25 Days of Jubilation is a fabulous giveaway hop hosted by Cyndi (Dog-Eared & Bookmarked), Jacinda (The Reading Housewives), and Yani (The Secret Life of an Avid Reader), in celebration of the holiday season. In the spirit of giving, each day from December 1st through the 25th, a different blogger will do a giveaway post. Lucky for you, I share my day with Sarah at Workaday Reads, so ya'll get two for the price of one! I encourage you to first visit the hostess' giveaway, because it's awesome, and then check out ALL the giveaways (which I will post at the end, so you have to read mine first!). Here's to a wonderful Holiday Season to everyone! GOOD LUCK!
For my feature, I am going to list my Top 25 YA Books of 2011. Back in September I shared my top 10 for the year (so far), but here we are three months later, and that list has changed some. Also, I've realized that 10 books is not nearly enough to recognize all of the greatness the publishing world has given us this year. Each book on this list has received a 5 or 5+ star rating from me. So far, I have read 187 books this year, and of them, 88 were published in 2011. These are the best of those 88...
Because I have to post this before all the YA books for 2011 have been released, I am going to give up my Top 25 from December 1st, 2010 through November 30th, 2011. Then, I'm going to choose THREE lucky entrants to win a book of THEIR CHOICE off of the list! So, without further ado...
YA Litwit's Top 25 YA Books of 2011
**December 1st, 2010-November 30th, 2011**
1. Shine by Lauren Myracle~ This book has held steady at number one since I read it back in April. I loved it. I have expressed my love on numerous occasions, and I truly believe that everyone needs to read this book. It is beautiful, gritty, raw, and uplifting. It will stay with me forever. Published May 1st, 2011 by Amulet. Read my review HERE.
2. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray~ I'm a Libba fangirl for sure, and this is my favorite yet. Funny, snarky, witty, and full of great, non-preachy social commentary. I laughed so hard, I peed a little many, many times while reading this book. If you are looking for knock-your-socks off writing that will make you laugh, read this! Published May 27th, 2011 by Scholastic. Read my review HERE.
3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin~ This was a VERY recent read for me and though I was sad to see it knock someone off my Top 10 list, I had to do it. This book was great. I felt like it was perfect in every way. You would never guess that it's Michelle Hodkin's first book. I can't wait for book #2! Published September 27th, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Read my review HERE.
4. Hourglass by Myra McEntire~ Another debut author who you would guess to be a seasoned pro if you didn't know better. Such a great, original story, with just enough romance that it doesn't overpower. I loved ever minute reading this, and can't wait for Timepiece to come out! Published June 14th, 2011 by EgmontUSA. Read my review HERE.
5. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake~ Yet another debut author! This is really the year of The Elevensies! I was drawn to this, as I am a good number of books I read, by the cover. I was blown away by the story though! This book was amazing (hence the #5 spot). If you like a super-scary ghost story from the POV of a dark, sexy guy, this book is for you! Can't wait for Girl of Nightmares, its sequel! Published August 30th, 2011 by Tor Teen. Read my review HERE.
6. Perfect by Ellen Hopkins~ I'm an Ellen fangirl. I love/hate every one of her books. She writes beautifully about ugly things. I think EVERY parent of a tween or teen needs to read ALL of her books, but especially this one. Then they need to pass the books to their kids. Perfect made me want to be a better parent and made me actually wake my oldest daughter (age 10) up at 2am to hug her. Published September 13th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry. Read my review HERE.
7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern~ While not technically a YA novel, this book has gotten enough attention on the YA blogs, that I think it deserves this spot. Gorgeous in ways that I can't describe. This is a book that has to experienced and savored. I have no doubt that it will be read for generations. Published September 13th, 2011 by Doubleday. Read my review HERE.
8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano~ I probably would have never picked this book up if not for the gorgeous cover, but I did, and WOW! I was kind of over Dystopias because of the the influx of crap on the heels of The Hunger Games, and this book renewed my faith in the genre. The cover, as gorgeous as it is, doesn't do what's inside justice! Fever, its sequel, is out in just a couple of months, and I can't wait! Published March 22nd, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Read my review HERE.
9. Ashfall by Mike Mullin~ Simply amazing. This didn't make my 1st list because I was still reading it, but I knew that it was going to end up bumping someone off. Expertly researched, with amazing descriptions, I felt like I was there. The two main characters became so real to me that I swear, I may hunt Mike Mullin down and hurt him if he kills either of them off in the sequel, Ashen Winter! Published October 11th, 2011 by Tanglewood Press. Read my review HERE.
10. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan~ I have been in love with Carrie Ryan's writing since picking up The Forest of Hands and Teeth two years ago. As the series progressed, the books just kept getting better. This one was definitely the best. I will surely read all three, and this one in particular, many times over. Carrie Ryan's writing is so beautiful; it pulls on my heart like few others can do. Published March 22nd, 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Read my review HERE.
11. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins~ This is one of those December 2010 releases. I didn't give this book a chance until August of 2011 because I hated the cover. I know what they say, but I do. I can't help it. I'm a cover whore. I was totally wrong in this case. Stephanie Perkins manages to take one of my least favorite genres, Contemporary Romance, and make me LOVE it! I haven't met a single person who has a negative thing to say about this book! Published December 2nd, 2010 by Dutton. 
12. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer~ I didn't read this books predecessor, Nightshade, until this year because I thought it was going to be another sucky werewolf rip-off. When I finally did, I loved it (review HERE). When this book came out a few months later, I was all over it. No sophomore slump here! Even better than the 1st. I can't wait for Bloodrose! Published July 26th, 2011 by Philomel. Read my review HERE.
13. Where She Went by Gayle Foreman~ This was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2011. I absolutely LOVED If I Stay. I think I used an entire box of tissues as I read it in one sitting. I read this one in one sitting as well, and probably used an equal number of tissues. I was so happy with what Gayle did with this story. I laughed, I cried, and best of all, I got the closure I needed after If I Stay. Published April 5th, 2011 by Dutton Juvenile. Read my review HERE.
14. Across the Universe by Beth Revis~ A YA book not entirely based on romance? And it's Sci-Fi? Thank you, Beth Revis! This story was original and fabulous and I just loved it. I both read the book and listened to the audio. While the book is great, the audio brings it to life. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen! A Million Suns is out in just a few weeks and I am ridiculously excited. It's going to be like Christmas all over again! Published January 11th, 2011 by Razorbill. Read my review HERE.
15. Divergent by Veronica Roth~ This book got a lot of advance buzz and while excited, I was wary because I didn't want to be disappointed. Thankfully, I wasn't. I buddy-read this with my daughter, and we both agreed that it belonged on this list. She said it should be #1 (and Lauren Myracle is her favorite author EVER!), but since it's my list... Amazing until the very last sentence! So original and heart-stopping. We're both anxiously awaiting the sequel, Insurgent! Published May 3rd, 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books. Read my review HERE.
16. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley~ I hadn't finished this book when I started compiling this list, and when I did, I had to go back and change things. (John Corey Whaley really should apologize to Gabrielle Zevin for knocking her off my list...) This book was amazing! It was so wonderfully written. I'm not much of crier, but this book did me in a time of two. Published May 3rd, 2011 by Atheneum. Read my review HERE.
17. Crossed by Ally Condie~ I loved Matched, but I loved Crossed even more. I actually put down my other books so that I could read this, and that is something I never do. It did not disappoint, and now I have a whole year to wonder about book #3. If the improvement this book made on the first book can replicated, we are in for a huge treat! Published November 1st, 2011 by Dutton Juvenile. Read my review HERE.
18. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins~ The only author to make the list twice! I have a feeling that if Stephanie had written 25 books this year, this would be a pretty boring list... Lola was so awesome. It was just a perfect story. Stephanie has now proven that she is the Contemporary Romance queen! Next time I am at an event where she is speaking, I'm bringing her a crown! Published September 29th, 2011 by Dutton Juvenile. Read my review HERE.
19. Everfound by Neal Shusterman~ This may have been my most anticipated book of 2011. Neal Shusterman is my favorite YA author and I know I can count on him every time for an amazing read. This is the 3rd, and final book in his Skinjackers Trilogy and it is by far the best. While I'm sad to see this series end, at least I have the sequel to Unwind to look forward to in 2012. It's called Unwholly, and I cannot wait. I'm sure you'll see it on this list next year! Published May 3rd, 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Read my review HERE.
20. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson~ This was such a departure from the other books I've read by Maureen Johnson. I've always liked her books, but this one, I loved. It grabbed me and I could not put it down. It was rich with history, but it was so much more. I'm sure this book will make a lot of "Best Of" lists this year! Published September 29th, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile. Read my review HERE.
21. The Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan~ One of the most underrated books of the year. Most definitely one of the most underrated debuts... This book was great! When I read the synopsis, I was worried that it would be an Across the Universe rip-off; I had no need for worry. It was an entirely different idea, but equally good. I will definitely re-read this book at some point! Published August 9th, 2011 by Candlewick. Read my review HERE.
22. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare~ I love Cassie Clare's books, and this was by far, my favorite of the Mortal Instruments series. I got this book on its "birthday" and read it right away. I'm still not sure I loved the end, but it was definitely perfectly timed to have me at the door of the bookstore on May 8th when City of Lost Souls comes out. Published April 5th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry. Read my review HERE.
23. How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr~ I didn't expect to love this as much as I did, but it was a beautiful story, and I understand why it has gotten so much attention from awards panels As with John Corey Whaley's book, Where Things Come Back (#16), I hadn't finished this when I started compiling my list, so Sara Zarr also owes an apology to someone. (Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter is now a runner-up.) Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on October 18th, 2011. Read my review HERE.
24. The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann~ This book is technically a MG novel, but I think it deserves a spot on this list because it would appeal to YA readers as much, if not more than its target demographic. It isn't like any of Lisa's other books, but it is so engaging nonetheless. If you are a Harry Potter fan, this book is a must-read; it's not at all like HP, but has the same spirit. Published August 30th, 2011 by Aladdin. Read my review HERE.
25. Red Glove by Holly Black~ Holly Black is one of my favorite authors. I've never read a single book of hers that I didn't like. Her Curse Workers series is shaping up to be a new favorite. This book, the second in the series, was awesome! I listened to the audio, and Jesse Eisenberg brings it to life. Do yourself a favor and give this a listen! Published April 5th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry. Read my review HERE.
This list was not easy to make, so I would be remiss if I did not mention the runners-up, as well as those I think WOULD HAVE made the list if only I had had the time to read them...
Runners-up (click the title for my review): Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter, All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin, Sweetly by Jackson Pearce, Envy by Gregg Olsen, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs, Bumped by Megan McCafferty, Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky, Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, and Abandon by Meg Cabot.
Books I Think Would Have Made the List: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff, Legend by Marie Lu, and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.
