My Favourite Reads of 2011

With 2011 coming to a close, I thought that it would be a good time to reflect on the books I read this past year. I'm happy to have met my reading goal of 60 books on Goodreads; I no longer need to stress about the message telling me I'm 2% behind. I read incredible books this past year. 

Books that made me laugh, and cry, books I wish I could live inside. Here's my list in no particular order:

Oh how I love this book. I want to be a character inside. I've read it 4 times already and I know it will be one that I read over and over and over again.

Divergent was all I hoped it would be and much much more. As fast paced as The Hunger Games, it lived up to the hype and quickly became one of my favourites to recommend.

Just perfection.

Delirium swept me away. The story line, the characters and Lauren Oliver's incredible ability to turn a phrase into something beautiful and memorable.

I credit reading this one with the blogosphere completely. I wouldn't have picked it up without the recommendations of 3 blogs I regularly visit. Without it I would have missed out on the fabulous Jessica and even fabulouser (is that a word?) Marcus.

Neal Shusterman is a genius and never ever disappoints me. 

Unwind was deeply disturbing and wonderful and heart-wrenching.

Liesl and Po was a beautiful exceptional read.

Ok, so not a literary read but definitely adult escapism at its best. I read through the series in a week. 

Le sigh.... Bones.

Classic coming of age story. So many wonderful moments in this one. I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

I picked up Chime because Gayle Forman highly praised it and she was right. I related to Briony in many ways. Dark, magical and reads differently than so many books out there.

My favourite genre done exceptionally well + Adam ( my new book boyfriend) = amazing read

One of my first reads of 2011, was also one of my favourites.

There you have it, my top 12 for 2011. I can not wait for what 2012 has in store. 

Holiday Time

12 days til Christmas! It's hard to believe how fast the time is going. I've decided to take some much needed time, and will be going on a short blogger hiatus until after Christmas. One of my goals in life is to learn when I am taking on too much and need to take a breather. This is one of those times, -I need to get caught up on reading, and relaxing and spending time with the family.

Thank you to everyone who supports me and Lost in the Library. I truly love this community.

Have a Wonderful Christmas! I hope you get all you wish for and more.

Waiting to Read- Dec 7th

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each week we post about the books we're anxiously awaiting...

My Pick:

To be Published- January 2012

Summary-

Emily Webb thought life would return to normal after the death of the man who attacked her and her fellow “Deviants.” Or as normal as it could be, after discovering that she has nighttime superpowers . . . and she’s a werewolf. But when Emily awakes one night to find an otherworldy Shadowman watching her, she knows the danger has only just begun.

So Emily and her pack-mates set out to find the people who made them what they are, and why. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize they aren’t the only ones in town with special powers: The most popular girls in school might just have a secret of their own–and they might just have it out for Emily.

With shadowy beings stalking them, a mysterious company doing all it can to keep the truth hidden, and the secrecy of her new identity in jeopardy, life threatens to spiral out of control for Emily. Soon these dangers will come together in one terrifying confrontation that may force her to make the toughest choice of her life . . . so far.
 
I am so excited about this sequel, and I just LOVE this cover too.
 
What are you waiting for?

Book Review: The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle (guest post)

Published by HarperTeen September 2011

Reviewed from ARC provided by the Publisher

Summary

Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Today's Review is a guest post by a great friend and co-worker of mine- Jessie.

Thanks Jess!!

Jennifer Castle’s The Beginning of After, is a coming of age story about a girl dealing with the tragic deaths of her parents and younger brother.  As Laurel, the main character, tries to deal with her grief and piece her life back together, she is drawn to the son of the man who was responsible for her losing her family. David is the typical bad boy who is trying to cope with his own pain and does not care who he hurts in the process. Eventually Laurel will have to decide whether she should let herself fall for David or if she should pick Joe, the sweet nice guy. 

 Slow moving but emotionally filled. This book will require Kleenex. Castle very accurately portrays a strong individual going through the grieving process and getting on with their life.  I think anyone who has ever lost someone close to them will identify with this book. Her characters and settings were not very detailed but it perhaps allows more people to relate easier to the story. I was hoping for more in terms of plot and ending but it was still a good read. I think it would have also been great to have David’s perspective.  Overall, I think this is a great book to recommend to anyone who feels a little sad, down on their luck or who has lost someone special.

In My Mailbox Dec 4th

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. 

Each week we are invited to post about the books we received via mail, store, library or friend.

Last week was such an epic week I decided to post in 2 parts. This is Part two.

From my Harper Book Fairies:

Thank you soooo much!

From Raincoast:

What was in your mailbox?