My Top 10 Books of 2012

I find it fitting to go over my top 10 books I read in 2012. I read approx 109 books this last year and this was the top 10 that left me full of emotion. They are in no particular order.

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

This was the first book I read in 2012 and it spurred my need to read as much as possible. A dystopian novel set in Chicago, Tris deals with what normal teens deal with, training to deal with danger, ect. I loved the world in this book and thought it was very well developed. I loved how Tris grows through this book, taking the leap (no pun intended) to do something different. I swooned over Four and how he helps Tris. I was literally hot and heavy over these two. I highly feel that this will be the next Hunger Games craze and can't wait for the movie to come out in 2014!!

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This book was recommended by a friend, and then I also saw it highlighted on a blog I followed. This series has been around for awhile and follows Claire as she time travels back into time to 1745 Scotland. I generally don't like historical fiction, even though I have a degree in History, but I loved this book. Looking for a detailed filled series with a couple that not only tests fate but time?? Look no further. 

3. A Discovery of Witches- Deborah Harkness

This is one of my top 3 books of the year. Harkness is a history professor who wrote a novel! I was in heaven! This story deals with vampires, witches, and demons but instead of usually in the YA world it was  written with adults as the main focus. I loved that, I loved the history behind it and I loved the authentic feeling of it, how you sit and questions that maybe these creatures do lurk behind the pages of history. The story of of Matthew and Diana is heartfelt and I loved some scenes as Diana deals with the many secrets Matthew has. I am anxiously waiting for the third installment of this series! 

4. The Girl of Fire and Thrones/ The Crown of Ember- Rae Carson

This was my first time reading high fantasy and at first I wasn't sure what I was reading but all I knew was that I couldn't stop. I was completely enthralled in what I was reading, it was different from anything else I had read. I put both of these books because together they created a vigorous story that kept you guessing. Usually in these stories, there is a love story and by 1/4 of the book in you can guess the two main characters. Not in this book. Carson, I think, breaks a lot of rules when it came to the love story in this and by the time you realize who the love interest who think, well duh it should that is perfect! Overall I say read this, it was a great book! 

5. The Evolution of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

This is actually the second book in this series. The first is the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I had read it last spring, liked it well enough but quickly forgot about it. I noticed that this book came out and I was like well I am already invested in this story, might as well. By the end of this book my mind was blown! In this book you question everything, you see relationships deepen, and the ending. Man oh man, it was epic. I LOVED this book and also would put it in my top 3 of the year. The best part was as I stalked looked at the authors webpage I came across this little gem. Again making you question everything... 

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Unbecoming-of-Mara-Dyer/Michelle-Hodkin/9781442421769/behind_the_book

6. Slammed by Colleen Hoover

I added this book my to to read list on Goodreads last Feb or March, but kinda ignored it as I was in a dystopian/fantasy stage and wasn't really wanting to delve into contemporary. So it sat on my list until the beginning of December until I finally got around to it. I was blown away! I might go as far as saying this is my TOP book this year. The story between Laken and Will is tender, sweet, forbidden, and perfect. These two go through so much but deal with it as mature adults. Hoover has a way with writing when it comes to sorrow. She is good at writing about the crap of life but also good at finding the good in it. The addition of Slam Poetry and the Avett Brothers? Perfection. If you only read one book this year from this list. READ THIS ONE. 

7. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

John Green is one of my favorite authors. At the young age of 16 as an angsty teen I read Looking for Alaska. For me that book was life changing and little did I know how much that book would, in a way, prepare me for some of life's harsher lessons. It seemed only full circle that I would read this book. I have dealt with cancer in my family, and have lost a best friend to it at the age of 18. I was a bit timid of starting this book, not sure if I could deal with the subject but with John Green's witty writing and no nonsense style, I quickly fell in love with this book. This book was about living, dealing with whatever is thrown at us and how to do with the best capability we have. To find the humor and joy where it is available  This book was simply amazing. 

8. The Convent Series- Jennifer L. Armentrout

This series follows Alex, a young women, as she fights fate and demons. I loved this series. Many on Goodreads compared it to the Vampire Academy series (which I read and loved) and in the beginning, Yes I could see the similarities but as the series progressed it become so much more. The third book and the novella in-between shows one of the most tender and heartwarming relationships between Aidan and Alex and I think that was why I loved this series so much. My heart felt what these characters felt as they dealt with what seems to be impossible situations. 

9. The Premonition Series- Amy A. Bartol 

This series follows Evie, a college age girl as she discovers secrets about herself. This series is a complex web of connections and relationships. This book has more than a love triangle, its more like a love Polygon. It is safe to say that it is pretty complicated when the least of Evies worries is her soul mate. What I loved about this book was how the first time I feel for the bad guy. I was Team Brennus in this series, rather then Reed. Crazy I know but I am over Reed. This series also exemplifies the writing style of Bartol and I have enjoyed to see her writing grow in this series. 

10. The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern

What I loved with this book was the world around it. While at times the plot was somewhat confusing, the imagry was amazing. I was lost in this world that Morgenstern creates and felt for these characters. 

Honorable Mentions:

The Signifance Series- Shelly Crane: I loved the family in these books plus the playlists rocked that were added to each book :) 

The Lux Series- Jennifer L. Armentrout: Hot Aliens?? Don't mind if I do. 

Hopeless- Colleen Hoover: This story was amazing and I loved the ending, loved how it all came together

The Sea of Tranquility- Katja Millay: A girl who doesn't speak and A boy who works with wood. Together they have a beautiful story.