1. Shine
by Lauren Myracle~ If you read only one 2011 YA release, read this book! It was horrible and beautiful and raw. It will touch your very soul. This book will stay with me forever and I think everyone should read it. Read my review HERE.
2. Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray~ I think this is the funniest book I've ever read. So full of social commentary, but in the snarkiest way imaginable. I've said this before, and I won't ever stop saying it; if the writing thing doesn't work out for Libba, she could make millions as a comedian. Read my review HERE.
3. Hourglass
by Myra McEntire~ Daringly original, and intensely romantic. I could not put this down and enjoyed every moment I spent reading it. I can't express the must-read-ness of this book. Read my review HERE.
4. Wither
by Lauren DeStefano~ Another Fabulously original story. I love dystopias, but I was getting sick of every new release trying to be The Hunger Games. It was so refreshing to read a new dystopia that had a totally original idea. Beautifully written and immediately engaging. Read my review HERE.
5. The Dark and Hollow Places
by Carrie Ryan~ It doesn't even seem like this is a 2011 release. I was so anxiously awaiting this for most of 2010 and read it right away. I loved them all, but this was the best of the three books in the trilogy, which is one of my favorite series of all time. Read my review HERE.
6. Wolfsbane
by Andrea Cremer~ I just got around to reading Nightshade this year,and kicked myself for not reading it sooner. I didn't make the same mistake with this book,and I liked it even better. Read my review HERE. Loved it! (I did like the original cover better.)
7. Where She Went
by Gayle Forman~ It could be sentimentality, having loved If I Stay so much, but this book made me so very happy. It was just the closure I needed, and with so much emotion, good and bad. This pair of books will be with me for life. Read my review HERE.
8. Across the Universe
by Beth Revis~ I'm honestly not that huge on mushy-gushy romance. I'm 35, so I'm pretty jaded at this point. The fact that Beth Revis managed to write a wholly engaging YA Sci-fi novel that wasn't BASED on romance made me happy. I am currently hosting a giveaway of a signed copy of this book along with my review. Check both out HERE.
9. Sweetly
by Jackson Pearce~ I liked Sisters Red, I loved Sweetly. I hold a grudge against Disney for their rape of the original fairy tales, and it makes me happy to read a re-telling that captures what they were originally about (gore and fear)! Read my review HERE.
10. Divergent
by Veronica Roth~ Fast paced and action packed. Gritty and unputdownable. Extremely original. Liked the idea behind it, loved the characters. Cannot wait for Insurgent to come out. If you like a good dystopia,you MUST read this book. Read my review HERE.So, there you have my top ten 2011 releases. It was not easy to choose... In fact, below are a few runners-up, because it really was VERY close. In no particular order...
Awaken by KatieKacvinsky
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Red Glove by Holly Black
Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Everfound by Neal Shusterman
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
