bir2013

Jennifer L. Armentrout had 4 books come out in 2012, Pure, Onyx, Deity & Cursed, and with the the love of all 4 books, this made Jennifer our top vote getter for BIR 2012. One of our bloggers is so in LOVE with Jennifer's books, she worked really hard with several other bloggers in Houston, TX to get the release party for Opal (Jennifer's 5th book out in 2012, it released on Tuesday, December 11th) to Houston and they won. We are SUPER excited to be featuring Jennifer on BIR and to share with you the first chapter of Apollyon, the 4th book in the Covenant Series!

Buy Jennifer's Books: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Jennifer Online: Webpage / Twitter / Blog / Facebook

Click HERE for the direct widget or use the embedded widget below to read the first Chapter of Apollyon!

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#BIR2012 Top Books: Rift and Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Bloodrose and Rift by Andrea Cremer were two of my (Stacey from PageTurnersBlog) most anticipated books of 2012. Bloodrose was an amazing end to an epic story and Rift was the perfect start to the two prequel story. Andrea has created an amazing world for her Keepers and Searchers and I'm SUPER excited that we get to stay in this world a little longer. We hope you enjoy learning more about the world in our interview with Andrea and that you'll keep reading in 2013!

Buy
~ Bloodrose: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound
~ Rift: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Andrea Online: Webpage / blog / twitter / tumblr

1. You've had an end, and a beginning this year with Bloodrose and Rift, what has it been like to end a series but still be able to continue in the world of Searchers and the Keepers?
It's been wonderful! The history of the Searchers and Keepers and the origins of the Witches War were things I always knew and had extensive notes on. It was wonderful to share that story with readers - the world of Nightshade is full of tales that occurred over several centuries and I'm thrilled that I can tell those stories now!

2. The audiobook for Rift is amazing, the narrator has a beautiful Scottish accent, did you have any role in picking her or in the production of it?
I did - Random House audio does the Nightshade audiobooks and they've been amazing about choosing narrators. They send me samples of the reader's work first, but I've always felt they pick the perfect person for each book. I adore the reader for RIFT and I love her accent.

3. Ember receives a very different and unique weapon in Rift, can you give us a little history about it and why you chose it for her?
Though RIFT is set in medieval Scotland, I wanted Ember's weapon to change up the setting a bit as well as reflect the sort of magic that Conatus wields in their world. Ember's weapon is a variation of the ancient Chinese wind and fire wheel (feng huo lun), a melee weapon wielded in pairs. This weapon requires speed, agility, and grace rather than sheer force and it matched well with Ember's skills and her personality.

4. Bloodrose has a very climactic ending. Did you always know it would end that way or did it evolve while you wrote the story?
I always knew how Bloodrose would end and I dreaded arriving at the last part of that book. I cried through it while I wrote.

5. Music is a big part of your writing, and you have playlists and such for each book, but is there one song that really speaks to the series as a whole?
Florence and the Machine's Howl :)

6. You have two books coming out in 2013, one, the second prequel book to Nightshade, Rise, and the other Invisibility, the book you co-wrote with David Levithan, can you give us short little preview of each?
I actually have FOUR books coming about it 2013! RISE continues the story of the Witches War and particularly focuses on the experiences of Ember, Barrow, Eira, and Alistair. INVISIBILITY (with D. Levithan, who I love so much!) is the story of a boy who was born invisible and the girl who is the only person who can see him. I can't reveal the titles of the third and fourth books, but I can say that my fall 2013 book takes place after the events of BLOODROSE and the fourth book is the first of my adult novels. I'm so excited for 2013. I will be really, really disappointed if the world ends on December 21.

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#BIR2012 Top Books: The Lost Prince and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

The Lost Prince and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa both showcase Julie's amazing world building and story telling. She creates characters that you become attached to instantly and have you always wanting more. Julie is a BIR staple, making it onto our list all 3 years of this feature. We are SUPER excited to have her back again this year with a wonderful interview.

Buy
~ The Lost Prince: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound
~ The Immortal Rules: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Julie Online: Blog / Webpage / Twitter / Iron Fey Webpage / Immortal Rules Webpage

1. Allison has a moment when she chooses her sword in Immortal Rules, were you channeling yourself a little in that scene? It seemed like Julie-esque moment.
Lol, maybe a little. I love swords and weapons, and katanas are, of course, my favorite. I figured what would be more awesome than a katana wielding Asian vampire girl? And no, I wasn't seeing myself as Allison in that scene (she said, lying through her teeth). Not at all. ;-)

2. Immortal Rules is a cool combination of zombies and Vampires with the crazy rabid vampires, where did this mythology come from? What kind of research did you do to create your mythology?
A lot of research went into creating The Immortal Rules, because it was essentially the real world. Granted, a broken, vampire infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Which meant that everything had to make sense. Most of my research came from watching the entire series of the Discovery Channel's Life After People, a documentary of what would happen to the world if all humans just disappeared. How long would it take for buildings to collapse? What would happen to the cars, roads, pets, wildlife? I also watched several movies on plagues and viruses, such as Outbreak and Contagion. Lots of research, but it was necessary to build a realistic world; I couldn't explain anything away with faery magic this time.

3. What would Allison's life been like if she wouldn't have been bitten and then turned? Would she have eventually become a blood slave?
Very unlikely. Allison is far too stubborn to submit to anything. If she never became a vampire, she would eventually have died, either from starvation, or fighting something nasty. Probably a vampire who wanted to feed on her.

4. Why did you want to continue the Fey story with Ethan's story? Will this be the last 3 books in this world?
Continuing the Iron Fey series in Ethan's point of view seemed like a natural progression. After all, he was the child who started the whole adventure, in a way. Meghan's story might've come to a close, but what happened to the brother and family she left behind? Ethan was bound to have lifelong scars after what happened to him as a toddler, and as Grimalkin has noted before, trouble can't seem to leave the Chase family alone.

As for this being the last 3 books of the Iron Fey, anything is possible. Who knows what will happen next?

5. Which Iron Fey character were you most excited to revisit and experience again in The Lost Prince?
I was happy to revisit all of them, really. But there are two that come to mind. One is, of course, Grimalkin, for obvious reasons. He's always fun to write about. The second is Keirran, even though we just got a glimpse of him in Iron Knight. I was excited to introduce Ash and Meghan's son as one of the main characters, even though he turned out much different than people might expect. There have been complaints that Keirran is nothing like Ash, but that's kind of the point. Keirran is not his father, or his mother, but a little mix of both. His story grows even more complex in the second book, as does his relationship with Ethan and Kenzie.

6. The second book in both series is coming out in 2013, can you give us a 3 word sneak peek at each book?
How about a 6 word sneak peek of The Eternity Cure, since the second Ethan book isn't out for awhile?

"I smelled blood as soon as..."

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is amazing high fantasy set in a Czarist era Russia setting. It's an amazing story with a great setting and engaging characters. And then to top it off, it has an AMAZING cover and art work inside. This book is the compete package and we hope you'll check it out and that you enjoy our interview with Leigh.

Buy Shadow and Bone: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Leigh online: Webpage / Tumblr / Twitter

1. WOW, this year has been crazy awesome for you, what's been the most surreal/coolest moment so far?
It really has been crazy. I keep expecting to wake up and find out it was all a dream. Or, y'know, one of Alice's visions. Making the NYT list was probably the most "my little brain cannot grasp this" moment, and meeting David Heyman in London to talk about the movie is up there, too. But there are lots of quieter things that happen—getting to meet one of my favorite writers or a reader showing up in costume at a signing. Every moment is the coolest moment.

2. How has your past work as a make-up artist and your love for costumes impacted the look of the characters and the feel of the world?
Well, I hope all those little visual and tactile details add up— Is the cloak velvet or wool? What does it mean to wear Corporalki Red? How does it feel to slip on a pair of fur-lined boots, or silk slippers, or army-issue boots? I hope they make the world feel more real for readers and that they help create a place that people want to return to. I think my experience in the industry and my ambivalence toward it shows up in Genya's character. She really embodies what beauty can and can't do for you.

3. The world of Shadow and Bone is full of symbolism, did it all come form Russian lore or did you pull from other histories and mythologies to create the world?
Much of the inspiration for Ravka came from Russian folklore and culture, but you'll also find references to Romanian and Scandinavian mythology, and the Greek ideas of haecceity and quiddity show up in the principles of the Small Science.

4. Can you give us a 3 world preview of book 2, Siege and Storm?
Darkness never dies.

5. If you could get a tattoo to represent the series, what would you get?
"Live Fabrikator or Die." No, I kid. A tattoo of Morozova's collar could be gorgeous, but I think it's too much of a commitment for me, so maybe something else using the antlers. I also love all of the crests that Adam Watkins designed.

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Grave Mercy By R. L. LaFevers

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is an epic historical fantasy novel. It has an order of nuns who are assassins, court politics, action, romance, and a great story, I couldn't ask for anything more in a book. This is an EPIC YA/Teen debut and I hope you all enjoy getting to know a little more about this book from our interview with Robin.

Buy Grave Mercy: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Robin online: webpage / twitter

1. As you state on your web page, quite a lot of the history in Grave Mercy is real, what kind of research did you do to find all this amazing information and why did you choose this time in history to set your fictional story?
I knew I wanted to write an epic romance filled with high stakes and impossible choices, with lives and kingdoms hanging in the balance. And I wanted my teen protagonist to take center stage, be the prime movers of the drama. For that kind of story, I needed a big, sweeping canvas with high stakes and lives and kingdoms at risk, and a time when teens were in a position shape the world around them. That search brought me to the middle ages and a world full of sacred relics, patron saints, and lots of social turbulence.

While I could easily have set the story in an alternate world, for me personally, I love reading about stories that have their roots in history—it gives it all a much more, it could really have happened kind of feel to it.

I researched the time period, the politics, the geography, what everyday life was like back then, and the folklore and spiritual beliefs. I acquired all sorts of wonderful research books. (In fact, my husband insists I only write so I have an excuse to buy research books!) Luckily, I write in the age of Google, so I had access to a wealth of information, oftentimes I was able to look up ancient Breton lineages on obscure genealogy sites, or I would find that the walled medieval city where Anne lived still existed and I could see it online.

One of the (many!) things I love about research is that not only I learn amazing details of how people lived and thought centuries ago, but there is such great story material as well. I’m not sure I could have dreamed up a twelve year old inheriting a kingdom, but once I stumbled across it in my research, I knew that was the perfect backdrop for the book.

2. You also write middle grade books, but Grave Mercy is your first "YA" title, did you know that Grave Mercy would trend older and did you approach the book differently than you did your middle grade titles?
I knew from the start that GRAVE MERCY was going to be an older book, a darker, more complex, maybe even try-to-rip-your-heart-out kind of book, and nothing about it hinted at middle grade to me, so I never even briefly considered it as a younger project.

As for whether I approached it differently than I do my MG books, that’s an interesting question. The truth is, each of my books has required a slightly different process to get it to unfold, so in one sense I approach them all differently, using whatever method it takes to get the story to begin to jell and come together for me.

But by the same token, all my books get written in a similar way—with me trying to really understand my protagonist and their emotional landscape, then telling a story that will test everything they believe in and hold dear, and while doing that, somehow transform them. I also do that with my middle grade books, but because they are series, the protagonist’s transformation happens in smaller increments per book and their transformational experiences skew younger and less extreme.

Because I knew Grave Mercy was going to explore dark themes and heavy issues, I also gave myself permission to ‘go there’, wherever ‘there’ might end up being. I didn’t hold back or pull punches or veer away from issues I thought too controversial or risky. I wasn’t going to dance around the idea of these teen assassin nuns assassinating people, I was going to allow them to do all the hard and somewhat morally questionable things that the concept required.

3. You've gotten some amazing covers. What are some of your favorite details about the covers?
I have had simply amazing cover luck! For the GRAVE MERCY cover, there are just so many things to love! I love that she has that big old honkin’ crossbow, and looks fierce enough to use it. I love that her dress is authentically of that time (the dress itself came from the Royal Shakespeare Company in London), I love the storm clouds overhead that clearly signal trouble is brewing, and I love the strong, proud, fierce way the heroine stands in the frame. She is not curled in a ball, or headless, or wilting, or diminished in any way. She is a presence, a force to be reckoned with. And yet, even with all that there is a softness about her face—her cheeks maybe—that indicate that she is also a bit young or naïve. All in all, a perfect cover.

The DARK TRIUMPH cover was meant to convey a completely different mood, and I think it succeeds in that. Sybella’s story is a darker one, and she herself is trapped in a situation that is nearly suffocating, so the use of a hallway and the looming castle walls to mimic that claustrophobic sense that she experiences in the book feels really effective to me. Again, I love the period authenticity of the gown, but mostly what I love is that she looks not only fierce, but royally pissed off. And she is! She has been betrayed by so many, she is nearly at the end of her rope. She deserves to be pissed off. She deserves to be able to put her head back and roar in fury. And in our society, we so rarely are accepting of women’s anger, or angry women, that it makes me really happy that the cover does not flinch from Sybella’s reality.

4. If you could visit one of the locations in Grave Mercy, which would you visit and what would you be most excited to see in that location?
I suppose it would be cheating if I simply said, Brittany?

If that is cheating, then I suppose it would be the city of Guerande. One of the things that is so alluring about Brittany is that many of its towns and cities still retain their medieval flavor and architecture. Guerande still has its medieval town walls and eight towers, and the cathedral that was built in the 15th century, and I would love to see all of that. The timbered and plaster homes, the narrow cobbled streets; I have heard it is like stepping back in time, so that would be amazing.

Having said that, I’m not sure I could visit Brittany without at least stopping by the Isle de Sein, since that was one of the seeds from which the idea for the story sprang—the place where the last nine of the druidesses lived, rumored to have extraordinary powers—to rule the weather, speak to birds, and change their shapes. Since that feels like the birthplace of the assassin nun concept, I would have to at least swing by there on the way back to the US.

5. Dark Triumph comes out next year, can you give us a three word preview of it?
Three words?!? Excuse me, I write 120,000 word books—I never use three words when 300 will do.
Oh, this is torture!
one pissed-off assassin
love, redemption, forgiveness
journey toward wholeness

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Elizabeth Eulberg's Take a Bow, for me, is up there with Fame as a pop culture representation of performing arts schools. It's a story full of heart, and amazing characters. Elizabeth hits another home run with her third contemporary novel.

Buy:

~ Take a Bow Hard Cover: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

~ Take a Bow Paper Back BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Elizabeth Online: Webpage / Twitter / Facebook /

We are SUPER excited to debut the new paperback cover of this outstanding book. I think it really captures the story and and I LOVE IT! We hope you do too!

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver is an action packed second book in the Best Selling Delirium Trilogy. And this is one of 2 novels she published this year while also being very involved in Paper Lantern Lit and so many other things! We are SUPER excited she took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few of our questions!

Buy:
~ Pandemonium: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound
~ Hana an ebook short story: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Pre-order:
~ Annabel an ebook short story: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound
~ Requiem the highly anticipated conclusion to the trilogy: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Lauren Online: Webpage / blog - tumblr / Twitter / Facebook

1. I saw on facebook that the President bought Pandemonium and Delirium this weekend. What does it mean to you to see new people discovering your stories?
It's very surreal and amazing! I get excited all over again every time someone sends me the link. I can't stop tweeting about it! Of course, it's especially exciting because it's the President, but it's an amazing feeling anytime someone tells me that they've read something I've written for the first time.

2. We are highly anticipating Requiem, out next year, did you always know how the series was going to end or were you surprised by anything that happened along the way?
I certainly didn't know the specifics of it when I was writing Delirium, but I've known for a while the general path that I wanted the story to take, specifically with Lena's world growing larger with each book, and her growing strength.

3. Pandemonium is told in a split timeline format that had me never wanting to stop reading because i kept hoping you'd go back to the other timeline so I could find out what happened next. Why did you choose to write it this way and do you think it would have changed the story if you would have told it through a different format?
Every decision that you make takes a story in a different direction, so much of art is making choices. I wanted to write the story with the "now' and "then" because I thought it gave the story more suspense and momentum... and it seems like it worked for you at least. :)

4. You've had a big couple of years since your debut with Before I Fall. What does it mean to you as a creative person to be able to write across genres and age groups and to have Paper Lantern Lit as driver of others creativity?
When I'm coming up with stories, or in the process of writing them, I don't really think about them in terms of genre or age. I tell the story in the way that makes the most sense to me, and it ends up falling into those categories.

5. Can you give us a three word preview of Requiem?
Rebellion, Lena, Hana!

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Insurgent by Veronica Roth does not fall into the second book trap, it's an amazing continuation of the story started in Divergent (a BIR Top book for 2011). We are SUPER excited to have Veronica join us today for a Q&A since she's still writing book number 3.

Buy Insurgent: BN.com / Amazon / IndieBound
Insurgent Deluxe Edition: BN.com / Amazon / IndieBound
Free Four A Divergent ebook Short Story: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound
Divergent/Insurgent Hard Cover Box Set: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Veronica Online: Blog / Tumblr / Twitter / Facebook / Divergent Facebook

1. I think it's fair to say Divergent & Insurgent became WAY bigger than you ever expected they would when I first met you at the Anderson's Lit Fest in 2010. What's been some of your favorite experiences over the last two years?
The last two years have been pretty amazing. Some of my favorite experiences have been seeing people dress up for events--they'll appear in my signing line in full faction costume, and it's great to see people getting so enthusiastic about the books, especially when they find other people who are just as enthusiastic as they are! Also among my favorite experiences: I've gotten the opportunity to meet a lot of incredible authors and to do some fangirling of my own. (Dignified fangirling, of course. Okay, not really.)

2. What's been your favorite part of the first two books to write so far? What are you excited for us to read in book 3?
My favorite part of the first two books...hmm. That's a really difficult question! I generally love writing the most intense scenes best-- so in the first book, the scene at the end where Tris is in the real (not simulated) water tank, and in the second book, the scene with Marlene on the rooftop. I'm most excited for people to read the end of book 3. That's all I can really say about that.

3. You're on Tumblr a lot, what's been your favorite bit of fan "art" you've come across? Do you save or bookmark any?
I have a policy of leaving the Divergent tag alone on Tumblr, not because I don't like to see the art people make or their comments/reactions, but because I like to leave people safe spaces to express themselves without a kind of paranoia that I'll be watching them, if that makes sense. It's just how I like to do things. That said, I have seen some really great minimalist posters for Divergent-- I think I reblogged them recently. There have also been some really amazing drawings and mock book covers and things of that nature that I've also loved.

4. The clothing for each faction is so specific, how did you decide what each would wear? Did you play dress up to make sure it all worked as a look?
I didn't play dress-up, no. I think I just went with my instincts about what people devoted to a particular virtue would wear. The Abnegation were the easiest. Gray is the color that I associate with calm and productivity and not drawing attention to yourself, and I knew they had no concerns about being attractive, so I went with the loose-fitting, utilitarian gray look for them. The other factions were similar-- the style and the colors come from the virtue, like everything else.

5. Insurgent left us going AHHHHH NEED BOOK 3 NOW! How do you choose where to end each book?
Sorry about that! I tried so hard not to write a cliffhanger, but I couldn't think of a way to end it without one. It's hard to choose endings for books in a series-- with book one, I thought about closing some of the plot arcs while leaving others open, and found a natural place in the story to end it with those things in mind. With the second book, I felt like if I didn't stop where I stopped, I would have ended up tacking on book 3 to the end of book 2, and I didn't have time for those shenanigans. And with the third...well, you'll see.

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#BIR2012 Top Book: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits is one of those classic love stories that will capture your heart from the start. It's about Echo and Noah, two teens dealing with tragedy in their pasts who find friendship, trust and finally love as they help each other heal and move forward as they deal with their tragic histories.

Buy Pushing the Limits: BN.com / Amazon / IndieBound

Find Katie Online:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

We hope you enjoy this interview with Echo and Noah!

Echo:
• If you could go on an art grand tour of the world, what museums or locations would be on your tour?
Any where that has a Monet painting. He is my favorite artist. I love Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. I’m hoping to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City someday to see it in person.

• What was the hardest part about not remembering what happened to you?
The way I became isolated from everyone and everything. I didn’t know how to face people with the scars on my arms and no memory of how it happened. I didn’t want people to think I was a freak, but they did anyway. I was in a no win situation.

• Whats your favorite part of Noah to draw?
His eyes. Noah has gorgeous eyes.

• How are things with your mom, dad and step-mom? Have you been able to find a level of trust and understanding?
I get along better with my dad and step-mom. Ashley definitely still has foot-in-mouth disease and can’t help herself from saying stupid things. She does apologize faster than she used to. My dad has a hard time seeing me as an adult and it’s a struggle for him to not tell me what he thinks I should do with my life.

With that said, I find myself more comfortable with them and that leads me to talking to them more. I think, with time, our relationship will strengthen.

Mom and I are slowly feeling each other out. She’s attended a few of my therapy sessions with Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Collins keeps reminding me that mending these relationships will take time.

Noah:
• What's the best thing you've been able to do with your brothers recently?
Their adoptive parents let me take them roller skating. I have to admit: I hadn’t been on skates since I was a kid. Thank God Echo showed. Otherwise I would have spent the day on my ass in the middle of the floor.

• What do you think your parents would say about you if they could see how you've handled yourself over the last couple years?
Ouch. You don’t hold back on the rough questions, do you?

The answer depends on which portion of my life you’re looking at. The drinking, drugs, and the girls? No doubt they would have been disappointed.

How I’ve worked stuff out with Carrie and Joe so I can see my brothers, my relationship with Echo, and my future in college? They’d be proud.

• If you got a tattoo to represent all the important people in your life, what would you get to represent them, either as a collective whole or individually?
I’ve already got the cross on my bicep for my parents and brothers. The only other person I’d consider getting a tattoo for is Echo. If I did get one for her, I’d have the Greek spelling of her name put on my other bicep.

• What's your favorite thing to do with Echo?
What’s this interview’s rating? I kid. My favorite thing to do with Echo is hold her. When she’s in my arms I feel like I can take on anyone and do anything.

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Katie continues her magic with Dare to You, Beth (Noah's best friend) & Ryan's Story

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

#BIR2012 Top Book: Raven Boys by Maggie Stievfater

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater:

Buy The Raven Boys: BN.com / Amazon / Indiebound

Find Maggie Online:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

What the BIR Blogs had to say about The Raven Boys:

Dark, twisted and full of magic... just the way I like it. I've been a Maggie Stiefvater fan since The Books of Faerie; I loved her dark humor and her lyrical prose. Although, I adore her Shiver series, I missed the creepy/dark factor of Maggie's writing and The Raven Boys gives me back that darker side of Maggie. - Pixie PageTuernsBlog.com

Having read Scorpio Races I am very familiar with Maggie Stiefvater’s work. Her mysterious and intriguing style of writing lures her readers into an exciting new read. Ms. Steifvater’s characters in the novel are all very well rounded, each having their haunting troubles. A fresh and unique plot gives readers something extremely new and entertaining. - Joshua OnceUponaTwilight.com

There's something about a book by Maggie Stiefvater... like dark chocolate, I don't need a lot of it to find myself deeply satisfied. Her writing is really a cut above, and I simply can't blast through one of her books in a day in the same way as I can't eat a whole bar of dark chocolate in one go. I like to put it down, wander off, have a think and then come back later. Every book by Maggie seems to get better and better too, and The Raven Boys is no exception to this rule. - Jen readinglark.blogspot.com

I loved every moment of this book. Really. I did not read the back before I read the book so everything was a surprise. The characters are great and the story is magical. - Megan amethystdaydreams.blogspot.com

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Click on the "terms and conditions" on the widget for all the rules

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to #BIR2012

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 22:53:00 +0000

Welcome to Best I've Read 2012!!! We are SUPER excited to be featuring over 90 authors across 10 blogs and the BIR site. Be sure to check out the BIR Schedule Page to see what authors and books are being featured and where throughout the week.

Many blogs started their features today, so be sure to click on the sidebar buttons and visit all the blogs! We also have the sidebar blog feed widget that will list all of our current posts. And follow BIR on twitter with the hashtag #BIR2012 and @BestIveRead.

We wanted to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to all the authors and publishers for providing the amazing original content, feature posts and giveaways. Without them, this event would not be as amazing as it is. We are all passionate about the books we're featuring and we're all excited to spread the word about them and we would not be able to do it without the help of the authors and publishers, so THANK YOU for all you do and for helping make BIR amazing!

We hope you have a blast with BIR 2012 and be sure to leave TONS of comments and spread the love of BIR!!

#BIR2012 Starts Monday! (And other top 2012 lists)

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:25:00 +0000

Hey everyone, BIR 2012 will kick off on Monday with some great features and giveaways here on the BIR site and on all of our participating blogs! We hope you stop by and you enjoy learning more about some of our favorite reads of 2012.

But to keep you thinking about great reads until then, here are some other Top Books of 2012 Lists

Audible: Best Audiobooks of 2012
Good Read Choice Awards
Barnes & Noble Best Books of 2012
Time Magazine: Top 10 of 2012
Oprah: Top 2012 Books
NPR Best of 2012
Amazon's Top 10 List
New York Time's Top 10 List
Washington Post's Best Books of 2012
Hollywood.com's Staff Picks Best Books of 2012
NYT's Best Illustrated Books of 2012
New Zealand's Listener Chooses their Top 100 books of 2012
Esquire's Top Books of 2012

Bonus:

Washington Post's Year in Book News
New York Times has some fun Holiday Shopping Book Lists on their Books Page

Do you have a favorite top Books List? Post the link in the comments!

Goodreads Choice Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The first round voting of the Goodreads Choice Awards is now open! Vote for the pre-selected titles or nominate your own top books in several different categories!

Did your vote make our BIR lists? Stop back by here and our participating blogs December 9-15 and see what our Best I've Read picks are!

Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Publisher's weekly has posted it's Children's Fiction Best Books of 2012. Several of these books have made our BIR list and our blog Top Reads lists, can you guess which ones?

It's Almost Time...

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Habel) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Mark Your Calendars!

Best I've Read 2012 will run from December 9th to 15th.

The votes are in and our list of winners has been selected.

Publishers and authors are being contacted soon.

Don't miss this fabulous annual event!

#BIR2011: Giveaway Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:49:00 +0000

Before I list the winners from this year's event, I'd first like to thank some people for making Best I've Read 2011 as great as it was.

A huge thank you goes out to each and every one of the authors who participated in BIR2011. You are the reason we do this, and we're so grateful that we've been able to work with each of you.

To the publicists and publishers who work so very hard to get these amazing books out there into the world, thank you. It can't be easy doing what you do. You're appreciated!

To the bloggers who participated this year, you're awesome beyond words. Thank you!

To you, the readers, you've been so supportive and so excited when Best I've Read started both last year and this year, and we'd be nothing without you. Thank you for reading! We look forward to seeing you again next year. :-)

And now, are you ready to see who won what here on the Best I've Read blog? (all other giveaways were/should be posted on the individual participating blogs)

Top Eight Giveaways:

Haven by Kristi Cook

Winner: Jessica L., Barbara S., Alexa K., Kimberle B., Karen M.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Winner: Audrey G.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Winner: Jennifer T.

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Winner: Kara D.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Winners: Charissa J. & Sarah C.

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Winner: Brooke R.

Signed Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Winner: Stephanie H.

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Winner: Sophia L.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Winner: April X.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Winner: Len D.

Bonus Giveaways:

U.S. Package One

Winner: Sarah G

U.S. Package Two

Winner: Tammy W.

U.S. Package Three

Winner: Angela H.

U.S. Package Four

Winner: Stephanie P.

U.S. Package Five

Winner: Alexandra T.

U.S. Package Six

Winner: Thuy L.

1 book from The River of Times series by Lisa T. Bergren + $20 Starbucks Giftcard

Winner: Natalie C.

Up to $20 to spend on top 1-2 top 8 BIR2011 books from The Book Depository:

Winner: Isabelle F.

2 signed, personalized UK copies of Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Winners: Carol T. & Emilie C.

1 signed copy of All You Desire by Kirsten Miller

Winner: Anstice P.

Congratulations to everyone! Please allow at least once month for delivery as these books are coming from different publishers, authors and bloggers.

P.S. Please note: Due to the number of giveaways this year we will NOT be sending out individual emails to the winners. This will be the only notice of who has won. Thank you!

#BIR2011: Bonus Giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:47:00 +0000

We really, really hope you've enjoyed Best I've Read this year and that you've found some amazing new books to add to your TBR piles. We've had so much fun working with all the authors, publishers and blogs and have really enjoyed all of your comments.

Thanks to our amazing authors, bloggers and publishers, we are able to now offer you some bonus giveaways to close up Best I've Read 2011.

We have several great packages for our U.S. readers and quite a few for our International Readers as well.

Here are the packages:

U.S. Addresses Only:

U.S. Package One:

1 signed copy of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
1 signed copy of Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
1 copy of Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Signed swag by Courtney Allison Moulton
Signed swag by Melissa Marr
Signed swag by Kimberly Derting
Matched/Crossed poster by Ally Condie

U.S. Package Two:

Intrinsical by Lani Woodland
Indelible by Lani Woodland
Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Swag by Lani Woodland
City of Bones poster by Cassandra Clare
Divergent tattoos by Veronica Roth
Signed Melissa Marr book plates
Signed Melissa De La Cruz book plates

U.S. Package Three:

·Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Strings Attached by Judy Blundel
Signed swag by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Carrie Ryan swag
Sara Hudson signed book plates
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracy bookmark
Signed Erin Morgenstern book plates

U.S. Package Four:

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Signed Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Signed Leah Clifford book plates
Signed Lauren Oliver book plates
Signed Laini Taylor book plates
Signed Beth Revis book plates
Cassandra Clare bookmarks

U.S. Package Five:

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Strings Attached by Judy Blundel
Signed swag by Leah Clifford
Signed swag by Angie Smibert
Firelight stickers by Sophie Jordan
Signed Simone Elkeles book plates
Signed Kelley Armstrong book plates

U.S. Package Six:

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
Aimee Carter signed book plates
Signed Scott Tracy book plates
Signed Veronica Roth book plates
Liar Society bookmarks by Lisa & Laura Roecker
Signed Rachel Caine book plates
Signed Elizabeth Eulberg book plates

International Giveaways ONLY: (each bullet is an individual giveaway)

1 book from The River of Times series by Lisa T. Bergren + $20 Starbucks Giftcard (Website / Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble)
Up to $20 to spend on top 1-2 top 8 BIR2011 books from The Book Depository:

Hereafter by Tara Hudson (BIR2011 Feature)
Haven by Kristi Cook (BIR2011 feature)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (BIR2011 Feature)
The Iron Queen or The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (BIR2011 Feature)
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (BIR2011 Feature)
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (BIR2011 Feature)
Vanish by Sophie Jordan (BIR2011 Feature)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (BIR2011 Feature)

2 signed, personalized UK copies of Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready (Website / Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes & Noble) - There will be two winners.
1 signed copy of All You Desire by Kirsten Miller (Website / Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble)

***Giveaway Rules***

Giveaways end at midnight EST December 31, 2011.
Please only enter once. Any duplicates entries will disqualify you.
+1 entry for each Best I've Read 2011 blog that you are following. You can find the full list of blogs on the sidebars and on the Blog Schedules Page.
For all giveaways fill out THIS FORM to enter.

#BIR2011: THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin - Feature & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Yes, it's our last day of Best I've Read 2011 (officially) but who says we can't go out with a bang?

Michelle Hodkin's debut THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER was one of the highest voted books of the year from our 11 blogs. We all went nuts over it, and I have a feeling if you haven't yet read it yourself, you will too! It's amazing and confusing and wonderful in all the right ways. It was without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2011.

Let's share a little bit about the book and then we'll give you the chance to win it below. :-)

***About THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER***

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

About: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

You can find Michelle Hodkin online:

Website / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

***Giveaway***

Thanks to Simon & Schuster we have one copy of THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER to give away.
Open to U.S. mailing addresses only. No PO boxes.
+1 for each Best I've Read blog you are following. The full list of blogs can be found on the sidebars and on the Blog Schedules Page.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, December 23, 2011.
Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

#BIR2011: DELIRIUM - An Interview with Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Welcome to our last official day of Best I've Read 2011! We hope you have enjoyed the features and giveaways this week and have added some amazing books to your TBR lists!

Speaking of giveaways, be sure you stop by again on Monday for some extra giveaways, that will include some great goodies for both our U.S. and International readers. You won't want to miss it!

Today we have the totally talented and amazing Lauren Oliver with us to talk about her fantastic book DELIRIUM. We are also offering you a chance to win the book for yourself. Read below for more details.

Also, be sure you stop by the Blog Schedules Page to find out who each of the other 11 blogs are featuring today!

***About DELIRIUM***

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

About: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

You can find Lauren Oliver online:

Website / Blog / Amazon / Goodreads / Barnes & Noble / Twitter

***Interview with Lauren Oliver***

BCM: You started writing Delirium because you got the idea of what if Love was a disease that had to be cured, but the plot, the story and the heart of the book has gone way beyond that original concept. While

going through your writing process, did you discover anything about the plot or the story your telling that surprised you in the direction it went or did you always know the direction after coming up with the

original idea?

LO: Sure--part of the beauty of writing is that you're always somewhat surprised during the process, I think. I was somewhat surprised by how much Lena's friendship with Hana took center stage. I love that in the

end, the book became a meditation on all kinds of love, not just romantic love.

BCM: Delirium is told from Lena's point of view, are there any other characters you wish you could explore the world through? Have you written from anyone else's POV for your own pleasure or as a writing
exercise?

LO: I have! Actually, I have a short story e-book called Hana coming out in February, which does exactly that: it explores the world of Delirium, but from Hana's point of view. Later on in the series, we see Hana's POV again, although I won't say when or how. :)

BCM: Delirium has gotten rave reviews (deservedly so!) everywhere you look. How does it feel to know that so many people can connect with your characters in such an emotional way?

LO: I mean, it is always such a blessing. I love my readers and I love how smart and open-minded and passionate they are. I feel very lucky.

BCM: What can you tell us about Pandemonium that no one else knows yet?

LO: Hmmm. Okay: a large section of Pandemonium takes place in the abandoned subway tunnels that run beneath New York City.

BCM: Is there any one scene in Delirium that proved to be more difficult to write than the rest? What is it about that scene that you think was so difficult?

LO: I found it difficult to write the scene in which Lena attends a forbidden party, and hears real music, for the first time. She has so many different responses and reactions in that scene, it's just difficult to balance them all.

BCM: If you had to choose any career other than writing, what would it be?

LO: I would either be a caterer or, if realism weren't a constraint, a back-up dancer for Beyonce.

BCM: What is your favorite read of 2011?

LO: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I literally couldn't put it down.

***Giveaway***

Thanks to HarperTeen we have one copy of DELIRIUM to giveaway to one lucky reader.
Open to U.S. mailing addresses only. No PO boxes.
+1 for each Best I've Read blog you are following. You can find the full list of blogs on the Blog Schedules Page and also on the sidebars.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, December 23, 2011.
Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

#BIR2011 - HEREAFTER - An Interview with Tara Hudson

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Welcome to Day 6 of Best I've Read 2011! Today's Top 8 pick is HEREAFTER by Tara Hudson. We have a special interview with Tara and we're also offering you a chance to win a copy of HEREAFTER for yourself. Read below for more details.

Also, be sure to stop by the Blog Schedules Page today to find out what books and authors the other 11 blogs are featuring today. You won't want to miss it!

***About HEREAFTER***

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Release Date: June 7, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

About: Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

You can find Tara Hudson online:

Website / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

***Interview with Tara Hudson***

BCM: HEREAFTER is a wonderful new twist on ghost stories. What is your favorite ghost story?

TH: My favorite ghostly novel is HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill. The ghost in that novel is definitely not friendly...far more of an Eli than an Amelia!

BCM: Joshua's character is one of the kindest we've ever seen. Where does he get his patience and compassion?

TH: I like to think he gets it from his parents. Like so many others, I've noticed that we see lots of absentee or less-than-great parents in YA/children's literature. I wanted to give Joshua AND Amelia parents that are kind, patient, and generally good people.

BCM: Amelia is in the dark about her true past for much of HEREAFTER. Were you as shocked as she was to find out what happened to her?

TH: If it makes any sense, I was. I rewrote Amelia's death scene about seven times. I knew generally what happened, but when I got to the scene itself, I wanted to make sure I got it right. When I finished the final version, I was pretty creeped out...but I knew it was right.

BCM: As covers go, yours are absolutely gorgeous. Did you have any say in how they would turn out?

TH: Nope, and that's probably a good thing! I can't draw or design anything. Interesting fact: Amelia was originally platinum blond (and her not-really-nemesis Kaylen, was brunette). But in the cover, blond just looked AWFUL with the landscape so Harper asked me if it would be okay to make Amelia a brunette. I said that was just fine because, as we all know, hair color does not define the girl!

BCM: As the mother of a young child and an attorney, how do you find the time to write?

TH: I don't, ha! I am one of those lucky people with a patient husband, awesome babysitters, and the ability to function on very little sleep. For now. :)

BCM: What is your favorite read of 2011?

TH: Eep, it's a toss up. I was blown away by the atmosphere and tension of FURY by Elizabeth Miles, but I also fell madly in love with Erin Morgenstern's THE NIGHT CIRCUS.

***Giveaway***

Thanks to HarperTeen, we have one copy of HEREAFTER to giveaway to one lucky reader.
Open to U.S. mailing addresses only. No P.O. boxes.
+1 for each Best I've Read blog that you are following. You can find the full list of blogs on the sidebars and on the Blog Schedules Page.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, December 23, 2011.
Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

#BIR2011 - VANISH - An Interview & Giveaway with Sophie Jordan

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:34:00 +0000

Welcome to Day 5 of Best I've Read 2011! Today we have the incredible Sophie Jordan with us for an interview and two giveaways. Read below for more information.

Also, be sure to stop by our Blog Schedules Page to find out what books the other 11 blogs are featuring today.

***About VANISH***

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

About: To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

You can find Sophie Jordan online:

Website / Twitter / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

***Interview with Sophie Jordan***

BIR: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

SJ: Ha! Easy ... always the last chapter. :) No matter what book ... although I just finished writing HIDDEN, the last book in the FIRELIGHT trilogy ... and that was actually bittersweet.

BIR: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What as been the best compliment?

SJ: Well, any author that ever tried to get published has met with rejection (goes hand in hand with criticism). I'm no exception. I didn't let it stop me from trying to get published. After a while, all the negative voices and comments blurred to a drone. They're still that indistinct drone for me - if I even let myself notice them. I rarely do.

Since getting published, I've recieved so many wonderful compliments from readers. It's hard to choose the best. A recent compliment was when someone told me Firelight was the first book she ever read of her own choosing and since then she'd been hooked on books. How awesome is that?

BIR: Which of the twins is you favorite to write? Jacinda or Tamra?

SJ: Well, Jacinda. I only write from her POV, so we're the "closest". ;)

BIR: You've taken Vanish to a whole another level with love triangles, its more like a love octagon? what can you say about that?

SJ: Hm, it creates for great conflict! But seriously, I just think it comes about organically. I write about relationships, and that often deals with romance.

BIR: In Vanish the book was concentrated more in the Draki world, was it harder to write in that world or is it easier when Jacinda is in the human world?

SJ: Yes, writing in the draki world was a lot tougher because I had to invent it ... world-building requires more time and effort for me.

BIR: So many events take place in Vanish that had us at the edge of our seats, when writing Vanish, do you feel the same emotions the readers feel?

SJ: Gosh! I don't know. I hope so. I'm definitely invested emotionally in every scene. I felt such exhilaration in writing Firelight ... it was a new story and I was swept up in it. In Vanish, I often felt dizzy, the story happening almost without my knowledge of what was coming, and in HIDDEN .... well, I cried through most of it! I hope readers feel some of those emotions, too.

BIR: What's your best read of 2011?

SJ: I stumbled upon some great books this year. Most recently, I read and loved ASHES and DARK INSIDE. Earlier this year I loved FAT CAT and TRAPPED. All four were books I hate-hate-hated to end!

***Giveaway***

Thanks to HarperTeen and Sophie Jordan, we are offering one finished copy of VANISH to giveaway, as well as one SIGNED copy of FIRELIGHT.
Open to U.S. mailing addresses only.
+1 entry for each Best I've Read blog you are following using Google Friend Connect. You can find the full list of blogs on the sidebars and on the Blog Schedules Page.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST, December 23, 2011.
Fill out THIS FORM to enter.

Updated list of Featured Books! #BIR2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Habel) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:15:00 +0000

We've got a great line up of Featured Books! Have you taken time to visit each of the participating sites? Don't miss your chance to win copies of the Best Books of 2011.

To make it simple for you here is a list of the books that have been featured so far!

Best I've Read

Sunday, December 11th: HAVEN by Kristi Cook

Monday, December 12th: DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Tuesday, December 13th: THE IRON QUEEN / THE IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa

Wednesday, December 14th: WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer

A Good Addiction

Sunday, December 11th: DARK INSIDE by Jeyn Roberts

Monday, December 12th: INVINCIBLE SUMMER by Hannah Moskowitz

Tuesday, December 13th: IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma

Wednesday, December 14th: A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young

Amethyst Daydreams

Sunday, December 11th: ACCUSED by Kate Kaynak