Books You May Have Missed in 2012

2012 was a pretty epic year, book-wise. It's easy for some really great books to get lost in the shadows of some really big titles. So this year we had Insugent and Throne of Glass or the amazing Shadow and Bone. But there were some books that blew my mind or wormed their way into my heart and I don't feel like they're talked about enough. So I just wanted to post a quick reminder, that as we move on to the new year, full of exciting new titles, not to let some greats of 2012 fall off your TBRs.

The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

I bought so many copies of this book. I passed them out like candy. I believe in this story so much. I wish everyone would pick up this one. It's gorgeous and so meaningful.

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Corielle

Chloe wormed her way into my heart and won't leave. I read this one a year ago and it's still clear in my mind. I often ask myself - what would Chloe do to make this situation fun? 

The Right & The Real by Jöelle Anthony

This is such a well-written contemporary novel that deals with real issues without being overwhelming or preachy. It completely surprised me and there's a lot to gain from reading this book. 

Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

I don't read a lot of thrillers, but this one was exceptional. It was fast paced, fascinating and just such a great read. 

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samatha Van Leer

You'd think a Jodi Picoult YA book would show up everywhere. But I feel like people didn't really talk about it at all. I wasn't sure I was going to read it, but I decided to pick it up and I kind of fell in love with it. It's a love story for readers. 

Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

SUPERHEROES. This book was pretty epic for me. Bonus points for taking place in Minneapolis. I love a lot about this book - from the paranormal twist, to the boy who can teleport, the family dynamics, and so much more. 

The Peculiar by Stephen Bachman

This book was completely enchanting. I feel like a lot of steampunk books focus too much on the genre and not enough on the story. This one has the great story to go with the steampunk. Plus, it's the kind of story that you can't fit into an age category. This is a book for everyone.

Croak by Gina Damico

Dark humor and access to the famous in the afterlife. This book was so much fun and so clever. The sequel, Scorch, came out this year as well.

Velveteen by Daniel Marks

This book completely blew me away. The writing was beautiful and chilling. It was dark and completely awesome. I don't know if I missed everyone talking about it when it came out or what, but I'm actually confused by the lack of hype surrounding this book. Because it's one I am still freaking out about. 

Are there any books you feel like people missed in 2012? 

September Top Five

This September was a really scary and uncertain month for me. I just moved to New York and I have no job or apartment. I've been kind of floating and hoping that I'd find somewhere soft to land. But I made it through the month and I have found an apartment with two amazing girls (who also love YA!) and I have some job prospects. So things are looking up. Anyways, I've managed to read some amazing books - and here are the top five that I read in September. 

1. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

SO awesome. A well imagined and unique world that is dark, beautiful, and intriguing. Awesome story with unlikely heroes. Love it. Read my review here. 

2. Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

I devoured this book. I was so invested in these characters and I just wanted to know as much about them as possible. Plus, I love the concept of parallel universes. I have so much love for this book. Review coming soon.

3. Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I love Maggie Stiefvater. She is the queen of creating legends. Read my review here. 

4. Entice by Jessica Shirvington

An awesome sequel to Embrace. I love Violet and Lincoln so much. I so hope the CW actually makes this series happen on TV. That would make my life. Review for this one will be up soon. 

5. If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

Heartbreaking, but so gorgeous. You and everyone you've ever met just need to read this one. Read my review here. 

What were your top reads in September?

The Peculiar - Stefan Bachmann

Synopsis: Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.
In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words. Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings--Peculiars--and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.
One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window. Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley--Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.
First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong. Part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part steampunk adventure, "The Peculiar" is Stefan Bachmann's riveting, inventive, and unforgettable debut novel. (From Goodreads)

I attended the University of Denver Publishing Instiute this summer, and this is the one book that I think all 97 of us were anxiously awaiting to be released. I can't thank Alexa at Alexa Loves Books enough for passing on her copy to me. The Peculiar is the kind of book that just completely draws you into another world, a version of our world that seems it could easily exist.

The beginning of this book is one of my favorite beginnings ever. It begins as a dark and chilling tale, but we are introduced through the history of this world. A world where faerys invade England and war ensues. A world where faerys lose and become secondary citizens, left to live in the slums of Bath. This war sparks an industrial age - because iron wards against faerys - and thus the steampunk element is introduced. Then there is the lady in plum, who performs a horrifying ritual where she thinks no one is watching, but a changeling named Bartholemew sees everything.

This book has it's moments that are completely horrifying, but it's also kind of charming at the same time. Because you have two great underdog characters who step up to save the day. There's Bartholemew who's always been taught not to draw attention. He's young, naive, and all he wants is a friend. Then there's Mr. Jelliby, who is the guy who's always in the wrong place at the wrong time, forcing him to get involved and be an unlikely hero. The (good guy) characters are so adorable and the world is so imaginative, it's hard not to fall in love a little bit.

So if all this isn't amazing, just wait until you hear that Stefan Bachmann started writing this book when he was 16. SIXTEEN! I was almost 100 pages in before I found this out and it completely shocked me. The writing and the story is so sophisticated and refined that this is truly impressive. It's the kind of story that I know I would have loved when I was a child, I love it now that I'm older, and I'm sure I'd love it at any age.  I know a lot of amazing books are coming out on the 18th, but make sure this one is on your list to pick up next week. It's incredible.