Favorite Books of 2012

2012 was yet another great year for books. I read several books that I plan on re-reading and re-reading. Five of the books on my favorites list I've since given to other people. Interestingly, most of the books that topped my list this year I read during the first six months of the year. Probably because I spent quite a bit of time re-reading the Harry Potter and Vampire Academy series the last half of 2012. Many of my top books of 2012 are the beginnings of series. I can't wait to read more! Here's to 2013!

Top Ten Young Adult Books of 2012:

**There's a tie for #1. The False Prince wins for the book I most enjoyed. The Fault In Our Stars wins for best writing.

1. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Sage is plucked from an orphanage and becomes a candidate to impersonate a prince. An entertaining, hilarious, seat of your pants read for all ages. In a world crowded with fantasy adventure series, The False Prince stands out for its fabulous dialogue, enchanting protagonist, and well developed plot.

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel is 16 years old and in a waiting pattern to die from terminal cancer. She meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor, and her world turns around. An exceptional book. It's a book you read to fall in love, to learn, and to grow. Every line is quotable. The kind of book that only gets better once you've finished it.

3. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

A WWII book like you've never read. "Queenie" is a young British spy who's been captured by the Germans. She chooses to collaborate and reveal her secrets to stop the torture. Or does she? We learn the story from "Queenie" and her best friend Maddie's point of view. Heartbreaking. My love for the book has only grown in the six months since I've read it.

4. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue sees a premonition involving a boy she's never met - "Either you're his true love...or you killed him." Meanwhile, four private school boys are on a journey to discover Glendower, an ancient Welsh king supposed to be buried near their Virginia school. This is a slow-burning epic fantasy. It takes a while to get into, but once things click, you're hooked. The writing and depth of the plot are stunning.

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

It took me a long time to read the book that everyone has been raving about for the last few years. Why did I wait so long? I can't remember now. An incredible adventure story. Better, I think, than Hunger Games. Well drawn characters, great romance, an enticingly dark plot, page turning thrills. A clear exception to my distaste for dystopia.

6. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Assassin nuns! Ismae is a new sister at the convent of St. Mortain where the nuns assist the god of death. Ismae is tasked with possibly assassinating a high political official in the Brittany court, but she'll have to get past handsome, smart Duval first. This book has something for everyone: romance, humor, girl power, action, politics, history and more.

7. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Hadley and Oliver meet on a flight from New York to London and have an immediate connection. A magical story. It may only be 250 pages and take place over 24 hours, but by the end of the story, it feels like Hadley and Oliver have known each other forever and you've been following their lives for years. A book that will put a smile on your face.

8. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Another fabulous epic fantasy. A must read for any dragon lover as well as for people who simply love a good story. Seraphina is half dragon/half human. She must hide her identity from both dragons and humans who would never accept a half-breed. Hiding becomes more difficult when she goes to work for the royal family and gets drawn into a murder investigation. Not to mention catching the eye of Prince Kiggs. Both an adventure and a coming of age story. Rich characters and fabulous world building.

9. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is a cyborg: a second class citizen in public and within her own family. Until she catches the attention of Prince Kai... A fast moving sci-fi/fantasy/dystopia for the non-sci-fi fan. Cinder features a strong main character who may like having a handsome prince but definitely doesn't need one. Plus it goes far beyond the traditional Cinderalla story. A great debut.

10. From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

Probably the funniest book I read all year. I stayed up until 1 AM to finish this book with tears of laughter rolling down my eyes. Good girl Kylie ends up leading handsome, snobby pretty-boy Max on an insane trip to Mexico to go after a stolen laptop. Soon enough, Max's girlfriend Lily and Kylie's best friend Will try to pick up the pieces (or kill Max and Kylie, depending on the emotion of the moment). Told from multiple perspectives, this is a full story so impossibly crazy that it could just happen...well, probably not, but you'll think it could!

*Honorable mentions go to:

 Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Every Day by David Levithan