Top Ten Books I Read in 2012 (12)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme has you post a top ten list with a bookish theme. I'm particularly excited about this one because I get to reminisce on this year's top books. Plus, how awesome is it that the top books of 2012 is my 12th top ten tuesday? Almost makes me want to do a top twelve instead of a top ten.

Top Ten Books I Read in 2012

The winners of 2012 are...drumroll please. And these are in no specific order of awesomeness.

1. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - First off, the author's name is beautiful. ;) Secondly, this book was fantastic. I'm not a huge zombie fan, but this book was more about the humans than the zombies. It was such a wonderfully emotional book that left me craving more. Definitely a new favorite.

2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - This Russian inspired fantasy literally took my breath away. I loved the Grisha and the Shadow Fold, and I cannot wait to read Siege and Storm so I can revisit Ravka. Bardugo excels in her storytelling and world building, and I was very impressed.

3. 11/22/63 by Stephen King - With 11/22/63, King has proven that he is skilled not only in writing horror but historical fiction as well. Every one of these 800 pages was worth the sacrifice of trees. It was wonderfully done, and my eyes were glued to the pages from start to finish.

4. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book, and I'm not usually a fan of contemporary YA. I'd much rather pick
up a fantasy or horror book. But The Sky is Everywhere was so beautifully written and well-done, I wanted to reread it right after finishing. It was an emotional, gripping read!

5. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - A favorite of almost everyone who reads it, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is truly a masterpiece of fantasy and the supernatural. With Taylor's skill, Prague comes alive with magic and paranormal forces. I didn't have a single complaint.

6. The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - I enjoyed this book even more than Girl of Fire and Thorns. The world building was wonderfully done, and I absolutely adored Elisa. She has to be one of my favorite heroines of all time. I raced through this book to the finish, and I immediately wanted The Bitter Kingdom.

7-8. Eon & Eona by Alison Goodman - After reading this series, I have had all the dragons I will ever need. Goodman excels in writing fantasy, and I thoroughly enjoyed this Asian inspired series. The breathtaking descriptions and excellent character development left me more than satisfied.

9. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness - What a horrific, shocking book! It left me reeling even after I finished, and I immediately purchased the rest of the series. I cannot wait to devour those books as well. Ness's writing has definitely left a lasting impression on me.

10. The Passage by Justin Cronin - I rave about this book far too much, but I can't help myself. Cronin has made a fan out of me with this truly terrifying vampire thriller. If you want horror and substance, The Passage offers both. There were 800 pages and I enjoyed every single one. I cannot wait to read The Twelve.

Of course there were many honorable mentions (Blood Red Road, Angelfall, The Scorpio Races, and Jellicoe Road) and it was hard to select just ten, but I finally did!

What are your top books of the year?