Jen's Top Five Books of 2012
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin: You guys, this book. I read this in January and it just. MIND BLOWN. If you haven't read it yet, you are seriously missing out. And Noah Shaw? No words. I have no idea why I haven't picked up The Evolution of Mara Dyer yet. I'M CRAY.
The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness: I'm kind of cheating, since I fell in love with the whole series, not just book one. Pictured above is just the first of the series, The Knife of Never Letting Go, but this is kind of an older (.... haha, 2010 is old?) dystopian/thriller that's SO unique and unlike any I've EVER read. It's one of my favorite series ever, and more people need to read it.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: Historical fiction. Usually not my thing. But this one? Blew me away. I took interest in this book after learning about the Holocaust, and after loving Night by Elie Wiesel, I knew I would love this one as well. AND I DID. I almost cried, y'all. That's saying something!!
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves: This is not a young adult novel, but I loved it nonetheless. I first heard about it from Racquel at The Book Barbies, actually (THANK YOU for raving about it!!). It's a survival story and it's just addicting and awesome. SO GOOD.
Every Day by David Levithan: I think I mostly loved this one because of the audio. But the concept itself is so amazing too. So, so beautiful, this one. It's definitely memorable and will stay in my heart forever <3
What do you think of our Top Fives? Did you enjoy any of our picks? Please do feel free to let us know which read made your favourites of 2012!
Happy reading,
Beverley and Jen xx
Bev's Top Five Books of 2012
Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale: I frickin' LOVED this book and by the time I finished, I knew it was a firm favourite for this year. No, it didn't have a kick-ass heroine or a really swoon-worthy guy in it. I know right? But it was an epic emotional rollercoaster and the message in it was definitely an important one!
Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt: Another gritty, heartache of a read. Beautiful can't quite describe it. The themes were just so raw and heartbreaking and although I wasn't reduced to tears, I felt my emotions being sucked out. Laura Jarratt sure knows how to tug on our heartstrings.
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry: Noah frickin' Hutchins. Need I say more? Aside from the hot bad-ass, the storyline was raw and hard-hitting. Katie McGarry threw everything she could at the characters! Definite favourite of 2012!
Saving June by Hannah Harrington: Another read which dealt with death, loss and heartbreak. It ripped me apart. Hannah Harrington dealt with the subject of suicide with such sensitivity and I just fell in love with her prose.
Bunheads by Sophie Flack: Finally, a book that isn't depressing or wrought with sad emotions! Bunheads portrayed the world of ballet so vividly and I was fascinated by every single detail! Unfortunately, I didn't like the love interest at all but I LOVED everything else so much that I overlooked that minor issue and still gave it 5 stars :D
Looking back at my picks, all of the books were by debut authors! Hmm... this is very promising for the year of 2013.
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Happy reading,
Beverley and Jen xx
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Great picks you guys!! I LOVED Mara Dyer SO MUCH. Best book I read this year I think. I also really loved Saving June when I read it in 2011!!
ReplyDeleteCait x
Lovely list, Jen and Beverley! I really need to read Between Shades of Grey. I've only heard the best things about it... Same with Saving June! Gosh. I'm so behind on reading. D: Nonetheless, it seems like you two have read some really fantastic books this year! I hope 2013 is the same. :)
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of these except Pushing The Limits! Is that bad?! Plus, I think I'm the only one in the world who only enjoyed the book and didn't love it! :3
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Great post! :D xx
Ahhhh Amazing pick! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is SOO good and I NEED to get myself a copy of The Evolution of Mara Dyer now. Noww! I also loved Pushing the limits this year!!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks guys!
Jen, I really enjoyed On the Island and The Knife of Never Letting Go and Between Shades of Grey are on my TBR-List, so I hope I'll get around to them soon. I'm so glad you loved them so much! :) Bev, I just ADORED Saving June too! It's one of my favorites for sure, as is Pushing the Limits. Wonderful choices, ladies! :D
ReplyDeleteOoh, you both have such fabulous books on your lists! I still need to write up my post... ;)
ReplyDeleteJen, I am SO glad that you read and loved the Chaos Walking trilogy!! That last book utterly broke my heart with that ending, it was too beautifully written. It's not often an author can make my heart ache, but Patrick Ness did it over and over again during that series. I'm so sad that not many people have read it, because it is utterly unique and ah-mazing. I also loved both Every Day and Between Shades of Gray! Both were also emotional, and I felt all the feels in both. I have the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be read! I'm definitely going to have to get to that one soon, since so many people have raved about it along with you.
Bev, I love how all your favorites are debuts!! This definitely shows that debut authors can write some seriously amazing books. ;) Anyways, I loved Pushing the Limits with a passion as well! I totally surprised myself by falling in love with it, since that usually doesn't happen to me with contemporaries, but Pushing the Limits was amazing. Noah Hutchins was tough on the outside, but so sweet on the inside, and I immediately loved him. Saving June was also such an emotional road trip book! I'm glad you enjoyed that as much as I did. =) I really need to pick up Somebody Else's Life, since you're saying it has a fabulous message, and I love those types of reads. It's going on my TBR list for sure!
Fantastic picks you two!! I hope 2013 brings you even more awesome reads. =)
Great picks! I absolutely LOVED The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and Pushing the Limits!
ReplyDeleteBetween shades of gray definitely made me cry! I read t several years ago and loved it! Every Day was spectacular I am definitely a David Levithan fan now!
ReplyDeletewow... great picks!!! I definitely need to read the books you guys mentioned! i only read 3 of them, and I loved Someone else's life & Saving June!! Me and Juhina will do our top 5 post as well! :D Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete- Farah @ MajiBookshelf
Oh these are some great picks Jen and Beverley! Jen I haven't read a single one of your top 5 books yet, I really can't wait to pick up the Chaos Walking trilogy and the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! Beverley I loved Saving June too, the rest of your reads I still need to pick up too! It looks like you ladies had a great reading year, I hope next year is just as much fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI think many books on my list will be similar! There's just TOO MANY books this year that overwhelmed me with their emotions. I'll have to read Between Shades of Grey, everyone has been telling me how heartbreakingly beautiful it is, and it's time I do something about that :D
ReplyDeleteGreat list and have an awesome reading year 2013!
You got some awesome books in your top 5. I own Eevery day and The knife of never letting Go and can't wait to read them. Pushing the Limits is also one of my favourite books this year!
ReplyDeleteYou can find my blog here: http://lolabookreviews.blogspot.com
Mara Dyer! YES!!! I love Mara and Noah so very much, I need Retribution like yesterday:) Pushing the Limits was a favorite of mine as well, I will now be reading anything and everything Katie McGarry writes!
ReplyDeleteOut of these, I really want to read- Pushing the Limits, Saving June, and Every Day. They are all on my list now b/c of amazing reviews for them, but it's slow going on getting a copy. hah
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Jen - I loved Every Day, too! And I have The Island, I hope I like it :)
ReplyDeleteBev - I really loved Saving June, too!
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is amazing and Pushing the Limits, just...oh my god. I can't even describe how beautiful that was. Needless to say it made my own list. Fantastic picks, guys! :)
ReplyDeleteOoh Saving June and Pushing the Limits were so good! I didn't like Mara Dyer but I really liked the sequel which is weird hah.
ReplyDeleteGreat year, ladies!
Pushing the Limits was an amazing book! It was also one of my faves of 2012! :)
ReplyDeleteJenny@YAN
Pushing the Limits was SUCH an amazing ride for me as well! I can't wait for Beth's story :) I've read so many intriguing reviews on Every Day as well, so really need to get to that one this year >_< Great picks!!
ReplyDeleteYou both have picked some AH-MAZING books! I loved Mara Dyer and The Knife Of Never Letting Go! And Pushing the Limits and Skin Deep! Let's hope 2013 is just as awesome!
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I haven't read ANY of those >.< BUT I think I have bunheads on my shelf :D off to track it down!
ReplyDeleteomg....I have not read ANY of those!!! D: Awesome picks though! I'll have to look into reading these soon now! (:
ReplyDeleteHaley @ YA-Aholic