Hello young folks! It’s the last week of the year, so that means we start posting our Best of 2011 lists! First up is a list of our favorite books published this year. Read why we enjoyed each book and click on the title if you want to read a full review of the book!
10. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
We round out our list with a thriller set in modern day London. The Name of the Star is written in an authentic teen voice. Rory gets caught up in a criminal investigation when she sees who’s behind the Jack the Ripper copycat killings. Only she doesn’t realize how much danger she really is in.
9. The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
What if you were able to see your Facebook profile 15 years into the future? Freaky, huh? That’s the case with The Future of Us. Set in the mid-90s when the internet was just invented and we needed those AOL cds, Emma and Josh mysteriously find a way to log onto Facebook and see themselves 15 years into the future. Some of it good, some bad, and the two try to figure out how to change their own futures without ruining or destroying each other’s.
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8. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Ransom Riggs has put together a haunting and cool novel told with both words and old, real photographs. The photographs are so freakish and cool, they give the story the right vibe and scariness. It’s one of those books that you aren’t likely to forget.
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7. Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell
Do you love Carrie and the girls from Sex and the City? If so, this book is a MUST-READ. Summer and the City chronicles Carrie’s first time in New York City as a young girl. We see how she meets her lifelong friends, while dealing with love, school and the insanity of city life.
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6. Divergent by Veronica Roth
The only dystopian thriller on our list and with good reason! 2011 has seen an onslaught of dystopian books but none were as unique and thrilling as Divergent. It’s an immediate page-turner and leaves you desperately awaiting its sequel.
5. Tie: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray | The Death Cure by James Dashner
Libba Bray always knows how to bring about the most interesting situations. In this case, a plane full of Beauty Queens crashes on a deserted island. All competitors and all scared, the girls try to work together to get off the island in the most hilarious (and sincere) fashion ever. James Dashner’s final book to The Maze Runner trilogy will leave you both frustrated ans satisfied. The Death Cure is a book that answers all your questions, but still leaves you with more. Thank God fans have the prequel to look forward to next.
4. Tie: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness | City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Another tie! (FYI: You’ll see quite a few ties in our upcoming lists.) A Discovery of Witches takes a new, yet traditional spin on the supernatural. Filled with vampires, demons, ghosts, and of course witches, the book is rich with history, adventure and romance. City of Fallen Angels is another book full of the supernatural. Cassandra Clare starts a new trilogy to The Mortal Instruments and we’re back to hang with Clary, Jace, Simon and the gang. As always, Clare leaves us with the WORST (aka crazy good) cliffhangers ever.
3. Shine by Lauren Myracle
After an unfair turn of events with the National Book Awards, Shine instantly became a hot topic and must-read. Although I’m sad that it wasn’t honored, I’m totally happy that I was able to hear about this book and read it. It’s phenomenal and one of the best YA books of the decade.
2. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Isaac Marion gives us a totally unique and interesting zombie story. Don’t believe the cynics that this is a zombie-fied “Twilight.” Despite the Stephenie Meyer endorsement, this book is pretty unprecedented. The lead character will captivate you in a way that you’d never expect.
And *drumroll* please!!
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Number 1 is… a tie!
Bossypants by Tina Fey | The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
It’s a tie! Both books are equally as great in their own different ways. Tina Fey managed to touch our hearts and funny bone with humorous stories from her life. The Night Circus whisks you away to the magical, thrilling world of the circus. If you haven’t read either of these books yet, what are you waiting for??
What do you think of our list? Did your favorite books of the year make it? Sound off in the comments!
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