Here we are, once again at the end of the year (and, of course, because I was in charge of this post and I have been such a failure at updating this year, it is going up late. 2013 resolution: be a better blogger, Kate!). Anyway, once again (only this time after the actual new year), it is time to do as we have done in 2010 and 2011 and talk about this year in books. You know, so that we aren’t the only blog that doesn’t (I’m pretty sure Caitlin would have beat me up if I didn’t get this up at some point reasonably close to the end of the year).
We’ve applied the same rules as always. We must have read the book in 2012, but it can have come out BEFORE 2012. Forthcoming titles from 2013 are not allowed…except in the question that we added so that we could mention them (we are nothing if not cheaters).
We would, as always, love to hear your answers to the questions in the comments!
1. Favorite Book of 2012
Kate: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (only because I didn’t want to put Melina Marchetta’s Quintana of Charyn as my answer to every question, though this was a neck and neck race in my brain).
Caitlin: Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta
Christine: Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta
2. Book (from 2012) you wish more people would read?
Kate: The FitzOsbornes at War by Michelle Cooper
Caitlin: The Immortal Beloved series by Cate Tiernan. There was a brief moment when I thought Eternally Yours might be my favourite book of 2012 but as much as I love it, it just doesn’t have the epic complexity yet simplicity of spirit that Quintana does. It’s still fabulous and one of my favourites though. (Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Breenan come in close seconds).
Christine: The Immortal Beloved series by Cate Tiernan (especially since it’s complete!)
3. Favorite Cover
Kate: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
Caitlin: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Christine: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
4. Favorite Tearjerker (feel free to describe the moment that made you cry, in an unspoilery way)
Kate: Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta, because I can’t even.
Caitlin: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. “Kiss me Hardy. Kiss me quick.” I cry whenever I think about it. I may be crying right now.
Christine: Every Day by David Levithan – Oh, god, the ending. THE ENDING. *sobs*
5. Favorite series conclusion?
Kate: Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta
Caitlin: Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan (with Quintana of Charyn as a close second)
Christine:Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta (with Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan as a close second
6. Favorite series opener?
Kate: Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Caitlin: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Christine: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
7. Favorite continuation?
Kate: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Caitlin: Crown of Embers by Rae Carson (though Richelle Mead’s The Golden Lily was really, really good too)
Christine: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
8. Favorite Comedy?
Kate: Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl (Not a true comedy, I know, but it was the most fun book I read)
Caitlin: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Christine: Enchanted by Aletha Kontis
9. Favorite male lead?
Kate: Cassel Sharpe, Black Cat by Holly Black (though Froi is basically my favorite ever, so it’s almost a tie)
Caitlin: Reyn, Eternally Yours, Cate Tiernan. It would be Lucien from Quintana but I don’t think he counts as a lead.
Christine: Froi, Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta)
10. Favorite female lead?
Kate: Lucy Dervish, Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Caitlin: I’m going to go with Verity from Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. I loved her ability to be funny and sarcastic and strong while basically being in the worst possible position a human being can ever be in. (Also this means I don’t have to choose between Sydney, Aria, Elisa, Cinder, and Katy. Who are all equally awesome.)
Christine: Sydney, The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
11. Favorite Debut author.
Kate: Veronica Rossi, Under the Never Sky
Caitlin: Marissa Meyer, Cinder. This has more to do with how awesome she is in person and on twitter and just her overall presence as a debut author. She’s just so classy and fun and un-ashamed of her fan fiction beginnings. I just like her.
Christine: Veronica Rossi, Under the Never Sky
12. What book are you most looking forward to in 2013?
Kate: Like last year (and basically every year), I cannot possibly limit this to one (especially as so many interesting books are coming out next year!). I went through my goodreads list and somehow still ended up with about fifteen books. However, narrowed down, my list is thus: Series Conclusion – Divergent 3 by Veronica Roth (honorable mention: Gallagher Girls 6 by Ally Carter); Series Continuation: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi and Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris; New Series: Antigoddess by Kendar Blake; Standalone: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black and Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff.
Caitlin: If I had to choose a specific book I guess it would be The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead, but I’m more excited to see what some of my favourite authors are going to be starting in 2013 now that their series’ are finished. Like Cate Tiernan and Michelle Zink.
Christine: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
13.Favorite ARC slated for 2012?
Kate: Prodigy by Marie Lu (I apparently only read one, but luckily I liked it!)
Caitlin: I’ve actually read quite a few but I think my favourite has been…The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson. And I need more people to read it so we can all talk about the ending and what’s going to happen next.
Christine: I’ve only read one so far, and it was very intense. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch.
14. Least Favorite Book
Kate: Underworld by Meg Cabot, and I’m dying a little inside having to pick this book but it was just a mess for me.
Caitlin: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington. It just had so much potential without the creepy mind-rape and emotional abuse.
Christine: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick – I’m going to get such hate for picking this, but I really cannot get into Selznick’s stories. Sorry.
15. Biggest Disappointment
Kate: This is actually the hardest question for me, as I was disappointed in more books this year than last year. I think I’ll have to go with Black City by Elizabeth Richards, because I really expected to like that book. Also in contention was Pandaemonium by Lauren Oliver, but I didn’t think it would be fair since I didn’t really like Delirium all that well so I can’t be disappointed in something I didn’t expect to like.
Caitlin: Venom by Fiona Paul. It’s so pretty looking and I loved the setting. But the story…and the characters just let me down.
Christine: Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel. After LOVING the gothic feel and alchemist ways in the first book, I felt like the follow-up was a complete 180. Gone was much of the thrilling moments, until near the end, and also gone was the all the alchemy.
16. Most pleasant Surprise
Kate: Cinder by Marissa Meyer (and also probably Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor which I liked a lot despite not really being all that into Daughter of Smoke and Bone).
Caitlin: Rift by Andrea Cremer. After feeling kind of “meh” about her Nightshade books I did not expect to really like this one at all. But I freaking LOVED it!!! Cannot wait for Rise.
Christine: The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors – I was not expecting a story that actually made me care about the characters and one I really got into after reading the silly blurb on the back of the book.
At some point, when the stars align and so do our schedules, we’ll be podcasting about our year in review as well because we needed a vehicle to talk about all the many close calls and all the great books we read this year.
Next year is going to be pretty epic when it comes to books, so get ready people! Champagne wishes, caviar dreams, and all the books you can read!