Top 10 of 2012: Best Books I've Read

What is Top 10 of 2012? It’s a fun-filled week where we look back at some of the best of “all things books” of 2012 and what books we’re looking forward to in 2013. 

This is an event hosted by Two Chick on Books, Fiktshun, Confessions of a Bookaholic, A Life Bound by Books and Magical Urban Fantasy. I'm so excited to be a part of it for the second time! It's always fun to look back and see which books impacted me the most throughout the whole year. I also can't wait to visit other blogs and check out everyone's list. I've picked out a lot of books in the past from others' lists and loved them.

Today's topic is Top Ten Books Read in 2012. This is the most difficult list to make since I've read and loved so many books this year. According to Goodreads, I've finished 157 books (so far) this year. A new record and an improvement from last year's 138. I find that highly ironic since 2012 has been the busiest year for me. 

Anyway without further ado, here's my top ten list in no particular order aside from the first two.

 

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

“I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck.”  

This is one of the most heart-wrenching, beautifully written and emotionally healing books I have ever read. I am eternally grateful to Katja Millay for sharing this rare gem into the literary world.
It revolves around two severely broken protagonists who are lost and dealing with tragic pasts. I hurt, fell in love and healed with these characters. 
I also bet everyone who read and loved this never forget the last two words.

  

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”

 The Fault in Our Stars is tied with TSoT as my top reads for this year. I don't think any list is complete without this John Green novel. If you haven't read it then you need to go out stat and buy a copy along with a box of Kleenex.It is the kind of book that needs to be read by everyone regardless of age and genre. The story is told with brutal honesty and emotional depth. Most importantly, it's about Life more than anything else.Who would have known "okay" could be such a romantic word?

  

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

“There are moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life and there are moments that you think you'll remember for the rest of your life, and its not often they turn out to be the same moment.” 

 The Scorpio Races was a great read and as expected, I did indulge myself on beautifully crafted images and words. What I didn't see coming is the realization after finishing this. 
In my opinion, it’s the best Maggie Stiefvater book so far. 
There’s no such thing as overwritten in it because every word is significant.

my review

  

Barely Breathing by Rebecca Donovan

“We can contemplate the meaning of your life all you want, but know that you're my meaning... the reason behind just about everything I do―and I would never want to change that.” 

You can only imagine how much I'd pined for this book after the first one. I loved A Reason to Breathe so much it even made it to this list.
I mentally prepared myself for a roller coaster ride of emotions and it turned out to be a useless thing to do. You can never prepare for what’s coming and that’s one of the million reasons why I love Rebecca Donovan. This book left me feeling raw and I mean that in the most positive way.

my review

  

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

“If I were a carpenter, I would build you a window to my soul. But I would leave that window shut and locked, so that every time you tried to look through it all you would see is your own reflection. You would see that my soul is a reflection of you.”

Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite new authors that I discovered this year. Slammed and Point of Retreat are butterflying amazing . I learned to appreciate poetry last year when I started college and this book introduced me to slam poetry. It has wonderful characters that flew off the pages and an equally engaging plot. 
Point of Retreat's ending is gorgeous..  just butterflying gorgeous. 

  

Angelfall by Susan Ee

“I never thought about it before, but I'm proud to be human. We're ever so flawed. We're frail, confused, violent, and we struggle with so many issues. But all in all, I'm proud to be a Daughter of Man.” 

Behold my favorite angel novel

Angelfall is the kind of book that I only spent a few dollars in but would willingly spend more for a copy. And saying I’m looking forward to reading the next book is cliché and a huge understatement. I will definitely read anything by Susan Ee after this one.

my review

  

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

“Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?” 
Now this list won't be complete without a Melina Marchetta book. She proved in Finnikin of the Rock that her writing abilities are not confined to the contemporary genre.
Impeccable writing, phenomenal plot and perfectly developed characters and romance. This book is long but so so worth it. And as usual there aren't enough words to express my love for a MM novel. 

  

The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher

“You can only give your heart away once, after that, everything else will chase your first love” 

I knew about The Opportunist months before I had the guts to read it. I was afraid to start on the book because it seems to bring out strong emotions from readers. 

They're all right. My whole reading experience was one heck of a roller coaster ride. Olivia, the protagonist, is the most flawed heroine - yet I won't have her any other way. I completely adored her. 

This book is a certified book-crack so don't expect sleep if you're reading it at night.

 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

“Maybe if I can just sleep for a hundred years, I'll wake up in a better story.” 

Compelling and addictive are some words to describe this book. It has every reason why I love reading contemporary and after 50 pages, I knew I was undeniably inlove. It has the right amount of upbeat mood and it is the sugary sweet romance read I hoped it would be. It’s about being the person you want to be and choosing the right decisions, even if doing so would mean sacrificing some of the things you love. 

my review

  

The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

“The time will come when you will be forced to make a choice,” Hanalea said. “When that time comes, choose love.” 

The Gray Wolf Throne is the third book in Chima's Seven Realms series. I swear this series gets better and better with each book. I'm extremely picky when it comes to Fantasy books and Chima gave everything I want in them and more. 
This is definitely one of my all-time favorites and I recommend it to everyone who's in the mood for a great high-fantasy read. 

Honorable Mentions

What are your favorite reads this year? Share them in the comments or leave a link to your top ten list!