Monday, July 9, 2012

My All-Time Favorite Books

                                    (Photo is from here.)

Hey guys! :) So An-An requested I do a post on my absolute favorite books. That was a great idea,thanks so much for your request! :) I managed to narrow it down to 15 books,haha. Since this post is going to be pretty long anyway,I decided to give  you the description and just my overall thought of each book. If you want a more thorough,detailed review of a book,just comment,and I'll be happy to do that! :)

1. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Description:

Three years ago,Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible,consulting Sophie's estranged father-and elusive European warlock-only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong,it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall,and isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium,a.k.a witches,faeries,and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens,Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels,a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock,a creepy tagalong ghost,and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse,Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students,and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries start to converge,Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium,especially her.

My Overall Thoughts:

This is actually my favorite book ever,with The Hunger Games super close behind it. I have read this book about 6 or 7 times,and it's my favorite series. I love when dark books have humor,which this book very much has. This book has it all:action,betrayal,and loads of mystery. Amazing writing!

2.The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Description:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem,a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games,a fight to the death  on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before-and survival,for her,is second nature. Without really meaning to,she becomes a contender. But if she is to win,she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I actually have a review on this book here. ;)

Those are my top two favorite books,the rest of my favorites are in no particular order. :)

3. The Daughters Series by Joanna Philbin

Description:

The only daughter of supermodel Katia Summers,unconventional-looking Lizzie Summers has come to expect fawning photographers and adoring fans to surround her gorgeous mother. But when Lizzie is approached by a fashion photographer who believes she's "the new face of beauty",Lizzie surprises herself and her family by becoming the newest Summers woman to capture the media's spotlight.

My Overall Thoughts:

This book is so fun,as are the other books in the series. The girls are lovable and so relatable(minus the fact that they're parents are super famous). Highly recommend!

4.Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson

Description:

In James Patterson's blockbuster series,fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride,better known as Max,knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang,Iggy,Nudge,Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true for some,but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...like when Angel,the youngest member of the flock,is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of wack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley,CA,to save Angel,but soon enough,they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human,half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of Manhattan subway system,Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is to save the world--but can she?

My Overall Thoughts:

This series is amazing,and the first book is by far the best of the series. It's a real page turner. It starts out strong and leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend!



5. Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita

Description:

When Sam Montgomery's best friend gets her first boyfriend,she's not ready to spend the summer listening to the two of them call each other "pookie." Sick of being a third wheel,Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. But what she doesn't realize is that it's not going to be all "Kumbaya" sing-alongs and gooey s'mores.
If Ashley,the alpha queen of Whispering Pines,doesn't ruin Sam's summer,then her raging crush on the surfer-blond and flirtatious Hunter just might. At least she has playful Cole,who's always teasing her but is oh-so-comfortable to hang out with,and the singular gang of girls who become fast friends with San-they call themselves the Sleepaway Girls.

My Overall Thoughts:

This book is so fun and cute. One of the best summer reads out there. I've read it several times,and will probably read it again sometime soon. I love this author,and recommend several of her books.

6. Reality Check by Jen Calonita

Description:

Sixteen-year-olds Charlie,Keiran,Brooke,and Hallie have just been signed up for their own reality television show. The can't even believe it. "You'll be The Hills meets The Secret Life of an American Teenager," the Armani-suited executive tells them,"and the hottest thing on our network." How could they say no?
But soon enough,cameras following them everywhere and interfering producers surreptitiously scripting their lives start to affect the four best friends' relationship. Brooke seems to want all the screen time. Keiran is abruptly written out of the show-and consequently the group's friendship-when she doesn't rank well. As soon as Charlie realizes what's going on,she figures out the perfect way to give the studio and her home audience a much-needed reality check.
Because friends don't let friends do reality shows.

My Overall Thoughts:

This is such a fun read! This is another fantastic book by Jen Calonita. Highly,highly recommend! :)

7.Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Description:

I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.
It all started with the curse. And the frognapping. And one hot-looking princess,who asked me to lead a rescue mission.
There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way,what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Because before I knew it,I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans,talking (yes,talking!) to a fox named Todd,and nearly trampled by gaints in the Keys.
Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true,the second I got cloaked.

My Overall Thoughts:

Cloaked is like The Elves and the Shoemaker meets The Princess and the Frog,with little bits of other fairy tales mixed in there. It was a fun read and I recommend!

8. House of Night Series by P.C & Kristin Cast

Description:

Enter the dark,magical world of The House of Night,a world very much like our own,except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night,a school where she will train to become an adult vampyre. That is,if she make it through the Change-and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life,especially away from her friends,and on top of that,Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers,but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress,she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers: When she discovers that the leader if the Dark Daughters,the school's most elite group,is misusing her Goddess-given gifts,Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny-with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

My Overall Thoughts:

Honestly,the whole series in general is great,the first book,however,is not. This book is YA,but there's some pretty crude language and inappropriate scenes,so it just depends on what you're comfortable reading. You really just have to give this series a chance. Believe me,it gets SO good!

9. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Description:

Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that's who she plays in the commercial for Kopf's Department Store:top student,popular cheerleader,dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life,though,Annabel is the girl who has nothing:no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ended with malicious rumors flying,no peace at home while her older sister's eating disorder preoccupies the family,and no ability to tell anyone what's on her mind.
And then she meets Owen Armstrong-intense,obsessed with music,and determined to always tell the truth,no matter what the consequences.
Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with  a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?


My Overall Thoughts:

My overall thought on this book is that I just loved it! Highly,highly,highly recommend!

10. Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

You can find the descriptions and my reviews on the first three books of this series here. ;)

11.The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

Description:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift,the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents,his home,or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.
But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open,Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade,a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.
Just like Thomas,the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning,for as long as anyone can remember,the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night,for just as long,they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.
The Gladers were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day,a girl is sent up-the first girl ever to arrive in the Glad. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade,they might find their way home...wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolveable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers-if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.


I have a review on this book here. ;) I can't wait for The Kill Order to come out! :D

12. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

Description:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City,she hardly expects to witness a murder-much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police,but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them,the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters:a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours,Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.
But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundances like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

My Overall Thoughts:

My overall thought of the first book is that it is just outright amazing! I'm going to be re-reading this series in the near future! :)

13. The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare(prequel series to The Mortal Instruments)

You can find the description and my review for Clockwork Angel here. :) I'm currently reading Clockwork Prince(so far I'm LOVING it),and I'll do a review as soon as I finish it. ;)


14. The Clique Series by Lisi Harrison

Description:

Massie Block: With her glossy hair and laser-whitnened smile,Massie is the uncontested ruler of The Clique and the social scene at Octavian Country Day School,and exclusive private girls' school in Westchester County,New York. Massie knows you'd give anything to be just like her.
Dylan Marvil: Massie's second in command who divides her time between sucking up to Massie and sucking down Atkins Diet shakes.
Alicia Rivera: As sneaky as she is beautiful,Alicia would love to take Massie's throne one day Just might.
Kristen Gregory: She's smart,hardworking,and will insult you to tears faster than you can say "my haircut isn't ugly!"
Enter Claire Lyons,the new girl from Florida in Keds and two-year-old Gap overalls,who is clearly not Clique material. Unfortunately for her,Claire's family is staying in the guesthouse on Massie's family's huge estate while they look for a new home. Claire's future looks worse than a bad Prada knockoff. But with a little luck and a lot of scheming,Claire might just come up smelling like Chanel No. 19....

My Overall Thoughts:

I really recommend this series. I personally think it's very relatable. It keeps you wanting more,especially if you're a girly girl,like me. Great read!


And last,but not least...

15. Evermore by Alyson Noel

Description:

Since a horrible accident that claimed the lives of her family,sixteen-year-old Ever can seen auras,hear people's thoughts,and know a person's life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school-but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste...
Ever sees Damen and feels and instant recognition. He is gorgeous,exotic and wealthy,and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear,he always seems to know what she's thinking-and he's the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. Damen equal parts light and darkness,and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

My Overall Thoughts:

This book actually got several negative reviews,claiming it was too close to Twilight,but it actually had me hooked! I was very impressed with the ending,and I'll be reading the second book of The Immortals soon! :)


WOW. This was by far the longest post I've ever done! Haha! If you'd like me to do a full review on any one of these books,just ask! :)

:) Becca


12 comments:

  1. I love Hex Hall and Just Listen. I just finished the Hex Hall series a few weeks ago. I love Archer, but cal is sweet too. And Sophie has the best snarky comebacks ever. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

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    1. Hex Hall is amazing! :) I just love how sarcastic Sophie can be!

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  2. You had me at Hex Hall ;)

    I need to read more Dessen! And I just added "The Clique" books (requested the WHOLE SERIES) from my library *lol* Because they look like fun reads!

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

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    1. I need to read more Dessen,too! :) The Clique books are really cute,you should check them out!

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  3. wow, thank you so much for recommending these books! i haven't actually read any of these except the hunger games. so excited to check em out :)

    anansays.blogspot.com
    x

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    1. I totally recommend all of them! :) Check them out!

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  4. it is a great post! I think i might grab some of the books and read them myself!

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    1. Thanks! :) I 100% recommend all these books!

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  5. Great picks ..I like almost all of them

    Krazyyme @ Young Readers

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  6. Awesome! You have to read Divergent by Veronica Roth if you haven't already! :)

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    1. I own that book but have yet to read it. :)

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