Monday, December 17, 2012

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.

32 comments:

  1. Wow. I've read The Raven Boys and TFiOS (and both make a lot of appearances on my blog this week), but I've yet to read any of these others, though each and every one is on my TBR shelf. I need to get on it!!

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    1. I am totally susceptible to "But EVERYONE I KNOW is reading ___________, I have to get it, even though my TBR shelf is about to crack under the weight of what I already have!" This amused/bewildered my husband all year, but definitely stood me in good stead for this blogfest!

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  2. Oh I agree with so very many of the books on this list! And you're the fourth or fifth Superlative blogger I've seen that has listed My Life Next Door---somehow I missed that title this year entirely, but I am definitely going to check it out. Excellent list!!

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    1. I feel that way about THIS IS NOT A TEST! This is such a great way to catch up on what I missed this year!

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  3. You AMAZE me with your reading prowess! WOW! And so many amazing choices - I have a few on there that I still have to read, and was debating whether or not to ask Santa for My Life Next Door. Everyone seems to have it on their lists. Time to write Santa another letter. ;)

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    1. I've slowed down SO much since I stopped commuting--turns out I was mostly reading ONLY on the F train. But I've been finding ways to make time for it lately. My Life Next Door was definitely one that I picked up because "everyone else was reading it" and I'm so glad I did.

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  4. I think TFIOS works as a comedy--it was a hilarious book, when it wasn't breaking my heart. I think I need to use the B&N coupon I just got for CODE NAME VERITY, seriously.

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    1. I re-read the first chapter or two of TFIOS before adding it as a comedy--Hazel is hilarious and wonderful. CNV is another one that's often funny in the midst of absolute horror.

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  5. We have a bunch of the same ones on our lists, but not always in the same categories. You also have some that I haven't yet read, so I'll be adding them to my TBR list. I've been wanting to read CODE NAME VERITY for some time now, so I think I should get on that. :)

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    1. This whole blogfest is so good/bad for my TBR list! (That's the most pronounced for people whose blogs I don't follow--it's hard enough keeping up with what my blog friends are reading, but when you extend it to friends of friends--there's a ton of books that sound amazing that never even crossed my radar! How is that possible???)

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  6. I love seeing Code Name Verity get some love. Great picks!

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    1. Thanks! I'm hoping this convinces some more folks to read it.

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  7. I saw someone else pick TFIOS for Best Comedy and I'll tell you what I told them. I never thought to pick it for that category but once I saw it, I could totally see what. Never has a book made me laugh while crying like TFIOS did so I really like the pick. The more I think about it, the more I want to change my pick.

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    1. I definitely need to re-read TFIOS when I can just sit at home and cry--I read it mostly in public and so I don't think I gave it my full attention because I didn't want to be crying on the train. But such a good book.

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  8. There are a few books on here I haven't even heard of--Send Me a Sign, Blink Once, Adaptation. I've also briefly heard of Code Name Verity, but seeing it here, I need to add it to my list. I had a hard time categorizing The Raven Boys, too, and stuck it into genre bender. :)

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    1. I think I got both SEND ME A SIGN and BLINK ONCE through Netgalley, actually. It can be very hit or miss, requesting books for review, but these were some of the hits that made it worthwhile. This whole genre thing is tricky--even more so when you just want to fit all your favorite books in somewhere!

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  9. I know what you mean about TFiOS :) I loved Tha Raven Boys and Wanderlove! They seem to be very popular choices! And ahh, so excited to read Adaptation! The cover is so cool...

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    1. I really like Malinda Lo (as an author and as a really smart, thoughtful blogger) so I was excited to finally sit down with this one. It was a very cool read!

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  10. If it makes you feel any better, I selected TFiOS as my favorite comedy, for the exact same reasons you stated. So at least we can be sociopaths together, I guess?

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    1. Woohoo! If I can't laugh about--or at least around--bad things, I can't deal with them. It's why I enjoyed TFIOS and why I think I'll like ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL.

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  11. I just picked up MY LIFE NEXT DOOR today after seeing it on a bunch of lists!

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  12. Hooray! We have similar tastes - I loved CINDER, BITTERBLUE, MY LIFE NEXT DOOR, & SEND ME A SIGN too! And I quite liked CNV and TFIOS. I haven't read the others yet, but I'm putting them all on my list!

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    1. My list is out of control as a result of this blogfest. My Goodreads "want to read" list broke 200 books today.

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  13. Whoa! We have lots of the same books listed! We clearly both have awesome taste in YA. :-) Aah, BITTERBLUE... My favorite of the year!

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    1. BITTERBLUE is very high on my list. I actually had to go back and bump up my ratings because I kept loving it so much (I think I was just messed up by reading it after FIRE, which...blew my mind.)

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  14. Lots of amazing books there my friend :D And yes for MY LIFE NEXT DOOR...so glad it made you want to write contemporary and YES for TFIOS as best comedy, it was so touching and as you so rightly say "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." And I NEED to read CODE NAME VERITY :D

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    1. I'm also reading a lot more contemp now. That was the one that made me reevaluate and start loving the whole category. (Of course, I'm still a total dystopian lover. And some fantasy. And some sci-fi. Oh, whatever, I read everything.)

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  15. I really want to read Grave Mercy and Adaptation. More books to add to the list!

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    1. Yay! Yes! Man, this should be either farther in advance of Christmas (so I could add all these great new books to my list!) or after Christmas (so I know what I can safely buy, without risking buying something I'm getting as a gift!)

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  16. Oooh, I hadn't heard of Blink Once but that sounds utterly intriguing!

    CODE NAME VERITY for ALL THE AWARDS! I loved this book so much, and I know people found the beginning slow too, but I was so captivated by Verity's spirited but also vulnerable voice and the slow unfolding of her story. It's like Verity says herself, to really understand and appreciate the story, she had to start at the very beginning with Maddie. SO WORTH IT. This was like my #1 YA read, followed by The Raven Boys.

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    1. BLINK ONCE was totally not what I expected, in a really cool way. Definitely give it a try!

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Thanks for coming by! Please chime in!