Class of 2012 Blogfest: Head of the Class

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year: time to plug in the tree, curl up with the nog of your choice ("soy nog" wins for funniest name, coconut nog wins for tasting good and being dairy free at the same time, and eggnog is what I will be drinking, with the help of a Lactaid pill, on Christmas Eve, because tradition is stronger than lactose intolerance), and celebrate the best books of the year!

 The blogfest is hosted by Katy, Jessica, Tracey, and Alison--stop by their blogs to see the list of participants!  If you participate for all four days, you can win a 2012 book of your choice from the Book Depository!

I've read 61 2012 releases--you can see the list here.  Today's categories celebrate the very best in a number of genres: 

Favorite Dystopian
Insurgent  by  Veronica Roth

As good as Divergent was, this one managed to top it for me, as well as a field full of tough competition.  Getting to know more about the other factions was fascinating, and I found a new favorite supporting character in Johanna Reyes.

Favorite Science Fiction      

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 I still remember the feeling I had when I finished this one: What. Just. Happened.  I had expected to be into it--Cinderella with cyborgs?  Yes please!--but it had that magical thing that makes me love a book and not really be able to explain why.  I mean, the plot, the characters, the writing, all obviously great--but this one is more than the sum of its parts.



Favorite Fantasy
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

This one overcame the fact that I am not so much a fan of the impish, scruffy, bad-boy romantic lead, because the world of this book is so much bigger than one romance, and there is so much more to Bitterblue than who she falls for.  A wonderful cast of characters, from poor, sweet Giddon to cranky librarian Death, drew me in and made me love this one nearly as much as I loved Fire

Favorite Contemporary    

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

 This is the book that made me want to write contemporary; it's also the book that makes me wonder if I'll ever really be able to.  The combination of family issues, best friends, boyfriends, and Big Problems is so perfect, every piece interwoven to form the world of Samantha Reed.  The romance is great, but it almost takes a backseat to how well done the friendships and family relationships are. 



Favorite Action/Adventure
Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers

Yeah, I could have put this book in another genre, but really, assassin nuns totally fit the "adventure" category.  This was so different from anything else I read and grabbed my attention in the best way.  A book this thick that feels like a quick read is pretty impressive--I must have been distracted by dreamboat Gavriel Duval.  I mean, there's a lot of other awesome going on, too--historical intrigue, poisons, old religions working in mysterious ways--but really, DUVAL, you guys.

Favorite Historical Fiction    

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

 Just read it.  Get through the first half--I mean, I liked it, but I know a lot of people found it slow.  (You'd go slowly too, if you were in a Gestapo prison and you only stayed alive for as long as it took you to tell your story.)  But once it starts paying off, prepare to have your mind blown more than once.  Best 2012 release I've read, hands down.
  


Favorite Comedy
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

       
 Ok, this seems like a pretty twisted choice for comedy.  But I couldn't not highlight it, and truly?  It was one of the funniest books released in 2012 that I read this year.  (Also, of course, one of the saddest.)  It's not a comedy, but it certainly uses comedy to great effect.  So, this one goes to Hazel Grace, for being funny in the face of a whole lot of suck.  (Also the winner of "favorite tragedy", a category I just made up so you know I am not a sociopath.

Favorite Mystery   

 Adaptation by Malinda Lo

I wasn't totally sure where to slot this one in--it's science-fiction, it's action-adventure, it's romance--but the bigger story arc is a great big mystery.  Satisfyingly, we get a lot of answers, but there's also plenty left open for the next book.  This is a great creepy read that will keep you guessing.



Favorite Romance 
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Bria and Rowan's slow, carefully-built romance was definitely a reading highlight for me this year.  The little things that brought them closer and closer together never came too fast and never rang false.  I loved watching them get to know each other in this sweet, beautiful book.

Favorite Paranormal     

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

 Does this count as paranormal?  I think so--magic trees and witches and ley lines and ghosts making up a large part of the story.  Really, this was just one of my favorite reads, period, and I had to find a spot for it.  Blue and the Raven Boys are all so unique and memorable that I was in from the beginning; Maggie Stiefvater's gorgeous language and the mindblowing final line were just the icing on the cake.  Can't wait for more!

Favorite Family Drama    

Send Me A Sign by Tiffany Schmidt

This book grabbed me from the beginning, and I was invested all the way through in Mia's friends and romantic interests.  However, Mia's family?  Oof.  Mia's mom is one of the driving forces in this story, convincing Mia not to tell her friends she's sick.  Mia's struggles with that decision and with her mother were at the heart of this story, and I found them tremendously compelling.







Favorite Genre Bender   
 Blink Once by Cylin Busby

I don't even know what to call this book.  It seems like a contemporary story dealing with a hospitalized teenager as he recovers from devastating injuries.  But then we learn that all is not as it seems.  Whatever it is, this one blew me away.