STARTERS

Ten Books I can’t get enough of in 2012

I’ve been asked by one of my lovely blog friends for a list of books that I’ve read (and recommend) so far this year. Well, I aim to please – so here’s ten of my favorite reads of 2012. I’m sure this list will continue to expand and grow with all the terrific books coming out the second half of the year.

(Please note some of the books aren’t new releases, they’re just books I’ve read since January and adore! Also, they’re listed in no particular order.)

THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS – Rae Carson

I’ll admit to being hesitant at first, since I’m not normally a fan of high fantasy – but this book took me by surprise in the best way. I LOVED it.

FRACTURE – Megan Miranda

This was a fun, fast paced thriller and I can’t recommend it enough. I definitely didn’t see this ending coming, and I’d reread it again in a heartbeat.

FEVER – Lauren Destefano

I know I raved about WITHER in my best books of 2011 and FEVER did not disappoint. It’s amazing. And I’m not just saying that because she’s my agent sister. I can’t WAIT to get my grubby little hands on SEVER, the final book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

CINDER – Marissa Meyer

Again, this was something I was worried might not be my thing – but I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I devoured it in one sitting and am anxiously awaiting the next book. Get yourself a copy of this and be amazed by the excellently told story of Cinder.

UNDER THE NEVER SKY – Veronica Rossi

Oh my gosh, where to start? I could gush forever and a day about how much I loved this book. It might be one of my ALL-TIME favorites. Just sayin’.

THE WAKE TRILOGY – Lisa McMann

I started with the first book (WAKE) and immediately bought the second two (FADE and GONE). This is a fast read filled with lots of twists and memorable characters.

TIMEPIECE – Myra McEntire

I just finished this book two days ago and I love it. The ending will make you scream for book three. Thank goodness there’s a continuation because I’m not ready to let go of these characters just yet. If you haven’t read the first book HOURGLASS, do so immediately!!!

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT – Jennifer E. Smith

I was skeptical that this might be too slow (or too fast) paced because it takes place over 24 hours, but (once again) I was dead wrong. This was definitely a fun read.

STARTERS – Lissa Price

I can’t even begin to describe how awesome this was, if you haven’t gotten a copy yet – drop everything you’re doing and run to your local bookstore. Lissa is another one of my agent sisters, but I’d devour it even if she wasn’t. (What can I say? My agent has fabulous taste :)) If you liked the HUNGER GAMES, you’ll love it. SO GOOD.

EVERNEATH – Brodi Ashton

This is a book GoodReads recommended I try and I’m super glad I did. It’s one of the best mythology retellings I’ve read. It’s fresh and clever and I could go one for days. LOVED IT.

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That was hard picking just ten! There are soooooo many other great books I’ve read recently. (One of them being UNRAVELING by Elizabeth Norris, and INSURGENT by Veronica Roth.) If you’d like to see what else I’ve been reading (and suggest your favorite reads to me) friend me on GoodReads by clicking here.

STARTERS: Survival is just the beginning…

I know a bunch of you LURVED the HUNGER GAMES (as much as I did) so I’m sharing a book that’s getting some great buzz. Word on the street is, Lissa Price has created something REALLY special with her YA futuristic thriller debut, STARTERS.

The tagline alone makes me salivate like a rabid animal. God HELP the UPS man if I don’t have it by Tuesday morning. Speaking of that…it’s coming out TOMORROW!!! Wheee! You should grab a copy and read it with me, then we can make tea, and braid each others hair, and everything.

Here’s the book blurb to whet your appetite:

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie’s only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie’s head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator’s grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations’ plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined.

Video credit: RandomBooks Youtube Channel