Emilie's Book World in 2014

This post is coming a little later than I would've hoped. The holiday period got beyond busy for me, as a result (and as some of you may have noticed), I pretty much disappeared from the Internet during that time. Now that the holiday season is over and I'm getting settled back into my regular routine, I thought I would share my "Year End/New Year" post with all of you. So here goes…

2013 as an interesting year. On some fronts, it was a great year, while on others it wasn't quite as stellar. On the more person front, 2013 was the year I finished my undergraduate degree and graduated from university. It was also the year I got my first "grown-up job" (as I like to call it), which so far has been going really great. But the busyness that came with my last semester of school, and finding my rhythm with my new job meant that the blog suffered. At times it suffered A LOT, so I apologize for that. And that's where things were a little less stellar. There were long stretches of time in 2013 where I just couldn't bring myself to blog or even read. And that SUCKED because I love doing both those things. But now 2013 is over, and it's time to move forward.

So. 2014. There's lots to be looking forward to this year. I'm looking forward to continuing on with my job and to find out what life post-university looks like for me. I'm looking forward to going to New York again to attend BEA for the second time. I'lm looking forward to spending more time with my awesome and fantastic Ottawa blogger friends. And of course, I'm looking forward to more awesome books and continued blogging. 

So what can you expect from me and Emilie's Book World in 2014? That's actually a pretty good question, one I'm not entirely sure how to answer, but I'll give it my best shot. One thing's for sure: I want to still be reading, and writing reviews, and blogging in general. I'm hoping to be able to post reviews regularly, either two or three times a week depending on how busy things get. I'm also hoping to start posting some new discussion posts more frequently (if you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments!). Reading-wise, I would like to start reading a little more outside of YA this year. Before I started blogging, my reading tastes were much more varied, and I'm hoping to get some of that back this year. And that's pretty much all I've got so far.

Who really knows what 2014 is going to bring? I'm just going to be hoping for the best, whether that's in my personal life or my blogging/reading life, and I'm wishing the same to all of you.

Top 12 of 2012

As today is the last day of the year, I am taking this opportunity to look back on all of the amazing books I've had the chance to read this year. And there were so many really great books this year, that narrowing it down to a manageable list is quite difficult. But I've managed to bring it to a list a of 12 with a few honorable mentions. So, in no particular order, here are my 12 (and a few more) favorite books of 2012.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

It should come as no surprise that I have become such a huge fan of the Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini. This second installment was absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to see how it will all end.

Anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout

And I mean literally any of Jennifer L. Armentrout's books. This year alone I've read Obsidian, Onyx, Pure and Deity and none of them disappointed me. And I can't wait for more next year.

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

This was one of those books that I just wanted to hug to myself once I finished reading it. What I love about this book is that not only is it a fun and light contemporary read but it has this whole other deeper layer that makes it even better.

Black Heart by Holly Black

I'm always a little worried with the last book in a series but Black Heart simply did not disappoint. This was the perfect conclusion to this trilogy and it got me to discover that some of the characters were not who I thought and it made them simply amazing at the end.

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

I was a little weary of City of Lost Souls because City of Fallen Angels hadn't completely lived up to my expectations. But that wasn't the case with City of Lost Souls and now it's got me really excited for the final book.

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The ending of The Golden Lily may have just broken me. Just thinking about how things ended makes my heart ache for certain characters. So if you have yet to read anything by Richelle Mead you are seriously missing out.

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger 

This book. I had so many emotions while reading it. I've loved all of Kody Keplinger's books so far but this one just has to be my favorite. I don't really know how to explain it, you just have to read it for yourself.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I'm always a little scared with the second in a series, but I shouldn't have worried about Insurgent. It was absolutely fantastic and action packed from start to finish. And now I just want the final book.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This book honestly had me when I found out that it was a retelling of Cinderella with cyborgs. That's really all I needed to know. But it was also a fantastic story and you are missing out if you haven't read it yet.

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This book seriously broke me. By the time I finished reading The Fault in Our Stars I was a sobbing mess. Ugly tears and all. I just couldn't hold it together. But that's not to say that this book wasn't simply amazing. Because it was. 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

This book took me by surprise to an extent. I just didn't expect for it to be so intense and have so much to it. And despite all the vampire books already out there, this one didn't sound like anything I had ever read before.

 

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

This was one of the rare books this year that kept me up until the early hours of the morning. And it also made me cry like a baby. But I loved it for it, because it was such a great and intense story.

Honorable Mentions:

- The Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - Because they are mythological warriors and some intense stuff happens to them. And because of Logan Quinn.

- The Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer - Because it's a series about 4 hot brothers who can control the elements.

- Fever by Lauren DeStefano - Because this story is just amazing. As is Lauren DeStefano's writing.

- Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - Because this story made me cry like a baby and completely broke my heart. Then put it back together.

- Last Rite by Lisa Desrochers - Because this was a fantastic conclusion to this underrated series. And it has a hot ex-demon and hot angel.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the 13 books I am looking forward to the most in 2013!