Bel's Top 10 Of 2012 In No Particular Order

Another year has flown by and with kids, work, what feels like a zillion activities every week, I can't even believe how many books I've managed to get in. I'll admit that I did have a hard time putting this list together. A few were no-brainers but others had to fight it out. So below, in no particular order, are my favorites reads of 2012.

 

Okay I lied. This is at the top of the list. What can I say? This book is pure heart through and through. I thought I was going to be reading a simple story about a kid struggling with coming out of the closet. What I got was so much more. Amy Lane is a force of nature who took me on the most emotional ride ever. The highs were very high and lows made me sob incessantly and my heart wrench for the characters. It sounds like a torturous read but it isn't. Until Chase In Shadow I had never experienced emotions written so vibrantly and described in such beautiful, poetic prose that had me so invested in the characters.  Amy Lane, you have set the standard very, very high my dear. I love you for it.

  

You know how sometimes you have a sweet tooth? My Life Next Door is kind of like that when you have the need to read something saccharin that isn't overly dramatic with crazy stuff.  Every so often you just need a good read that leaves you happy. If you’re going to picture a spot for this on the bookshelf, it will be right next to another “feel good” book, Anna and the French Kiss.

 

This very disturbing story about an abusive relationship is laid out impressively by mixing up the chain of events. In doing so the reader is directed to focus on each situation rather than their own feelings about why she hadn't walked away from the imbecile yet.  I found myself empathizing with her and rooting for her when she finally woke up. Disturbing - yes. But also hopeful.

 

 

You have to love a formidable female character. Throne of Glass offers two along with busy plot line complete with political intrigue, the supernatural and plenty of action. Oh and did I mention that the girl kicks major ass? This was so much fun!

 

 

This is just one of those sweet surprises of the year. I admire how the author broaches the subject of sexual assault with sensitivity allowing the character to discover her own strength. And her knight in shining armor who insists that she become stronger is the forever guy you want to bring home with you. I still continue to gush over it.

 

This is my first David Levithan book and he absolutely blew me away. I’m still in awe as to how he managed to write an entire book featuring a genderless character in A. Despite that, or may be because of it, this book is the phenomenon it is. David Levithan is a genius and Every Day is a must read.

 

 

The story follows a new girl replacing a missing student at an elite boarding school where she encounters a less than warm welcome from some of her fellow students. This is excellent storytelling that pulled me so far in that I didn’t even realize it until the every end.

 

 

I think I've had my fill of dystopian for a while. Thank goodness this one didn't feel so much like it. The setting feels more soap opera-like featuring some very confounding characters. But that's the best part about this book - you don't know exactly where everyone stands. You just hope you're trusting the right person. (The full review will be posted Jan 3rd.)

I used to have an aversion to romance novels until Shel picked this one for me to try.  People, Jill Shalvis is THE queen of taking a simple every day situations and turning them into the most ridiculous moments ever. In this one, Dorie as the adorkable heroine had me laughing so hard sometimes I had to give myself time to recover before continuing on. If you ever need something to get you out of the doldrums, Jill Shalvis is your girl!

In A Discovery of Witches I found a very beguiling and suspenseful story rich in history and mythology. What I loved most about this is that even though Matthew Clairemont, the 1500 year-old vampire has many human moments, not once was I allowed to forget that he was a predator first and foremost. Knowing that only made this story more thrilling.







The ones that narrowly made the list:

Talk about dysfunctional! I have a love/hate relationship with certain elements of this story but I still ended up liking it. May be when I look at it as a whole rather than those individual parts I see and appreciate a complex dynamic involving two very stubborn people who somehow manage to get each other.

This entire series is so much fun, I had a blast with it. My favorite aspect is that while Mo may have been neck deep in chaos, she always came through because of her quick thinking and resourcefulness.






So there's my list. I wish I could name more since this is just a small representation of the many excellent books and authors I've read this year. Here's to a Happy New Year and Happy Reading in 2013!

~ Bel

 



 

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop

Woohoo!  Today we are starting the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop!  I love the 4th of July - not just because I am a huge constitutional nerd (which I am), but because it is just a celebration filled with fun, friends and great food.  No gifts to worry about, no icky winter weather - just good times all around.

So, we are celebrating our freedom to read!  The Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop is sponsored by Mundie Moms and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer -  A huge thanks for bringing us all together for this fantastic giveaway.

You all know the drill, fill out the rafflecopter form below.  Sorry, this giveaway is for U.S. shipping addresses only.  The rest of the rules can be found in the terms & conditions below.  

For our giveaway, we are giving away two books Bel has loved!  First up:

 

Everyone has secrets.
Even best friends.

Swirling black descends like ravens, large enough to block the glow of the streetlights. A dull roar starts like a train on the ‘L’, a far-away rumbling that grows louder as it pulls closer, until it’s directly overhead and you feel it in your chest, except this doesn’t pass you by. Verity, white-faced and eyes blazing, shouts through the din, “Run, Mo!”

Mo Fitzgerald knows about secrets. But when she witnesses her best friend’s murder, she discovers Verity was hiding things she never could have guessed. To find the answers she needs and the vengeance she craves, Mo—quiet, ordinary, unmagical Mo—will have to enter a world of raw magic and shifting alliances. And she’ll have to choose between two very different, equally dangerous guys—protective, duty-bound Colin and brash, mysterious Luc. One wants to save her, one wants to claim her. Which would you choose?

AND

Constance started to keen as the air around us began to thrash and twist, the caustic scent of ozone burning my nose. As I watched, her dark gold hair began to lift and kink into knots. “I’m here. It’ll be okay.”It was the last thing I said before my best friend’s little sister went supernova in the second-floor girls’ bathroom, taking me with her.

A month ago, Mo Fitzgerald risked her life to stop an ancient prophecy and avenge her best friend’s murder. Now, she only wants to keep her loved ones safe. But the magic – and the Chicago Mob – have other plans.

Mysterious, green-eyed Luc is back, asking for help – and a second chance. Colin, her strongest protector, is hiding a shocking secret. And inside Constance, the magic is about to go terribly wrong. Tangled in a web of love and betrayal, Mo must choose between the life she’s dreamed of and the one she’s destined for.

So, go forth and enter to win fabulous prizes!  There are approximately 200 blogs participating in this hop, so check out the others on the linky below.  Good luck!

~Shel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tangled by Erica O'Rourke

* * * 1/2

Constance started to keen as the air around us began to thrash and twist, the caustic scent of ozone burning my nose. As I watched, her dark gold hair began to lift and kick into knots. “I’m here. It’ll be okay.” It was the last thing I said before my best friend’s little sister went supernova in the second-floor girls’ bathroom, taking me with her.

A month ago, Mo Fitzgerald risked her life to stop an ancient prophecy and avenge her best friend’s murder. Now, she only wants to keep her loved one safe. But the magic – and the Chicago mob – have other plans.

Mysterious, green-eyed Luc is back, asking for help – and a second chance. Colin, her strongest protector, is hiding a shocking secret. And inside Constance, the magic is about to go terribly wrong. Tangled in a web of love and betrayal, Mo must choose between the life she’s dreamed of and the one she’s destined for.

Tangled, picks up a few months after the events at the Chicago Water Tower. Mo is trying to get back to normal but magic and trouble are never far behind. It turns out the magical world still needs her despite their disdain for her. In the normal “flat” world, she’s trying to understand her family secrets, a rival mob is after her and she's crushing on two different guys. All this and she still has to get into NYU. Oh the pressure!

I really enjoy this series mostly because it's intriguing to watch Mo balance two very different worlds and very different expectations. No matter how many times she may save the magical world, she still has to get to school and get decent grades. She has to answer to her mother and uncle, even if they are suspicious. There are very real repercussions she has to face no matter where she turns. Not that I enjoy watching someone suffer but it’s definitely a different take on the whole paranormal storyline.

When The Convenant comes back to demand her help, Mo takes a stand and demands something as well. She's determined to have some control of her life and is still reluctant to adopt Luc's view that it's their fate to be together and protect the magical world. While she's fighting fate, she's also working her way through everyone's secrets  –  her mother's, uncle's, father's and Colin's. Mo deciphering her family politics is hazardous undertaking. At times she's in over her head and she makes some knucklehead moves. Then there are others when she actually gets the upper hand though it's short lived. But I have to hand it to Mo. The crap she goes through would do anyone's head in but she still manages to hold it together.

Mo's romantic triangle continues. Luc is a great comic relief, especially when things gets pretty serious but Colin is the guy you want to bring home to mom. So it's a good thing he's there a lot! While I'm not really sure myself who she should end up with, when it comes to Mo and Colin, I find the blurry line between that of protector and potential lover rather unsettling. But where my fellow BiblioJunkie Nat loves the nice boy, I loooove the bad boy. So I guess that means I'm Team Luc.

Tangled is a lot of fun to read and it was the perfect escape for me. There are quite a few creative twists involved which take things up a few notches. I'm looking forward to reading Bound that comes out June 26!


~ Bel

A Peek in the Biblio-Bin (19)

In My Mailbox (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the Biblio-Bin) is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.

This week Shel gives you a Peek in the Biblio-Bin!



For Review:

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

Tangled by Erica O'Rourke
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

White Witch by Trish Milburn

Romeo Redeemed by Stacy Jay

Goddess Interupted by Aimee Carter

Halflings by Heather Burch

The Selection by Kiera Cass

What's in your Bin this week?