Favorite Books of 2011

Today's the last day of 2011! I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Tonight my plans to ring in the New Year are simple. I'll be hanging out at home with my favorite people: my husband, two daughters, and my son. We'll stay up late, eat yummy food, be silly, take a little time to be grateful for our wonderful lives, and watch the ball drop together. I hope that whatever plans you have for tonight you have fun and stay safe.

This year I set a goal for myself to read 98 books and on goodreads my challenge says I have read 108. I actually read a few more than that, some of them yet to be published so they weren't on goodreads. I was pretty amazed when I hit my goal back in October. Out of those 108 books some of them made me laugh, cry, tense up with suspense, and some of them outraged me (my family can attest to that last one).

In no particular order here are my favorite young adult books of 2011!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

 Going Underground by Susan Vaught

Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Red by Kait Nolan


The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

Boyfriend From Hell by E.Van Lowe

Earth Angel by E.Van Lowe

Want to Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman

Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Darwin's Children by Natasha Larry

Unnatural Law (Darwin's Children bk. 2) by Natasha Larry

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Crossroads and Between by Mary Ting

and of course I am still loving the Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine


WOW! That's a lot of books. Maybe that's why I was able to read over 100 books this year, because I read so many awesome books! I'm dying to know if you liked any of the same books that I liked. Drop me a comment with a few of your favorites this year or leave me a link to your favorites of 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!!!!

Neurotic Thoughts on Red by Kait Nolan

Red 
Author: Kait Nolan
Released: August 14, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 229 according to my nook
Publisher: Kait Nolan
ISBN: 0013134159
Source: I received this book from Kait Nolan for an honest review.
Summary from Goodreads:

Every fairy tale has a dark side...

Elodie Rose has a secret. Any day, she'll become a wolf and succumb to the violence that's cursed her family for centuries. For seventeen years she's hidden who and what she is. But now someone knows the truth and is determined to exterminate her family line. Living on borrowed time in the midst of this dangerous game of hide and seek, the last thing Elodie needs to do is fall in love. But Sawyer is determined to protect her, and the brooding, angry boy is more than what he seems. Can they outsmart a madman? And if they survive, will they find a way to beat the curse for good?

 Love notes: 

• Elodie is a strong, stubborn character. To "do the right thing" she is willing to die for those that she cares about.
• Sawyer's character is so interesting and complex. He has this desire to protect Elodie without realizing why. 
• The chemistry between Sawyer and Elodie is pretty instant, but the relationship takes a little while to build.
• I really loved the slight bend on Little Red Riding Hood. Very cool without taking over the entire story line.
• It was fun reading a story about a girl that could completely survive on her own in the wilderness if she had to.
• Kait Nolan's fast pace and easy style of writing  is addictive. I didn't want to stop turning the pages.
• The mystery element was wonderful. I think at one time I thought I had figured it out only to second guess myself.
• A great book with a sweet romance and no love triangle.
• There are a few really great emotional moments.
• The suspense at a few points is really amazing. I was gripping my ereader so hard I'm glad I didn't crack it.  
• The cover is really beautiful.

Random thoughts and observations:

• Sometimes it bothered me how quick Elodie would be to think that her death was the way out of her situation.
• Sawyer has some major mood swings! Justified, maybe, but still not one of my favorite qualities in a guy. Luckily, he learns to control his out of control anger.
• I never really had a good feeling about Elodie's dad. He really rubbed me the wrong way.
• Amber! Oh, what a bitch! She has absolutely no redeeming qualities. This isn't a complaint just an observation that I wanted to throw out there.

Initial Reaction:
After finishing this book my first thought was I loved this book! Next, I had to text my daughter to inform her that she MUST read this book. I have a feeling this will make it to my favorites of 2011 book list. A definite read for lovers of paranormal romance!

Readers Beware:
For parents worried about sexual scenes, they are mild and Sawyer works very hard to remain a gentleman. There is some violence there is a madman on the loose after all.

Teaser Tuesday (9/26/2011) Red by Kait Nolan

Red 
Author: Kait Nolan
Teaser from page 10:


Closing my hand around the hilt, I could feel the pattern carved into the bone handle where it pressed against my sweaty palm. A howling wolf. The irony. I was sure Dad would never have bought it if he'd known what I was.



Add Red to your to be read list here.

Miz B hosts Teaser Tuesday every week, check her out for the official rules.  I never seem to be able to stick to the rule about only 2 sentences.

I love reading teasers so let me know where I can view yours in the comments.

In My Mailbox (8/21/2011) Mail Time!

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. This week I received some great books that I've been drooling after for a while.

This week I received some great looking books for review.

Filter (The Von Strassenberg Saga Bk.1)

by: Gwenn Wright

Fate Book 1 of The Timeless Trilogy

by: Tallulah Grace

Red

by: Kait Nolan

Traded on Paperbackswap.com

Light Beneath Ferns

by: Anne Spollen

Thanks this week to Kait Nolan, Tallulah Grace and Gwenn Wright.