Top 5 Books & Goals

I realize I haven't posted anything since October. I think the amount of blog entries I post will continue to be scarce, but hopefully I find a balance next year. Anyway, since I'm on break, I decided to make an end-of-year list!

Top 5 Favorite Books I Read in 2014

• Chaos by Sarah Fine - The conclusion to one of my favorite series that I believe deserves more attention. I'm sad it's over, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
• Easy by Tammara Webber - This book definitely lived up to all the high praise it has received. It was an emotional and amazing read.
• Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews - One of my favorite urban fantasy series. Each book has been awesome and addicting so far. 
• Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine - Loved the characters and the setting. It would have been satisfying as a stand-alone, but having a sequel makes it even better.
• Spiral by Mila Ferrera - This book surprised me. It was unexpected, heartbreaking, and different from other new adult stories I've read.

Top 5 Books Released in 2014 I Still Need to Read

• Breakable by Tammara Webber - Well, I loved Easy, so of course I need to read this one.
• Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I've been waiting YEARS for this!
• Rival by Penelope Douglas - Loved Madoc in the first two books.
• Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - I actually started this months ago. I need to finish it so that I can get excited for The Ruby Circle.
• This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner - The first book was amazing, and I'm sure this will be too.

Top 5 Books Releasing in 2015 I Can't Wait to Read

• Blood Queen by Rhiannon Hart - It was suppose to come out this year, but the release date moved to 2015. That cliffhanger from book 2...!
• Burned by Karen Marie Moning - Another one that was suppose to come out this year. I'm pretty much dying for this book!
• End of Days by Susan Ee - I had a feeling it would be out next year, but I'm shocked it's coming out in May. That's not too far. Yay!
• Of Dreams and Rust by Sarah Fine - Although the first book could have been a stand-alone, I was so happy when I found out there was going to be a sequel!
• The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I think the Covenant series will always be my favorite books by JLA, so I'm very excited for this spinoff!

Top 5 Bookish Goals for 2015

• Buy a bookshelf - There's stacks of books growing on my floor because I ran out of shelf space...  I need a new one! I plan on buying a 5-shelf case next month.
• Go to a book event - I caught a cold (which almost led to bronchitis) & missed YALLFest in November. I was so disappointed! Some of my favorite authors were there this year too. :'( I'm hoping to try again in 2015. And maybe the SC Book Festival in May.
• Read at least 25 books - That includes those 10 books listed above. I need to seriously find a balance between work & life outside of work. I only read about 40 books this year. I feel behind.
• Stop buying Kindle books when I'm bored - For real... I already have too many books to read, especially in my Kindle app! Plus, I'm trying to save money. I gotta calm down.
• Get a Kindle - lol Okay, I know I sound like I'm contradicting myself, BUT! Reading on my iPad sucks. I just have no idea which type of Kindle to get.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

The 2011 Debut Author challenge is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The purpose of the challenge is to read at least 12 young-adult books released this year by debut authors. The deadline to sign up is March 1, 2011. To find out more detailed information and how to sign-up (hurry! the deadline is tomorrow!), visit the main challenge post at The Story Siren.

Some of the books I have or plan to read and review for the challenge:
1. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford [review]
2. The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver [review]
3. Falling Under by Gwen Hayes [review]
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth [review]
5. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
6. Clarity by Kim Harrington
7. Die for Me by Amy Plum [review]
8. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
9. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres [review]
10. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
11. Legend by Marie Lu [review]
12. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin [mini-reivew]
13. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout [review]
14. Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren [review to come]
15. Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle [review]
16. The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder [review]
17. Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart [review]
18. Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson [mini-review]
19. The Marked Son by Shea Berkley [review]
20. The Bridge by Jane Higgins
21. Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

TBR:
-The Returning by Christine Hinwood

POC Reading Challenge 2011

Art by PET.

This year I'm going to participate in the Persons of Color Reading Challenge. The POC challenge is for readers to read books with characters of color or books written by authors of color. To find out more about the challenge and to sign-up, visit the 2011 sign-up page at the POC blog.

Updated June 29
My goal is to read at least three POC books, which is Level 1. Here are the books I have read so far this year:

Legend by Marie Lu [my review]
Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra [my review]
The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder [my review]

The Bridge by Jane Higgins [★★★★]

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler [my review]

And these are books I am hoping to read next for the challenge:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Be sure to check out the POC blog, if you're interested in participating. :)

Top Books Read in 2010

I can't do a top 10. It's just not possible! So here's my favorite books read in 2010, in no particular order! :)

Favorite Book of 2010 (in case you didn't already know):
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Contemporary

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nealson

Dystopia & Fantasy

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Mockingay by Suzanne Collins

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

Paranormal

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Honorable Mentions (I couldn't resist):

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

That took forever. I had to force myself to narrow it down to four per category, especially the contemporary list. Now it's time to get started on reading books for 2011. Happy New Year by the way! :D

Books in 2010 Survey

Found this survey through Steph Su Reads!

1. Best book of 2010 - Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. I love this book so much! I read it back in January, and almost a year later, no other book has been able to top it. My favorite book ever!

2. Worst book of 2010 - Dark Flame by Alyson Noel. I use to love this series. I think Ever is the problem.

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010 - Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I heard so much great things about this book/series, and I thought I was going to love it. But when I was reading it, it was a struggle to get through. I really didn't feel much of anything by the time I was done.

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010 - Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. There basically weren't any reviews out when I started reading the ARC. I thought it was going to be a dark contemporary, involving mental disorders. So it was a complete surprise when I started to realize that it was a paranormal. I also didn't realize how good and addicting it would be from the very beginning!

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010 - Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. And anything written by Melina Marchetta! I felt like a broken record. haha I will continue to recommend it and all her books.

6. Best series you discovered in 2010 - Darkest Powers by Kelley Armstrong. I have a huge crush on Derek, and I love the Chloe/Derek pairing! I've even started reading C/D fanfiction.

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010 - MELINA MARCHETTA. Kelley Armstrong. Simone Elkeles. The authors I can't wait to read more books: Stephanie Perkins, Kelly Creagh, Tara Kelly, Tabitha Suzuma, Jandy Nelson, and Morgan Matson.

8. Most hilarious read of 2010 - It's a tie between The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner and Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta. These two cracked me up so much!

9. Book that made you cry the hardest in 2010 - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. For a few days after I read the book, I felt depressed and cried myself to sleep. :(

10. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010 -There were lots I couldn't put down. But I do remember I didn't stop for anything when I was reading Mockingjay.

11. Book you most anticipated in 2010 - It's between Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta. Actually, I anticipated TPS for 2011, but when a friend lent me her Aussie copy a few weeks ago, well...I could not wait!!

12. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010 - I can't pick just one!

Amy & Roger's Epic
Detour by Morgan Matson

The Piper's Son
by Melina Marchetta

Chasing Brooklyn
by Lisa Schroeder

13. Most memorable character in 2010 -This is hard. Lots of great characters. I'll go with... Jonah Griggs and Taylor Markham from Jellicoe Road. They are awesome. Even better when they're together!

14. Most beautifully written book in 2010 -This is another tough one. I'd say Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta and The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

15. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010 - Definitely Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. It was the first time I had ever felt speechless and blown away after reading a book. And because of this book, I found my favorite author.

16. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read - Well, I didn't really start reading until 2009/2010 anyway, but the book I wish I didn't put off was A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb. I had it on my wishlist since January 2010. When I finally read it in October, I couldn't put it down; it was so good!

I'll be putting up a list of my top 2010 reads next (maybe later today or tomorrow...or whenever I get around to it). :)

Aussie YA Book Challenge 2011

The 2011 Aussie YA Book Challenge is as follows:

Australian participants - Read at least 12 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

International participants - Read at least 6 young adult books by Australian authors from 1st January, 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

They can be old or new titles, however no re-reads.

It is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a blogger but you MUST POST A REVIEW. You can post a review on Goodreads, Shelfari or you can even do a guest post on a blog like mine.

You can join anytime. The challenge runs from 1st January 2011 to 31st December, 2011.

There will be prizes throughout the year and guest posts and interviews from some awesome Aussie authors.

The 2011 Australian Young-Adult Book Challenge was created by Nic at Irresistible Reads and Nomes at Inkcrush. For more information about the challenge and to sign-up, please visit the challenge post at Nic's blog.

My favorite author (Melina Marchetta) is Australian, and her books make up more than half of the Australian novels I've read. So this challenge will be a great opportunity to get me to read books by other Australian authors. Especially since I've already read all of Melina Marchetta's books.

(Update Mar. 2011- I'm surprised how different the actual list is from the tentative list I had!)

Here are the books I've read for the challenge:
1. A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley [Loved it! Read it! ★★★★★]
2. Good Oil by Laura Buzo [review]
3. Saltwater Moons by Julie Gittus [review]
4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar [review to come]
5. Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres [review]
6. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley [review]
7. The Gorgon in the Gully by Melina Marchetta [review] (children's book)
8. Winter's Shadow by M.J. Hearle [review]
9. Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe [review]
10. Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood [Cute & funny. ★★★★]
11. Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart [review]
12. The Bridge by Jane Higgins [Great story. ★★★★]
13. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta [review]
14. This is Shyness by Leanne Hall [Bizarre! ★★★★]

Others I plan to read for the challenge:
-Bloodflower by Christine Hinwood

Might read:
-Pink by Lili Wilkinson
-John Belushi Is Dead by Kathy Charles
-The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

If you're interested in joining the challenge, be sure to check out the Aussie YA Book Challenge 2011 post! :)

Heavenly - Book Trailer

Here is the book trailer and summary for Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens:

I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoë's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoë lost in her broken life. Zoë escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoë's autistic sister. After Zoë is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

Check out Jennifer Laurens's blog.

Forever Cover

The cover of Forever, the final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, was revealed today, and you can pre-order an autographed copy at the Fountain Bookstore, Inc.

Also, Maggie Stiefvater is holding a contest on her blog. Prizes include signed copies of the Linger audiobook, hardcover of Linger, paperback of Shiver, bookmarks, bookplates, and more! Contest ends October 19. To find out more information about the contest, visit her blog.

Top 2011 Books - Mini Challenge #1

Princess Bookie is holding a mini-challenge. Basically I have to name my top 5 most anticipated books of 2011. This was a bit hard, but I finally decided on my top 5.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

My #1 book has got to be The Piper's Son, the companion novel to Saving Francesca. Melina Marchetta is my favorite author, so anything by her is something I want and need to read. This book already came out this past March in Australia, and I've been patiently waiting for the US release. :3

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have to say that I'm extremely intrigued with this book. All I know about it is what I've read from the summary and some comments I've seen that mention it's Hunger Games-ish. And you know I love The Hunger Games. I heard it's also going to be a series. Seriously cannot wait to read this one! >:)

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay, but this time it's in Adam's point of view. If I Stay was one of my favorite books last year, and I loved Mia and Adam. When I found out there was going to be a sequel, it made me very happy. Can't wait! Oh, and isn't the cover just pretty? :)

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

This is the sequel to The Body Finder. I loved The Body Finder; it's one of my favorite paranormal YA books. I thought Violet and Jay were great characters, and I loved their relationship. Really excited to read more about them in this sequel! :D

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

I loved Lisa McMann's WAKE trilogy. She has a total of three books she plans on releasing in the next two years, and Cryer's Cross is definitely the one I'm most interested in reading. Especially after Lisa said that if you loved Cabel from WAKE (which I did), then you'll love the guy in this book. ;)

5 Books Meme

Found this meme through Lori at Pure Imagination. :)

5 Books I’ve Read Recently

1. Checkmate by Malorie Blackman
2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman ♥
3. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
4. Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ♥

5 Books I’m Planning to Read (in the near future)

1. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
2. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins
3. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
4. Firelight by Sophie Jordan
5. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

5 of My Favorite Books (Well, obviously all get ♥!)

1. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta ♥
2. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins ♥
3. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh ♥
4. Unwind by Neal Shusterman ♥
5. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta ♥

5 of My Least Favorite Books

1. Need by Carrie Jones
2. Shadowland by Alyson Noel
3. Captivate by Carrie Jones
4. Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
5. Candor by Pam Bachorz

5 Books That Made Me Cry (Yeah, I changed this category. XD)

1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ♥
2. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta ♥
3. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman ♥
4. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma ♥
5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman ♥

♥ = I loved the book. Of course. ;D

Top Ten of The Moment

Top Ten of the Moment is a meme hosted by Swimmer @ Breaking the Bookshelf! This week's theme is Top 10 Favorite Books of 2010. Note: This includes all books you've read in 2010 so far, even if they were published a different year.

It was actually difficult for me to make this list. I knew what #1 would be, but #2 through #10 were very hard because some of those books I just loved equally. There was no way I was going to figure it out, so I kind of had to randomly pick which book went where by putting them into categories. Also, keep in mind that since this year isn't over, this list just might change by the end of the year. (*cough* Mockingjay)

Favorite Novel:

1. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta


Favorite Tragedy Novels:

2. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
3. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma


Favorite Fantasy Novels:

4. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
5. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner


Favorite Paranormal Novels:

6. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
7. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting


Favorite Contemporary Novels:

8. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
9. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
10. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Honorable Mentions:
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Maybe this should have been a top 12 because I loved the books I put in Honorable Mentions! Did I mention how hard it was to come up with this list? Good thing these were only for books I've read so far in 2010. @_@ Anyway, I think I just might post an updated list at the end of this year. I might even add details as to why I love each book.