November Top 5

Every month I come up with the top five books I read that month. I'm a little behind on reviews (as you can probably tell by my left side bar) so the reviews for these books are coming up early in December. But I still think it's worth mentioning these books. This is my way of distinguishing what I loved to what I freaked out about. My mom asked me this week if I just love everything I read - and while I like a lot of things (I do dislike books every now and again) I do have my books that surpass others and become the ones that jump into my head any time I'm asked for recommendations. These books are the ones that stood out to me this month.

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

This book is definitely in my top five for the entire year and has made it onto my top favorite YA books EVER. It's so imaginative and gorgeous. It's not only an incredible and unique story - the way that it's told is so magnificent. I can't praise this book enough - you just have to read it.

2. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

This one I have actually reviewed, and you can read that here. This was a great November release. I love that it's a cross between a dystopia and a fairy-tale, which makes it feel different than other dystopias. I also had a lot of fun putting together a playlist for this novel, which you can check out here. 

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This one just makes me want to sigh with far off wonderment. Theres something so magical in this story. It's written with such grace, especially for such a brutal setting, that it just wraps you in its pages until it becomes a part of who you are.


4. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Okay, so over Thanksgiving break I went on a total contemporary kick. I usually read a contemporary book here and there, but I just plowed through one right after the other. And this one completely shocked me. I expected it to be pretty fluffy, nothing too important. Imagine my surprise when there was actually an important reflection on social conventions that surfaced at the end.


5. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Part of my contemporary marathon. I've been meaning to read this book for ages and I finally picked it up. I fell in all kinds of love with everyone in this book. Another really great, really raw, portrayal of high school life. And it's from a new voice - the girl who always feels like a sidekick. I think most girls will be able to relate to this story.


What were your top reads this month?