Now, this isn't necessarily a list of books that were written in 2012; this is a list of books that I read in 2012 =D I try to read a book a week and then post a review of it on Wednesdays as Book Blurt. Even though I've done a much better job of that this year, I still only read 38 books this year. Of that 38, I've selected 9 books that I thought stuck out from the rest (plus 1 book's review that has been read more than any other this year). As I just can't decide which books are better than others, I'm going to put them in chronological order of when I read them.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 1/18/12
"While Asher does a good job explaining that we can never
know how our small actions will negatively or positively affect others, he also
writes that Hannah ultimately chose to give up on herself."
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 2/8/12
"It all started when Junior threw a dilapidated textbook at his math teacher's head. His teacher could have been furious, but instead, he was truthful. 'Junior,' he said, 'unless you get off of the rez, you are going to wind up like every other Indian here; drunk, hopeless, and going nowhere. But, if you get out of here, you could be someone.'"
"Ultimately, we get an interesting look at how trying to avoid hurt by
not caring might actually hurt more than pouring your life into someone
else"
Divergent by Veronica Roth 3/28/12
"Veronica is only 22 years old and this is her debut novel, but it is amazing! She does a great job imagining a world where society members are split by personality, and how focusing on one virtue can mess us up instead of help us"
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 4/11/12
"But, this is my take on it: Suzanne was just being true to the world that she created. From the very first chapter of The Hunger Games, Suzanne created a dangerous, violent, unfair and chaotic world, and when the stakes went up, these things took their affect as well; with disastrous consequences"
Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers 5/2/12
"I really, really liked this book! It wasn't what I was expecting at all, and it was pleasantly awesome. While the book is written from the perspective of the author (the author in the story, not the perspective of Aidan Chambers, but it might be some of that as well), we never find out the author's name because the book is really about Karl. The author slowly learns more about himself and Karl throughout the book, and the discoveries are hopeful, encouraging, and very truthful"
The Maze Runner by James Dashner 9/12/12
"Like many Dystopian books, the characters inhabit a dangerous world, full of high-stake choices and situations, where one false move could get you dead. This excitement is coupled with the mystery, right up until the book ends, leaving you begging for the second one, The Scorch Trials. That is what happened with me anyway hehe."
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga 9/26/12
"This book dragged me in and wouldn't let me go. Lyga does an excellent job showing two troubled characters who might have problems with each other, but still find comfort in each other's presence and direction. Ultimately, Donnie finds that he isn't as alone as he once thought, and if you want to find out more about Kyra, you can read my post next week about Goth Girl Rising."
Every Day by David Levithan 11/7/12
"This book was just ridiculously readable. All of the every day events could happen in someone's life, but through it all you know it isn't normal because A is experiencing these things for people, and this gives the book a unique voice and perspective. While the world events seem commonplace, the way they combine to complicate A's life is really fascinating."
BONUS (The most read Book Blurt of the Year)
Lost and Found by Anne Schraff
"The simple writing style just tells you how things are, and even though the conflict is real, it isn’t traumatizing to read. Ultimately, I think it reads like a sitcom. The story takes us through problems that need to be dealt with, lessons that need to be learned, but everyone winds up happy at the end"
Divergent by Veronica Roth 3/28/12
"Veronica is only 22 years old and this is her debut novel, but it is amazing! She does a great job imagining a world where society members are split by personality, and how focusing on one virtue can mess us up instead of help us"
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 4/11/12"But, this is my take on it: Suzanne was just being true to the world that she created. From the very first chapter of The Hunger Games, Suzanne created a dangerous, violent, unfair and chaotic world, and when the stakes went up, these things took their affect as well; with disastrous consequences"
Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers 5/2/12
"I really, really liked this book! It wasn't what I was expecting at all, and it was pleasantly awesome. While the book is written from the perspective of the author (the author in the story, not the perspective of Aidan Chambers, but it might be some of that as well), we never find out the author's name because the book is really about Karl. The author slowly learns more about himself and Karl throughout the book, and the discoveries are hopeful, encouraging, and very truthful"
The Maze Runner by James Dashner 9/12/12"Like many Dystopian books, the characters inhabit a dangerous world, full of high-stake choices and situations, where one false move could get you dead. This excitement is coupled with the mystery, right up until the book ends, leaving you begging for the second one, The Scorch Trials. That is what happened with me anyway hehe."
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga 9/26/12
"This book dragged me in and wouldn't let me go. Lyga does an excellent job showing two troubled characters who might have problems with each other, but still find comfort in each other's presence and direction. Ultimately, Donnie finds that he isn't as alone as he once thought, and if you want to find out more about Kyra, you can read my post next week about Goth Girl Rising."
Every Day by David Levithan 11/7/12"This book was just ridiculously readable. All of the every day events could happen in someone's life, but through it all you know it isn't normal because A is experiencing these things for people, and this gives the book a unique voice and perspective. While the world events seem commonplace, the way they combine to complicate A's life is really fascinating."
BONUS (The most read Book Blurt of the Year)
Lost and Found by Anne Schraff
"The simple writing style just tells you how things are, and even though the conflict is real, it isn’t traumatizing to read. Ultimately, I think it reads like a sitcom. The story takes us through problems that need to be dealt with, lessons that need to be learned, but everyone winds up happy at the end"
