2012 was one of my best years in reading. I managed to read over 200 books and I loved so many of them. Here are my top 12 books of the year!
(Titles link to my reviews.) (In no particular order.)
#1 Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
I think this choice is kind of fitting since Daughter of Smoke & Bone was my #1 pick in 2011. Laini Taylor’s writing is beyond fabulous, the characters are some of my favorites in YA, and the story is just so unique. I could read this book over and over again.
#2 Insurgent by Veronica Roth
The first book in this trilogy, Divergent, was also on my list of best books from 2011 and I wasn’t sure if this one was going to make it on the list. I was so scared to read this book because I was almost positive it couldn’t live up to the awesomeness of Divergent. Luckily I was wrong. This book definitely avoided the second book syndrome and I adored it. It sets things up perfectly for the final book.
#3 Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Simone Elkeles blurbed this book and from the moment I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book. I adored the romance, the writing, the characters, everything about it. If you’re looking for a steamy romance with characters that you’ll love, this is the book for you.
#4 Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I mean, teen pregnancy in space? Who thinks of that stuff? However I went into this book with an open mind and I devoured it. I couldn’t stop reading once I started and I can’t count the number of times I burst out laughing while reading. Definitely one of the funniest books I have ever read.
#5 Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I’m sure you’ve probably seen this one on some other bloggers’ best of 2012 lists but it deserves to be on everyone’s list. I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book. Oh and it made me bawl like a baby. Perfect if you need a good cry!
#6 My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
This is probably one of the best contemporary novels that I’ve ever read and that is saying something because I have read quite a few contemporary novels. This was just the right blend of cute yet serious. I found myself laughing a lot while reading this one but I also found myself thinking. I loved the characters, the romance, the friendships, the family dynamics, everything. I will be on the watch for Huntley Fitzpatrick’s next book.
#7 Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
This one came as a huge surprise to me. I am not a fan of werewolf stories normally so I was skeptical with this one. I didn’t really want to read it but people kept recommending it so I gave it a try and boy am I glad I did. I highly recommend this one, even if you’re not a werewolf fan.
#8 Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
This year has turned me into a fantasy fan. In the past I’ve found fantasy books to be rather boring and I stopped reading them for quite some time. I heard about Shadow & Bone and I just couldn’t resist reading it, especially because it had such a gorgeous cover and was blurbed by Veronica Roth. Now I push this book onto all my friends and I’m dying to get my hands on the sequel!
#9 Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
Historical fiction with a hint of fantasy and assassin nuns. Oh and an amazing romance. What more could you possibly want in a book? Also, I’ve read the sequel and it’s just as good.
#10 The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
I’m such a fangirl for Julie Kagawa so of course I was excited about The Immortal Rules. I read my copy as soon as I got it and I was even more impressed with it than I thought I’d be. I loved the Iron Fey series and I was sad to see it end but now I have this even more awesome series to look forward to.
#11 Black City by Elizabeth Richards
I know this one has gotten a lot of mixed reviews but I completely adored it. I was hooked from the very first page, I connected with the characters immediately, and I loved the steamy romance! I think people will either love or hate this book but I am definitely in the love category.
#12 Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I liked Half-Blood and I felt the same way about Pure but I loved Deity. This book finally got me invested in the story and left me dying for the next book. This is what I would call an unputdownable read. If you’re a fan of the Covenant series and haven’t read this one yet, get on it now!
What are some of your favorite books of 2012? Any of the books on my list make your list too? If you did your own end of year favorites post, feel free to leave a link in the comments and I will check them out!
#2 Insurgent by Veronica Roth
The first book in this trilogy, Divergent, was also on my list of best books from 2011 and I wasn’t sure if this one was going to make it on the list. I was so scared to read this book because I was almost positive it couldn’t live up to the awesomeness of Divergent. Luckily I was wrong. This book definitely avoided the second book syndrome and I adored it. It sets things up perfectly for the final book.
#3 Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Simone Elkeles blurbed this book and from the moment I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book. I adored the romance, the writing, the characters, everything about it. If you’re looking for a steamy romance with characters that you’ll love, this is the book for you.
#4 Mothership by Martin Leicht and Isla Neal
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I mean, teen pregnancy in space? Who thinks of that stuff? However I went into this book with an open mind and I devoured it. I couldn’t stop reading once I started and I can’t count the number of times I burst out laughing while reading. Definitely one of the funniest books I have ever read.
#5 Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I’m sure you’ve probably seen this one on some other bloggers’ best of 2012 lists but it deserves to be on everyone’s list. I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book. Oh and it made me bawl like a baby. Perfect if you need a good cry!
#6 My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
This is probably one of the best contemporary novels that I’ve ever read and that is saying something because I have read quite a few contemporary novels. This was just the right blend of cute yet serious. I found myself laughing a lot while reading this one but I also found myself thinking. I loved the characters, the romance, the friendships, the family dynamics, everything. I will be on the watch for Huntley Fitzpatrick’s next book.
#7 Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
This one came as a huge surprise to me. I am not a fan of werewolf stories normally so I was skeptical with this one. I didn’t really want to read it but people kept recommending it so I gave it a try and boy am I glad I did. I highly recommend this one, even if you’re not a werewolf fan.
#8 Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
This year has turned me into a fantasy fan. In the past I’ve found fantasy books to be rather boring and I stopped reading them for quite some time. I heard about Shadow & Bone and I just couldn’t resist reading it, especially because it had such a gorgeous cover and was blurbed by Veronica Roth. Now I push this book onto all my friends and I’m dying to get my hands on the sequel!
#9 Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
Historical fiction with a hint of fantasy and assassin nuns. Oh and an amazing romance. What more could you possibly want in a book? Also, I’ve read the sequel and it’s just as good.
#10 The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
I’m such a fangirl for Julie Kagawa so of course I was excited about The Immortal Rules. I read my copy as soon as I got it and I was even more impressed with it than I thought I’d be. I loved the Iron Fey series and I was sad to see it end but now I have this even more awesome series to look forward to.
#11 Black City by Elizabeth Richards
I know this one has gotten a lot of mixed reviews but I completely adored it. I was hooked from the very first page, I connected with the characters immediately, and I loved the steamy romance! I think people will either love or hate this book but I am definitely in the love category.
#12 Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I liked Half-Blood and I felt the same way about Pure but I loved Deity. This book finally got me invested in the story and left me dying for the next book. This is what I would call an unputdownable read. If you’re a fan of the Covenant series and haven’t read this one yet, get on it now!
What are some of your favorite books of 2012? Any of the books on my list make your list too? If you did your own end of year favorites post, feel free to leave a link in the comments and I will check them out!