Monday 31 December 2012

Top 12 Books of 2012

Where has time flown. Another year has gone by. 

Here is my list of the top 12 books that I have read from 2012 linked to reviews if they are available. Some of the books were originally rated 4.5 stars. Those are initial ratings. Sometimes 4.5 books can still leave a lasting impression. These are the 12 books that left a lasting impression.

12
 Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1) by Caragh O'Brien
 
11
 Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire 
Goodreads
 
10
The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
9

Hushed by Kelly York   

8
 Black Dawn (Morganville Vampire #12) by Rachel Caine
7

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

6

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
Goodreads
- Review
 
5
A Millions Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
Goodreads
4
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
 Goodreads
- Review
 
3
 The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith   
 
2
City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Insruments #5) by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads - Review

And for the best book that I read this year, although only by a ever so slight margin over number 2.

1
Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
Goodreads - Review

Becky

Saturday 29 December 2012

Stacking the Shelves #24: Xmas Edition

Meme Hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Woo! It is that time of the year again which means gifts and not a lot of time for blogging. Busy busy busy.

Ok so here are the books I received for Xmas.

Xmas Gifts






  • If I Lie by Corrine Jackson *Goodreads*
  • Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble *Goodreads*
  • Witch Eyes (Witch Eyes #1) by Scott Tracey *Goodreads*
  • Rift (Nightshade Prequel #1) by Andrea Cremer *Goodreads*
  • Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh *Goodreads*
  • Promised (Birthmarked #1) by Caragh O' Brien *Goodreads*
  • Inside Nature's Giants by David Dugan *Goodreads*

Ok normally I do not get non-fiction books but I loved the documentary. Inside Nature's Giants is probably my favourite biology documentary. That is saying something as I have seen many.

I rest of the books are ones I asked for so no surprises there. Normally I react bizarrely to surprise book presents. I normally think "ooh this looks interesting. I will probably read this." and very rarely do. My list is long enough. So I kindly ask for none surprise books gifts. If someone desperately wants to give me a book gift (I have never met such a person), I would provide them with a list. I no, I no odd. But I am an odd person.

I hope everyone had a great holiday (which ever you celebrate) and a happy new year. Bring on 2013 and the great books to come.


Becky

Saturday 22 December 2012

Stacking the Shelves #23

Meme Hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Again just a week of books for review. No book buying for me until after christmas. Not long to go now.

For Review

Pieces (Breakaway #2) by Michelle Davidson Argyle

I enjoyed Breakaway and I am looking to seeing how this series continues. Especially when I didn't realise there was going to be a sequel when I finished Breakaway.


Becky

Thursday 20 December 2012

Book Excerpt: His Black Wings by Astrid Yrigollen

Title: His Black Wings
Author: Astrid Yrigollen
Publisher: Astrid Yrigollen
Release Date: November 2012

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com

Claren Maidstone has been forced to flee her childhood home after the death of her parents and a vicious assault from a sadistic young man who intends to marry her. Claren changes her identity and finds employment as an assistant to the handsome Fredrick Lowood, a generous yet mysterious benefactor. However, she soon finds out his generosity comes at a price. Fredrick wishes for Claren to befriend his disfigured son who resides in seclusion at their estate, Westwind.
Fredrick Lowood knows what the history books do not teach, that the Grand Council built this new world of peace and beauty on hidden blood and greed. He has plotted for years to bring down the family that enslaved his own people. Suddenly, he has the last living heir in his grasp.
Etrigan Lowood rejects the world that forces him to hide. He is powerful, plagued with a terrible dark beauty: WINGS. It is these wings that carry him out only at night to watch the unwanted intruder in his home. A creature of refined instinct yet little social grace, he is strangely captivated by Claren but knows nothing of how her family’s dark past is intertwined with his own . Through their blossoming friendship, Etrigan realizes he still retains his human heart and yearns for Claren’s love.
Kurten Wandsworth is the only son of the Mayor of St.Marhen. Kurten lives his life fueled by cruelty and lust. Whatever he wants he takes and he wants Claren to be his wife even it if kills her. Scarred by Claren he hunts her down mercilessly until he can set a trap which she will never be able to escape from.
Excerpt

I didn’t know what to say, so I sat there stupidly. He grinned at me from behind white teeth. His ice blue eyes held a coldness and judgment I had not seen before. My heart fluttered and felt like a huge fish was rolling over in my breast. “Well?” He said as he traced the outline of my knee through my heavy skirt with his slender, white finger. “What is your wish, Claren?” My heart, upon hearing him use my real name beat harder. I felt the adrenaline push itself through my veins. He seemed to be aware of it, and licked his lips quickly. “I don t know what is it you ask Sir.” I stammered, my own voice sounding as a child’s would when confronted with some wrong doing. He had used my real name. Was it safe to assume he knew who I really was? He stopped smiling and cocked his head to one side, contemplating me. “But you do Claren, you know very well what I want, what you want.” How did it ever come to this? I thought franticly. What was I going to do, now that he knew who I was? He seemed to read my thoughts in my eyes because he answered my question without it ever being posed. "What will I do indeed? What can I do is the question, Claren. Here we are on a train, bound for the quaint countryside. No alarm has been raised, no Porter is valiantly trying to fight for your honor or to even help and cover your embarrassment, your lies. Thus, it shall remain so. At least, until we arrive at our destination." “Then what?” I questioned quietly. I am resolved to die, but not without a fight. He knows this. That is why he will not attempt to take me here, on a train full of people. My question hangs in the air between us, like a solid thing. He still has not answered as the whistle of our train shrieks into the wind, we race into the tunnel, blackness engulfing our private car.

Author Info



Astrid started her writing career when she begun work for the international video game giant, Sega of America. Working her way up the ranks, she began writing companion guides for games. With a love for writing fiction since childhood, she took her short stories out of storage and had her first story ever written published. It was only after that she found out that first stories are never published!
She has resumed writing full time and has succeeded in putting out the titles, TheDoughnut Tree, Mysterious Pootkins , and The Mosswoods to name a few. Her short stories have appeared in the literary Threshold Press␣ and Shock and Awe Magazine.
She finds writing for young adults both refreshing and challenging. She always wishes to provide examples of positive role models, conflict resolving methods and communication for young adults with their parents or guardians.
Links
Website
Twitter
Facebook


Becky 

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #22

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read.

Title: The Elite (The Selection #2)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: 23rd April 2012

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.
The Elite is another book that I am really looking forward to. I loved The Selection and I want to see how the series continues. This is another book that I will probably buy the American edition. I don't want to wait until June.


Becky