Today is the final day of this fun week-long event. It’s been great seeing everyone else’s picks, and really thinking through everything I’ve read over the last year. It’s a great way to say good-bye to 2011. Today’s topic looks forward. It’s top 10 books I’m looking forward to for next year. Not sure I can keep this to 10, but I’ll try! While these are not in any particular order, I’m thinking my excitement over them is largely reflected in the order in which I thought of them!

1. Percepliquis by Michael J. Sullivan

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS…THE ELVES HAVE CROSSED THE NIDWALDEN. TWO THIEVES WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE
“I saw a great journey. Ten upon the road, she who wears the light will lead the way. The road goes deep into the earth, and into despair. The voices of the dead guide your steps. You walk back in time. The three-thousand-year battle begins again. Cold grips the world, death comes to all, and a choice is before you.” — Fan Irlanu, Tenkin Seerer of Oudorro Village

Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the wrong place at the right time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron’s heir to act has arrived.

The final book in a six-book series is officially released in a couple of weeks. I have been waiting a LONG time for this. I have it in my possession – and it is THICK. I cannot wait to crack it open!

2. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

Do I really need to explain this one? I LOVED Nightshade and Wolfsbane and am dying to see how it all plays out at the end!

3. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

Given that Starcrossed was one of my favorites this year, I’m guessing this isn’t a surprise! LOL

4. Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start

I was shocked by how much I loved Falling Under. This is another sequel I’ve been pining for!

5. The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan’s death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace’s shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace’s love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

I loved The Dark Divine. And The Lost Saint was pretty good, too. I am very much looking forward to seeing how it ends!

6. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Hmm … I’m noticing a trend here. LOL I guess it’s safe to say I love series – or at least once I’m sucked in I can’t stop until it’s all out! Delirium was fantastic. I have high hopes for Pandemonium.

7. A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton

A power she can’t deny. A destiny she’s determined to fight.

When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess.

Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian.

Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.

Darkness Becomes Her was amazing. And a bit of a cliffhanger. I wanna read this one NOW! (I have been avoiding posting this cover because of my ophidiofobia, or serious fear of snakes … not sure how I’ll do with actually READING it! LOL)

8. The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye.

I haven’t loved this series as much as most other book bloggers I’ve seen out there, but it’s still an excellent story. I’m very much looking forward to this!

9. Endlessly by Kiersten White

The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.

The final chapter of Evie’s adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what’s a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?

Firstly, that description sucks. I know this book is still in its infancy, but it’s so short! LOL Still, I don’t need more to know I want to read this. After all, I loved Paranormalcy. Not so much with Supernaturally. I didn’t hate it. Just didn’t think it was anywhere near as good as the first. I’m hoping Endlessly will be as good as – if not better than – Paranormalcy. Plus, I’m dying to know how it all ends!

10. Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld… this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s.

I actually had the ARC to read, but wasn’t able to get to it and had to send it on. (It was for a tour site.) I have been kicking myself for that ever since. I definitely want to read this one!

So, how about you? What are you looking forward to reading in 2012?
♥

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Today we’re talking about characters in general. According to the original post, it can be anything so long as it’s character-based. So, here’s my take on it! I’m going to do 10 characters, each categorized differently (or a few under each categorization, we’ll see what works). Remember, I’m basing this list on what I’ve read this year, regardless of when it was published (or will be, as the case might be).

1. Best female lead: Evie from Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
   I don’t think this one requires explanation for anyone who’s read this book. She is a kick-ass, witty, fun character to read.
2. Character I’d want as a best friend: Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
   Anna has to be the nicest person ever. And someone I could see spending lots of time with.
3. Best villain: The Queen from The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
   I cannot remember her name, but she was amazing. I even mentioned her awesomeness in my review.
4. Most hate-worthy main character: Margaret Beaufort from The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
   O-M-Gosh! HATED reading from her perspective. I almost stopped reading several times because she’s that abhorrent!
5. Best mom: Caitlyn’s mom in Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield (review coming soon)
   She is hit hard with major loss, but still does the absolute best she can for her daughter. She has a lot of heart, and I thought she was fabulous.
6. Best dad(s): Lola’s parents in Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
   The best gay couple I’ve read so far. They are so not stereotypical, which is awesome. I loved both of them, and wouldn’t mind if I was their daughter!
7. Character I most wanted to smack: Erin Blackwell from Love Story by Jennifer Echols
   I couldn’t stand Erin. If I hadn’t read The Red Queen, she might very well have been my least favorite of the year. BUT, compared to Margaret, Erin is an angel. Still, I wanted to smack her around a lot while reading! LOL
8. Most selfish character: Holly from Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
   Interesting that, with all of the YA/MG books I read, the most selfish character I remember is one of the 40-year-old women in a book for grown-ups! Holly was just plain awful.
9. Most heartbreaking character: The young prince in Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
   I did not know about this prince from my studies of the French Revolution. Wow. Just thinking about it now – several months after reading the book – still makes me so sad. That poor, sweet child!
10. Most intriguing character: Ana from Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
    I loved the book, largely because I loved Ana. She’s so fresh, so new, so smart. I loved watching her grow more into herself by the end of the book.

I can’t wait to see everyone else’s picks!
♥

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What a fun topic! This is harder, as I don’t tend to keep track of the characters as well as I’d like. But, here we go! Once again, these are in no particular order.

1. Finn MacCumhaill in Kersten Hamilton’s Goblin Wars series (Tyger Tyger and In the Forests of the Night)
2. Rick in The DMZ by Jeanette Windle
3. Garth in Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
4. Adam in Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
5. Matt Watkins in Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
6. Cricket Bell in Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
7. Peeta Mellark in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay)
8. Gabriel from Once a Witch and Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
9. Ren in Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade series (Nightshade and Wolfsbane)
10. Lucas Delos in Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

There likely are more, but I stopped when I reached 10, because I didn’t want to have to choose! LOL
♥

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