Faves of TwentyEleven: The Random

Day Four of My Faves of TwentyEleven Book Awards - A Big thank you to Inkcrush for coming up with this idea! If you'd like to see the post click on the link above!

Day One: The Books
Day Two: The Characters
Day Three: The Scenes

Day Four: The Random

1. fave first sentence
Another hard one.  I'd say this would be my favourite three.
White Cat by Holly Black - "I wake up barefoot, standing on cold slate tiles. Looking dizzily down. I suck in a breath of icy air."

The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jackson - "It all started with Aldwyn's whiskers beginning to tingle - the way they always did when he got hungry."

2. fave book title
Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Winters Shadow by M.J. Hearle


3. fave reading experience (ie: created a great reading memory)
I'd have to say All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin.  I'm not sure what made this one stand out the most for me.. I think it was the thought of chocolate being illegal but it definitely stuck with me.  It wasn't the greatest read, but it was still a memorable one for me.

4. book with the best food in it (made you so crazy-envious-hungry)
To be quite honest, I don't think there were any books that I can think of that had food that stood out for me.

5. book with the most sensual weather (made you shiver/sweat)
This would have to be Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.  She's definitely talented in making you feel just like the character.  I feel a chill thinking about some of the scenery she describes.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater for sure falls under this one too.

6. most embarrassing book cover (feeling sheepish in public or just plain ugly)
There are a few that I want to name but I feel that this may offend the authors.  So I shall leave this blank for the time being.  Chicken .. I know lol

7. can’t believe you waited this long to read the book (!)
There are a few that I could throw into this category.  I don't tend to go with what everyone is raving about at that point in time because I don't want to have this expectation that the book is so good that when I read it I'm let down.  It took watching I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore to actually pick up the book and try it.  White Cat by Holly Black was another one I was late on the bandwagon with, and I loved both of these books.

8. book you'd give your mum/sister to read
There would probably be none out of this year I'd recommend to my Mum but if it were last year, I'd have recommended any of the Chet and Bernie books by Spencer Quinn.  They were wonderful.  So much so that I named one of my dogs after the main character.

9. book you'd give your dad/brother to read
Ha!  Neither reads so I wouldn't bother recommending any lol.

10. book you'd like to give your past-self to read (ie, me, when I was 15)
Out of all the books I probably would have read The Body Finder  by Kimberly Derting.  I don't know that I would have read the others but I think this would have been an ideal read!

11. book that lived up to (or superseded the hype)
I try to avoid the hype usually lol but for me Legend by Marie Lu did live up to the hype.  I loved that book from start to finish and it definitely wasn't what I was expecting it to be.

12. book you stayed the latest to finish (confess!!!)
So many. I'll just pick two.  Switched by Amanda Hocking and Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Kohn and David Leviathan

13. book you were *dying* to get your hands on the most
For sure it had to be Last Breath by Rachel Caine.  So couldn't wait to find out what happened with Claire and her friends!

14. fattest brick of a book you read (by page count)
This year wasn't too bad.  Bloodlines by Richelle Mead would have been the thickest I think... at 432 pages

15. killer cliffhanger award
Quite a few of Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires books end in cliffhangers but Midnight Alley was a favourite cliffhanger!

Stay tuned.  Tomorrow will be the last day of Favbes of TwentyEleven.  Funny it should fall on the first day of the new year!

Enjoy!

Faves of TwentyEleven: The Scenes

Day Three of My Faves of TwentyEleven Book Awards - A Big thank you to Inkcrush for coming up with this idea! If you'd like to see the post click on the link above!

See also:
Day One: The Books
Day Two: The Characters

Day Three: The Scenes

1. best first chapter
This would have to be the first chapter - 'Before - Sugar and Salt' in Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  I don't know what it is exactly but I guess all the talk about "Kicks and Kisses: sort of did it, but it was so much more than that.  It was the way it was written more than anything that drew me in.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick needs to be added into this one for sure.  The introduction of the lists in this book is what I loved the most.
I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore needs to fall under this one too.  I watched the movie first but when I picked up the book I must admit I enjoyed it more!  The very beginning of this starts with the door shaking.  So it drew me in big time!

2. best climax
This is such a hard category to pick which is the best.  So many could come in under this but I'd have to pick one that is a bit fresher in my mind.  I'd have to say Quarantine by James Phelan.

Marie Lu's Legend would have to also fall into this category.  That was such an awesome book!

3. best ending
Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  Hands down.  I so can't wait until the next  book is out!

 

4. best/worst plot twist/revelation (no spoilers!)
Okay, I've altered the one slightly to include Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson.  The scene is about three quarters through the book... and I suppose it is a WTF moment.  It could go either way as to whether it's a best or worst.  I liked the book but I guarantee this one isn't for everyone.  Alot of people would come away from reading this feeling quite annoyed.


There is another couple but the book names have completely slipped my mind.

5. scariest/most disturbing scene/I can't believe that happened
I modified the title a little to get Last Breath by Rachel Caine in.  It was the scene on Page 228 that had me going, "OMG! YOU DIDN'T!!".  No spoilers see? lol.

Page 72 of Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick was the most disturbing for me.  It was just.. so... it's too hard to explain without spoiling things but it was full on!

 

  

6. steamiest scene (or sweetest/sexiest kiss award)
Some of the scenes in Shadow Game by Christine Feehan were just HOT!  I don't have the book to cite page numbers people lol but there were some prettty good ones. lol

From memory it's the scene towards the end of Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton that just about knocked my socks off lol.  But really, any of her books are just so full on!  You must read!

 

7. best swoon-worthy moment
Nothing jumps to mind at this time.  Although, I have a feeling once I post this I'll remember a few.. I'll add them in the comments if I do ;D

8. biggest nail-biting moment
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. Would have to be in the apartment with Sydney.  I don't know that anyone else would call it a nailbiting scene but this one is what comes to mind for me!

9. most hilarious scene
Bite Club by Rachel Caine.  The scene I remember is about three quarters through the book where Myrnin drives the car.  Freaking hilarious!

10. most heart-breaking/tear-jerker moment
I absolutely bawled my eyes out at the ending of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

BONUS: favourite meet cute
 not sure about this one lol

I'll definitely be keeping a notebook handy in the New Year so I can do these as I go.  I think this is such a cool idea.  Thanks Nomes at InkCrush for coming up with this!

TGIF (9) First and Last

TGIF is a weekly feature created and hosted by Ginger at GReads! that re-caps the week’s posts and has different question each week.

This Friday's Question:
First and Last: What was the first book you read in 2011 and the last you finished in 2011? How do you feel about these books? Would you recommend them to other readers?

The first book I read for this year was The End of Marking Time by C.J West.  This was a great read with a killer twist to it.  I don't think this book is for everyone but for those of you that are curious to see what it would be like to treat criminals differently this sure is worth trying.

The last book I've read (so far) is Arrival by Chris Morphew and it is book one in The Phoenix Files.  I picked this up last year while at the Brisbane Writer's Festival and only now getting to read it.  I liked it!  It's from an Aussie Author a year younger than me!  And being Aussie, I picked this up, willing to give our own Authors a go.  I really liked it, but the plot is similar to other stories I've read.. which kind of sounds silly when I say it like that, since most stories are like other plots.. but yeah.

This technically won't be the last book I've read as I'm trying to get Cinder finished and start on Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare before this year is up.  Yes, I have finally picked this book up, and the funny thing was.. it was a few quotes I read on Goodreads from this book that actually got me to reading it so yeah.  Can't wait!

This Weeks Posts (From Last Saturday):

Faves of TwentyEleven: The Books

In My Mailbox (93)

Christmas Giveaway Winner

Faves of TwentyEleven: The Characters

Waiting On Wednesday (86)

Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

What was the first book you read in 2011 and the last you finished in 2011? How do you feel about these books? Would you recommend them to other readers?

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Title:  Switched

Author:  Amanda Hocking

Genre:  Young Adult/ Fantasy

Publisher:  Pan Macmillan (Imprint: Tor)

Publication Date:  1st January 2012

ISBN:  97814472025692

Stand alone or series:   Trylle Trilogy #1

Pages:  240 pages

Book Received from:  Pan Macmillan (Proof Copy)

First Lines:  n/a

Synopsis:When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth.

With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.

My Thoughts:
I actually hadn't realised this book was about Trolls until it is mentioned in the book.  Well to be more specific, Trylle which is what they refer to them.  I was a bit funny to begin with since most of my paranormal stories usually circle around the more traditional types eg. Vampires, werewolves.. you catch my drift.  


I was definitely surprised with Switched.  The beginning left me wanting more but at the same time a tad bit confused.  But the further I got into the story the more it made sense.  


I liked how Amanda Hocking has shown us a different take on the 'Troll' instead of the 'under your bridge' ugly troll but at the same time I'm not sure if this is the type of paranormal that will catch on. I'd be surprised if it does.

I did find at times in Switched where it just seemed like Wendy was a little too accepting of her role.  Maybe I should be a bit more descriptive.. she didn't put up much of a fight when it came to playing her role in the new place.  She seems to lose her backbone a little in the middle but definitely regains some of it towards the end.

I am looking forward to reading Torn the next book in the trilogy and to see where Amanda takes this but I wouldn't say I'm raving over this new series.  We will see what happens.

Fave Line:  

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

This weeks pick is Lucid by Ron Bass and Adrienne Stoltz  This one will be released 19th July 2012 and I can't wait.

Synopsis

What if you could dream your way into a different life? What if you could choose to live that life forever?

Sloane and Maggie have never met. Sloane is a straight-A student with a big and loving family. Maggie lives a glamorously independent life as an up-and-coming actress in New York. The two girls couldn't be more different - except for one thing. They share a secret that they can't tell a soul. At night, they dream that they're each other.

The deeper they're pulled into the promise of their own lives, the more their worlds begin to blur dangerously together. Before long, Sloane and Maggie can no longer tell which life is real and which is just a dream. They realize that eventually they will have to choose one life to wake up to, or risk spiraling into insanity. But that means giving up one world, one love, and one self, forever.

This is a dazzling debut that will still readers' hearts.

Pre-order Lucid at Book Depository now!

What are you waiting on?

Faves of TwentyEleven: The Characters

Day Two of My Faves of TwentyEleven Book Awards - A Big thank you to Inkcrush for coming up with this idea! If you'd like to see the post click on the link above!

Day Two: The Characters


1. favourite female main character
Wow.  These don't get any easier do they?  Um okay my favourite female main character would have to be Bryn from Raised by Wolves and Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  She's such a strong character and with the amount of things thrown her way and the obstacles she's had to tackle, she would have to be the favourite.

  

Runners up:  Claire from Last Breath by Rachel Caine, Kyle from Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter


2. favourite male main character
Pete Talbot from The Undertaker by William F. Brown.  He had this quirky, witty way about him that you couldn't help but like him, even at the direst of times.

Runners Up: Ethan from Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and Vladimir from Twelfth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer


3. best couple
This would have to be Sam and Grace from Forever by Maggie Stiefvater.

Runners Up:  Talbot and Sandy from The Undertaker by William F. Brown


4. who i so want to be best friends with
Tough one, probably Kyle from Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter.  She's someone I think I could hang around and have a laugh with, especially with Socks her animal that so happens to love Frederika LOL

5. who i fell completely in love with (new literary crush)
Jackson from Amaretto Flame by Sammie Spencer.  He was just so... yummmmm lol.

6. worst (best and baddest) villian
Too hard to pick this one!


7. best character twist (who you loved then hated or vice versa)
I think Mandy from The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder was one character I hated then began to like!

8. best kick-arse female
Faythe from Alpha by Rachel Vincent was a definite kick-arse character.  Loved her way of doing things!  She was favourite and one I could relate to with her stubbornness at times.

Runners up:  Chess from City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane.  She's awesome and only has a minor drug problem lol.


9. best kick-arse male
Dominic Grey from The Egyptian by Layton Green.  He's such a strong but flawed character and one I loved reading about!

Runners up:  Terrible from City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane.  With a name like that, it's kick ass but he's an awesome character!


10. broke your heart the most
I'd have to say Ethan from Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

11. favourite pet/animal character award
Socks from Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter for sure.  Classic scene part of the way through the book.  Just loved it

Red-eyed cat from Predators of Darkness: Aftermath by Leonard D. Hilley


12. best YA parents award
This was such a tough one.  I'm going with Ed's Mum from Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley.  There was probably one sentence from her and I had absolutely loved it.. even though one sentence shouldn't qualify but still. Comment of one of Ed's friends  - "He's one of the good guys," she always said. "Just sometimes he's working under cover."

13. favourite sibling relationship
I guess Lily and her brother (from Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Kohn and David Leviathan) would be the favourite sibling relationship even though it wasn't so fantastic.  I suppose what really started the book was Lily's brother's help to get things started with the notebook.  So that was totally cool that he'd do that.

14. favourite best friends/friendship award
Claire and Eve from Last Breath by Rachel Caine.  I think this was the best unlikely friendship ever.

15. best/worst character names
I didn't really like Bryn's full name Bronwyn in Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  I guess this is just personal preference though.  Always felt like for her character Bryn suited her better.

I couldn't think of any names that would fall under Best.




Bonus: best love triangle
-None that come to mind right now.

Hope you enjoy this list 

Coming Up: Day Three - The Scenes