2017 Book Superlatives

These Book Superlatives are based on my opinion, so if you don't agree, please leave a comment because I would love to hear what you think! All of the following books are completely based on books that I have READ during the year, not based on books that have come out this year! This list is comprised of YA and MG books, if you want to see the Superlatives for NA and Adult books, click here.

You can click on the book images to go to their Goodreads pages to find out more about the books.

ALL-AROUND BEST:
Caraval by Stephanie Garber


. I absolutely loved this book, and once I had picked it up, I was unable to put it down. I would highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it.

BEST DEBUT AUTHOR:
This was such a difficult question because there were so many good debut books I had read this year. It ultimately came down to a tie between Karen M. McManus and Stephanie Garber. So I chose Stephanie Garber as the best debut author because Caraval was my favorite book of the year.

BEST MYSTERY:
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus


I loved reading One of Us is Lying. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and seeing the relationships develop between them. It was also the most exciting of the mystery books that I read this year. Check out my review here.

BEST THRILLER/SUSPENSE:
To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough


I really enjoyed To Catch a Killer. I sped through this book without taking a break because I was that intrigued by the plot and the characters. Check out my review here.

BEST HORROR:
Escape from Asylum by Madeleine Roux

I love the Asylum series, but this one by far was the best out of all of them. It was more creepy in my opinion then the rest of the series, and I just liked the edge that the book taking place when the Asylum still existed. 

BEST SCI-FI:
Last Day on Mars by Kevin Emerson


Last Day on Mars was an amazingly captivating MG sci-fi read that I sped through in a few short hours. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book, and cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in the series. Check out my review of the ARC here.

BEST CONTEMPORARY:
Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards


Gone Too Far was an amazing book that really caught my attention, and held it. It was an emotional ride for me (going from happy and giddy, to sad, to angry and frustrated). I was glad for the opportunity after reading this to discover Natalie D. Richards as an author. Check out my review here.

BEST FANTASY:
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller


I wish that there were more YA pirate novels, because they are exciting and adventurous, and everything I absolutely want in a novel. Hands down, my favorite fantasy of the year - maybe ever. Check out my review here.

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION:
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco


This book is absoutley amazing - I love everything about it. From the historical aspect, to the horror element, the characters, and finally the romance. And it's about Jack the Ripper (and I'm kind of obsessed with Jack the Ripper retellings - because I love the unknown in the history of Jack the Ripper). Check out my review here.

BEST ROMANCE:
Lucky in Love by Kasie West


Lucky in Love by Kasie West was one of my favorite romances that I read this year. And if you know me, you know that I love Kasie West books, and this was no exception.

BEST DYSTOPIAN:
Legend: The Graphic Novel Series


I really enjoyed the graphic novel version of this series, and I cannot wait to read the full-length novels.

BEST POST-APOCALYPTIC:
Rebellion by Kass Morgan


Another book that I really enjoyed reading was Rebellion. I did have some issues with the book, but none that took away from my love of this novel. You can check out my review of the whole series here, but not an individual review for this book.

BEST SUPERNATURAL/PARANORMAL:
Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Finally, I have concluded the Lux series, with an amazing end with Opposition. The Lux series is my favorite supernatural/paranormal series, so it's not a shock that I think it was the best book I read in this category this year.

FUNNIEST:

Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me by Carrie Ann DiRisio

I found this book to be the humorous, and just so unique compared to every other book that I read this year.

SADDEST:

Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene

. This was a difficult book to get through because I couldn't stop crying - I would recommend a box of tissues if you ever decide to pick up this book.

BEST COVER:

Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia

I was a huge fan of this novel, and absolutely loved the story - although I read many other novels that I ended up loving a little more than this one! But this was one of my absolute favorite covers of the books that I read this year. I love the color choices and just everything about the cover. I mean, look at it! Check out my review here.

End of Year 2017 Reading Resolutions Recap

So at the beginning of the year I let you all know what reading resolutions I had set for 2017, and now you all can see whether or not I completed those challenges. If you set your own goals for this year I hope that you completed them.

1. Meet My Goodreads Reading Challenge Goal

My reading goal was 50 books, and I completed that by reading over that initial amount and reaching 75 books this year, which was more than I read last year.

2. Complete the State Reading Challenge

This challenge is basically to read a book that takes place in every state in the United States. I have yet to complete this challenge, but I try to complete it every year. This year, I did not complete it. :( And as for now, this might be the last time I try to complete this challenge for awhile.

3. Read 10 Contemporary Novels

Contemporary books are my least favorite genre, so every year I just aim to read 10, sometimes I read more and other times I don't read enough.

Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
Language Inside by Holly Thompson
By Your Side by Kasie West
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin
Sketches of My Soul by TC Booth
Lucky in Love by Kasie West
Brooding YA Hero by Carrie Ann DiRisio
Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry

4. Read a book in all of the following genres:

Dystopian/Apocalyptic: Rebellion by Kass Morgan

Historical Fiction: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Fantasy: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Fairytale Retelling: Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey

Mystery: Cellar by Natasha Preston

Thriller/Suspense: To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough

Horror: Escape from Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Graphic Novel/Manga: Legend by Marie Lu

Poetry/Verse: Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Sci-Fi: Last Day On Mars by Kevin Emerson

Nonfiction: Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive! by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
Play: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
Middle Grade: Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson

The books are shown in the order that I completed them.

6. Complete the 2017 Debut Author Challenge

This is the only challenge where I allow books read from this challenge to also complete other challenges. This is a new challenge that I discovered this year, but I love how it challenges me to read books by authors that I am not familiar with. Here is a link to the original challenge post. This challenge was also added on later than my reading resolution announcement.

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Brooding YA Hero by Carrie Ann DiRisio
Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene

Review: Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene

Sky Between You and Me by Catherine Alene

Lighter. Leaner. Faster. 

Raesha will to do whatever it takes to win Nationals. For her, competing isn't just about the speed of her horse or the thrill of the win. It's about honoring her mother's memory and holding onto a dream they once shared. 

Lighter. Leaner. Faster. 

For an athlete, every second counts. Raesha knows minus five on the scale will let her sit deeper in her saddle, make her horse lighter on his feet. And lighter, leaner, faster gives her the edge she needs over the new girl on the team, a girl who keeps flirting with Raesha's boyfriend and making plans with her best friend.

So she focuses on minus five. But if she isn't careful, she's going to lose more than just the people she loves, she's going to lose herself to lighter, leaner, faster...

"Sit quietly with this book. Feel the wind, the dusty air. Taste the sorrow and the wonder. Listen to the heart that is beating on every page. Then be grateful that Catherine Alene gave us this stunning story. It's a thing of beauty." --Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor and National Book Award Finalist

Pages: 352

Format: E-Book

Published By: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: YA - Contemporary, Mental Health

TRIGGER WARNING: Eating Disorder

Cover Review:
I absolutely love this cover. I feel like it expresses more about the book than the original cover did.

Rating:
✮✮✮✮

Review:
For the most part, Catherine Alene's novel Sky Between You and Me was absolutely amazing, and I personally felt that telling it in verse was a great choice, although I can see how others would not like that. The thing about this book is even if you aren't suffering from an eating disorder, you can still relate to what Raesha is going through, whether that be from coping with the loss of a parent or just dealing with self-image issues. I think it's a wonderful story that hits on a topic that is very prevalent in our society today, not only with teens/adults who are struggling with an eating disorder.

What I love most about this book is that you see how Raesha's eating disorder progresses into her life. Most novels about eating disorders don't show how quickly eating disorder's can take over your life with just a simple thought and choice.

Another great thing about this book was the relationships that are very prevalent with the Raesha and the other characters in the novel. Most YA contemporary relationships focus, almost solely, on the romantic relationship, which is present in the novel. Sky Between You and Me focuses more on Raesha's relationship with her father, and with her best friend. Her relationship with her boyfriend wasn't a favorite of mine, and I wish it had been told differently, but at the same time, I'm glad this relationship was on the backburner to the relationships that are focused on.

I would highly recommend this book if you read YA contemporary books that focus on tough topics. I think it's an important story to read if you are able to get through the writing style. If you are like me, though, I would definitely recommend some tissues on hand.

Blitz + Excerpt and Giveaway: Truth of Letting Go by Amy Sparling

The Truth of Letting Go
by Amy Sparling
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2017

The summer before senior year, Lilah Monroe’s parents take a nine-day trip, leaving her as the guardian of her bipolar cousin, Cece. When Cece’s parents died tragically five years ago, she and her brother moved in with Lilah. Her brother soon went missing and was presumed dead.

Lilah and Cece couldn’t be more different. They used to be best friends, but high school has changed them both. Lilah likes order, schedules, and a tidy room. She has plans for her future and won’t let anything derail it, not even Cece whose life is constantly on the edge of chaos. Cece is messy, erratic and sensitive. She also has a reason to believe that her brother is still alive. Despite Lilah’s reservations, Cece tracks down an old friend who believes her theories. Ezra happens to have gotten really handsome since Lilah last saw him. Too bad they never really got along when they were kids.

Knowing the odds are stacked against them, Lilah breaks all of her parent’s rules for order and reason and joins forces with Cece and Ezra to set out on the road in an old RV in hopes of finding her dead cousin. Lilah and Ezra have a love connection amid the chaos, and when they discover what really happened to Thomas, it’s a truth no one saw coming. One that just might get them killed.

Pre-order on Amazon!

Excerpt

I close my eyes and let the air conditioning tickle my eyelashes. “I’m always down for a good one hundred and four day Netflix marathon.”

“Hey, there’s your cousin,” Kit says, pointing through an opening in the two cars in front of us. To the right, the school busses line up next to the building for the unfortunate students who are too young to drive or can’t bum a ride. Standing in line to board bus sixteen is a chubby girl with long red hair and dark wash jeans that have bleach splatters going up the legs from an unfortunate laundry room accident. “Should we ask if she wants a ride home?”

Kit has met Cece a handful of times in the three years we’ve been friends. Every single occurrence was super awkward and left me reeling with second hand embarrassment. My family is used to Cece’s lack of filter when she talks, but other people aren’t. This is exactly why I prefer to go to Kit’s house instead of invite her over to mine.

“Nah, that’s okay.” As I say the words, I feel a little guilty about it, but Cece is already hopping up the stairs and into the bus. She wouldn’t hear me if I called her name now. I mean, probably not. I give Kit a half smile. “She doesn’t mind the bus.”

About the Author

In case you didn't know, Amy isn't my real name. It's a pen name I use to publish books and novellas for teens that have a romantic theme.

I chose the name Amy Sparling when I independently published my first book, Deadbeat. I wasn't sure if I would keep the pen name at first--I wasn't even sure if I'd keep publishing. But I got incredibly lucky and found a group of young adults who loved my stories and kept asking for more. You guys seriously have made my writing hobby into the greatest part of my life. I will continue writing books under this name for as long as my readers want them!

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