Best of 2012

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come. Gone is 2012, and 2013 is officially begun. We survived the end of the world! And now, I've finally made my decision- the top 10 books of 2012. These are only the books PUBLISHED in 2012, not just read. These are based solely on my own personal opinions, and I hope you give them a read, if you haven't already. I will post my number one book first, the others that follow are in no particular order. May you have a happy, bookish new year!

1. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.


★★★★★

Five stars.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

June is a fourteen year old girl who the world just doesn't quite understand. Her parents always immersed in figures & numbers, & her older sister, Greta, is her polar opposite. They used to be inseparable, best friends. But when Greta started living in "the now"- makeups, boys, parties- June thought of ways to remain infinite. She longs for the past, the days when not all land was known, & the world still had beautiful secrets. The only one who understood this was her uncle, Finn. An artist, Finn appreciated June's love of beauty. So much so, that he began painting a portrait of the two sisters.... When Finn dies too young from AIDS, June feels lost. Finn was her best friend, the one who understood more than anyone else. Shortly after, she learns that Finn had a "special friend" that June never knew anything about. A strange friendship blossoms from these awful circumstances, with a long road of lies, secrets, anger, hurt, loss, & joy that paint a tapestry of a beautifully written story.

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Words can't describe how much I simply adore this novel, but I will try to do it justice- Read it. It is a roller coaster of emotions, mixed with layers upon layers of secrets & lies that slowly chip away as the story goes on. Some passages had me crying, others smiling. Sometimes I was so confused about a character's actions that it pushed me to read the book deeper, trying to pick up on the hidden clues that June too was looking for.

The characters are perfectly described, & perfectly flawed. Each has their own mannerisms or quirks, so vividly that I felt I knew them outside of the pages of this book. By the end I wanted to hug each one of them- it has been a long time since I have felt a strong connection to characters, namely June. I related to her on a lot of levels, & I feel it made me more attached to the outcome of the story.

Finn Weiss was an esteemed artist when it came to a canvas & paint, but Carol Rifka Brunt has managed to paint just as vivid of a portrait using the written word. This book is powerful, emotional, & altogether incredible.

I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a bit of a tear-jerker, or anyone who has ever kept a family secret. Simply stunning.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire


★★★★★

Five stars.

Travis Maddox is famous on campus. A star fighter in an underground ring, and a notorious ladies' man, there are few that haven't heard of him, and fewer still who haven't slept with him. Abby on the other hand is making a fresh start at college, tucking away her past. So when Travis sees this "good girl" in a cardigan at one of his fights, she immediately gains his attention. A friendship blossoms, but is made way more interesting when a bet between the pair is made. If Abby wins, man-whore Travis can't have sex for a month. But if Abby loses, she has to live with Travis for that month. Boundaries are pushed, skeletons are ripped from their closets, & neither student will ever be the same.

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I loved this book. Upon reading the reviews, I saw a lot of negativity & I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading this. But, I loved it. I think Abigail is relatable and Travis is dreamy. He's definitely a broken character, but being a bit damaged myself that only made him more appealing to me. It was a quick read, I read it in about two sittings. I can't wait until book two, from Travis' perspective, to come out. I recommend this book to any girl who wants to read about a slightly abusive tattooed fighter.

Thanks to Aestas Book Blog for my copy!

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves


★★★★★

Five stars.

On the Island is a book that takes place, as you may have guessed, on an island. Anna is a thirty-something teacher who has been hired to tutor TJ- a sixteen year old boy in remission- during his summer vacation in the Maldives. All is well as they fly from Chicago to the Maldives, but their next leg of travel isn't so smooth. Their pilot is dead before the plane hit the water, and they find themselves stranded on an unoccupied island with only whatever supplies wash in from the crash. Bonds are formed- Anna watches TJ grow into a man, and TJ only has thoughts for Anna. But worry is always on their mind. Will TJ's cancer come back? Will they get off of the island? Will either of them acknowledge the growing attraction between them, though the world outside of the island would tell them that it's wrong?

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That was my actual thought at the end of this book. You can ask my girlfriend, who received that text. I was filled with so many emotions that it kind of all just came out in one incoherent whale noise.

I loved this book. It is written in alternating points of view, giving a well rounded plot from both sides of the relationship. The writing easily maintained my attention, and managed to be both descriptive and beautiful yet so lonely and sad. Being twenty myself, I felt that I related both to the young student TJ as well as the female, Anna. This novel is surprisingly not dull, considering that it takes place on an island with only two people. The plot twists made my hopes soar, as well as break my heart. I admittedly cried, & was way more attached to the outcome of this story than I would have ever guessed.

This is one of the few times that I am very glad I listened to the hype & reviews. This book did not disappoint, and Tracey Garvis-Graves has made a fan of me. I cannot wait to read whatever she puts out next.

A uncommonly given but well-deserved five stars, I recommend this for women who love romance, or anyone looking for a summer, beachy read. Be advised though, if you find a relationship between a teacher and student too risque or taboo, pick up a different novel. You won't like this one.

Thanks to AToMR Book Blog Tours and WinterHaven Books blog for sending me this book.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry


★★★★★

Five stars.

Pushing the Limits is a book that follows two high school "freaks". One of them is Echo, a girl who used to be popular but showed up after an absence wearing only long sleeves. The rumors ruined her. Then there's Noah, a druggie "bad boy" with far more on his plate than people would guess. Assigned to be his tutor, Echo learns that they might not be so different, and can help each others' slightly insane pasts, even if the school hierarchy disapproves.

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I loved this book. The chapters alternate between points of view (Noah and Echo), which help you see both sides of the love/lust story. I felt that Noah was desirable and likable while still having a bit of rebellious controlling tendencies, and that Echo was a female who actually developed over time, and I didn't want to punch her in the face. I just wanted her to be fixed and happy. I liked the plot, and it had me sucked in. I had to know what happened. I read this book in one setting, with no regrets. I recommend it for teens, romantics, and fans of the weird new New adult/contemporary hybrid.

Thank you to Angela of Framed in Words blog for my gorgeous hard cover copy of this book!

Send by Patty Blount


★★★★★

Five stars.

"Dan" needs to make a fresh start. Again. Finally out of juvie, he needs to try to move on, but what he's done can never be forgiven, at least in his own mind. So with a change in his name, and a new school, he starts his senior year. But his guilt leads him to protect a kid from being bullied, and enters himself in a whirlwind of drama and fighting that is far bigger than himself. And then there's Julie, who stares at him just a bit too intently. But she has secrets of her own, and when their friendship strengthens, the ticking time bomb goes off, and it's unclear who will be alive when the smoke clears.

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Wow.

That's pretty much my summary of this book. This book dug up so many old memories that I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried. Hard. I thought of a girl I knew who killed herself in high school because of rumors and gossip that her "friends" spread about her. She tried to talk to me and I thought it was weird. I read her myspace statuses and thought they were a bit dark. And then it was too late. This book impacted me very personally, and I imagine that it'll effect others the same way. Teens and adults should both read this. It's deep, moving, and dramatic, but the message is (though obvious) so important.

Thank you to Safari Poet blog for my copy.

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson


★★★★★

Five stars.

Minor spoilers below.

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Slut. Traitor. Whore.

These are the words that Quinn hears every day in her small military town. Because she broke an unspoken rule- she kissed a boy that wasn't her Marine. Shunned, outcasted, and bullied because of a photograph taken of her kissing an unidentified boy, she's accused of cheating on her overseas boyfriend, Carey. But things aren't always what they seem, and the secret she clings to explains everything. Then Carey goes missing, and old hatreds are stirred, and Quinn must fight herself and the ones that she loves, and decide what secrets are worth keeping, despite the damage they'll cause.

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Oh my god, this book is incredible. The writing is simply stunning. Each word is put into place like an intricate puzzle, depicting (flawlessly) an emotion layered so deep that this book brought me to tears, multiple times. Quinn is relatable- we all have a secret that's eaten away at us, that wasn't ours to tell. I know personally, I have felt that alone, that insecure. That secretive. I am LGBT. This book effected me in tremendous ways because of this fact, and having just set the book down, I can't really process all of the emotions I felt. Sadness, empathy, heartache, grief. This book is stunning.

The only complaint that I have about this book, is that it alternates seamlessly between past and present. More than once, I had to reread to see what time period I was in.

I recommend this book for everyone, but especially those in/attached to those serving our country, LGBT readers, and fans of YA. On that topic, if you're reading this review and you are serving the USA in the military- thank you. You don't hear that enough, and I'm sorry for it. Thank you for being brave so that I don't have to be.

Thank you to Winterhaven Books blog for the copy I received.

Flyaway by Helen Landalf


★★★★★

Five stars.

Stevie is used to being independent. Her mom, a dancer at a nightclub, often leaves her home alone. But Stevie doesn't mind. Her mom always does what's best for the two of them. After all, they're all the other has. That is, until her Aunt Mindy pokes her nose into their little family after Stevie's mom doesn't come home, accusing her mother of being a drug addict and threatening to call CPS. To avoid the services, Stevie angrily agrees to stay with Mindy for awhile. She sneaks out one night to try and find her mom, and finds her- with white powder and a straw. Her life spirals out of control, clinging to her sanity only by volunteering alongside her high school's bully at a bird sanctuary and getting tutored by her handsome new teacher. But can she truly let go of the mother and family that she clings to so dearly, and spread her own wings?

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Wow. Just wow. I am very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book.

+The characters are extremely well written. I ached for Stevie, I loathed Tonya and Professor. I started out against Aunt Mindy's prodding, but grew to love her in the end. The author was very damn clear about how I should feel, and I think that's a sign of good writing style.

+The text itself was very detailed. I could easily envision myself in the places that Stevie traveled, both good and bad alike.

+There was a romantic interest, but it took the backseat to the mother/daughter story. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate that after the slew of YA books I've finished with insta-love romances.

-The book was a bit rushed and choppy at parts. I found myself wishing I had a longer, more thorough story.

-I understand that this book is YA, but the language irked me a bit. When you're reading a book about a meth whore stripper and a daughter who's far from innocent, it seems a bit unnecessary to me to use words like "dang" and "flippin'." I think they could have been amped up to "real" swears, or omitted entirely.

+The paperback cover is GORGEOUS. I wouldn't have picked up the hardback copy. But I think the new cover perfectly illustrates the darkness of this story, and I would have definitely picked this up in a store or a library.

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Overall, this is a dark, gritty tale of the extent of a daughter's love through rough times, and just how hard it can be to let go of a past that meant everything, and a future that will never come to fruition. I could not put this book down, and I recommend it to YA fans and anyone interested in drug/addiction themes. If you liked books such as Cut, Speak, or Mosh Pit, I'd give Flyaway a try. If you want a happy, feel good read, this may not be for you.

Thank you to The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Helen Landalf for my pretty new copy.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer


★★★★★

Five stars.

I absolutely adored this book. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

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Cinder is a retelling of the classing fairytale Cinderella. Set in the future, after the fourth World War, our Earthly society is one of both man and machine. Cinder is a cyborg, outcast because of it. Shes also a mechanic, and when Prince Kai comes to her booth for her expertise, she can't get him out of her head. Unfortunately when you're part machine, and the plague is killing people around you left and right, it's hard to stay positive. Add in the fact that Cinder has "special" blood and a looming war with the citizens of Luna, a colony on the moon, you have one helluva futuristic princess tale that's not what your mama read you.

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Much to my surprise, I loved this book. After hearing so much hype, I was expecting to be disappointed. I'm very glad to be wrong. This story was vividly written and easy for me to imagine the story and surroundings. I felt part of the story, and though it was predictable (it is Cinderella, after all), I found myself rapidly turning the pages to see what happened next, and horrified when I ran out of book. I will definitely be investing in the sequel.

I recommend it to fans of fairytales, YA, or cyborgs and intergalactic war.

Thanks to Marissa Meyer and Jean Booknerd Blog for my copy.

Skeleton Women by Mingmei Yip


★★★★★

Five stars.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

An orphan, lead character Camilla was brought up & trained to be a spy by a gang, mastering strategies & skills (such as knife throwing, singing, & contortions) that make her a skeleton woman, or a Chinese femme fatale. Gang leader Big Brother Wang secures her a place in the 1930's nightlife scene of Shanghai as a lounge singer of great esteem. But all of this loveliness is only to gain the attention of rival gang leader, Master Lung. She must climb the fragile ladder to become his number one- and then destroy him, lest Big Brother Wang destroy her. Walking on glass shards, Camilla grows suspicious of two other "skeleton women". One is named Rainbow, who as a journalist makes or breaks a reputation with the stroke of a pen. The other is named Shadow, a magician as mysterious as her name who threatens Camilla as the number one show in Shanghai. All of this is thrust into further complication when the emotionless to-be assassin starts to feel for Master Lung's own son. But in her life of deception, masks, & strategy- Can she walk away from this feud with her life?

This book is mesmerizing. I can think of no better word for it.

Before even cracking it open, this book is beautiful. The cover is bright & striking, it would definitely catch my eye upon a shelf.

The novel itself is written beautifully. It's poetic & vivid, reading almost like a song. The use of Chinese sayings & proverbs, as well as quotes from other books, make frequent appearances. It adds a nice sprinkling of culture to the intriguing story. No sentence is superfluous- each & every word serves a purpose, making the story more engrossing. There is never a dull moment, & I found myself often exclaiming "What?!?" to myself, in the best of ways. I was kept on my toes until I ran out of pages, & even now I hunger for more of Camilla's story. This story is a perfect balance of sex, espionage, drama, & suspense. The characters are very relatable, & I adore the fact that this plot is headed by powerful women. It's a very welcome change from my usual reads. Plus, this edition comes with a reading group guide, perfect for those reader's looking to spark conversation at their book club.

In short, I found this book just as dazzling as Shadow's magic act. I recommend it to no particular audience, but to anyone who loves a wonderfully written story. I have never read the work of Mingmei Yip before, but now that I've gotten a taste, Skeleton Women will not be the last book of hers that I consume.

North Pole High: A Rebel Without a Claus by Candace Jane Kringle


★★★★★

Five stars.

North Pole High is the memoir of none other than the princess of Christmas herself, Candycane Claus. That's right. The one and only daughter of Santa. At sixteen, she has a pretty jolly life. A half-elf boyfriend who's totally hot chocolate, great grades in her classes. She even has a candy striped Range Rover and a penguin for a chef- how chill is that? But all that comes tumbling down like an uneven snowpile once Rudy Tutti comes into town. Rudy hates Christmas. He outgrew it, and didn't even think Santa was real until he met the big guy in the doughy flesh. Candy wants nothing to ignore him, but when they're forced to design a Christmas tree together in class, all bells break lose. A rebellious spark in her ignites like a mall Christmas light display.... But can she pull her act together, and salvage things in the love department, before Christmas is ruined for everyone?

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Lords a'leapin', I cannot stress how much I loved this book. It is the first book I've laughed out loud while reading in a long time. This definitely put me in the Christmas spirit.

+ I loved the setting. Candy canes grow wild, there's a hot chocolate pond. Reindeer poop is chocolate. Honestly, what person wouldn't want to live in such a splendiforous place? I was sucked into the North Pole immediately.

+ It wasn't instant love. In a lot of YA books I've read lately, it just takes one look and the girl is smitten. In this book, there's a bit of time for her to mull things over and decide.

+ Rudy is lovely. As are most of the other characters. Each one was described well, and the proper emotion was conveyed while reading. Santa was mean, for starters. And her best friend was a bit dramatic and moody. But each one was well represented and written.

+ Overall story and premise is adorable. I loved it.

+ The innuendos made the book even more hilarious, in my opinion.

- My one fault with this story is that the gay character's named Queero. Granted, the chef's name is Chefy. But, being LGBT, that was a bit offensive.

All that being said, I definitely recommend this book to YA readers or anyone YA+ who wants a lighthearted Christmassy read. Prepare to giggle, curl up with a glass of hot chocolate and your most favorite blanket, and enjoy the adventures of the North Pole.

Thanks to the lovely Candace Jane Kringle and Northpolehigh.com for my copy of this book!