Mundie Moms

Monday, December 31, 2012

Mundie Moms Best of 2012: Our Favorite Reads of 2012


Happy New Year's Eve! It's always bitter sweet saying goodbye to an amazing year, while at the same time it's exciting to welcome in a new one. 2012 has been an amazing year here on MM's and I'm looking forward to what 2013 has in store. With the end of the year, comes the end of our Best of 2012 feature. We've shared our favorite series, our favorite MG reads, 13 books we can't wait to read in 2013, favorite covers, favorite characters, favorite '12 debuts, favorite literary couples/crushes, sequels we can't wait to read in '13, and our favorite contemporaries. Today we're sharing our 12 favorite reads of 2012! That's not all, we're also giving away one of our favorites! Read the bottom of the post for more info and to enter.

Here are our favorite 2012 reads:

Katie's ListI tried to pick a top 10, but like last year I read one too many books to choose a top ten. So instead I picked my top 20 favorites that I read and were released this year:

1) Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo I LOVE, love, love this book. The romance was awesome, the characters were great and holy crow what Leigh did with her "bad guy" was awesome! This one masterfully told story.

2) Cassandra Clare's City of Lost Souls is a given. I loved what she did in this book. Like always she made me laugh, she made me cry and she leaves anxiously awaiting the release of City of Heavenly Fire

3) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi This is one of my all time favorite dystopians. The romance, the characters, the world building and the writing all came together beautifully in this story. I don't know what else to say other than I LOVED it! 

4) Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes Prince Magnus! Okay there's much more to this book than this lethal prince. There is betrayal, romance, heartbreak, war, hope and the kindoms that make up this story are on the verge of a revolution. There's also an awesome cast of characters who help tell this story.

5) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen I have always loved the tale of Robin Hood, but I loved him even more after reading Scarlet. I love fairytale retellings, and what A.C. Gaughen did with her twist on Robin's story is awesome.

6) Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers A killer nun, a sizzling romance, and richly detailed historical setting.... need I say more?! 

7) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr I'm a big fan of Melissa's, but me this is her best book yet! I got so wrapped up in the magic, lore, romance, and action in this book I read it in one sitting. If you're a fan of strong characters, incredible world building and an extremely engaging storyline than you must pick this one up!

8) Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan We all know how much Sarah loves to torture her readers.... I mean that in a good way. She gives us these great characters and creates these complicated romances that make me wish I could just tell the two love interests, Kami and Jared to run away and ride off into the set together. In true Sarah fashion to makes me laugh, had me sighing and totally rips my heart out (in a good way).  

9) Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor LOVED this sequel! I didn't think it was possible to ever have a sizzling romance, non-romance in a book and have it be as hot as this one was. There's more than just romance in this book, there's a lot of emotion that drives the characters in this much darker, addicting world. Laini Taylor's writing is steller! I am beyond anxious to find out what she does with book 3. 

10) Rift by Andrea Cremer I love Andrea's writing! She creates these beautifully detailed worlds, crafts together sensual romances, and introduces me to some pretty amazing characters. I'm a huge fan of the Nightshade series, but this book blew me away. I LOVED it. There's plenty of twists, action, romances, and secrets that will kept me hooked through out the entire story.

11) Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout WOW! I think that about sums what Jennifer did in Deity. I am a sucker for this series and I can't get enough of the snarky comments, romance, and the action that takes place in this book. LOVED it!

12) Defiance by C.J. Redwine C.J. is a mesmerizing story teller who created an incredible world, introduced me to some unforgettable characters and along the way gave me the right amount of action, romance, and heartbreak that made it impossible for me to put this book down.

13) Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill  All I can say is romance, London and a sigh worthy scene that happens in a muddy field in the rain. This is one must read for a cold winter's day.

14) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas This incredible high fantasy has an enchanting world, outstanding characters, romance, action and an unforgettable, dangerous adventure. Did I mention there's a Knight in Shinning Armor and Prince and one incredible heroine?

15) Timepiece by Myra McEntire Time travel, a southern setting, Kaleb, action, suspense, more Kaleb and romance. Yep, I loved everything about this must read sequel!

16) Hidden by Sophie Jordan This is one series I'm sad to say good bye too, but if this series had to end, this was the way to go! This is one heart pounding, suspenseful ending!

17) The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell I am a sucker for a book that deals with second chances, a sweet romance, and is set in a the western frontere. I loved this book's rich feel. It reads like a classic, and will leave you wishing the next installment in this series was already out.

18) Endlessly by Kiersten White  This is another series I'm sad to have to say good bye to, but like Hidden, if this series has to end this was the way to go! In Kiersten White fashion to gave me on heck of a highly entertaining read that made me laugh, cry, and sigh. 

19) Blackheart by Holly Black Say it ain't so! Another great series ender. *sigh* This is one series Sophie and I talk about often. I love what Holly did with Cassel's story. It's complex, broken, hopefully, realistic, and oh that complicated romance!

20) The Mephisto Kiss by Trinity Faegen This is one of those books that totally surprised me, and I ended up LOVING it! How could I not? Brothers of Hell, demons, Fallen angels, sizzling romance and a rich mythology are just a few of the things that hooked me with this series!


Sophie's List:

1) Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter.  This is how series should be written. My heart beats faster every time I think of how Ally has sustained the tension through all five books.

2) Black Heart by Holly Black. Oh my heart, this is how a series should end. I have no words except mutterings about a perfectly written plot and characters that are so very real.

3) City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. Jace and Clary.  One sexy gondola ride. A vulnerable moment that shattered my heart. Betrayal between my two favorite boys, Magnus and Alec. And then the funny. Cassie gave us all that plus laugh-out-loud-HA moments.

4) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. A dystopian story with a gorgeously romantic, so-very-opposite couple. Berries. Every time, I eat berries I think of Aria and Perry and THAT scene. Plus Roar who gets my Best Sidekick of 2012 award. Yes, I made up that award just for him.

5) Timepiece by Myra McEntire. You all know much I love Michael and Em. I didn't want to fall in love with Kaleb. Nope. I was not gonna succumb to his snarky-confident-a-mess-underneath-it-all personality. But I fell and hard. Then Myra pulled out all stops with a high stakes, fast paced plot and presented it in Kaleb's POV. Now I want to see rips just so I can be part of her story.

6)  Easy by Tammara Webber. Ah college aged woes, problems, romantic entanglements and flirtations mixed with the very serious subject of date rape. Jacqueline's journey to reach her point of strength and control is one I keep recommending to others. Trust me, you'll be happy that you read this book because of her determination and because of Lucas. MMs, you need to meet Lucas.

7) The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell. If you haven't read a book by Saundra, what in heavens are you waiting for? Saundra's characters, plot and well researched historical setting will cause you to lose track of time. I'm sorry, it will happen. But isn't that the best feeling for us bookworms?

8)  Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone. I adore a timeslip romance. The looming impossibility of a love separated by time. Even decades. Bennett and Anna now rank high on my Top Fic Couples list. Pick it up and you'll immediately see why.

9) Want by Stephanie Lawton. Talent, madness, romance and hope. Julianne and Isaac and Dave. Lord, I grew to love two of them and understand one. This story surprised me with its depth. I'm keeping an eye out for more of Stephanie's stories.

10) My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Two families living very different lives next door to each other. The plot line that weaves them together left me grinning and worried (not simultaneously). MMs, wait until you meet Jase. Also, watch out for a well written secondary character cast. Loved it all.

What were some of your 2012 favorite reads? GIVEAWAY TIME!!! We can't celebrate our favorites and not share in the book love. Want to win one of our favorites, all you have to do is enter the form below to win. Open internationally (as long as the Book Depository ships to your country). 

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29 comments:

  1. A lot of my 2012 reads were the same, but I really enjoyed The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. I mean, that book just left me dying for a sequel

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    1. I was hoping to have that book read before the New Year and sadly it's still sitting here. I'm hoping to read it this week. I hear is fabulous!

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  2. I loved Out of Sight, Out of Time. Insurgent was awesome. Tiger's Destiny. Throne of Glass. So, so many good ones!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Rachel M.

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  3. I loved EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Also loved the end to HUSH HUSH, FALLEN and Beautiful Creatures series. There were so many excellent reads this year.

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  4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Insurgent Veronica Roth and Everneath by Brodi Ashton are just a few~

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  5. Thanks for the giveaway! Besides the ones you've listed; I love The Pledge by Kimberly Derting and The Selection by Kiera Cass, Everneath, and many more!

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  6. I loved Insurgent by Veronica Roth and Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter! Also, Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout was amazing!

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  7. Angelfall by Susan Ee, Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, Blood Red Road by Moira Young and all the Throne of Glass novellas by Sarah J. Maas are just some of the few amazing books I've read this year! :D

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  8. Of the many* haha! Happy New Year from Sweden, guys! I love your blog :)

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  9. I loved Black Heart by Holly Black and Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout among many others this year~

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  10. I loved Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa, Sometimes it Happens by Lauren Barnholdt, Insurgent by Veronica Roth, The goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter, Until I Die by Amy Plum and Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

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  11. FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS by Diana Peterfreund, OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TIME by Ally Carter and MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick are three of my best reads of 2012 :) I also loved TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone.

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  12. Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout ,City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, Insurgent by Veronica Roth,Flutter by Melissa Andrea..just to name a few

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  13. I loved The Fault in Our Stars, Angelfall, Easy, Beautiful Disaster, Slammed, Point of Retreat, Cinder, and Insurgent!
    Lacey T

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  14. Some of my favorite books of 2012 - Scent of Magic, ReAwakened, Touched, Saving June, and Pushing the Limits.. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  15. It seems like they were mostly high fantasy; Grave Mercy, Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms but did discover Jennifer Armentrout's Lux series, Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry and Miranda Kenneally.

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  16. I loved most of these books as well! Top favorites were Lauren Oliver's Pandemonium, John Green's TFiOS, Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules, Maggie Stiefvater's the Raven Boys, Marissa Meyer's Cinder, Beth Revis' A Million Suns... the list goes on:)

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  17. I read 200 books this year so it was hard to choose just 10 but here goes. 1)Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck, 2)Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick, 3)Surrender by Ellana Johnson, 4)Divergent and Insergent by Veronica Roth, 5)Eve & Once by Anna Carey, 6)Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout, 7)Waterfall series by Lisa T Bergren, 8)Clockwork Prince & City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, 9)Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer, 10)Until I Die by Amy Plum.

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  18. I reached my goals of 65 books last year. My favorite would be Clockwork Princess, Effortless, My life next door and Waterfall.
    Thanks!

    -Riz Bulatao

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  19. Definitely The Fault in Our Stars. Also City of Lost Souls, Insurgent, A Million Suns, and Legend. Of course, there are so many more I could name.

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  20. The Mortal Instruments, The Night Circus, and Legend are at the top of my list for this year.

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  21. My favorite 2012 reads would probably be The Sea of Tranquility, Deity and The Fault in our Stars :)

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  22. I loved Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready, Deity (and the entire Covenant series, since I read them all in 2012), Eternally Yours, The Son of Neptune, and I think I'll stop there.

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  23. I really liked Walking Disaster and Divergent.

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  24. Starters and Obsidian!

    -Jenny

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  25. I'm not sure I can pick one or two favorite 2012 reads! Cassandra Clare, Andrea Cremer, Holly Black, and Veronica Roth all had great releases.

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  26. Thanks for the giveaway:) My favorites are The Opportunist, Shadow and bone,City of lost souls, Opal and Deity

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  27. Sea of Tranquility, Divegent, Shatter me and Evolution of Mara Dyer

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