This one just managed to sneak onto the list. I only read it a couple weeks ago. I haven’t posted my review yet, but I’ll give you a little taste of what it says: “in this book you get to watch two people FALL in love. Really fall in love. And in the meantime we get to see a wonderfully rich and detailed world, experience heart racing adventures, and go through heartbreaking tragedies.”

This book manages to brilliantly juggle about twelve different plot devices: reincarnation, dragons, gods, murder, and more. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! This is the kind of book that kept me thinking LONG after I closed it.

Nope, Across the Universe isn’t going to make this list, but that’s because the sequel is EVEN BETTER. I don’t know if I’ve ever said that about a second book. But seriously. This book is SOOOOO good. Haven’t reviewed it yet because most of the awesome-ness involves a whole heck-a spoilers and I haven’t figured out how to avoid them. Just know that it ROCKS.

Many of you know that I’m a horror-junkie, but even more of you know that I can’t stand profanity. That’s an odd mixture. Therefore, when I find a book like The Monstrumologist I get really excited. This book made me scream, cry, and feel a little sick. In a nutshell, it was AWESOME.

Do I really need to explain why this is on this list? Really? Y’all voted it your favorite book of 2011, and so did ALL OF GOODREADS. It’s #7 for me because I thought there were books that were better FOR ME, but this is a great book for anyone. Really.

This book saved me. Literally. I was in such a dark place when I read it and it brought me back to the surface. It’s beautiful, simple, and rich. But really, you should pretend that I listed ALL of Zoe’s books here. I had a hard time deciding which of hers to put on the list. I wish I could have put all 3. Check out my reviews of Shadows on the Moon and Daughter of the Flames both of which are BRILLIANT.

This book is… indescribable. It touched my heart in so many ways. I cried at the end. (psst. Chances are that if a book makes me cry, it’ll end up on this list) Plain Kate is such a loveable character that you can’t help but want to follow her adventure. And the cat. OH! The cat. I just love this book so much.

Ally has a wonderful way of weaving poetry into her books so it’s almost like you are reading 300+ pages of poetry without even knowing it. It doesn’t beat you over the head with prose, or smother you with rhyme, but it’s there nonetheless. A beautiful piece of art contained in a novel.

It’s been nearly a year since I read this, so the specifics of why I loved it have faded from my mind. What hasn’t faded is the feeling I had while reading it. If you’re like me, then the cover of this book probably scares you off. DON’T LET IT! Behind the creepy goth-boy is an amazing story of mystery, magic, and love. Oh! And that ENDING! I’m SO MAD that the release date for the sequel was moved back to August 2012.

Have I made it clear how much I love this book? I keep kicking myself for not reviewing it yet! I think I might wait until I re-read it before the sequel to review it since it’s been so long. Like Laini’s other YA book, Lips Touch, it does have some mature content, but it isn’t crass in any way. I’d call it a age 16+ book. But still, if you’re 16+ you must read this book. It’s EPIC. Mostly because of the awesomeness that is the main character. I really want Karou to be my best friend.

All right, how many of you saw this coming? Guys, chances are that if I burst into tears when I meet the author, I REALLY liked the book. I REALLY liked this book. I BEYOND LOVED this book. I… I want to die reading this book! (okay, that’s going a little far, but you get the point) Maybe it’s because it completely came out of the blue. I had never even heard of this book until it showed up for review and I remember thinking “Ugh. 500+ pages of phonetic spelling and no quotation marks? How will I live through this?” and when I finished I thought, “Ah!!! How could I live without this?!” Saba’s story and growth throughout the book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. I love how human she is, even when she has to de-humanize herself to survive. And Epona- oh… I’m gonna cry again. Please, I beg you, if this book sounds AT ALL interesting to you, please read it. Don’t let the strange prose throw you off. After the first few chapters I promise you won’t even notice it anymore.