Friday, December 30, 2011

My top 10 Books of 2011

Here I am going to list my favorite top ten books that I read in 2011. I hope you all will enjoy this and post what your favorite books you read in 2011! This was a wonderful amazing book year for me. I have a lot of good choices that I picked to show everybody today! I also got this idea and style of this post from Jessica at Confessions of a Bookaholic. I really recommend checking out her blog, I love it!

Divergent
by Veronica Roth
Katherine Tegen Books (May 3rd, 2011)

Why: I absolutely just loved this book. There wasn't a thing that I disliked about it all. At first I wasn't too sure that I would like this book, but it wonderful. Tris is an awesome strong character to read from, and there isn't a boring moment at all. I can't say enough good moments about this book.

Add it to Goodreads
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Bloodlines
by Richelle Mead
Razorbill (August 23rd, 2011)

Why: How could I not post this book? I knew that I was going to love this story and characters. As soon as I read that it was going to be from Sydney's point of view and that Adrian was going to be in it, my mind pretty much went like this, "OH MY GOD... I NEED THIS BOOK NOW!" So yeah, it didn't disappoint at all and I can't wait till the next book in the series. An awesome read for all the hardcore VA fans out there!
Add it to Goodreads
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Forever
by Maggie Stiefvater
Scholastic, Inc. (July 12th, 2011)

Why: I have been a huge fan of this series since the beginning. I read both Linger and Forever this year and fell in love with this series all over again. I was a fan of both of the love stories told in this series. I will always be a fan of Grace & Sam, but Isobel and Cole stole my heart also. I was satisfied with the ending and felt like this was a beautiful story.
Add it to Goodreads
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City of Fallen Angels
by Cassandra Clare
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (April 5th, 2011)

Why: Do I really need to say anything? 2011 was the year I discovered the Mortal Instrument series, so that just makes the year awesome in its self. The reason I didn't read this series sooner was because of all the hype. However, I am glad that I read this series. Even if you don't want to read them - you should just for Jace ;)
Add it to Goodreads
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Delirium
by Lauren Oliver
HarperTeen (February 1st, 2011)

Why: This book was beautiful and one of my all time favorite books ever! The plot line of this book is crazy good! It is crazy to think that in the future we could think of "being in love" like having a sickness or disease. Lauren Oliver is an wonderful writer who really makes you feel like you are living in this story. The main character Lena was very easy to relate too and easy to read from. I highly recommend this book!
Add it to Goodreads
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The Dark and Hollow Places
by Carrie Ryan
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 22nd, 2011)

Why: I am sad that this series has come to end. It is one of my all time favorite book series. I just loved everything about this book. It was awesome and totally didn't disappoint from the previous two books. The cover is gorgeous too! Annah has probably become my one of my favorite characters ever.
Add it to Goodreads 
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The Hunger Games 
by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic, Inc (October 1st, 2008)

Why: Yes, yes I just did read these book this year. I know I should been ashamed of myself! Haha! All of the books in this series was amazing, I loved everything that these books consisted of. I can't believe how long it took me to read them. Don't be like me and wait forever! Everybody should read these, especially since the movie is coming out in about 3 months.
Add it to Goodreads
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Starcrossed
by Josephine Angelini
HarperTeen (May 31st, 2011)

Why: This book was such an amazing read! I didn't think I would love this book as much as I did. The concept is awesome and everything was awesome! And that ending was a crazy cliff-hanger! The characters are what made this book so awesome and the whole plot twist around Helen's love interest was great! This book derserves more hype than it does!
Add it to Goodreads
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Where She Went
by Gayle Forman
Dutton Juvenile (April 5th, 2011)

Why: I enjoyed this book way more than If I Stay. I loved Adam's point of view and everything that happened in this book. The whole book takes place in a 24 hr time period and it was nothing but great! I loved knowing what happened to Adam and Mia after how If I Stay ended. The writing was perfect!
Add it to Goodreads
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Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry (August 31st, 2010)

Why: I love reading historical paranormal romances! Just to let everybody know I am team Will. I love him way  more than Jem. I can't wait to get started on Clockwork Prince. I am only about 100 pages into it and can already tell I am going to love it just as much as this one. Cassandra Clare has a way of writing that just makes you fall in love with the characters.
Add it to Goodreads

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

What Happened to Goodbye - Sarah Dessen

Title: What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 10th, 2011, hardcover
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Group: Young Adult Literature
Rating:
 

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.
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 I really wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. If anything else, I became super annoyed at it. First off, let me tell you a little story. I have been reading Sarah Dessen books ever since I can remember. My first book I read by her was Just Listen, the second book being The Truth about Forever, and that was when my then my love for her books was born. I could always count on Sarah Dessen to write a really good realistic story about characters that are relatable and steal your heart. I was...moreI really wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. If anything else, I became super annoyed at it. First off, let me tell you a little story. I have been reading Sarah Dessen books ever since I can remember. My first book I read by her was Just Listen, the second book being The Truth about Forever, and that was when my then my love for her books was born.
I could always count on Sarah Dessen to write a really good realistic story about characters that are relatable and steal your heart. I was pretty sure that this book would be no different. I mean, "It is a Sarah Dessen book! It has got to be good! Also, look at that cover! It is gorgeous!" That is what I kept telling myself, even when I started to dislike the story.
Okay, so it wasn't that bad. It was actually an all right story, but it just didn't feel like something that Sarah Dessen would write. Yes, the characters have a great backstory, McLean is a very likeable main character, and it is very realistic. With all that being said, I just didn't like it. The number one thing that really bugged me about this was the romance in the story. If you are going to have a romance in your story, please, please, have the characters hug or kiss or doing something! McLean and Dave don't do anything at all until the very end of the book and it is just one kiss. I kept waiting for McLean and Dave to just do something, but no. That is complaint number one.
The second complaint is the story is just way too long. I felt like there could of at least been 100 pages cut out of this story. The plot was definitely slow moving. The beginning of the book is great, it is when we get about 100 pages into the story that it is becomes super slow. I also believe that the summary of the book is very misleading; it says that Dave helps her become who she really is or whatever. When does that ever happen? Dave doesn't help her at all, sure he talks to her at times and they become friends, but he doesn't even know about all these previous identity’s that she has had until the end of the story. If anybody helped her with her identity it was her parents and herself. That was just a little weird. I know that at the end of the story, she forgave her mother, but I just can't forgive her. I hated McLean's parents so much. They were so annoying!
Now that I have listed all the bad stuff, let me talk about the good. I felt that McLean was actually a very likeable and relatable character. It was easy to feel all the emotions that she was feeling, and I actually really liked her. I also loved all the minor characters like Deb, Heather, Jason, etc. If I had to pick my favorite character out of her group of friends it would have to be Deb. She was so funny and a great friend. I also really liked Jason, the cook at the restaurant. I wish that he would have got a bigger part or something. I actually wish that would have been McLean's love interest, and not Dave. I felt like that would have made the story more complex. If you haven't noticed, I am not a fan of Dave at all.
I feel bad for writing a bad review, but now I see why one of the top rated reviews on goodreads says, "I want the Sarah Dessen that wrote Lock & Key and The Truth about Forever." I want that author back too. I know that she is currently working on another book; I just hope that it will be better than this one. I am disappointed, but I am not going to let this one book judge my opinion of her previous books. Sarah Dessen is a wonderful writer and her stories are relatable and great. I just wasn't a fan of this one sadly.

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!


I just wanted to wish everybody a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!      
I hope that everybody is having a great day. I am spending mine reading my amazing books that I got for Christmas. You can expect me to do a Christmas Haul tomorrow or on Tuesday. I will be posting everything that I got for Christmas, and not just the books that I received. I can't wait to see what everybody got for Christmas! I'm sure there will be a lot of good books!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Friday Finds (3)

Dangerous Boy
- Mandy Hubbard
Release Date:
August 30, 2012

Harper’s new boyfriend Logan Townsend is everything she never knew she always wanted—tall, muscular, with tousled brown hair that falls effortlessly around his face. But what’s most exciting about Logan is that he’s exhilaratingly dangerous, and dating him allows Harper to say, “buh bye” to her good-girl past and “hello” to newfound adventure.

There’s only one problem with Harper’s otherwise heart-stopping romance: Logan’s twin brother Daemon. Harper knows he’s a bad seed, but she tries to look past his dark, icy stare and his chilling demeanor. After all, he and Logan are a package deal.

Then cow bones start appearing in people’s mailboxes, a flock of birds show up dead, and all of the cars in the senior parking lot are given flat tires—and covered with blood-red handprints. Logan insists that Daemon isn’t involved—sure, he’s had some trouble in the past, but they moved to Harper’s quiet northwest Washington town so that they could both start over.

Harper desperately wants to believe Logan, but the more he tries to protect his brother, the more she wonders what she isn’t being told. Now, Harper must unearth the hidden secrets of the mysterious Townsend brothers’ history if she and Logan are to have any hope of a future. But learning what brought Logan and Daemon to town won’t put just her heart in jeopardy... She’s playing with her life.

My thoughts: This cover is great! It really makes me want to read this book soon. I have only read one other book by this author, Ripple, and actually really enjoyed it. This summary sounds awesome! I can't wait to read it! 

Monstrous Beauty
- Elizabeth Fama
Release Date:
August 21, 2012

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family.

Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

My thoughts: I LOVE this cover! I would seriously just read this book because of the cover. It is gorgeous! I love Mermaids and this sounds like a very interesting concept. Super excited to read this book!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Variant - Robison Wells

Title: Variant
Author: Robison Wells
Release Date: October 4, 2011 hardcover
Publisher: HarperTeen
Group: Young Adult Literature
Rating:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life. He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive. Where breaking the rules equals death.  
  
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.
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I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this. I have heard a lot of mixed opinions and reviews over this, and was a little hesitant to pick it up. The first thing that drawled me into reading this was the cover. It looked creepy and mysterious, so I was definitely in to read this.
There is many twist and turns, and complete shocks. I can't even count how many things that I didn't see coming. While this novel is very plot driven, the characters are great. There is growth and development and I became attached to the main characters and even the secondary characters. I found the whole aspect of the school interesting. The author was certainly creative with coming up with this.
I loved everything that the three gangs consisted of. There is the Society, Havoc, and the Variants. While I hated the Society, I loved the other two gangs. I actually liked Mouse and Oakland. I also loved Curtis and Carrie. They did have some small parts, but I think that it is great that the author can make you love the small characters just as much as the big ones.
The love interest that Benson has is totally crazy! That was one huge plot twist that I did not see coming at all. I really liked Jane. That was just weird. I could kind of see Becky becoming a huge character in the next book. At the moment, I really don't know how I feel right now about this. I am just along for whatever happens in the next book between these three characters.
Overall, I actually really enjoyed reading this. It didn't take me that long to get into the story. While the first couple of chapters are slow, it starts to pick up once Benson spends his first day at Maxfield Academy. I would recommend this to everyone who wants a very mysterious read! I would have to say it is more Science Fiction than Dystopian.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.


Insurgent (Divergent, #2) - Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 1st, 2012

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My thoughts: OH MY GOD!! I just finished Divergent a couple days ago and I can't think about anything else. Now I see what everybody was talking about it when they said that this book was great! I need this book so bad! May can't come soon enough. I LOVE TRIS & FOUR!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Hope Santa Brings (2)

This is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.


This weeks Top Ten is:
BOOKS I HOPE SANTA BRINGS!


-I hope that I really get this book for Christmas! I am dying without reading it! I accidentally watched this persons review on youtube to torture myself, and learned about this huge spoiler! If anything that makes me just want to read it more. I better be getting this!


-I really loved Born at Midnight and haven't been able to pick this one up yet. I have a lot of good things about it so far. I love this series!


-I have been dying to read this! It sounds SO GOOD! Thirteen Reasons Why is one of my favorite books, so I am pretty positive that I will love this one too!


-I have been wanting to read this book for a long time. The cover is so gorgeous and I have not read any negative reviews over this! I really hope that get this one!


-Yes, I have already read this and OMG! I must have my own copy of it! It was so good! I can't even describe how wonderful this book was. I will be posting a review of later this week. I need the next book so bad.


-I am really excited to read this. I loved the first book, but I thought that the second one was just okay. However, I feel like this one will be really good. I love the covers to these books!


-I have yet to read the first book, but I want to collect the whole series to put next to my Luxe series. I loved the Luxe series, and I can't wait to read this whole series!


-Hey, don't judge- I will admit this series is a guilty pleasure for me. These was one of the series I first started reading when I got into YA reading. I have yet to read this one, so I am excited to get started back on this series again.


-I have been wanting to read this book for a long time, but just never have gotten around to picking it up. I have read the first book and really liked it, and want to get started on the other books in the series. I believe that there is this book and the third book that is currently out. I would like to get them read before the fourth book comes out.


-I feel like I am the only person who hasn't read this book yet. I can't wait to read this to see what all the hype is about it. I hope that I can get it read before the second book in the series come out.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren.



From the Library:



In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again.

Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

-I actually really liked Matched, so I am super excited to read this. I hope everyone else had a wonderful book week! What did you guys get in your mailbox? (:

Saturday, December 17, 2011

New Hunger Games Poster!


"Featuring the fearless Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) standing in the Capitol arena surrounded by pictures of fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson)."
OMG! OMG! I am so excited for The Hunger Games! It is now less than 100 days till the movie premiere!  I think that this poster is absolutely stunning. I can't describe it any other way. I can tell that this is going to be true to the books as well as wonderful acting from Jennifer Lawrence. What do you guys think of all the recent released photos? And also, what do you think of the new poster released?
May the odds be ever in your favor.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday Finds (2)

Brightest Kind of Darkness
- P.T. Michelle
Release Date:
June 27, 2011

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

My thoughts: This cover is simply gorgeous! I can't believe that I haven't heard of this book before! The release date says that this book has come out in June, so it is hard to believe that there hasn't been much buzz around it. The summary of the book sounds awesome, kind of like your typical YA book. I really need to pick this one up as soon as I can.


My Life Next Door
- Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date:
June 14, 2012

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.

Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own. But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?

Set among the haves and have-nots of a coastal New England town, My LIFE NEXT DOOR captures the angst, the heartache, and the raw-nerve emotions of first time love—and biting loss.

My thoughts: This one sounds amazing! It is also a plus that the cover is beautiful! I discovered this while looking for Contemporaries for 2012. This is just one on the much awesome list for 2012. I can't wait to pick this one up - what will happen with Samantha and Jade? What does it also mean "biting loss"? I am definitely intrigued.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Crescendo
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 19, 2010 hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Group: Young Adult Literature
Rating:

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn’t been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

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I loved this book. I am so happy that I picked this book up to read. To be completely honest, I read the first book "Hush, Hush" back in the fall of 2009. I don't remember that much just that I loved it and thought it was really good. Thank goodness! I went and got this book! I can't believe it took me this long to read it. What the heck is wrong with me?



Where to begin?! I thought that Nora was a great character to read from. Although, the drama between her and Patch got a little too intense at times. I got so frustrated at them, to where I just wanted to slap Nora and have her listen to my advice. The drama does stop for a while, but it always picks right back up. That is one complaint that I have.

The second complaint is that I felt like Patch wasn't in the book that much. There was one time where 50 pages went by and Patch wasn't even in it! Patch is my favorite character, despite the fact where he made me really mad by hanging around with Marcie. I hate Marcie! Oh my gosh, was she annoying. I could have seriously dealt without her in this book. I hope that she isn't in the next book that much.

Onto the new character Scott... What to say about him? At first I wasn't too sure if he was a good or bad guy. I got some serious creepy vibes off of him. However, I loved his character! At times I did find him somewhat boring; I actually enjoyed reading about him. I have a feeling that we haven't seen the last off him. I can't wait to see what will happen to him next. The ending was a complete shock and HUGE cliff-hanger! I had no idea that was the person who wanted to kill Nora! OMG. WOW!! Kudos to Becca Fitzpatrick, totally wasn't expecting that!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I know that there are many negative reviews, but I actually loved it! I love Patch and Nora so much! I hope that nothing comes between them in the next book! I am super excited to read it! I definitely recommend this book if you are into paranormal romances and loved the first book!

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.



The Thing About the Truth - Lauren Barnholdt
Release Date: July 10th, 2012

Sixteen-year-old Kelsey Romano has always been one of the most popular girls at Concordia Prep. But after a disastrous breakup and her subsequent meltdown (um, destruction of school property, anyone?) she's kicked out of Con Prep and shipped off to Concordia High School, for good.

Seventeen-year-old Isaac Brandano has been kicked out of more prep schools than he can name. But now that his father's State Senate campaign is pushing a public school agenda, Isaac finds himself enrolled at Concordia High.

Kelsey and Isaac are destined to hate each other. And at first, they do. But when they are forced together on the creation of a new school club, sparks begin to fly. Then the club's critical event turns into chaos. Now Kelsey and Isaac must retrace their steps and figure out how and why everything got so got screwed up, who was to blame, and how they can move forward.

My thoughts: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cover! That was the first thing that caught my attention. I will admit, I am one of those people who judge a book by it's cover, sadly. I have only read one other book by Lauren Barnholdt, "Two Way Street", and absolutely loved it. I hope that I will feel the same way about this one.

Monday, December 12, 2011

2012 Standalone Challenge

This challenge is being hosted over at I Like These Books & IceyBooks.



Here is my list for the 2012 Standalone Reading Challenge:
  1. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith
  2. The Catastrophic History of You and Me - Jess Rothenberg
  3. This Is Not a Test - Courtney Summers
  4. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare - Melissa Jensen
  5. Crused - Jennifer L. Armentrout
  6. The Disenchantments - Nina LaCour
  7. The Fault in our Stars - John Green
  8. Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler
  9. Dead to You - Lisa McMann
  10. If I Lie - Corrine Jackson
  11. The List -
  12. Harbinger - Sara Wilson Etienne
  13. My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzpatrick
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