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Best In Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012?Racquel's answer:
Contemporary romance- Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Historical romance- What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long
YA Contemporary- Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos
Sharon's answer:
Contemporary Romance - Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry
(Racquel approves)
Historical Romance - What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
(Racquel
(And Sharon is eternally grateful.)
Contemporary YA (tie) - Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher & The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Dystopian YA - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?Racquel's answer:
It's sad that this is a long list and I could even go on:
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Sharon's answer:
Unfortunately, there were several, but Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire absolutely takes the cake as the biggest letdown.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?Racquel's answer:
Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell- This book was really full of heart and balanced serious issues with cute and fun perfectly. It's the type of book that Lola and the Boy Next Door
by Stephanie Perkins should have been.
Sharon's answer:
The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?Racquel's answer:
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves- This book is beyond good and when it got picked up by a publisher my reaction was: of course you dumbasses, if you only saw the book's potential before you saw the $$$$. But alas, I'm so happy so many more people get to fall in love with this book too!!
Sharon's answer:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?Racquel's answer:
First Comes Love series by Katie Kacvinsky- This series is sooo realistic!
Sharon's answer:
The Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. There were many contendors for this spot, but she absolutely cemented it.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?Racquel's answer:
Ruthie Knox
Katie Kacvinsky
Melina Marchetta
Sharon's answer:
Jill Shalvis, Courtney Milan, Julie Anne Long. There are several more who have fantastic potential, but I have binged on these authors' books. They have proven themselves over the course of several books.
(Racquel gives her stamp of approval for these 3 authors!)
(That's because they're freaking amazing.)
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?Racquel's answer:
Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville
This is my first historical romance book and after I read it I went crazy and literally HAD TO GET MY HANDS ON ALL THE HISTORICAL ROMANCES. After I read it, I've pretty much 85% historical romance.
Sharon's answer:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I don't usually like time travel stories, and Scottish romance was out of the norm for me. BEST CHOICE EVER.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?Racquel's answer:
I don't read anything thrilling so these are in no means thrilling or action packed but they are unputdownable:
Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom :this book was crazy funny and the events of the crazy night
Justina goes through are told in snippets so I couldn't put it down because the craziness just got better and better.
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos: I RAN through this book. I HAD to know if Rachel found her brother or not.
Sharon's answer:
Hands down, The Mara Dyer Books by Michelle Hodkin. Really, really close runner-up for unputdownable: Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:Racquel's answer:
Ummm, it would be easier to tell you what I WON'T reread since I'm 100000% a rereader.
Already reread and will continue to reread:
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer,
Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville,
The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal,
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves,
About That Night by Julie James,
What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long,
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
I will definitely reread these (I take my rereading more seriously than first time reading!):
Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
One More Summer by Liz Flaherty
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos
Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt
First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (Sharon seconds this one.)
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
Sharon's answer:
Well, I already read Shatter Me twice in 2012, but I will likely reread in 2013, too. Also, What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long, the first three Lucky Harbor books by Jill Shalvis, Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?Racquel's answer:
I have a whole post here.
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos
Sharon's answer:
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
11. Most memorable character in 2012?Racquel's answer:
Dylan & Gray from First Comes Love series by Katie Kacvinsky
Travis from Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
Shawn from Knee Deep by Jolene Perry- If you read this book, I bet you're reaction is WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, RACQUEL?!?! But I had a convo with Jolene about it and abusive characters just make me think (it's clear from the summary that Shawn is abusive, it's not a spoiler). I want to know what drove a character to be that bad and is there any redemption for him? Most people when they come across a character like this, their reaction is: DIE! but it's not really that simple. Especially if it's a character in their teens because then there is a possibility of them rebuilding their life. I really stayed up many nights thinking about Shawn.
Sharon's answer:
Jamie from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Warner from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (although where he became even MORE memorable was in Destroy Me).
Tucker from Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Bones from Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?Racquel's answer:
The Siren by Tiffany Reisz- I seriously highlighted SO many passages before I realized that I was about to highlight the entire book. Reisz writing is just amazing.
Sharon's answer:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Super close runner-up:
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?Racquel's answer:
I love my dad more than the world so when female main characters have issues with their dad, I always always cry so these books had a daughter-father confrontation in them and made me sob like a baby (I'm pathetic, I know)
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John (sobbed twice)
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Amplified by Tara Kelly
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta (a son-father confrontation)
Non daddy issues:
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar- THIS BOOK *clutches heart*
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos- I still think about this book and it still kills me.
Sharon's answer:
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson. I was an emotional wreck while/after reading this book.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?Racquel's answer:
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta and The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
WHY HASN'T ANYONE FORCED A MELINA MARCHETTA BOOK DOWN MY THROAT? Clearly, I have ZERO real friends. And if YOU haven't read a Melina Marchetta book, well, you are not living life so I'm being a terrific person and forcing her books down your throat. READ. A. MELINA. MACRHETTA. BOOK.
(Well, I guess I know what's on my priority list for this coming year...)
Sharon's answer:
A Lot Like Love & Something About You by Julie James. I knew I adored her! Why on earth I hadn't read these books before is entirely beyond me.
(I'll make it my personal goal to make sure you read all of Julie James's books as soon as they come out.)
(Oh, that won't be necessary, believe me. I will be getting my hands on her next one as soon as possible!)
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?Racquel's answer:
Do I have to answer since Sharon is giving you many awesome quotes?
(Is that even a question? ALWAYS MORE QUOTES.)
THIS IS THE SWOONIEST QUOTE IN THE WORLD, PREPARE YOURSELF:
"If..." Evie paused, suddenly embarrassed. "If anything happened to your looks... if you became... less handsome. Your appearance wouldn't matter to me. I would still..." She paused and finished hesitantly, "...want you as my husband." ~Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Sharon's answer:
You've got to be kidding. There's a reason I include quotes from every. single. book. I review. And I've usually saved more than I quote! I love quotes. Okay, here we go. I did my best to just grab some and not overthink it. Enjoy!
On the one hand, it sounded like a great adventure. On the other, it sounded like an unusual obituary. - Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
Love without choice isn’t love at all. - A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Since “Hi, I’m Ella. You look like someone I’d like to spend the rest of my life with,” would have been totally insane, I opted for sitting quietly and staring. - The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
“You’ve always been your own knight,” he said, “riding to your rescue. I’m just the man who came along and saw how brightly your armor shone.” - Unclaimed by Courtney Milan
I don’t care what your title is. When I see myself, I see a woman worth more than a modicum of your respect. And don’t you dare touch me if you disagree. - Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls. - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGerry
Joe is practically singing my name, he sounds so elated, probably still riding high from that kiss, that sublime kiss that could make stars fall into your open hands, a kiss like Cathy and Heathcliff must have had on the moors with the sun beating on their backs and the world streaming with wind and possibility. - The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
These letters are all I have left. 26 friends to tell my stories to. 26 letters are all I need. I can stitch them together to create oceans and ecosystems. I can fit them together to form planets and solar systems. I can use letters to construct skyscrapers and metropolitan cities populated by people, places, things, and ideas that are more real to me than these 4 walls. - Destroy Me by Tehereh Mafi
I spent my life folded between the pages of books.
In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction. - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
There’s a difference between preferring books to parties and preferring sixteen cats to seeing the light of day. - Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?Racquel's answer:
I honestly don't know. All the books I read are similar in length. Is there an easy way to figure this out? A feature in Goodreads?
Sharon's answer:
Longest — Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (870 pages)
(Although Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss felt the longest. I started thinking of it as The Book That Will Never End, whereas I wanted MORE MORE MORE from Outlander.)
Shortest (not including novellas) — Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (128 pages)
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.)Racquel's answer:
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar- the ENDING! I wanted MORE and just, oh my heart.
What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long-again, the ENDING! It's the most glorious ending ever written. OMG, who do I force this book on first? Sharon? (I did force it on her and she did love it! We also got Alexa @Alexa Loves Books and she loved it too ;D)
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos- what? That's the ending?! It's awful! No it's perfect! Someone hold my hand.
Sharon's answer:
Both Mara Dyer books! by Michelle Hodkin. The first time, my best friend had JUST read it earlier that same day...but by the time I finished it, it was nearly 3 AM. And I was like SO MANY FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS AND MY BRAIN JUST EXPLODED. I had to put on episodes of Friends to fall asleep. With the second one, it was an ARC, and I didn't know anyone who had read it. I just died a little bit inside and wandered about the house in a daze for a while.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).)Racquel's answer:
I hate girl best friendships in books. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them. Hate them. I could make a whole post about why I hate them so I'm not going to go into that now because once I start, there is no stopping the ranting. *calms down*
Friendships: Travis, Kevlar and Moss (his marine buddies) from Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (read Sarah @Clear Eyes, Full Shelves snippet on why this friendship rocks because she got it spot on. Just scroll down to The Camaraderie section which is right under the romance section.)
Romantic: Genevieve & Moncrieffe from What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long and Will & Elly from Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Family: McLean and her dad from What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Sharon's answer:
Romantic: Jamie & Claire from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Violet & Martin from Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry, Clara & Tucker from Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Genevieve & Moncrieffe from What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
Family: Maddie, Tara, and Chloe (sisters) from Lucky Harbor #1-3 by Jill Shalvis
(Racquel approves)
Friendship: Jax, Sawyer, and Ford from Lucky Harbor #1-3 by Jill Shalvis
(Racquel approves)
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read PreviouslyRacquel's answer:
Sarah Ockler's Bittersweet and Fixing Delilah- After I finished Bittersweet, it was clear Sarah Ockler is now one of my favorite authors.
ALL the Lisa Kleypas books. I read 11 books by her this year. If I have to mention one, it would be Devil in Winter. And Dream Lake. And Dreaming of You (Because DEREK CRAVEN!). Okay that wasn't one book but who cares?
Sharon's answer:
Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:Racquel's answer:
If Mandi @Smexy Reads recs a book or says it's good, I read it. Simple and easy as that.
Sharon's answer:
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (Thanks, Racquel!)
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?Racquel's answer:
Clear Eyes, Full Shelves- I love Sarah and the entire CEFS bloggers. So smart!
Smexy Books- My go to romance blog.
Rather Be Reading- Magan and Estelle post some seriously awesome stuff.
The Perpetual Page-Turner- Jamie is just so delightful!
Sharon's answer:
Well, as I only delved into the book blogging world about a week before 2012 began, that would be ALL THE BLOGS. But my favorites are probably Rather Be Reading, Good Books & Good Wine, Makeshift Bookmark, Novel Sounds, and The Perpetual Page-Turner. Really, there are more, but my brain fails in the face of the sheer awesomeness of you all. Pretty much all the blogs I follow are hands-down awesome in one way or another.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?Racquel's answer:
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
Sharon's answer:
My Friends-style review of My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?Racquel's answer:
Didn't really have any. Fail!
Sharon's answer:
Haha, see Racquel's answer above. We should make a note to do this!
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?Racquel's answer:
Hmm. I kind of tend to stay away from those but I always read Sarah's @Clear Eyes, Full Shelves posts.
Sharon's answer:
I honestly don't remember. I know there have been several good ones, but none are jumping out in my memory.
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?Racquel's answer:
I went to my first author signing and it was the Teen Book Con. Laini Taylor signing. Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout release party. There are A LOT of awesome Houston bloggers and I'm so happy to have met some of them since I've always stalked their blogs/Twitter.
Sharon's answer:
Despite the fact that it barely preceded my fall off the blogosphere, I had an absolute blast with Bout of Books 5.0. Can't wait for 6.0, which starts January 7!
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?Racquel's answer:
All the signings I went to have been SUPER fun.
Sharon's answer:
Joining The Book Barbies! Although I am and always will be fond of Fictionally Inclined, I am loving co-blogging! It was definitely the right choice for me.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?Racquel's answer:
The Tune in Tuesday that Emma did featuring Hot Chelle Rae. Since she did it right after she met them, she posted pictures of them that she took and a video. Pretty much anyone who searches Hot Chelle Rae comes to our blog.
Sharon's answer:
Ironically, my most popular review is the only overtly negative review I've ever posted: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Close behind that is my Top Ten Tuesday: Quotes wherein the title lies because there are actually more than 100 quotes, broken down into categories.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?Racquel's answer:
Hmm. I'm grateful for all the comments people leave! It's actually still unbelievable to me that people read my blog so I really don't wish for any love because in my mind, my blog is private and every time someone leaves a comment or tells "I saw it in your blog!" my reaction is: LIES.
Sharon's answer:
Pretty much all of my normal reviews.
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?Racquel's answer:
I got a Kindle! I now e-read 90% of the time. My first Kindle was a the Kindle Touch and I loved it like no other then I gave it to my mother and got a Kindle Paperwhite. Which I hate. Actually, it's a GREAT Kindle but ALL the features I loved about the Kindle Touch (easy turn on/off wifi button, skipping chapters by swipe, you can listen to audiobooks.) are GONE. So I love it when I read a book (and the brightness is just AWESOME) but when I go to turn on the WiFi or skip a chapter and realize I cannot do that by a mere click, I want to break the Kindle Paperwhite in half.
Sharon's answer:
Can I just say the book blogging world in general? Although I started my blog a few days before 2012, I really did not know the full extent of the awesomeness and the overwhelming number of wonderful books with which I would be bombarded until 2012. My TBR list has exploded like never before in 2012, and I have discovered several new fantastic authors.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?Racquel's answer:
I failed to reach my 150 books for the year goal. Kind of. Not really. Okay, I didn't read 150 books BUT I DID. According to goodreads, I read 115 books only and that's true. I read 115 NEW books. I also reread the books in the Travis series at least 10 times (not 10 times per book but in total) I reread What I Did For a Duke twice. Morning Glory twice. Devil in Winter twice. There You'll Find Me
by Jenny B. Jones once. Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt once. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas once. Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas once Confessions from an Arranged Marriage by Miranda Neville twice AND THE LIST GOES ON. So yes I did read 150 books and I wish Goodreads had a better way of tracking rereads.
Sharon's answer:
Yes! I set a goal for myself of 112 books...and I met it in August. Which turned out to be a good thing, because this semester has been the hardest semester of my college career. Thus, I did not get to read nearly as much as I wanted. It looks like my year total is a distressingly odd number, 139.
Looking Ahead…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?Racquel's answer:
In Honor by Jessi Kirby, Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson and
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - These were some of my MOST wanted 2012 books and I haven't read them yet. Fail. Fail. Fail.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore- For some reason, I WANT TO READ FANTASY!!!!!!!!!!!!! So why not start with this series since Harmony @Radiant Read really piqued my interest since this book is her favorite.
Sharon's answer:
CROSSED. Although it wasn't for lack of trying. I've been DYING to read that book since I first heard about it (probably few months after it came out), but I wanted to wait until the trilogy was complete to read any of them (just like I am also doing with the Chemical Garden trilogy).
Not-so funny story: I placed a hold on Crossed, Matched, and Reached at my local-to-my-college library. I got Crossed and Matched quickly, but had a long wait until Reached would come in. I was all set to wait patiently, but Lynne read the summary and decided she wanted to read it immediately. So she did. Then her roommate read it. Then it was time for me to come home, so I got it from my near-to-home library. So, logically, my sister read it. And I'm still here, waitingwaitingwaiting AND STILL HAVE NOT READ IT. But I will soon! I'm in 52nd place, so I'm moving right along...
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?Racquel's answer:
I have a whole list here but if I have to name one (or a few) I would say
The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler- Sarah Ockler is my new favorite author (I don't call any author a favorite author!) and I can't wait for her next release because it sounds AWEEESOMMMMMEEEEEEE.
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
And oh my, I want the new Julie James soo sooo sooo bad.
Sharon's answer:
I am looking forward to A LOT of books, obviously, but #1 is Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?Racquel's answer:
I did fall off of the blogging bandwagon and have been just scrapping by as of late and I hope to be back up to speed as I was when I joined this blog!
Sharon's answer:
