novel. 


Hourglass spins so many different plot twists, and is so surprising in so many ways that I don't even know where to begin without spoiling it for you, so the best advice I can give is: just dive in! It's definitely a must read.


Everything you look for in a good novel is easily found in this one: solid characters, realistic [and believable] romance, honest friendship, mystery, suspense . . . it's like the perfect burrito at Chipotle; you won't find one person who doesn't like it. 

Grade: A+

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Guest Post by David Goodberg (And Giveaway!)

South Park: The Best Non-Science-Fiction, Science-Fiction Show  

South Park in actuality, is a science fiction show.  While I recognize the magnitude of this article being posted on a book review website, I feel I have a duty to make this connection as I attempt to plug my science fiction book, Selected Shorts and Other Methods of Time Travel. There is a dangerous absence of science fiction in mainstream media, from movies and TV to even books (let alone humorous science fiction).  While books are the best resource for current science fiction, it is hardly the genre big publishers are investing their marketing dollars in. And before you try and counter-attack, let's remember that the massive influx of fantasy is hardly science fiction. Fantasy is a genre that features impossible environments while science fiction holds promise and possibility (or probability) of exiting. At least, that's the basics (that I believe to be true).  

To another level, I don’t consider drama in a futuristic environment science fiction unless there is a relationship between the story and us (the viewers).  For example, Star Wars is clearly a science-fiction series, but I would classify it more so as a dramatic adventure that takes place in the future because of the lack of science fiction themes versus the dramatic, human element that dominates. While having not read the books, I am existed to hear the buzz surrounding the Hunger Games film(s) since the books have become a huge success.  While I wouldn't consider this to be a full-blown science fiction franchise (based on minimal plot points I’ve read along with reviews). I enjoy the science-fiction elements involved and consider it a significant improvement compared to the pure fantasy content out there.  With that said, we rarely see full-blown science-fiction films. Source Code and Moon brought back the classic style of science-fiction.  Fringe and LOST (depending which season we are talking about) rebounded science-fiction on television as well. And let’s not forget about the continuing popularity of Dr. Who. But what is at fault in these examples is the expanded story.  

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a merry Christmas, happy Hannukah, and spectacular Quanza! I apologize in advance for the lack of posts within the upcoming weeks. Right now, we're on break, and it's all uphill from here: school starts up (without me, fortunately) and I start working for my dad so that I have money in Italy, then I get my braces off (YES), then I need to pack for a six month student exchange (any tips?) then I leave for New York (January 21st) and then it's off to Italy on January 26th. So, cleary, busy next month or so.

I should have the next guest post/contest up on Christmas day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!

And So We Have a Winner (Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep Giveaway)

We had a ton of entries to the contest--thanks to all of you who took the time to enter. For new readers, make sure you check out Jennifer's guest post. 

My favorite answer to her question definitely was Kristin's:

I love reading because it's a great form of escapism. You get transported to new lands and times and meet interesting people who, unfortunately, are not real.

The next question is tougher because there are so many that I adore out there. I love the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine, the Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey, just about any retold fairytale by Alex Flinn, the Strange Angels series by Lili St. Crow, the Vampire Princess of St. Paul series by Tate Hallaway and Holly Black's Curse Workers series, though I could name many more. And if Estep's second book is as good as the first, I'l have to add that series to my list as well.

I love strong, snarky leads, therefore I love characters like Gwen Frost (Estep), Cassel Sharpe (Black), Shane (Caine), Jace from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and the male leads from Flinn's books.

Congratulations to . . .

Lena M.

who should be recieving an email from me shortly.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. Be sure to stop by next week: we'll be having a guest post and giveaway from David Goodberg for the holidays! 

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Small Damages is Simply Nerdy

Small Damages by Beth Kephart is scheduled for release on July 19th, 2012 from Philomel

It’s senior year, and while Kenzie should be looking forward to prom and starting college in the fall, she is mourning the loss of her father. She finds solace in the one person she trusts, her boyfriend, and she soon finds herself pregnant. Kenzie’s boyfriend and mother do not understand her determination to keep the baby. She is sent to southern Spain for the summer, where she will live out her pregnancy as a cook’s assistant on a bull ranch, and her baby will be adopted by a Spanish couple. 

Alone and resentful in a foreign country, Kenzie is at first sullen and difficult. She begins to open her eyes and her heart to the beauty that is all around her and inside of her.

The cover is very pretty, first of all. Very, very pretty. There's something so simple about oranges, or any fruit really, on the cover of a book. Think Peaches. It just tells you something. I'm not sure what it tells you, exactly, but I'll let you know when I do. 


Also, ever since Hooked I've been on the look out for other teen pregnancy novels that I might like. (If you haven't read Hooked, read it while you're waiting for this one. You won't regret it.) I figure I might as well give this one a chance--it might surprise me. 


And Spain! Come on. I clearly support the whole travel thing, what with studying abroad for six months in Italy starting next month (45 days!), and I've always wanted to go to Spain. Especially on a bull ranch, I'm sure there will be a ton of great cultural aspects. It should be fantastic.  


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Blog Tour: Guest Post by Jennifer Estep (And Giveaway!)

As a stop in Jennifer Estep's Blog Tour, not only do we have a fabulous guest post from her today, but also a giveaway! To find out more, read on . . .

Greetings and salutations! First of all, I want to say thanks to Leah for hosting me on the blog today. Thanks so much, Leah!

Kiss of Frost, the second book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series, came out on Nov. 29. The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psy­chom­e­try, or the abil­ity to know an object’s history just by touch­ing it. After a seri­ous freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Acad­emy, a school for the descen­dants of ancient war­riors like Spar­tans, Valkyries, Ama­zons, and more.

So today, Leah asked me to talk a little about my writing process. I have to admit that I’m a total panster when it comes to writing. I don’t do detailed character outlines, storyboards, or anything like that. I just think about my heroine, her magic, and how she can use it to defeat the bad guys. I also think about the overall plot, what the big turning points of the story are, and how those turning points will affect the characters. Then, I sit down and start writing.

I usually try to write at least 2,000 to 3,000 words a day when I’m doing a first draft until I have a draft that’s about 50,000 or 60,000 words or so. Then, I let the story sit for a few weeks before going back to it, reading through, and seeing if the plot, characters, and more hold together. Then, I start on my second draft, which is a slower process as I add in more description, dialogue, and really flesh out the story. Once that’s done, I let that draft sit for a few weeks before going back to it and seeing what else needs to be added. I repeat that same process a couple of times until I have a draft that’s about 90,000 words (for a young adult book), and the book is the best that I can make it. 

As far as writing individual scenes goes, I really like writing fight scenes and having my heroine go toe-to-toe with the bad guys. That’s one of the reasons I decided to make Gwen a warrior – because I knew I could write a lot of fight scenes for a warrior whiz kid like her and all the other students at Mythos Academy.

I also try to have my characters visit new places in each book. For example, in Kiss of Frost, Gwen and everyone else at the academy go to a ski resort for the annual Winter Carnival. Plus, I also like to introduce new characters as a series goes along, both friends and other folks who will become important to Gwen as well as the bad guys that she’ll face down. 

Somehow, it all comes together. It’s just the process that works for me. One of the things I like about writing is that there is no wrong or right way to do it – you just have to figure out what works for you and how to get the words down on the page. So far, I’m having a blast writing the Mythos Academy series, and I hope to be writing about Gwen and her friends for a long time to come.

What about you guys? What do you like about writing and reading? What are some of your favorite young adult books and characters right now?

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep writes the Mythos Acad­emy young adult urban fan­tasy series for Kens­ing­ton. Touch of Frost, the first book in the series, and First Frost, a prequel e-story, are available now. Dark Frost, the third book, will be out in June 2012, while Crimson Frost, the fourth book, is tentatively scheduled to be published in January 2013.

For more information, excerpts, and more, visit Jennifer’s website at http://www.jenniferestep.com/.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jennifer! Now for the giveaway, I have ONE copy of Touch of Frost, the first novel in the series. To find out more information about it, click here. 

To enter to win, you must fill out the following form. Don't forget to like/follow this blog or comment on this post for extra entries. Only U.S. and Canada, please. Your mailing address and email will not be shared.

The winner will be contacted by me and announced on December 18th, along with my favorite answers to Jennifer's questions above: What about you guys? What do you like about writing and reading? What are some of your favorite young adult books and characters right now? Please don't leave any boxes empty in the form. Starred questions are required for form submission.

First Comes Love is Simply Nerdy (1)

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky is scheduled for release on May 8th, 2012.

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract. What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

Oh, I have the chills. How great does this sound? I give it an A and I haven't even read it.  And we all know you can't give something a grade without thoroughly analyzing it. (That was a joke. I'm in high school. HA.)

The cover is great, too. Very simple, and very AH. You look at it and you think . . . Oh, she loves him. Oh, I wish I had him. I don't have much info on this one other than the summary, and I can't find a sample chapter anywhere. As soon as I find one, I'll post it.

Katie Kacvinsky is also the author of a lovely-covered dystopian called Awaken, which came out this past May. I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but hopefully I do soon. 

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[Insert Book Title Here] is Simply Nerdy

I've decided to start a new feature, where upcoming novels that I find especially noteable will be deemed Simply Nerdy. Sort of like a cracked-up version of Waiting on Wednesday, if you're familiar with that.

The first Simply Nerdy post should be up soon. You will be able to locate all Simply Nerdy posts under the Featured tab, which is currently under construction.

Also, the Giveaways tab is currently under construction. Sorry for the inconvenience!
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