Tags
best of 2012, books, dystopian, literature, recommendations, thriller, YA, young adult
I am joining in on the party that is The 3rd annual End of Year Book Survey! (Hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner) I guess this is kind of my BEST-OF-THE-YEAR-SO-PLEASE-READ-THESE-BOOKS list, but not really.
1. Best Book You Read In 2012?
I thought this survey was supposed to be easy Oh wells, I am going to cheat and break this up into sub categories.
Unexpected Tear-jerker: The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
I got teary-eyed twice. TWICE. It’s one of two books that made me tear up this year, and the only to do it twice.
Zombie Book: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Whoever said zombie books can’t have substance? But once I told my friends that it was a zombie book, they had a look of disgust (granted, they TRIED to hide it, but still.)
The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Philosophical, Sci-fi Dystopian: A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Must Read if You’re a Graphic Design Student (plus, it’s hilarious): The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd
I didn’t care for the first “semester” part, nor the last fifty pages. But the second semester? Gold.
Book That Should Have Been Boring, But Somehow Isn’t: The Visible Man by Chuck Klosterman
It’s a book about an invisible guy talking to his shrink about stalking people. The book is comprised of transcripts from his sessions.
I Don’t Even Know What This Is, But I Love It: Survivior by Chuck Palanuik
A guy hijacks a plane and records his story while waiting for his impending death.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang
I was excited for this one to come out for at least six months before its release because I am superficial and get attracted to pretty covers way too easily. Okay, to be fair, I didn’t hate this one. The concept was creative, character development was great (at least for the main character,) AND it was thought-provoking. But I wanted better. I am too greedy for my own good.
Feedback by Robison Wells
I really, really, really enjoyed Variant. I was dying to read Feedback once it came out. I finished it in a day, but that was one very disappointing ending. What kind of ending is that? Wells just took random to a whole new level. I feel cheated.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Don’t hit me! I admit that it is beautifully written, with great characters (and VERY quotable.) But really, that’s it? On the other hand, I just realized people are obsessed with making copies of Charlie’s mixtape on 8tracks (I swear there’s at least ten of them.) Enough people, make your own mixtapes!
I would also say Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff, but I didn’t even last past the first ten pages before the language made me want to hide under a pillow. I admit, reading Jay’s interview only made it worse (Wikipedia for research? really?)–along with the negative reviews. Eventually, I decided I couldn’t continue reading with an objective eye anymore. Maybe I’ll pick it up again next year. But seriously, I WAS SO EXCITED for that one–like, counting-days-before-its-release excited. Plus, its cover is pretty damn badass.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna. I had low expectations for this book, partly because the buzz seemed to die once the book was released. It was one of those I just picked up because…why not? (okay, maybe the cover had something to do with it.) And it blew me away, I loved the complex characters, the thought-provoking issues…my only gripe is that I wish it had more world-building (I always forget that the book was supposed to be in India.) And then I cried for this book. I didn’t even know it was a tear-jerker. I’m glad to have discovered this gem before the end of the year.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Just because I think its one of those fun books that are impossible to hate. I am still in the process of making one of my best friends read it. And he isn’t listening to me.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
Okay, technically it’s still a standalone and I don’t know if there’s even a series name yet. But I will not pass up any opportunity to pimp this book. Apparently there are other installments in the works (i.e. stuck in the editing phase and hasn’t been bought yet?) Now I’m stuck weeping and hoping the more people I force to read this book, the more people will be Sheehan fans…and then we can form an angry mob and make the sequel come to fruition. Seriously. I have the pitchforks ready.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
No answer, just because I think to be my “favorite author,” I have to love more than one of their books. But this year, I haven’t read more than one book by more than a handful of authors and none of them have quite reached my “favorite” status. I suspect it’s also because I read too many debut books this year. One the other hand, I keep reading Dan Wells even though I wasn’t particular impressed with his books. WHAT IS THIS CURSE?
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I don’t read much middle-grade. Somehow most of them turn out to be too childish for my taste, with kids doing things way too easily, or villains that are too flat (“WORLD DOMINATION” just doesn’t cut it anymore.) But Wonder was different. The story depicted the feelings of being bullied so well that it touched my heart.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
I avoid historical fiction like the plague. But I admit, this book is kinda win. I must take this opportunity to declare: I KNEW THE PLOT TWIST BEFORE IT HAPPENED! LALALALALA.
Oh yes, and the handful of Jane Porter romance novels I read over the summer, because a friend keep telling me about how delicious romances were. Now I know why she likes them so much. It’s addicting stuff!
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Ever heard of intentionally reading slower to savor each word, and then feeling like the apocalypse is coming when you’re at the last 100 pages…that’s was me. I want to be in the OASIS, right now.
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Also Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I decided I would re-read it right after I flipped the last page. I am waiting for the paperback I love the paperback cover to bits!) to be dirt cheap, because I am Chinese and I CAN’T BUY ANYTHING AT FULL PRICE. It’s in my blood.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
Its shiny, metallic cover lured me in like bees to honey. Then I discovered it wasn’t honey, but that’s not the point.
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
As much as I want to be a hipster, I have to agree with Jamie from Broke & Bookish / The Perpetual Page-Turner and say A from David Levithan’s Every Day. The concept of not having any physical characteristics, gender, or religion to define you is so intriguing. All my best friends that talked to me within a month of me finishing Every Day was forced into a discussion about gender being a social construct…and sex changing.
Tris from Insurgent and Diana from A Discovery of Witches are both memorable as well…I’ve never wanted to throw a book out the window more fervently.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin
While I wasn’t in love this one (the pace was too slow, and I wasn’t interested in the romance,) but the writing blew me away. I’ve loved many quotes from this book, and looking at the cover, I would’ve never guessed this book was filled with so many hidden gems. I usually won’t read the sequel if I am not invested in the story, but in Zevin’s case, I am planning to pick up the sequel, Because It’s In My Blood, just for the beautiful writing.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
I have not suffered from a great loss, so I can’t relate to this book like many others have. But the writing stood out to me as a masterpiece, just BEGGING to be read aloud.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
The Visible Man by Chuck Klosterman
Yes, that book about an invisible guy talking to his shrink about stalking people. Even though it’s been many months since I’ve finished this book, but it still hasn’t let me go. Basically, this book is about a awkward, insecure guy who wears an invisible suit to hide in strangers’ houses. He purposely picks people that live alone, believing that only then will he be able to observe man as they really are, not the multiple versions of ourselves we portray for others.
Reading that made me think about myself and how being alone changes my behavior. I think of all the things I wouldn’t do if I had a room-mate; I probably wouldn’t jump on my bed and sing along to Taylor Swift, for one. Nor would I talk to myself (I am not crazy, I promise!) Then I wonder about my family members–why haven’t I caught them talking to themselves or jumping on beds before?
This book ended up indirectly inspiring a few art projects. And I’m STILL thinking about it.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I was actually recommended it by a friend who LOVED it wayyyy back when I was in middle school. And it took me seven years to finally get to it. In my defense, I did borrow it from the library once, read one page, left it alone because I wasn’t interested. For whatever reason I thought the protagonist was supposed to be a girl.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
…lies can sound awfully pretty when a girl is in love with the person telling them.
Gabrielle Zevin, All The Things That I’ve Done
Never fall in love with an idea. They’re whores: if the one you’re with isn’t doing the job, there’s always, always, always another.
Chip Kidd, The Cheese Monkeys
My mantra for creating right there.
And for the typography lover in me:
And that’s the challenge for all of us – to create warmth in a digital world. Not many people can do it. You see a lot of stuff that looks great but simply doesn’t turn you on. It’s like making a song on a synthesizer. To make a drum machine sound good is really difficult – you might as well play real drums
Erik Spiekermann (quote read from Just My Type by Simon Garfield)
I ended up using this quote on a poster I did for Graphic Design. To be honest, I am not sure if the quote is the most suitable. But whatever. I got my A+, I am happy. *brag brag brag*
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Longest — A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, 592 pages. Painful stuff, and the length (the font size was SO TINY and so was the line spacing) only made it worse. I conquered it though! *applause*
Shortest — This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers, 32 pages. A children’s book I read a few hours ago because Penguin Teen sent me a copy and THE ILLUSTRATIONS WERE SO BEAUTIFUL that I couldn’t resist reading it right after tearing it from the package. I WAS going to gift it away for Christmas, but now I have to reconsider.
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The underwater door-opening scene that somehow didn’t cause water to go rushing into the room in Julie Kagawa’s The Immortal Rules. I must have re-read that part several times, hoping it would make sense. Did I miss something?
And someone please tell me what’s the point of Divergent’s Tris climbing that ferris wheel if she couldn’t even climb down.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Pretty much ALL the familial relationships in Sangu Mandanna’s The Lost Girl
All of the characters that matter have so much complexity built into them. All the main characters and the emotional conflicts they carry made The Lost Girl exceptional. The story is about a girl who is born to replace another in the event of an accident. The way her family tells her to leave for her safety despite their hearts breaking…that’s beautiful stuff. While on the other side, we see the family of the dead girl, trying to cope with her lose (albeit, in unhealthy ways.) I didn’t care about Adrian’s familial relationships though, he can disappear for all I care.
Carla and Tucker from Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly
I didn’t care about their one-week love declarations, but I did love how their relationship was built. The way Tucker’s actions echoed “Why won’t you look at me?” made my heart throb. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the plot, so the book isn’t high on my favorites list.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
Once again, The Visible Man. I read his book, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto before, and liked the first half. I faintly remember it now, it was a collection of essays, and one of them had Sims.
Somehow many of the authors that I’ve read and enjoyed in the past didn’t impress me this year. I’m looking at you, Sophie Kinsella and Danny Wallace.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
SOLELY? That’s a hard question. Usually books are on my TBR list, then I take the plunge when I see a great review of it on a book blog. I would say Shanna Swendson’s Enchanted Inc. recommended to me by Christina over at Reader of Fictions. I was in the middle of reading too many books with ruthless serial killers and zombie apocalypses that I needed something light, Enchanted Inc. was just the thing. Now I need to get to the rest of the series.
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. We’ll see. MAYBE I will get to it before the year is over.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
The Vintage Knopf paperback edition of Paprika by Yasutaka Tsutsui
I enjoyed the movie, and I think the book will only be better–granted the translation isn’t awkward.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Make more friends. PWEASE BE MY FRIEND, I HAVE COOKIES AND STUFF.
Oh yes, and gather an angry mob to bring A Long, Long Sleep #2 into fruition.
a novel toybox 
Holy smokes! That was intense. There are some great books on here. I wouldn’t have met you if you hadn’t commented so thank you! I have to read The Fault in our Stars too..I don’t know yet. A Discover of Witches is probably the longest book I read also…
No problem! I love dragging people to my blog~ WOHOO! There are still people left who haven’t read The Fault in Our Stars yet! We are such hipsters.
Yes, A Discovery of Witches was a chunker. >_<
Will you be making a best of the year list? *nudge nudge nudge*
I was going to comment on so many things then when I got to the box I forgot because there were too many things to comment on. Stormdancer you’re not missing out on… I liked it but the longer I sat on my purchase the more uncomfortable I became… a line was crossed and I couldn’t do it so I returned it even though ultimately, I liked the general ideas… I too wondered the same things in both Rules and Insurgent! Haha. Totally forgot about those scenes while I wrote my reviews. That Feedback gif … HA! Sucks though for an ending like that. A very interesting read though… I’ll have to add some of these books on my TBR…
No worries, I’ll still be here if you remember what you were going to comment about. *wink wink*
I just read your review on Stormdancer. I think you were a lot nicer than some of the other reviews who were clearly not pleased with the way Japanese culture/language was portrayed.
A big part of why I wanted to read Stormdancer was hearing many, many positive reviews claiming the relationship between the griffin and the girl was the greatest thing ever–so I wanted to read it and see what the fuss was about.
From the first ten pages, I already had to refer to the glossary at least three times because of those random Japanese worms stuck in (obviously three years of Japanese classes in high school didn’t help me.) I hate to see how many times I would need to turn back if I read the entire book.
And the language got on my nerves as well. Not only was the prose long-winded, but the use of “hai”s. Not only because it was placed awkwardly, but because I thought it sounded awkward even if translated to English. I’ve never heard of anyone saying “You want pie, yes?” instead of “Do you want pie?” To me the clunky language was superfluous. And maybe it was an attempt to imitate the politeness of Japanese culture or something. But it made me think everyone had poor English.
I just read your Stormdancer review, and you seemed a lot nicer about the way Japanese language was adapted, while other reviews are furious because they felt categorizing the book as fantasy was just an easy way for the author to skip out on proper research. And the mention of insta-love with the green-eye guy already has me scared. *bangs head on desk*
I need to ask Julie Kagawa about that scene one day. NO WAY IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN PAST EDITORS! Unless the protagonist suddenly gained the power to bend the laws of physics.
Did you read Robison Wells’s Feedback? I don’t see a review for it on your blog? hmmmm.
You should do a end of the year post/top books of he year too! *nudge nudge*
I haven’t read Feedback though I can relate to the feeling because there are too many books like that!
Year Post – ha, ummm… I’m lazy? It’s hard for me to do all these blogger stuff. I’m not consistant enough and it’s hard enough for me to write up a review. 😛 As the days goes by, life just seem to get busier. I enjoy reading other folks stuff though(I don’t do enough of other blogger interaction as it is already). 😀
I feel the same way about The Perks of Being a Wallflower — it’s overrated. I love the quote you included from Gabriel Zevin — “…lies can sound awfully pretty when a girl is in love with the person telling them.” Thanks for sharing this fun post!
Nice to know I’m not the only one who felt underwhelmed by The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was one of books I thought was raw and real, but failed to keep my interest. I couldn’t relate (nor care) for Charlie.
Zevin has a way with words and conjuring up beautiful quotes. Even though I wasn’t a big fan of All These Things I’ve Done, I still loved the writing!
I’m glad you liked the post! (Will you be doing a end of the year/top books post too?)
I had so many things to say at so many points in this post. But it was so LONG! And I kept forgetting. But I still liked it. So here are the highlights:
Brilliant survey. It’s different to the usual ‘Top Ten blah blah’. Kudos to you and Jamie
You mentioned The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna so many times and I saw it on your Goodreads too so OKAY. YOU WIN. I will go and look at it and probably read it.
Yes to A Long, Long Sleep! I think there will be a sequel. Maybe to do with her siblings? Count me in for your angry mob. I’ll bring my own pitchfork.
Now, you don’t hit me because I still haven’t read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I know! But I just never felt compelled to. And ditto on thinking it was a female protagonist at first. I think it’s the word ‘wallflower’ that mislead us. You don’t expect guys to be wallflowers.
“Never fall in love with an idea. They’re whores: if the one you’re with isn’t doing the job, there’s always, always, always another.” Brilliant quote. And so true.
I actually picked up A Discovery of Witches, read three pages and put it back down. Now I’ve heard people talking about it I’m wondering if I should have given it more of a chance. Did you like it?
I know what you mean by Sophie Kinsella. I read your review of her ‘I’ve got your number’ and I agree. While it was still funny, it wasn’t like her earlier work which I really liked.
And of course I’ll be your friend. I can’t resist cookies. They’re my kryptonite. That and pretty covers.
Ayana @ My Book Memoirs
Yes, props to Jamie for creating this survey (I had a few headaches trying to remember all the stuff I’ve read this year.) AND YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY JOIN IN! *O* *nudge nudge*
Yes! I WON! Go read The Lost Girl. AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT! pretty please? *o*
If I was a major publisher, I would go knocking on Sheehan’s door asking to buy her next novel. I think the next ones are about her siblings as well (since she hints at them in the book.) I wonder what their story will be.
When I first heard of Perks of being a Wallflower, I didn’t even know what a wallflower was. But I assumed it was girly since it had “flower” in it. And the version I borrowed from the library was pink.
RUN AWAY FROM A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES RIGHT NOW. OR BETTER YET, FLING IT OUT THE NEAREST WINDOW!
I hated A Discovery of Witches’ guts. I would have to stop every handful of pages in frustration. It read like Twilight for adults, complete with handsome vampires, a damsel in distress, and a bunch of weird creatures.
Even though A Discovery of Witches is an adult novel and the protagonist is supposed to be a PhD, her mindset is even worse than your average, helpless YA heroine. She would try to prove herself by saying things like “I DON’T NEED YOU, I’M ONE STRONG LADDDDYY!”…and the next second she huddled in a corner drowning the place with her tears (literally.)
But since paranormal is your genre (and if you are still keen on reading more adult)…maybe you’d like it more than me. Many bloggers love it to bits (especially ones that like history.) But I couldn’t get past how dislikable and utterly annoying the protagonist was. I think I gave it the lowest rating since book blogging. Or maybe it tied with Insurgent, I have to check.
Sophie Kinsella went on a downwards slope from me (but I will still eat up her books like candy.) WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS TWENTIES GIRL? ugh. And I loved her standalones: Can You Keep a Secret, Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me were some of my favorites. Along with the first few Shopaholic books.
YES! FRIENDS! *stuffs your face with cookies*
I would join in. But it’s so LONG. I don’t think I have the patience like you.
Yes, I will read The Lost Girl and we will discuss it. Over cookies.
Let’s find Sheehan’s address and do exactly that! We’ll beg her to write a sequel and give her cookies. Though that may be construed as stalking and bribing in some countries. But maybe not if it’s for the GOOD OF MANKIND!
Well. Someone really hates A Discovery of Witches. So I will trust your judgement and stay away from it. Also, I don’t think I could read a protagonist that says things like “I DON’T NEED YOU, I’M ONE STRONG LADDDDYY!” *snorts with laughter*
I loved Kinsella’s Can you Keep a Secret! And the first few Shopaholic books too. They never fail to make me laugh. The film was such a disappointment compared to them though. For one Becky Bloomwood is BRITISH. Not American. Two, I didn’t see her as a redhead. Not that I have anything against redheaded Americans. Just that it wasn’t Becky like I saw her.
COOKIES. Triple chocolate chip are my favourite in the whole wide world ^_^
…how about just a top books of the year post then?
I didn’t think this post would be long, but it turned out to be, probably because I couldn’t settle on one book. Then along the way I realized I forgot some books and had typos, so I must’ve the post like twenty times. NOBODY MUST CATCH MY TYPOS!
This WordPress layout is flawed as well, I can’t even find the reply button. RAWR.
Sheehan already wrote a sequel, but it’s still in editting and hasn’t been bought yet. Apparently so many people (YES! Potential angry mobbers!) asked for it on her FB page/Website that she made a blog post about it in July. I hope the book is moving along now…but who knows. *sulks* I am waiting for her to make it big and I can be like “I knew her before she was cool.” Like a hipster. *wears skinny jeans*
.
I forgot how I imagined Becky. I think the film swayed my image of her. The film is also a blur. Partly because I streamed it on my laptop, the some-guy-filming-with-a-camcorder-in-the-theater version. So there was crying babies and random guys standing up in the the middle to use the bathroom.
After I read a British book, I keep wanting to call people blokes.
Ok, to be fair, she doesn’t actually say that. She does it in a much more melodramatic way–imagine orchestra music and slow motion. But if she DID say that, I might like her a little more. I think she is supposed to be a feminist. But it always fails when she claims not to need help–then the next thing you know, she’s in the bottom of some well waiting for her Edward to save her butt.
Fine. You can have ALL the chocolate, I prefer Oatmeal Raisin and Peanut Butter…but not together. On the other hand, Subway makes awesome books. I fear the day I know how many calories they contain.
No, I can’t find the reply button here either. Elusive button!! I feel like it’s playing with me ¬_¬
I HATE typos too. I check and re-check everything. And when I post and then find one by accident I feel like the biggest failure ever. Even if I can just go and fix it, it doesn’t matter! *Cries under a pillow*
She ALREADY WROTE the sequel? I did not know this!! Cookie for you! Whew. No need to stalk and/or bribe her too. Can’t wait to at least read the synopsis and find out what it’s about.
*Laughs* I’m British and I’ve never said blokes before. It’s too…British. For guys in the North to say when they’re down the pub. I’m from London. I’m sure some people say it here too, but nope. Not me. Do you say awesome, dude or gross? They’re the only American words I can think of 🙂 And even though I’ve never been to your side of the world, I say awesome and dude sometimes. DAMN YOU AMERICAN TV!
“But it always fails when she claims not to need help–then the next thing you know, she’s in the bottom of some well waiting for her Edward to save her butt.” Yes, this happened coincidentally many a time in Twilight too. The saying she needs no help and then failing miserably so everyone has to save her, not the well thing. One of the reasons I hate Bella. Worst feminist ever!
Peanut butter cookies? *throws up* I hate peanuts. And nuts of any kind. Blergh. Chocolate for ever. Nom nom.
Fine. We’ll make a deal. You give me all your peanut butter cookies and I’ll trade you chocolate cookies.
I kinda figured you were British by your blog address. I AM SO FIT TO BE A DETECTIVE! *pulls out magnifying glass* I WAS BRITISH (I was born in Hong Kong, and I even had British passport)…then I became American.
I say awesome, dude (ok, maybe not so much dude because I am not a guy), and gross all the time. But awesome and gross are ingrained into my vocabulary.
Britain has great comedy. Just sayin’
I was reading Danny Wallace’s Charlotte Street and the main character said bloke so often that I said it out loud to a friend. And he gave me a weird stare. “Did you..just say bloke???” I just wanted to see how it rolled off my tongue!
Now that I think of it, I don’t read much British writing. I have a copy of The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and P.G. Wodehouse….and I started Jane Austen (I have made no progress, and after four months I’m still on the third chapter.)
My dad, being educated in Hong Kong spoke British English, but now he has adopted the un-fancy American accent. He and a couple of my Hong Kong relatives say Z as “zed.” (which blew my mind the first time I heard it, WHAT? THAT MAKES NO SENSE! IT’S COMPLETELY WRONG! HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO SING THE ALPHABET SONG?!) And I am confused for ten seconds before it registers.
I never thought of Bella as a feminist. Those blank pages in New Moon convinced she was an emo wreck *facepalm*
I love your list!! I love Courtney Summers and This is Not a Test was one of my fav’s too. Im with you on Perks… I just didn’t get it. I don’t read much middle-grade either but Wonder has me curious. I might have to pick that up 🙂
Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Book Blog
PS- I like your blog… very nice 🙂
Awww, you’re so sweet for dropping by and commenting! =)
This is Not a Test was gold! Now if only people would stop judging it because it’s a “zombie novel.” Despite not getting the Perks of being a Wallflower (it’s one of those novels that EVERYBODY seems to love, and I think I am missing something,) I am still interested in seeing the movie…someday. Did you watch it?
I wasn’t expecting to read Wonder, but I liked the cover when I saw it on a few book blogs…and I saw it at my local library, so I picked it up and stood there reading the first few pages. I was curious immediately because while we knew there was something peculiar about the main character, the author doesn’t reveal it (she does suspense quite well)…so I kept reading..and reading…
I just checked out (and followed) your blog, Michelle. I am hoping some of that contemporary love will rub off me. I don’t read enough contemporary YA. *sulks*
LET’S BE FRIENDS! *hands you a cookie*
Thanks so much for visiting my 2012 survey 🙂
Sophie also disappointed me this year… and she has never disappointed me before 😦 It was a sad, sad thing… lol
I really need to read A Fault in Our Stars aswell. I feel almost silly that I haven’t read it because SO many people have!!
No problem =)! I love seeing what people’s top books of the year are…so I can add to my monstrous TBR pile. And as a child I used to worry about myself reading too fast and the publishing industry not being able to keep up with me. I was so silly.
I agree with Sophie Kinsella. Though i did think I’ve Got Your Number was a step up from Twenties Girl. But I miss her gems like Can You Keep a Secret.
“I feel almost silly that I haven’t read it because SO many people have!!”
Nope, not silly. We are just hipsters!
Deal. But no going back on it when you discover chocolate is the best thing since sliced bread.
“I was BRITISH…then I became American.” For some reason that made me laugh.
My sister loves British comedy, but I seem to like American comedy more. It’s more obvious and less tongue in cheek, sure, but it’s also more entertaining. But I hate canned laughter.
“I just wanted to see how it rolled off my tongue!” *Laughs* You should also try “mate”, “chap” and “blimey!” for when you’re surprised. I actually don’t use ANY of these words, unless I’m taking the piss (more British-ness for you) but they’re used by a lot of Brits.
I’m really bad for a Brit actually. I haven’t read any Austen. I just can’t bring myself to and school never made me. But it’s on my list next year to read more classics so she’ll be in there somewhere.
It totally blew MY mind the first time I heard that you guys say “zee”! I was like WHAT? BUT THAT MAKES NO SENSE…..wait…. *sing alphabet song* WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH US?! THAT MAKES TOTAL SENSE! AND IT RHYMES!! But really, how did this even happen? Like one day someone looked at all the alphabet and said “Yes, that all makes sense. Except this letter at the end which is stupid. So I shall change it. And Americans will now call it “zee”. FOREVER.”
No, that isn’t what I meant. Bella isn’t a feminist, but she seems to think of herself as one. She’s like the complete opposite of everything one should be. She thinks she’s independent and strong with no need for anyone else. She says stupid things like “I need no one to protect me from psychotic vampires! I’ll just ask them nicely not to eat me.” And then proceeds to endanger everyone by running into the woods alone so that she must be saved. Or she completely disregards her own safety time and again because she’s strong and a total match for everything out there. Not.
And yes, “emo wreck” is a great way to describe her. Her suicidal stage made ME want to kill myself. Worst female character and worst role model for young girls in literature that I can think of.
Nutella is the best thing since sliced bread. hmph.
Your sense of humor. I DO NOT GET IT. But okay, just as long you are not laughing at me, I’m good.
And you mentioned about correcting blog posts and feeling like a failure about it in your last comment but I forgot to comment about it.
I admire you for proofreading. I need an editor. I try to do a quick proof-read. But it never works and those dreaded grammar errors and typos manage to get through. n the other hand, I am oblivious to subject-verb agreement. BUT IT SOUNDS RIGHT! WHY IS IT NOT RIGHT?!? No, actually, I lied. I don’t proof-read. I just assume I’m flawless (until reality proves otherwise.) Then I fix those typos because I’m a ninja. NOBODY MUST KNOW.
My English teachers keep writing “Proofread!” on my papers. To which I’m like “BUT I DID THIS ESSAY LIKE FIVE IN THE MORNING! MY EYEBALLS WERE GOING TO FALL OUT!”
And I DREAD proof-reading my academic writing. I always end up throwing anything and everything in to read a page count. To the point I’m like “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I hope it makes sense.” I DON’T WANT TO PROOFREAD IT AND REALIZE MY ERRORS. *denial*
Mate and chap sounds like something only a guy would say! And blimey? That reminds me of a red, evil leeches/grubs. Do people actually say blimey?!?! I admit I had to google what “taking the piss” meant. I thought you were talking about using the restroom because the phrase “taking a piss” how guys (albeit unmannered ones) would say when they are referring to using the toilet. So for the past five minutes I was like “WHAT? She says mate, chap, and blimey while she’s using the toilet?!? Maybe she’s mad at the people in other stalls?”
I kinda miss reading literature. Looking for those deep meanings and arguing for them. And of course, admiring it as a brilliant masterpiece even though the work itself makes me want to flip tables.
I think the Z came from a guy who had the insight to see that “zed” would just sound weird in the ABC song. And Americans were probably trying to be hipsters.
“She thinks she’s independent and strong with no need for anyone else”
Oh the irony.
“Worst female character and worst role model for young girls in literature that I can think of.”
Ditto.
I was at the library one day and I saw a girl (maybe nine or so, but I am horrible at guessing ages.) pick up Twilight. I had half a mind to switch her book. But she must’ve gotten bored since she left the book on the chair less than ten pages in. I hope it didn’t make her hate reading.
My neighbor is blasting Rihanna’s Love The Way You Lie. *random* THIS REPLY IS SO LONGGGGG.
Oh, you and your Nutella. I’d forgotten about that.
And that’s okay. It’s probably because I’m British but I’m not laughing at you, promise.
I never use to be so obsessed with fixing my grammar but I started writing a lot when I was sixteen and time just kind of fixed the problem. Now if I look back on my work from then I literally cringe and hide it away so IT WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY!
Ooh, I hate when something sounds right but then the computer fixes it. Drives me insane. Or when my laptop corrects my British spelling with American spelling. And I’m like “Why are you American, laptop?!”
Essays at five in the morning. ME TOO! I always tell myself to do them earlier but I just don’t listen and then I pay for it with itchy eyeballs. And I end up throwing everything and anything on it to make the word count too. Oh, how I hate word counts. It’s like you’re my twin. Except you live in Hawaii and we’ve never met. I’m also not Japanese.
Mate and chap are actually used mostly by guys. Odd guys who live in the North and probably own sheep. Not that I’m being prejudice or anything. And blimey is used by Northerners too. It’s an expression of surprise. “Blimey, I’ve lost my favourite sheep!” and so on.
“So for the past five minutes I was like “WHAT? She says mate, chap, and blimey while she’s using the toilet?!? Maybe she’s made at the people in other stalls?” *falls off the bed laughing* I never thought of that but you’re right! Taking THE piss and taking A piss don’t have that much of a difference.
“I kinda miss reading literature. Looking for those deep meanings and arguing for them. And of course, admiring it as a brilliant masterpiece even though the work itself makes me want to flip tables.” I miss it from school too. Makes me almost wish I’d chosen English Lit as a degree. But the deciding factor in that was that I can’t stand being forced to read something. No matter how good it is, I always resent it a bit. I’m a rebel like that.
Changing the letter zed to fit the alphabet song. I like his priorities! Maybe HE was the first ever hipster.
Weirdly, Twilight is what spawned this generation of little tween girls who love to read. I don’t think I’ve ever come across one who didn’t love it. I guess it’s good they’re reading but you kinda wish it had been because of something incredible, you know.
I was on the train once, happily reading a book (I can’t remember what), when a girl who I’d never met before asked me what I was reading. (That’s probably the question I hate most from strangers. People ask it like it’s okay. Like if I asked them what they were listening to or who they were talking to on the phone, it wouldn’t be the same.) When I showed her the cover, she asked “Have you read Twilight? I loooooved it. It made me start reading because it was soooo good.” This has happened to me twice. It makes me lose faith.
I also saw two teenage girls, around fifteen, in the library asking the librarian if they had Fifty Shades of Grey in stock. I wanted to pinch them by their ears and march them home. I despair when I look at the younger generation. I also feel like I’m eighty.
This reply IS long. So was yours. It’s because we talk about so much. Nutella, grammar, British slang, Literature, Twilight etc. It’s an odd conversation if you really look at it. And I have to keep scrolling up to see what the next topic is too 🙂
We love our Nutella. But it’s too sweet for me, I rather eat Ferrero Rochers.
I remembering writing a bunch of hideous run on sentences in second grade. I think I crumpled those up and burned the already. NOBODY MUST KNOW. We must hide our flaws!
Word counts are disgusting. I have a weird relationship with them. I struggle to meet them and almost always stop right on it. “WHEW! I MET IT! I’M DONE!!”
Then when it comes time to revise it for the final draft a week later, I would have trouble because I keep surpassing it because during that week I would think up all these things I should’ve added. I have professors that are like “I want five pages, no more no less”
I have no idea how people can write novels when I’m struggling over a mere five pages.
I’m not Japanese. I’m Chinese. But I’ll forgive you. *pat pat* But I think Japanese is cool. I took three years of Japanese language in high school. Unfortunately, I didn’t retain anything.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?! I thought you got kidnapped/murdered or something (courtesy of the depressing mystery/suspense novels I’ve been reading lately.) Or maybe I offended your British-ness somehow. “Oh shoot, what if I said something super racist and now she’s offended?! OH NOOOEEESSSS.”
And then I was like, “It’s only been like ten days or something, maybe I’m being too much of a stalker!”
I’m in the middle of another British novel and now I have the urge to say: “fag” (I was confused on how fags could be smoked..ah, British slang!) “slag” “blaggard” “crisps” “shite” <–at first I thought it was a typo. But then I saw it twice. So I looked it up.
Oh yes, and "taking the piss" showed up too. I am STILL confused about what it's supposed to mean. Unlike some other British novels, this one didn't have British spelling..but then the abundance of foreign terms that ended with "ag" gave it away.
Can you set your laptop to British English? But American spelling is shorter!
Apparently there are people who think British spelling are typos.
"Ooh, I hate when something sounds right but then the computer fixes it."
I am having trouble with my Kindle Fire tablet because of its autocorrect feature. I would share a funny moment, but I have to take a rain check since I can't remember any on the top of my head.
I don't mind required reading. I'm not as rebellious as you! Even if I hate the book, I like to discuss it with my class. And maybe hate the book together with my peers. WHOO HOOO!
I love Twilight for making readers out of more people. Same with The Hunger Games. After the movie came out, I would see someone on the bus/bus stop with a copy of The Hunger Games, or a book in the series. And then I would feel hipster. "HA! I read it way before the movie. Like a boss!"
When I first read Twilight (I think I was 12 or 13?) I liked it. In fact, I remember recommending it to my older sister. (she didn't listen to me) But I think the movie ruined the franchise. But now that I'm no longer 12, I look for more in my reading. And I am allergic to creepy stalker boyfriends and wimpy, damsel in distress heroines.
I don't mind if strangers ask what I'm reading. I love to share my great bookish tastes or to talk with a fellow a book lover.
I rarely read on buses (we don't have trains) because I get car sick a lot quicker. But I did have a guy ask me what I was reading once, then out of courtesy I asked him back. Turns out he was a former French professor or something and he was reading some philosophical book and P.G. Wodehouse.
For the Twilight girl, I think I would use the opportunity to recommend my favorite YA books to her. And hopefully she will broaden her horizons. And realize creepy stalker boyfriends is normal. Or maybe I would want to discuss Twilight with her. Maybe she has intelligent reasons for loving the book and convince me to love it again. Or maybe she likes creepy stalker boyfriends. No judgment. lalalalala
I don't think those girls knew what Fifty Shades was about, and probably saw it on bestseller lists or mentioned on TV. I was at the library and overhead a lady talking to her boyfriend or husband about Fifty Shades of Grey and how she wanted to request it because she kept hearing about it. And I was thinking, "well lady, you're in for a big surprise…"
I haven't read Fifty Shades yet (nor am I in a hurry to,) so I can't judge it. It might be the best thing on earth since sliced bread.
Which reminds me, I saw this "review" of Fitty Shades a few days ago on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRH8fc3hyxk
And it disturbed me. I don't care how horrible it is, or that you couldn't finish it…but to destroy a book made me sad.
LONG COMMENTS FTW. If only essay writing went this smoothly.
So. Many. I don’t even… where do I being. Yes on many, no on some (Perks! How can you – how can any – I just – whatever, I’ll get over it. But – !)
Definitely some I need to add to my to-read.
Also, this survey looks exhausting. But I think I may need to do it. Hmm.
I…I…I…DON’T KNOW! I’M SORRY! Maybe I went in with high expectations…or the wrong expectations…I don’t know. *burrows head under a pillow*
BUT I did watch your video about you reading it aloud on campus and that guy who wasn’t a reader…And I got teary. Which made me think even if it wasn’t my favorite book, I can see it touching many others. And that I need to find an opportunity to read it aloud to a bunch of people too.
YESH! DO IT! *nod nod nod nod*
You’ve got a lot of interesting books in there. It’s nice to see a list that doesn’t feel like a rehash of everyone else’s best-of lists. I’ll be adding a couple of these to my TBR.
Glad to have found your blog!
Ready Player One sounds really out there for but you (as well as many other people) love it so I may have to give it a shot. Glad you read so many good books this year. 🙂
I promise Ready Player One will delight you.
Maybe more so if you were alive in the eighties…I wasn’t, so I missed out on all the references *tear*, but it didn’t stop me from loving the book.
I’ve been on the roll with average reads lately, but putting this list together reminded me that I did read some pretty amazing stuff this year. =)
FANTASTIC list! I loved The Lost Girl and I just picked up A Long, Long Sleep, so I am SO excited to finally get into that one. Wonderful list! 😀
I really need to read The Lost Girl as soon as I can. It sounds fantastic! I’m glad to see This is Not a Test and Ready Player One up there. I loved both books. 🙂
The Lost Girl is so so so so so so so good! I am so glad other readers have picked it up and fell in love with it. I definitely wish it got more hype because it really deserves it. As for TFIOS, I can’t believe you haven’t read it yet. GET ON IT! 😉
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sophia!
I agree with The Lost Girl! I want to wave it in front of everyone’s faces! I’m get a teeennny bit sad when I see it unborrowed at the library. THIS BOOK IS GOLD, PEOPLE! BORROW IT! It also saddened me to see the copy at my public library had green glitter all over the cover. Probably because the last borrower was clumsy while doing Christmas decorations. *sigh*
I will! I just need to find the perfect time to be bawling my eyes out! =)
Amazing books in your list for 2012. I have Discovery of Witches, so I guess I have to read it soon. I need to get Ready Player One since you recommended it so much 🙂
Never say no to panda!
I loved This is Not a Test – you describe it perfectly, a zombie book with substance! I still have A Long Long Sleep on my review pile somewhere. I might have to bump it up a little more (: Early Happy New Year!
That damn reply button has gone missing again!
Ooh. I love me some Ferrero Rochers. Except I kind of eat around the big nut in the middle since I hate nuts. But apart from that, delicious!
Ack, I wasn’t even in second grade. I was sixteen or so and for some reason, my writing was APPALLING!
“I struggle to meet them and almost always stop right on it. “WHEW! I MET IT! I’M DONE!!”” Hah! Me too. I eyeball it like crazy until I finally hit it. And if I’m still only a little off but completely tapped out, I get a little desperate and read through the whole essay going “It looks like there should be an ‘and’ there. Right? Right?!”
“I’m not Japanese. I’m Chinese.” Whoops. My bad. I remember you saying your dad was from somewhere in East Asia and instead of just checking back, I took a wild stab in the dark. Damn my laziness! I never took anything as cool as Japanese in school. My school only offered French, Spanish, German, Italian and Latin. I took French for five years and can JUST about, maybe, probably not, understand the topic of a conversation. I also took Latin in my first year at Uni because I thought it would be cool. IT’S NOT. It’s bloody hard and nobody speaks it anyway. That will teach me to learn a dead language. Who I did I think I was going to speak it to anyway?
“Oh shoot, what if I said something super racist and now she’s offended?! OH NOOOEEESSSS.” *laughs* Racist? Can you even be racist to British people? I’m not sure. You probably can but I wouldn’t know how.
Blergh! I hate the word “fag”. Every time I hear someone say it, because people actually do, I’m like *_* Ooh I love crisps! What do you guys say? “Fries”? But don’t you get that confused with “french fries”? Which we call “chips”. Ah, the wonders of language! And I kinda like the word shite. It’s pronounced differently – SHY-T – and usually used by Northerners and Irish people.
“Taking the piss”. It’s literally someone pissing you off. Making you angry. “She’s half an hour late. She’s really taking the piss now.” Or some people might say taking the “mick” which is short for “mickey”. (Sounds like “Mickey” Mouse.) Means the same thing.
I set it to English all the time but the sneaky bastard finds it’s way back. Usually it’s fine for a while and then BAM! It’s telling me I spelled “colour” wrong and changing it to “color”.
“Apparently there are people who think British spelling are typos.” YES! I have come across them. I used to post stories up ages ago and I had to put a note up all the time to say I used British spelling so not to message me telling me to fix it. And STILL I would get people saying my spelling was wrong.
If I hate a book I can rant about it forever. But if I have a required read, it’s even worse because I didn’t pick the damn thing myself so I have someone else to blame!
“And then I would feel hipster. “HA! I read it way before the movie. Like a boss!”” I’m exactly the same! I read so much that usually by the time something is popular, I read it ages ago. So when people ask me “OMG, have you read blah-blah?!” I can give them a pitying look and say “OF COURSE, you imbeciles.”
Weirdly enough I kinda liked Twilight when I read it first too. I was young and naive back then and it was different to what I’d been reading then anyway. For me a bunch of things ruined it. The hype, the films, the rest of the books, that HORRIBLE love triangle, Bella’s stupidity and emo-suicide stage ect, etc.
I love talking to fellow book readers too, but not randomly in public. But in all fairness I did have a girl at my Uni ask me that once and then we became quick friends and her and her brother drove me home in the snow because the trains weren’t working THE VERY DAY I MET HER. So sometime it can be nice.
I mourn for the younger generation if they love creepy stalker boyfriends. I worry that they think unhealthy relationships are love. YA books can be great to read but authors need to remember how impressionable young girls can be. Just because Jill loves Jack, despite his violent nature, doesn’t mean you should be with a violent guy.
Oh, they totally knew what Fifty Shades was about. They were all nervous and giggling but I did commend them a little for their brazenness. Yes, I love the people who just hear it being mentioned and have no idea. I met a guy like that, who wanted to check it out but didn’t know what it was and I was like “Dude, read the damn synopsis before you do anything else.”
I haven’t read it either, though I did skim through it at the library and I was HORRIFIED. Not because of all the hanky-panky (*snorts* Did I just really write that?) but because I didn’t even get there. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a published book more badly written in my life. And I discerned that from barely looking at it. I can, hand on heart, say I have no idea how it became published. Or why someone didn’t edit it first! It made my eyes bleed to look at it.
O_O…Wow. That was…extreme. I’ve never done that to a book, nor would I. No matter how much I hated it.
I love nuts! Don’t worry, you can just give the hazelnut to me.
Except coconuts. If that counts. One of my best friends LOVES coconut. So for Halloween I we traded my Almond Joys for her Reeses.
I just tried fixing the reply button thing. I hope it works now? maybe? *wishful thinking*
I usually write my first draft trying to be as verbose as possible to meet that page count. LONG, FANCY WORDS GALORE! Then I go back and take away adjectives and stuff if I need the space. I abuse “and”s.
Well, I did tell you I was British, didn’t I? *wink* I was born in Hong Kong when it was still British territory. I was so puzzled when I first saw the passport. “What have I got to do with Britian?!”
Latin is rumored to be the easiest language to take because it’s a dead language, so students don’t have an oral exam like other languages do. They just have to translate writing. I have a few friends taking Latin because of that…and they thought it would be interesting. You can read old manuscripts or something!
I still think of fag as referring to gay people before cigarettes. Though I find the use of “fag” to refer to gay people as extremely rude and ignorant because of its etymology.
We call your “crisps” as “chips.” And french fries are just regular “fries.” I think they wanted to rename them as “Freedom fries” or something. Failed.
BUT YOU GUYS CALL FRENCH FRIES…”CHIPS?!?!” O_O
After looking closer into the book I was reading, it turns out the story is set in Scotland. So I guess that’s why “shite” showed up so many times.
“And STILL I would get people saying my spelling was wrong.”
Well then, it appears your American laptop would be doing you a favor!
” I can give them a pitying look and say “OF COURSE, you imbeciles.””
haha! Yesterday I was chatting with a stranger on Omegle. And then she told me her favorite book ever was Twilight. And that it was well written.
I totally thought she was joking. So I went along with it…turns out she was serious. And on Team Edward. I ran the heck outta there.
I don’t mind Twilight and I am sure it made reading cool. I only hope they don’t stop at Twilight. And I have faith that these girl will grow up and be able to discern what is a healthy relationship. And what deserves a restraining order. We ended up fine, no?
“I love talking to fellow book readers too, but not randomly in public.”
I find that talking to readers can be awkward (from my experiences on Omegle.) Especially if you don’t like the same books. Or you’ve never heard of their favorite books. I get cautious when people ask for my favorite book, which seems to be the most natural thing to ask…and also the dealbreaker of the conversation. I am not sure what else to say if they person claims Twilight to be their favorite book of all time. I always think people are expecting me to say some classic book is my favorite book…like To Kill a Mockingbird or a Jane Austen book or something.
” I met a guy like that, who wanted to check it out but didn’t know what it was”
but..but…I like to read books without knowing anything. Part of my “stop giving yourself expectations!” thing.
Speaking of Fifty Shades..I think you would like this review of it on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-RfjnJGJC4
Don’t worry, no book destorying.
I think the reply button only disappears when we reply too much, if that makes sense. Then we need to start over.
Ooh, I’m not a coconut fan either. But I don’t think that counts in the ‘nut’ section 🙂
I tend to write overly long intros and conclusions as well. Again, just to fit that damn word count.
And you did tell me you were British, but again it slipped my mind.
Yeah, I never had to do an oral exam but I feel like I learn languages better when I get to speak them and practice out loud. Latin was a lot of rules and ended up being boring. “You can read old manuscripts or something!” Yeah, I probably had Indiana Jones fantasies or something 🙂
I hate the word “fag” in that context as well. It’s probably why I hate it when people use it to even describe cigarettes.
Why French Fries? I would get just fries, but why French? Did they invent them? Also, sometimes we call chips “fries” if they’re super thin instead of fat. The way McDonalds makes them. Those are definitely “fries” though never French. Must be an American thing.
Yes, they use “shite” in Scotland too. I kinda love the Scottish. They’re a proud people with great history and the sexy accent helps a lot. I’ve never been that far North either. I know! It’s so close too. One day…
“Well then, it appears your American laptop would be doing you a favor!” Yeah, but only for Americans! When British people read my work or even essays, people would be like “Huh?” Because American spelling always looks really wrong to us. Mostly because you guys have a lot of words minus one letter so it looks like a spelling mistake. Like our “aluminium” and your “aluminum”. Which we also pronounce completely differently.
I still come across people everywhere who think Twilight is the best book ever written too. I kinda hoped that they would read more too and that it would show them what great writing really was but, alas, maybe there is no hope. A generation brought up on fast food, reality TV and celebrity magazines. Oh wait, that’s my generation…..But yes, we did turn out fine. And we went on to reading amazing books with kick-ass heroines! Who don’t wait for the stalker boyfriend to save them but save themselves. And then kick his stalker-ass to the curb.
“Especially if you don’t like the same books. Or you’ve never heard of their favorite books. ” Yes! They get this look on their face, like you kicked their baby. I always feel like I need to name some classic books too. Or at least something mildly intelligent. Truth is, while I like a lot of smart books, the ones I really love and read again and again are usually just for entertainment. No huge life-changing message, no award-winning novel, just something that relaxes me and makes me happy.
I can’t read books without the synopsis. I don’t need anything else and I’d prefer not to hear/read any reviews, but how can you read it without knowing what it’s about?! Like watching a trailer without seeing the film. To be fair though, a lot of trailers can spoil the film.
Wow, that guy in the review video spoke so fast. I liked the bit where he said “Must be a white girl thing.” It made me laugh. I was surprised at what he didn’t like about the book though. Most people who seem to hate it add all of that, but the number one reason seems to be the writing and how bad it is. He just seemed to hate the characters and the plot. Which is still enough. Neither of us have read it, but it doesn’t seem to be giving us much incentive to, does it? Bad writing, bad characters, bad plot. I’ll never read a book just because of sex scenes, so what’s left?
Ayana @ My Book Memoirs
I’ve heard a lot about The Perks of Being a Wallflower and still have yet to read it. I really need to pick this one up :S
I was the same way! I kept hearing stuff about it, but never felt the urge to really delve in…until the movie announcement came and I felt the need to be hipster. “I must read the book before everyone squeals about the movie!!”
AND because it;s on the rather short side.
I listened to the audiobook…but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. The narrator sounded like an very old man that only made me want to fall asleep.