YA Superlatives Blogfest: Best in Show

Hosted by Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott

The end of another year is here, and I can't wait to see everyone else's end-of-year lists. It's one of my favorite aspects of the blogging community. I read some great books this year, and it was really hard to pick favorites. Also, I cheated a little and picked from all the books I READ in 2011 - not necessarily published in 2011. I hate to break the rules, but I wanted to highlight all the great books I read, including those old and those not yet published. Feel free to leave comments - I'd love to hear what you think of my picks - and be sure to visit my lovely hostesses! Thanks, ladies, for putting this together! I can't wait to read your posts, as well.

Favorite Cover

There were a ton of beauties released this year,
but I think this one is the most breathtaking.

Cutest Couple

This book had my heart fluttering before I even read it.
Hadley and Oliver are just perfect together.

Most Likely to Succeed

Although I didn't have the opportunity to read the official NBA nominees,
I can tell you this one should have been on the list.

Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime

This was one of those books that actually lived up to all its hype.
It snatched me up from page one and didn't spit me out until the last.

Best Repeat Performance

About halfway through this I was freaking out because I couldn't figure out
how on Earth Jenny Han could make me okay with which Fisher ended up with Belly. She not only managed, but she made it perfect.

Romance Most Worthy of an Ice Bath

Noah freaking Shaw

Pair Most Likely to Stay Best Friends Till They’re 80

Sophie + Jenna = BFF<3
I want to live in the world of Hex Hall so I can be their third wheel.

Breakout Novel

Hourglass was one of those novels where I just kept thinking to myself,
"How the frick did she do that?!" I will forever be a Myra cheerleader.

Best Old-Timer

I still can't believe I hadn't read this until this year.
Listening to it on audio was especially haunting.

Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry

Yall. This book made me ugly cry. Like, wake-Josh-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night cry.

Most Pleasant Surprise

You can just read my review for the long of it,
but I basically kicked myself for thinking I didn't like science fiction.

Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle

In every other love triangle in YA, I am firmly planted on one side or the other.
But Jenny Han had me as torn as Belly has been throughout the series. In fact, it wasn't until the very end that I knew how Belly would end up and that I was okay with it.

Sleeper Hit

I feel guilty about having never written a review for this novel, but it's just so hard
to put into words my love for it. It is one of my most recommended books for contemporary lovers. It is beautifully written and deserves to be in the spotlight.


So there you have it - my favorite books of the year! Be sure to visit other blogs and feel free to join in with your own picks! Huge "THANKS!" to Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott for putting this blogfest together! I had a great time putting these lists together.

And finally my own category!

Which 2011 release do you wish you'd found time to read?
(Leave your answer in the comments for a chance to win your book of choice!)

YA Superlatives Blogfest: Elements of Fiction

Hosted by Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott

The end of another year is here, and I can't wait to see everyone else's end-of-year lists. It's one of my favorite aspects of the blogging community. I read some great books this year, and it was really hard to pick favorites. Also, I cheated a little and picked from all the books I READ in 2011 - not necessarily published in 2011. I hate to break the rules, but I wanted to highlight all the great books I read, including those old and those not yet published. Feel free to leave comments - I'd love to hear what you think of my picks - and be sure to visit my lovely hostesses! Thanks, ladies, for putting this together! I can't wait to read your posts, as well.

Most Envy-Inducing Plot

This was one of those books I just knew I'd love when I read the synopsis.
Doesn't that just make your heart break a little?

Most Wonderful World-Building

Before this book my love for space only extended to the movie Apollo 13.
But this book had me seeing stars - in a good way.

Most Formidable World

I am always cold, and I live in Louisiana. You think I'd make it in Siberia?!
Forget about the Nazis, I'd have frozen to death in the first chapter.

Wanderlust-Inducing

A stage may not seem very special, but having the ability to make me yearn for ballet classes when I have two left feet gives Bunheads this honor.

Loveliest Prose

I will read anything Kirsten ever writes. Ever. She is so good at making you feel things.

Best First Line

Cheating a little here since it's the first line of the second chapter, but it is David's first:
"i am constantly torn between killing myself and everyone around me."

Most Dynamic Main Character

Emerson is a snarky, vulnerable, stubborn, feisty girl who stole my heart on the first page. She is everything I could ever want in a female protagonist.

Most Jaw-Dropping Finale

It was one of those I-should-have-seen-that-coming-but-totally-didn't-see-that-coming endings.

Best Performance in a Supporting Role

Lola's best friend Lindsey, Lola's dads, and a few familiar faces
all make Lola and the Boy Next Door special. Sure Lola and Cricket steal the stage, but the others help shine the light on them.

Best Use of Theme

Theme is one of those things that's hard to describe and so is Ellen's work.
But the way her words seamlessly flow from one character to another is exactly the theme of her latest novel: perfection.


So there you have it - my favorite books of the year! Come back tomorrow for the Best in Show where I'll be showcasing even more of the greatness found in YA this year. Be sure to visit other blogs and feel free to join in with your own picks!

YA Superlatives Blogfest: Popularity Contest

Hosted by Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott

The end of another year is here, and I can't wait to see everyone else's end-of-year lists. It's one of my favorite aspects of the blogging community. I read some great books this year, and it was really hard to pick favorites. Also, I cheated a little and picked from all the books I READ in 2011 - not necessarily published in 2011. I hate to break the rules, but I wanted to highlight all the great books I read, including those old and those not yet published. Feel free to leave comments - I'd love to hear what you think of my picks - and be sure to visit my lovely hostesses! Thanks, ladies, for putting this together! I can't wait to read your posts, as well.

Class Clown

Dean
It's hard  to believe Dean actually has a soft side when all he does is crack jokes.

Most Likely to Become a Rock Star

Tiny Cooper
Doesn't he just belong in Vegas?

Mostly Likely to Start a Riot

Lissa
I mean, she practically caused a riot already.

Biggest Flirt

Archer
I guess he can't help giving Sophie mixed signals, but man, he's a tease!

Fashion King and/or Queen

Lola
Does this really need an explanation?

Girl You’d Most Want For Your BFF

Belly
Never have I felt so connected to a main character as I have with Belly.
I swear she is my soulmate.

Boy You Wish You’d Dated in High School

Michael
I think it's safe to say if I had my pick of this year's boys in high school, I would have been a slut. Michael won out, but Lucius, Archer, Noah, Cricket, and Oliver were all fighting for that top spot.

Most Likely to Become President

Jessica
I hate to say too much and spoil this one, but let's just say
Jessica has the goods to deliver.

Quirkiest Character

Adina
Quirky may be putting it nicely because Adina sure was a weird little thing. She was a bit freaky at times, but her antics sure kept me interested in the story.

Villain You Love to Hate

Eldest
Whether or not Eldest is truly the villain may be questionable,
but I sure did love trying to figure him out.

Favorite Parental Figure

Andy and Nathan
First of all: two dads! This makes my heart so so happy. Andy and Nathan are strict, overbearing, and embarrassing like any good parents are. The way they are so seamlessly woven into this story gives me hope for the LGBT community's future.

Coolest Nerd

Will Grayson
John Green is King Nerd if there ever was one, and WG fits nicely into his pile of geeky main characters.


So there you have it - my favorite books of the year! Come back tomorrow for Elements of Fiction where I'll be showcasing even more of the greatness found in YA this year. Be sure to visit other blogs and feel free to join in with your own picks!

YA Superlatives Blogfest: Head of the Class

Hosted by Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott

The end of another year is here, and I can't wait to see everyone else's end-of-year lists. It's one of my favorite aspects of the blogging community. I read some great books this year, and it was really hard to pick favorites. Also, I cheated a little and picked from all the books I READ in 2011 - not necessarily published in 2011. I hate to break the rules, but I wanted to highlight all the great books I read, including those old and those not yet published. Feel free to leave comments - I'd love to hear what you think of my picks - and be sure to visit my lovely hostesses! Thanks, ladies, for putting this together! I can't wait to read your posts, as well.

Favorite Dystopian

It's really special when an author can make you care about the bad guy.

Favorite Science Fiction

I only read this book because I felt guilty. It was super hyped up, everyone wanted a copy, and I was lucky enough to get one without ever asking for it. So even though I thought I'd hate it, I read it. And I am so glad I did.

Favorite Fantasy

Not sure if Fantasy is the right place for this one, but I honestly don't read much of the genre. Imaginary Girls is another of this year's titles that's difficult to categorize, a "dilemma" that really excites me.

Favorite Contemporary

I was afraid of this book because I just knew I would love it but then I was also scared I would be let down. I don't know if you've ever felt that way about a book, but Lauren Myracle delivered all I could have hoped for and more.

Favorite Action/Adventure

Just because I didn't read many books to fit this category
doesn't mean Eve isn't deserving. There's plenty of running/chasing/killing to keep readers on the edges of their seats.

Favorite Historical Fiction

Elizabethan England, guys on horseback, girls in fancy dresses... need I say more?

Favorite Comedy

It's not often that books make me laugh out loud, but this one did - a lot.

Favorite Mystery

Not sure if you can really call MARA a mystery... but I know I wasn't the only one
screaming, "WTF?!" the entire time.

Favorite Romance

One word for you: SA-WOON!

Favorite Paranormal Romance

Edward who?

Favorite Family Drama

I'm not the only one wanting to throat punch Cara's parents, right?

Favorite Genre Bender

I cannot, for the life of me, describe this book. It's just awesome.


So there you have it - my favorite books of the year! Come back tomorrow for the Popularity Contest where I'll be showcasing even more of the greatness found in YA this year. Be sure to visit other blogs and feel free to join in with your own picks!