Wednesday, December 26, 2012

BEST OF 2012 GIVEAWAY



2012 was good to this little reader. 

My reading total for 2012 is 238 books. I might get a few more in before January comes, but that is still a heck of a lot of books I'd say. There was a long list of books that I didn't finish. I would start a  book and if it didn't hold my interest I would move on. That happened rarely last year, but this year I was trying to read all of the new releases and also discover some lesser known books to love. 

Because I was digging for gems I did discover a new beloved genre I call British Chick-Lit, which has a totally different feel than Chick-Lit in the states. I found my new very bestest favoritest author this year Miss Sarra Manning who I freaking love and adore. Manning's books and other Britsh books weren't books that my library had so I had to buy them all used from Amazon, and many came from across the pond. In the end, it was worth it to have them in my permanent library for sure. 

I started this blog in January and didn't even think I would ever get even 100 followers in a years time and I am so happy to have the followers that I do have. Much thanks goes to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting so many awesome blog hops that have brought readers my way. I kind of love hosting a giveaway. 

For this giveaway a winner gets to chose which book they would like from my top 10 favorites of 2012!




10. Johnny Be Good & Baby Be Mine by Paige Toon
I am listing these two books as one book because they go hand in hand together like BFFs! I have loved all of Toon's books that I read this year, but these were my personal favorites because I love a bad boy rock star. Toon has a way of sucking you in to a world of great detail and not boring you one bit.


9. The Queen of Kentucky by Alicia Whitaker
I read this all the way back on January 2 and I am still thinking about it fondly. So many books try to capture this feeling of coming of age and this book is super successful at making you feel 14 again. Ricky Jo (or Erica as she would like to be called now) is adorable and strong, while still being young and kinda stupid. I wanted to cheer for her every step of the way. Plus this book has one freaking sweety as the boy next door.


8. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
This was probably the book I was  most excited to read in 2012, and it didn't disappoint. Crowley has the gift of turning ordinary words into something magical without feeling like the words are trying to hard to be poetic. In Graffiti Moon she again created characters that just like in my #2 read of 2011 book A Little Wanting Song,  I could read about them doing nothing for hours. 


7. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella's books are either strong hits or strong misses for me. And I've Got Your Number was a super strong hit for me. I was laughing out loud before I even finished the first chapter. My daughter kept asking me "What is so funny Mommy?" while I was enjoying this book. It is a typical romantic comedy without being typical. It reads like your favorite rom-com flick, and I dare say will soon be one.



6. The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
This book has gotten a lot of play on my blog because the author is one of my bestest pals, but her being my friend does not guarantee a spot on my top ten of the year for her book. This is one amazing end to a great series. Each book in The Dark Divine trilogy gets better and more clever, which is a rare thing with series books in my opinion. The way this book ends is just simply perfect, and it also doesn't hurt that my husband is a character in this last installment.



5. My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson
I was sucked into this tale by page two. This is my favorite kind of novel. I felt totally consumed by the characters and their story while I read this, with characters that I feel like I could easily know in real life. There is talk of sex, but with nothing explicit which I always appreciate. The drama is the perfect amount. It isn't over the top but you find the story just enough out of the ordinary day-to-day life stuff to keep you reading more and more.




4. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
I'm surprised I even read this. I don't like fantasy type books, and I didn't like previous books by this author at all. But I was seriously surprised to find myself in love with this story. It was so beautifully written and I loved reading Tinkerbell's voice. The story is childlike, but dark. The best kind of tale with heartfelt quotes on love and loss.





3. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning
Oh Sarra Manning how I love you. When I bought this I had read some of Manning's YA titles and I wanted to see how she writes for adults. This book follows the life of two dysfunctional adults that find functionality in each other. It has some saucy scenes that is for sure, but Manning doesn't write her love scenes in a typical romance style way, but more in a way that just tells it like it is. I can't wait to re-read this.

2. Nobody's Girl by Sarra Manning
I normally would avoid putting two books by the same author on a list, but this was my favorite YA by awesome Sarra Manning and therefore worth sharing. This one started out a little frustrating with our sweet main character being tortured by the mean girls at school, but as soon as they are out of the picture this book really takes off. Read this book and walk hand in hand through the streets of Paris with undoubtedly my favorite male love interest of all freaking time!


1. The Probability Of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
This magical book is spent in the realm of reality while tip-toeing into the fantasy. I seem to be immune to sad books, but this one had me laughing throughout and crying for ten minutes after I finished. It is so rare that I read anything that is different than any other book I have ever read, and this was just that. I want to live in the world where this book takes place.
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71 comments:

  1. My favorite 2012 reads were Throne of Glass,Under the Never Sky, Falling Kingdoms, and I've Got Your Number.

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  2. I LOVED 52 Reasons to Hate My Father :)

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  3. It didn't come out in 2012 but I read it a couple of months ago, I loved The Night Circus!

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  4. I really like the Night circus...read for bookclub a book I normally wouldnt pick for myself and I really liked it

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  5. I really liked Cinder!

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  6. I had many favorites this year, but the series I’m currently enjoying is the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. All three published so far came out in 2012, with the most recent being OPAL, which released on December 11. That’s the book I’m reading right now. :)

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  7. YOU ROCK!! Now I need to check out some of these books!

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  8. {it didn't give me all my instructions at once.. So here it me favorite book of the year} On little wings was awesome! I couldn't put it down and finished in like a day..

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  9. My favorite read would have to be Wastes of Space by Darcy Town. :D

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!!1

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  10. Thanks for the giveaway! I love The Pledge by Kimberly Derting and Tiger Lily!!
    GFC: Cali Willette

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  11. I found your blog via a link that Valerie posted on facebook. Can't wait to read some of your recommendations!

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  12. Tell the Wolves I'm Home.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  13. The Bandit King by Lilith Saintcrow

    flip at ida dot net

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  14. My favorites are Angelfall by Susan Ee and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green!
    Lacey T

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  15. My favorite 2012 read was Send by Patty Blount.

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  16. My favorite read of 2012 would probably be The Demon Trappers Daughter. Such a great book!

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  17. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green :D

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  18. I loved Fever by Lauren DeStefano! Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!

    Suz Reads

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  19. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Sooooooo good! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  20. My favorite 2012 reads were Divergent & Insurgent. I agree with you on Sophie Kinsella books, I look forward to reading that one after your review.
    Dede
    (GFC name=Savings in Seconds)

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  21. Sins of the Fallen by Daniele Lanzarotta

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  22. Pushing the limits by Katie McGarry

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  23. The Fault in our stars by John Green :D

    gfc kim cuasay
    kimyunalesca(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I read a lot of good books in 2012 so it’s hard to pick just one, but I think the one that stands out the most is,” The Crimson League (The Herezoth Trilogy)”, by Victoria Grefer . I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly as good as it was but when I read it, I was so surprised as it turned out to be completely brilliant as she brought an entire world to life. I loved it.

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  25. The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

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  26. Definitely Ready Player One by Ernest Cline!

    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

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  27. One of my favorite reads this year was A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison. I love the Rachel Morgan series and this installment was great. Thank you for your generous participation in this fun hop.

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  28. I read a lot of FANTASTIC books this year, so this is quite tough. my top spots are probably Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, and Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill. Though if you ask me tomorrow, it might change!

    Thank you for doing the giveaway, happy holidays!

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  29. I have not had time to go back and see what my fav was yet! I will be doing that post on Jan 1st.
    I read "I've Got Your Number" and loved it! I loved how up-to-date it was with all the texting and emails! Very fun!
    That was a nice list of books you had.

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  30. There's so many but I'm going to say Project ELE by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckels.

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  31. Loved The Fault in Our Stars, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters, and Tempest! <3
    -heather/bookstacksondeck

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  32. I really liked both Glitch and Cinder :)

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  33. Every Day by David Levithan for sure!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. Monument 14, Mothership, Under the Never Sky and many more!! :)

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  35. My favorite read was Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick. That book was crazy good. Thank you!

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  36. My favorite read of 2012 would be the new release by CM Stunich- -Tasting Never. Awesome read. Thank you for the giveaway and for being a part of the hop.

    cmucha319@yahoo.com

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  37. I love Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

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  38. cherish your name by mary calmes
    gfc kimberly

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  39. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
    GFC: red_tigergirl2

    My fave read would have to be Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock!

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  40. Something Like Normal
    GFC: Doodle

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  41. My fav read this year was Black City by Elizabeth Richards!!!!!! GFC as Samantha Deen

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  42. One of them was The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

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  43. The Edge of Never by Jessica Redmerski <3
    Followed through GFC - Faith D.
    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  44. Congrats on reading so many books - that's so awesome!

    My favorite book this year was The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig.

    I am a new follower via GFC ~ Susan Audrey

    Thank you for the nice giveaway.

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  45. I loved shattered souls.
    erma2167@sbcglobal.net

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  46. My favorite read of 2012 is Anna and the French Kiss & Everneath.
    GFC - ohdamnbooks

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  47. I loved Slammed by Colleen Hoover. Thanks and Happy New Year!

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  48. Loved Dorothy Gale Vampire Hunter and Daughters of Jaguars: Broken
    seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

    GFC Seyma S.

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  49. Pushing the Limits. Also, the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon manga series.

    GFC: Holly Letson

    PS>> I can't really get into US Chick Lit. Maybe I should try some UK Chick Lit.

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  50. I liked Insurgent and Cinder. GFC:LisaILJ

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  51. Cinder and The Immortal Rules were tops on my list

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  52. My favorite would be Terran Times series by Viola Grace.thanks for the giveaway.

    dragonkeep62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  53. I loved Poison Princess by Kresley Cole!
    GFC: Kaci Verdun
    Thanks for the great giveaway! I'd love to have The Savage Grace!

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  54. I enjoyed way too many books this year to pick just one favorite:) I'll have to mention Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins and The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen as some of my favorites! Thanks!

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  55. One of my favorites had to be THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH FAIRYLAND AND LED THE REVELS THERE! It was awesome and the author is a major talent. Happy new year!

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  56. I LOVED 'The Alchemy of Stone' by Ekaterina Sedia - I think it came out in 2011, but I read it this year and it was possibly my #1 favorite of 2012

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  57. I loved Abraham Lincoln the Vampire Hunter

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  58. Loved Hunger Games and Cinder!

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