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!

Today I have Kaylee, the love interest from Megan Bostic's Never Eighteen, for an interview of sorts! She is here courtesy of the Teen {Book} Scene blog tour. Today she's talking about my favorite topic - books - and which ones she calls favorites!

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I’m mostly into realistic stuff, with only a couple fantasy or sci-fi type books on my shelf.

Of course I love the classics, especially the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen. I also loved, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Handmaid’s Tale, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Princess Bride. I love a book with a strong female character. Maybe that’s because I’m such a wimp. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.

I have a bazillion books on my shelf. I never get rid of any. I have just about every book Judy Blume has ever written. Of course, the Harry Potter series. I also love Ellen Hopkins books, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.

And I’m a sucker for Nicholas Sparks. I love a good weepie.

I’d keep going, but I don’t want to bore you to death. :)

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Thanks, Kaylee (and Megan) for stopping by bookmarked today! My love for Nick and Norah is no secret. That Kaylee is a girl after my own heart.

Today I have Harper, the main character from Hannah Harrington's Saving June, for an interview of sorts! She is here courtesy of the Teen {Book} Scene blog tour. I really enjoyed Harper's story and was super excited about getting to know her better.

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Summer/Winter – Because there’s no school!

Sweet/Salty – Harper has a weakness for potato chips.

Chocolate/Vanilla – Preferably vanilla with sprinkes. It’s okay if there aren’t, though; she’s a low-maintenance girl!

Noise/Silence – Harper’s not exactly a people person.

Light/Dark – She has a penchant for dark colors—wearing a lot of black hoodies and black nail polish.

Pancake/Waffle – Her dad used to make them every Sunday morning when she was a kid.

Early bird/Night owl – Harper is the kind of person who hits the snooze button ten times in the morning.

Truth/Lies – The truth can hurt, but she’ll always take it over what is easy.

Neat/Messy – Much to her mother’s ire! She missed out on the organizational gene.

Past/Future – Harper’s learned that it’s better to look to the future instead of holding on to the past.

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Thanks, Harper (and Hannah) for stopping by bookmarked today!

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Never Eighteen
Megan Bostic
Publisher: Graphia
Released: January 17, 2012
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 204
Source: The Teen {Book} Scene

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

So I may be a bit biased when it comes to this story. Back in March, a friend of mine died from leukemia at the age of twenty-five. Now there were numerous people much closer to him who I'm sure felt his death as more of a blow than I did; however, Marshall's death really had a profound impact on me. As cliched as it is, we truly never know which day will be our last. But in honor of those already gone, we should live each day as if it were.

Austin may not know exactly how long he has left, but he knows it isn't long. And before he's gone, he feels like he has to make a difference - even if it's just a small one. He sets out to mend broken hearts and broken families, and he tries to experience a few more "firsts." He does all this over the course of one weekend with his best friend Kaylee by his side.

This book may have been a little predictable at times, and there were a few scenes with choppy dialogue that sort of took my out of the moment. But, this book is all about emotion, and let me just tell you: this book made me ugly cry. I'm talking get-up-and-blow-your-nose-mid-page-because-snot-is-dripping-down-your-face cry. The kind of wake-up-your-partner-in-the-middle-of-the-night-to-an-apparent-crisis cry. So regardless of a few technical issues, Megan Bostic evoked more emotion from me than an author has done in a very long time. And although I could do without the snot and the cranky fiancé, sometimes a girl needs to ugly cry.

Author Interview: Heather Davis of Wherever You Go

Today I have Heather Davis, author of Wherever You Go, on the blog for an interview!

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1. Twitter style: describe WHEREVER YOU GO in 140 characters or less.

Wherever You Go is a YA novel about the seen and unseen people in our lives. It’s about letting go of past hurt and embracing the future.

2. What are three things you must have for a productive writing day?

A cup of stovetop espresso with a touch of milk. My kitty cat Harper to distract me from time to time. Music -- I listen to everything from classic alternative to Dolly Parton’s country music if it helps the book.

3. I love WHEREVER YOU GO’s cover. Did you have any input and were you pleased with the final outcome?

My agent and I had liked the image of the girl when first shown it. There was another cover idea with flowers - but we felt that the girl had the same burdened look in her eyes that Holly should have. I love the colors, too. But the best part? The cover quote from Laini Taylor, an author I really admire.

4. Who are some of your writing inspirations?

My English teacher dad used to write stories. I used to find the beginnings of his stories in his study and dream up my own endings.

5. I understand WHEREVER YOU GO is told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob. Was there one character you enjoyed writing more?

I can’t say that there was a favorite -- but I came to love Rob so much by the end of the book. All of the characters are heading toward change, but his is the biggest of all. Seeing yourself and others clearly and loving you/them anyway is the biggest change you can make in your life.

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Thanks, Heather, for stopping by bookmarked today! Be sure to check out the other tour stops for more interviews, guest posts, and reviews!