Sorry about the last post

Sorry my post, Best Books of 2009, is a little screwed up. Blogger isn't working for me right now, but I'll keep trying to fix it.

Best Books of 2009

Alrighty. Here are my top 25 books I've read this year. 2009 has been an amazing year for books, and I'm already pumped for 2010! Here goes:

1. The Hunger Games/Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

-I waited to read The Hunger Games because the concept (kids killing each other?) didn't really appeal to me. My friend convinced me of its amazingness, and I read it this summer, just in time to read Catching Fire! Now I'm super excited for the third book, out August 24, 2010

2. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

-Again, my friend gave these to me. They are definitely one of my favorite series EVER. If you haven't read them, go get them. Now. You won't be sorry. The fourth is due out in 2011, so you've got some time if you're a procrastinator, though this is not a series I would wait to read!

3. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

-Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, and I'm surprised she isn't mentioned more in the blogosphere. She has the ability to write what might be considered "chick lit", except her books go so much deeper than romance. Her latest book is no exception. I'm currently listening to the audiobook; review to come when I've finished it.

4. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

- I only read this book less than a week ago but it deserves this top spot. As you read in my review, this book is one of my all-time favs. Mystery, romance, fear--what could be better?!

5. Swoon by Nina Malkin

-This book is another all-time fav. More romance and fear, plus a hot guy, really? Is there any question?

6. Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

-This is the third and most recent book in Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series. I won her writing contest and received an ARC of this book--my first ARC ever! I finished it in about a day. A whole new twist has been put on the series! I am so excited for Only the Good Spy Young, the fourth GG book, out June 15, 2010.

7. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

-Yes, this book came out about what, 7 or 8 years ago, but I just read it this year. I fell in love with the characters and the magic of their life. I also loved the historical setting, which really affects the story. I'm in the middle of Rebel Angels right now.

8. Fire by Kristin Cashore

-Amazing. I loved this book more than Graceling I think, hence its higher rank. I loved Fire as a character, and I loved the plotline.

9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

-Another amazing book I read just this year. I love a kick-butt girl protagonist. Girl power all the way!

10. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

-I really really liked this book, but I didn't like it as much as Uglies. Maybe because I loved David. Ah well. I got Specials and Extras for Christmas, but I have yet to start either of them.

11. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

-I wish I could get this book in the top 10, but I've just read so many great books this year! I am so excited for Act II, Perchance to Dream. I don't know whether to be team Ariel or Team Nate. I thought Ariel really showed his good side at the end of the book, but Nate is such a sweetheart. I guess I'll just have to wait for the curtain to rise!

12. Wings by Aprilynne Pike

-I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, because I feel like this was the year of the faerie. However, I LOVED it. I am super excited for Spells, out May 4, 2010!

13. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

-This book was a lot better than I wrote it off to be initially. I expected it to be a fluffy romance novel, and it definitely wasn't. It went far beyond my expectations, and I can't want for Sarah's next book, Fixing Delilah Hannaford, out Fall 2010.

14. The Summoning/The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

-We really need to thank my friend, because she recommends the best books. I read these books in about 2 days--absolute awesome. I'm eagerly anticipating the third book in the trilogy, The Reckoning, out May 1, 2010

15. Two-way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

-another great "chick lit" book. I should mention, I do not say chick lit in a demeaning way. It's my favorite genre. The writing of this book was phenomenal; the storyline was intriguing. I want to read Reality Chick next!

16. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

-It's Sarah Dessen. Need I say more?

17. Kiss My Book by Jamie Michaels

-This was another book that took me by surprise. I read it on a snow day, and I absolutely loved it. I love books about writers and readers, and this was both! also, the love interest has mohawk. Sweetness!!! haha

18. When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

-I believe in true love. I believe there is one person who is just for me, I just have to find him. That's why I loved this book. It was a sweet story about true love, and I really really really want to read her other books, Waiting for You, Take Me There, and Something Like Fate (out May 18, 2010)!!!

19. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

-Loved it. I wish I could put it higher up, but I read so many good books!!!!! I have two sisters, so I love reading about sister dynamics. I would be the good one, of course! Can't wait for The Guardian and the Gate, out April 1, 2010.

20. Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

-So good! I love all things French/Parisian, so I adored this book. I loved the intertwined plots. Can't wait to read Wanderlust!!!!

21. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

-Everyone wants that one summer where everything is different. Isabelle got that wish. Excited for It's Not Summer Without You, out next summer!!!

22. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

-I read this book in a few hours, one night when I couldn't sleep. Amazing!!! I loved how it was the side of the breakup you don't usually hear. Very original.

23. One Trick Pony by Daniella Brodsky

-Very, very good. Recommended by the teen librarian at my library, who pretty much rocks.

24. The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer

-I got this book for my friend for her birthday, and I was lucky enough to have her loan it to me. It was amazing! Dark, yet funny, scary and compelling. I know the paperback is sold only at Target, so go check it out!

25. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

-Again, I know this book was out a while ago, but I just got around to reading it this year. I laughed, I almost cried, and I adored Jodi's writing. I really want to read her other books!!! I hear the movie sucks though....

There you have it! I haven't read Beautiful Creatures or Shiver yet, which I hear are both amazing and I know have made the rounds on the blogosphere. That's why they aren't on my list, if you were wondering.

I'll post my New Year's Resolutions either later tonight or tomorrow. Happy New Year everyone!!!

Contest!

Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century has reached 600 followers! Woot! She totally deserves it; her blog is AMAZING! And she's helped me out with my blog too :). Now she's holding a contest to celebrate the occasion, and you can enter here. The more followers she gets the more winners she'll add! So go check out the contest, and her blog while you're at it!!

Teaser Tuesday: many!

Teaser Tuesday was started by MizB at shouldbereading
* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall to a random page.
* Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* Share the title of the book that you're getting your teaser from... That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
* Please avoid spoilers!

I'm in the middle of a few books right now, so I figured I'd give you a teaser from each:

From page 88 of The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman:
"I see. And who are your people?"
Again Lyra had to wonder what she meant before replying.
"They were a count and countess," she said. "They both died in an aeronautial accident in the North."

So far this one's pretty good. I've heard lots of good things about this book and its movie companion. I'm reading it for school, as part of a final project for one of my English classes.

From page 159 of The Red Tent by Anita Diamant:
My mother saw my confusion. "You cannot understand all of this yet, Dinah," she said. "But soon you will know, and I will make sure that you are welcomed into the woman's life with ceremony and tenderness. Fear not."

This one is also good. I'm about halfway through, and I'm enjoying it. This one's also for school, the final project of another English class.

Finally,
From page 7 of Rebel Angels by Libba Bray:
"I-I thought I had things well in hand."
"And did you?"
"No." My answer hung in the air like so much smoke from the candles.
"No, you did not. And now the realms have been breached. The unthinkable has happened."

This is the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. I started it briefly last night, but already I have been sucked in. Hopefully I will have time to read more, what with all my school reading and all.

Okay, so I shared more than two sentences. Oh well.
What are you reading? Leave me a teaser!

Riding the Universe

Title: Riding the Universe

Author: Gaby Triana

Pages: 266

Rating: ***

Summary (from Goodreads): Chloé Rodriguez values three things above all else—her family; her best friend, Rock; and Lolita, her Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster. With a black body, blue airbrushed flames, and perfect sloping ape hangers, Lolita is Chloé's last connection to her beloved uncle, Seth, who left her the bike when he died last summer. So when a failing chemistry grade threatens to separate Chloé from her motorcycle, she vows not to let that happen . . . no matter what. Enter Gordon. Ridiculously organized, übersmart, and hot in a casual, doesn't-know-it kind of way, Chloé's peer tutor may have a thing or two to teach her besides chemistry. But she has to stop falling for Gordon . . . and get Rock to act mature whenever he's around . . . and pass chemistry so she doesn't lose Lolita forever. Just when Chloé thinks she's got it all figured out, a bump in the road comes out of nowhere and sends her skidding.

Review: This book was pretty good. It was your standard chick lit--love triangle between girl-best friend-new guy and all--but I still enjoyed it. Chloé is a good protagonist with her own spirit and true problems. She is adopted, and along with her love life, faces the struggle of whether or not to look for her birth parents, for she fears hurting her family. This part of the story is quite touching, and while some readers may predict the resolution, it isn't too cheesy. I also liked her motorcycle--I've never ridden one, but this book made me want to. In the book, Lolita was Chloé's solace, the one she went to when she was confused or hurt. I loved Lolita.

The love triangle however? Oozing with cheese. I predicted the ending after about thirty pages in. However, I still enjoyed hearing Chloé's story and read out to see how the ending would be reached, which is often the case with chick lit. Rock was the guy you'd want as your best friend, though I don't know how he'd be as a boyfriend. I liked how this was addressed though. What wasn't too great was how Gordon flip flopped between the fun, loving boyfriend and the aloof, condescending tutor.

All in all, Riding the Universe was a light, quick read. Not for the realists, but still a good read.

Recommended for: romance lovers, ages 14+

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. I sure did--I got ten new books! Along with the two I am currently reading for school, I think I'll be plenty busy for the next few weeks. Look forward to plenty of new reviews!!!

As my gift to you, I give you one of the best books I have ever read:

Title: Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages: 391

Summary (from Amazon): For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review: Oh. My. Freakin'. God.

This book blew me away. I read the last 3/4 of it on Christmas Eve, I was so into it. I hadn't even been planning on reading it, but other blogs' reviews were so complimentary that I had to check it out. And it's a good thing I did! The story kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a pretty good idea of what Patch was, but I was still intrigued and wanted an explanation. The end has a fantastic twist maybe I should have seen, but didn't. Patch was the dream male protagonist--hot, strong, mysterious, and totally dangerous. Nora was a protagonist--while most girls would immediately fall for a guy who flattered them as Patch does, she holds strong and doesn't let her guard down. I found myself waiting for Patch to come in, because I knew wherever Nora was, he'd show up. This book gave me chills down my spine. It was probably the spookiest book I've ever read. It was also original--I mean, how many books about fallen angels have YOU read recently? If any, let me know because they are some of my new favorite paranormal creatures.

This book is a definite page turner. It may appear long, but it'll suck you in. It was over before I even realized it! The sequel, Crescendo, comes out Fall 2010. I can't wait!!!

Recommended for: Paranormal readers, ages 15+

Teaser Tuesday: Riding the Universe

Teaser Tuesday was started by MizB at shouldbereading

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall to a random page.
* Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* Share the title of the book that you're getting your teaser from... That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
* Please avoid spoilers!

From page 125 of Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana
"The truth is, I've been needing to feel crazy-happy for some time now, and he does have some kind of crazy-happy power over me."

I have about 60 pages left of this book! Review to come shortly!!!

What are you reading? leave your own teaser in the comments!