Kamis, 29 Desember 2011

Top 10 Books of 2011

You know what I just noticed? I didn't read as many books as I would have liked this year. I have like 55 reviews, I read about one book a week, and I re-read some favourites (Like The Hunger Games series, Harry Potter, and Vampire Academy) but when it comes to brand new books? I'm falling short. I will try to change that next year. I will make myself a self challenge. I want to read 100 books next year. Hopefully, I will be able to do this. Maybe for next year the goal can be 2 books per week. 2 reviews a week. That sounds fair.

Anyways, this is my Top 10 YA Books, that I read, of 2011 list!

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium, #1)
"I love Delirium. Page after page I became entranced with the story, captivated by the characters, stupefied by the society, and baffled that anybody would prefer to live a life full of emptiness instead of living a life that although at times its sure to be painful it also holds the key to a world of wonderful possibilities like never before."
Let's make it simple, I absolutely loved this book. It was everything I didn't know I needed at the time. 

2. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1)
.8
"I don't want to give too much away, last thing I'm going to add is Vampire Academy fans don't be scared!!! Richelle delivered!!! Bloodlines passed all fire tests with flying colors. You will all enjoy it!"
Bloodlines was a bit terrifying to go into. Being a fan of Vampire Academy, I really didn't want it to bomb... and it didn't!! Everything was good, specially the ending :P

3.  The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey, #4)
"The Iron Knight was the cherry on top of the sublime journey that was The Iron Fey series. The Iron Queen is one of the most perfect and heart breaking endings. I loved how everything went down, but we all knew it couldn't end like that. We are romantics and while a sad ending like that might have been poetic we are all deep inside looking for that happy ending. That is what The Iron Knight is for, to give us closure and make us live happily ever after along with our favourite characters."
The Iron Knight!! A much needed happily ever after.

4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)

"Shatter Me was definitely addicting. The novel was, new and refreshing and great. The writing was my favourite part!"
This was the year for Dystopian novels. I swear, I read more Dystopian novels than Vampire novels, something needs to be done. I miss vampires.

5. Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend, #1)
"You know, there have been a heck of a lot of dystopian novels out there these days. It seems like every single last book I've read is a dystopian novel (don't blame me, blame my TBR pile). And out of all of them, I think Legend was my absolute favourite, and that is all thanks to the characters (I am a character driven girl, if I like the characters, and the plot line is decent, you have me)."
Another dystopian ;)

6. One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress, #6)
.5
"I love this series, and this book was as great as the last one. Even though it looked, sounded, and read as a special Halloween episode it still served a purpose on the grand scheme of the series. It laid a base for a future new plot. It was needed, it's not one of those books written for the sake of selling it and prolonging the series, it is needed in order to move ON the series into better greener and deadlier pastures. And hey, you get to see Cat, Bones, Spades, Ian, the kitty, and the whole gang one more time, so who's complaining?!"
Jeaniene Frost is one of my favourite authors ever. The first novel in the series is Halfway to the Grave, it's an amazing series and  don't really know how to stress how good it is. Read it, you'll thank me later.

7. Glow by Amy Ryan

Glow (Sky Chasers, #1)
.7
"Glow... was amazing. It captures your attention in the first page and before you know it you are on page 50!! I got so freaking frustrated with their circumstances at times! It was like how are they going to survive? What is going to happen? So you just keep reading, and reading... It definitely did NOT disappoint."
I am surprised that I enjoyed Glow more than Across the Universe, but alas I did. Across the Universe made the Top 12 YA Covers of the year, but it did not make this list. 

8. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test, #1)
.5
"I would like to say that this book SURPRISED the hell out of me. I ENJOYED THIS BOOK. And I am not afraid to admit it."
I'm surprised this book made it to the top 10, but after looking at my list of books I read I figured that this one is one of the ones I most enjoyed. So be it.

9. Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward

Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #9)

I haven't even reviewed this one yet, but I read it a long time ago. the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one of my favourite adult series, and Lover Unleashed did not disappoint.

10.  Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Bunheads
.6
"I thought that Bunheads was an extraordinary ride through the real world of ballet. You get to see the ups and downs, and by the end there seemed to be no way for a normal, simple, perfect happy ever after. I liked that, it made the novel that much real because I wanted the main character to be a star, but I also wanted her to live her life. I really liked that the novel had a realistic ring to it! It seemed a little autobiographical, and after I finished the novel I just wanted to talk to the author about her real life experience."
Bunheads was very unexpected. I usually don't go for books that have no supernatural or dystopian qualities, but this one surprised me. It's really enjoyable!

Well, that is my list of my top 10 books I read in 2011. Which are yours?

Rabu, 28 Desember 2011

Top 12 YA Covers of 2011

Through the year I did a monthly poll asking you guys which was the best cover of that month. Well, the numbers are in and so now we have all 12 BEST YA covers of 2011! According to you, my dear awesome followers :)

Top YA Covers of 2011

January


February


March


April


May


June


July


August


September


October


November

The Pledge (The Pledge, #1)

December

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)

It's like one amazing image after the next! So, which one is THE BEST? Well, I do not know, so in order to find out which one is the very best I will make a poll to the left and YOU can choose the very Best Cover of 2011.

Is there any other cover, not shown here, that you think should be mentioned? Leave it in a comment! I don't know, but I have a feeling that 2012 is going to have even better covers, which will make it far more difficult for us readers to choose just one. But I guess if all the covers are gorgeous, then we could spend more time looking at the summaries, yes?

Also, remember to enter my Good Bye 2011 contest! The Link is on the top, but you can also just click here and it will take you to the post. I have about 40 books to give away, who wants them?!

Selasa, 27 Desember 2011

Good Bye 2011 Contest- Win 40 Books!!!!!!!!!!!


Last year I did the end of the year contest, and so I decided to go at it again! This is becoming a tradition here at Bloody Bookaholic, holding end of the year contests. I will most likely also do it next year, and it always involves big wins. I have 40 books o give away, anybody want to give them a home?

Saying Good Bye To 2011





They are all up for grabs! Who wants them!!??

I was thinking of doing 3 winners, winner number 1 will get 20 books, winner number 2 will get 15 books, and winner number 3 will get 5 books. Not too shabby I may say. The winner will be chosen by Randomizer, the more points you get though the more entries you get, and the more possibility you have to be the winner!

In order to enter, required:

1. You must love books.
2. You must be a follower. Please make sure that the Show Sites I Follow is checked on your Blogger Profile so I can make sure that you are following.
3. You must fill out *The Form*Don't leave me comments with links to your posts or your emails, the form takes care of all of that! Remember, You must to fill out the from in order to be entered in the contest!!
4. Leave a comment on this post, perhaps your opinion on which was the best book of 2011 and/or any books you are looking forward to in 2012.


-Extra Ways to Win Points-

1. Follow me at Twitter (@TaschimaCullen), or Tumblr (bloodybookaholic.tumblr.com/), you can also friend me at Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/taschimacullen), or subscribe to my blog!

If there are any other ways that I forgot mention it =] (+1 for each)

2. Tweet about the contest +1
3. Contest Link on Sidebar +2
6. Put the awesome Bloody Bookaholic Button on your sidebar! +3
7. Community Service = Make a post and let others know +5
8. Comment on posts from here onward. (+1 for each comment)
I do not accept SPAM.

Some of these extra entries are available when you fill out the form, the other ones (the comments) I will keep a notebook and add the extra points there.

shocked face*You will get points for commenting* This little idea was first introduced at my fellow affiliate's blog Teens Read and Write. Since I really enjoy reading what you guys gotta say I decided to do this too. It gives you more chances to win so why not? You will get +1 point for each comment, and I do not appreciate SPAM. Refer to #8 on the Extra Points.

 You have till January 28 at 11:59 to sign up and win.

International!! GO FOR IT! And above all, have fun!!


PS; On the left bar there is a poll going on for The Best cover of 2011. Please vote for the best cover! Good Luck!


*May be subject to change

Jumat, 23 Desember 2011

The Hunger Games Movie Official Soundtrack!!! Taylor Swift's Song: Safe and Sound


I love The Hunger Games, and I love Taylor Swift, so put those two things together and what comes out?

Complete awesomeness!!!!


Listen to Taylor, just listen to her... OMG IT's REALLY AWESOME!!! I mean, it's very different from what Taylor usually does, but I think it totally goes with the tone of the movie, and the books. It just makes sense, and the way they deliver the song is so heartfelt... I can't wait for the full soundtrack.

The song also features The Civil Wars.

Here's the Facebook Page for the music.

Did you like it?!

Here are the lyrics:

I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, Don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Just close your eyes
You'll be alright
Come morning light,
You and I'll be safe and sound...

PS; My repeat button is going to HATE me today...

Kamis, 22 Desember 2011

Summary and Back of The Girl in the Clockwork Collar Novel has been revealed, as well as who the mysterious girl in the cover is...

I now know who the girl in the Clockwork Collar cover is! Harlequin Teen just released an exclusive look at the back cover and inside flap of the novel The Girl in the Clockwork Collar for their Facebook fans, and I happen to be one of them *grins*


Here's the summary:


So I am guessing...


This is Mei! And the clockwork collar around her neck isn't an accessory, nor is it a fashion statement, it's just what's slowly killing her! And here I thought Jasper was starting to have the hots for Emily...

Enjoy the summary :) And if you wish to become one of Harlequin Teen's fans just click here and "like" their page!

Rabu, 21 Desember 2011

Would You Read Me? Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover (5)

Last  Last Week's Book Was...

The Selection (The Selection, #1)
Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: April 24th 2012
by HarperTeen

Beautiful cover!!!! Love love love it! And the summary sounds very interesting as well. Most of you said that you would read it, and just some were unsure. After seeing this cover, how many of you have changed your minds? Would you read it?

On to the next one then!

I have a very good one this Wednesday...

Let's play another little game shall we? I am going to give you guys a summary of a book that may or may not sound good (you be the judge) but I am not going to give you an image to accompany the book. This way we can find out if you would read it or not even if the image of the book sucks a lot.

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? 

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
So, now, all you have to do is say if you would read it or not!
(Yes or no will suffice if you don't wanna write a lot)

Next Wednesday I will post a new summary with no image,
I will also post the cover and book information of this week.

PS; If you know the name, image or whatever of this book do not say anything. Don't give any sort of information away please.

PPS; Please vote on the poll to your left, they only have about 5 days left! Thank you ^^

US VS Germany; Hourglass by Myra McEntire

 Myra McEntire just showed us the german cover for Hourglass, and I instantly liked it, even though If I had to choose I would choose the U.S. one. I was wondering which one would you prefer?

Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) 
US - GERMAN
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published June 14th 2011
by Egmont USA

Things I like about the U.S. cover:
  • The "defying gravity" quality. Look at her hair!
  • The girl they choose; she is blonde as the main character in the story is.
  • The purple wallpaper and hard wood floors!!! (Interior Design junkie)
  • The font Hourglass is written in.
  • Did I mention the girl is freaking defying gravity?!
Things I like about the German cover:
  • How white it looks, it's very peaceful and captures your eyes.
  • The butterflies flying away!
  • The girl's dress; I kind of want it.
  • The pose of the girl; plus the girl is very pretty ^^
And even though I like these things about the German cover I still think the U.S. one represents the story better. My eyes still can't look away from those butterflies though...

What about you? Which one do you prefer?