#GIVEAWAY! Win TWO Books by Kate Ellison!

Up for grabs are two books by Kate Ellison!  One lucky follower will receive a hardcover copy of the FABULOUS Notes From Ghost Town and a paperback copy of The Butterfly Clues.

Ya'll, I finished Notes From Ghost Town yesterday, and it was awesome!  I will be posting my review in a day or so, but I wanted to get this giveaway up as soon as I could, because I want to share its awesomeness!

Publisher:  EgmontUSA

Publication Date:  February 12th, 2013

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death. 

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher:  EgmontUSA

Publication Date:  February 14th, 2012

Penelope (Lo) Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things. Her dad's consulting job means she's grown up moving from one rundown city to the next, and she's learned to cope by collecting (sometimes even stealing) quirky trinkets and souvenirs in each new place--possessions that allow her to feel at least some semblance of home.

But in the year since her brother Oren's death, Lo's hoarding has blossomed into a full-blown, potentially dangerous obsession. She discovers a beautiful, antique butterfly pendant during a routine scour at a weekend flea market, and recognizes it as having been stolen from the home of a recently murdered girl known only as "Sapphire"--a girl just a few years older than Lo. As usual when Lo begins to obsess over something, she can't get the murder out of her mind.

As she attempts to piece together the mysterious "butterfly clues," with the unlikely help of a street artist named Flynt, Lo quickly finds herself caught up in a seedy, violent underworld much closer to home than she ever imagined--a world, she'll ultimately discover, that could hold the key to her brother's tragic death.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

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GIVEAWAY! Win TWO Books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes!

I am so pleased to be able to offer up a great little prize pack to one of my lucky followers!

Up for grabs are two great books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes!  In case you are unfamiliar with her work, she is the author of more than ten books, including the popular Raised by Wolves trilogy (Raised by Wolves, Trial by Fire, Taken by Storm), and the two books offered up today!

 The winner will receive a hardcover copy of her latest release, NOBODY, which is a Sci-Fi/Paranormal unlike anything else I've read (read my review HERE), AND a paperback copy of the fabulous EVERY OTHER DAY, which is a Paranormal Thriller with a truly kick-ass heroine (read my review HERE). 

To learn more about Jen, you can visit her BLOG or view some of her videos at EgmontUSA's YouTube Channel.

This giveaway is open to followers with mailing addresses within the US and Canada, and ends Sunday, February 17th.

Best of luck!

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ARC Review: Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publisher:  EgmontUSA

Publication Date:  January 22nd, 2013

There are people in this world who are Nobody. No one sees them. No one notices them. They live their lives under the radar, forgotten as soon as you turn away. 

That’s why they make the perfect assassins.

The Institute finds these people when they’re young and takes them away for training. But an untrained Nobody is a threat to their organization. And threats must be eliminated.

Sixteen-year-old Claire has been invisible her whole life, missed by the Institute’s monitoring. But now they’ve ID’ed her and send seventeen-year-old Nix to remove her. Yet the moment he lays eyes on her, he can’t make the hit. It’s as if Claire and Nix are the only people in the world for each other. And they are—because no one else ever notices them.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

When I got the review request for Nobody, I was really excited.  I had only ever read one of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's books, Every Other Day, and I LOVED it (read my review HERE).  I was super-excited when I received it in the mail, and then I went to Goodreads to mark it as a "Currently Reading" book, and stopped dead in my tracks...  There were some downright awful reviews on this book, and many were from bloggers I know and respect.  That left me torn.  Do I read it because I've already committed to it, even though I really don't want to now?  Do I just skip it, and read something else?  What to do?  Clocking in at 400 pages, it was a book I was really reluctant to bother with if I was going to hate it...  Well, the conscientious side of me won out- I accepted the review request, and I was going to keep my word, and at the very least, read it...  Well, I'm glad I did, because I really liked Nobody (I also affirmed my policy to not post reviews of 2-star and lower books on my blog for fear of turning off someone who might have loved the book I hated).  I didn't love it quite as much as I did Every Other Day, but I thought it was a great, entertaining story that was well worth the time spent, even at 400 pages.

I found the premise of Nobody quite intriguing.  Basically, Nobodies are people that go through life without the world around them noticing that they are even there.  They aren't physically invisible, but they might as well be.  They can even commit murder in a crowd of people without anyone even processing that they were present.  No witnesses, which makes them perfect assassins...  Nix is a Nobody and has been trained his entire life to be just that.  He is unparalleled at what he does, until he is sent to take out Claire.  Claire is also a Nobody, although she has gone through life without knowing this.  All she knows is that people, even her parents, don't seem to notice her.  Then one day she gets this feeling that someone is watching her- a feeling utterly foreign to her- and she sees her would-be assassin, and he sees her.  They REALLY SEE each other, and that doesn't happen to either, EVER.  Because Nix is so thrown by this realization, he botches the attempt, and the story moves forward from there...  We learn there are other types of people besides Nobodies; There are Nulls, who are their opposite- larger than life, charismatic, and can bend anyone to their will without any effort at all.  Then there are the Sensors, who are the only ones who can see Nobodies and Nulls for who what they are.  The Institute has a long history of using Sensors to keep the normal people, the general public, blind to such abnormalities.  The Institute, however, is rife with corruption and secrets, and as things unfold in this book, it becomes a very compulsive read, and I found it nearly impossible to put down for a variety of reasons.  The plot moved quickly and made sense of what could have come across as nonsensical if it hadn't been so expertly executed.  Claire and Nix were great characters, and both grew on me tremendously as the story progressed.  Some reviewers complained about their inability to connect with either of them, but I think that was part of the appeal for me.  It's hard to connect with a person who has never really experienced any kind of human connection.  That person is going to seem somewhat flat to people who have had the joy of human bonding and the myriad of emotions that go along with it.   I found myself really absorbed in the growth both characters showed through experiencing a bond with another human for the first time.  I enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, feeling how they felt going through life alone and unnoticed, and then finding  one another, and for the first time feeling seen, and more importantly, feeling connected.  Normally, I detest insta-love or attraction, but in this case it is more than reasonable.  This book isn't all romance though.  Not even close.  It is action, conspiracy, mystery, and a full on story of survival.  Anyone who enjoys a fast-paced sci-fi adventure, that really makes you wonder if things aren't always as they seem, will enjoy Nobody.  I honestly can't, for the life of me, figure out why the negative reviews...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book was graphically violent at times, and there was some sex, although not graphic in nature, by any stretch.  I would say this book is best suited for grades 7 and up (ages 12+), although as a more liberal parent, I would gladly allow my 6th grader to read it.

**Please enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy of NOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY by clicking HERE!!  Ends Sunday, February 17th.  USA/Canada**

Dear Teen Me Blog Tour: Dear Teen Karis..., Plus a Giveaway!

So, I'm pretty excited to take part in the Dear Teen Me Blog Tour.  When the publisher, Zest Books, asked me to participate, I wasn't really sure I was up for it.  I mean, I loved the book; I thought it was a brilliant idea on E. Kristin Anderson's and Miranda Kenneally's (the editors) to put it together, and was already planning to review it (read my review HERE), but if I was going to be a tour participant, I wanted to do more.  I was thinking that I might write a letter to my teen self, publish a few pictures of "teen me", but well, that was a little scary to me.  Then I thought, "What the hell?", maybe someone could learn from my mistakes, and wasn't that kind of the whole point of the book?  I mean, I'm no Ellen Hopkins or Lauren Oliver (two of the awesome authors who contributed), but I was a teenager once, and I was pretty wild, and I made my share of mistakes, soooooo...

Dear Teen Karis,

     You're probably not going to heed any of the advice in this letter because it is from a 36 year old lady, and God knows, people THAT old do NOT know ANYTHING, but trust me, Karis, I know YOU, and I have the benefit of that 20/20 hindsight!  That being said, there are a few things you should know...

     First, be nice to your step-mother, Heidi.  I know she isn't even technically old enough to be your mother, and that sadly, things won't end up working out in the end for she and Dad, but she will have a huge, lasting impact on your life.  She is the mother of your brother, Jacob, and your sister, Hannah, both of whom you love dearly, and even more important, she is the person responsible for leading you to a relationship with Christ.  Be kind to her.  I can't be easy becoming the step-mother of two almost-teenage kids at age 24, and she did a great job helping raise you to be the person you will be be.

    Second, don't act like an airhead.  You are so smart!  Brilliant, in fact!  You have a ridiculous IQ, and you should never act more dumb than you actually are.  It's not cute.  Be proud of your intelligence.  The vast majority of people aren't blessed with as much of it as you are, so let it show.  On that note, work harder in school, and develop good study habits.  I know you are smart enough to skate by, and get good grades without working, but you will need the study habits in college, and it would be cool (and much cheaper) if you didn't need your first two years to figure that out.  Also, don't EVER be a cheerleader.  You will blow out your knees, and blow your chances of running track in college.

     Third, you don't need to get so wasted every weekend.  I know it's easier to talk to that one particular boy when you are, but you know what?  He likes you better when you're not a stumbling mess.   Also, it might save you several nights of hugging the toilet, and also some chick from Florida's convertible.  Boone's Farm and you?  Not a great combo!

     Finally, the friends you have?  They are great.  You did that right, so don't change a thing.  Well, maybe try not to be such a matchmaker, because fact is, you aren't very good at it, but that aside, know that Amy is still your bestie 25 years later, and though life has gotten in the way of you seeing much of each other, you still love her like a sister, and always will.

     In the end, Karis, things turned out pretty well for you.  You may have had an easier road to happiness had you been a little more true to yourself, but doing things the way you did them made you a mom who knows all the tricks in the book, so there's that...  Yes.  You, the girl who was never getting married, and NEVER having any spawn, are happily married to an awesome guy, and have three (mostly) fantastic kids.  Life hasn't always been easy, but you are happy, and that's what counts!

Much love,

Your Grown-up Self (Yes, you DO finally grow up!)

P.S.  You are beautiful and FAR from fat, so stop getting down on yourself for how you look.  Trust me.

So there it is folks! My letter to "Teen Karis".  And that girl is the pictures up there? That's me, once upon a time. (Oh yeah, Teen Karis, get all your photos from Dad's house before it burns down in 2009).   I hope you all will read Dear Teen Me, because it is really great.  If you're an adult, read it because it will take you back, if you're a teen, read it because it is packed with great wisdom!  I hope you enjoyed my letter to my teenage self!

NOW...  Go ahead and enter the Rafflecopter (be patient, sometimes it takes a minute) below for a chance to win your own copy of Dear Teen Me from Zest Books, then check out the other stops on the tour (click HERE)! Also, make sure to visit the Dear Teen Me BLOG for lots more content!  Best of luck!

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Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date:  September 18th, 2012

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Libba Bray has done it again!  I cannot say enough good things about this book!  It's not a huge secret or anything- I adore her!  She has only written one book that I didn't LOVE, and even with that one, I liked it.  (In case you're wondering which book that is, it's Going Bovine, which funny-enough, is the one that won awards...)  I loved her Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing), and Beauty Queens was my 2nd favorite book of 2011.  When I heard Libba had a new Historical/Paranormal series coming out, I was thrilled, but also a bit nervous about whether or not she could top the Gemma Doyle books (they are also Historical/Paranormal).  Well, let me tell you, she has WELL outdone herself, because The Diviners was AMAZING!

First off, the timing of the release of this book was fantastic.  It is such a creepy, nail-biter of a story, that reading it around Halloween is just perfect!  I found myself reading late into the night, jumping at every little noise, and sleeping with the lights on.  I wasn't expecting the creep-factor to be as high as it was, but it did so much for the story.  And the story!  It was so well executed, and so expertly paced, that it never seemed like it was the 592 page monstrosity that it was.  It read as quickly as a book half its length.  The plot was amazing, very original, and one that kept me guessing the entire time.  I still have loads of questions, which ensures that I will be reading the second installment the moment I can get my hands on it.  Honestly, though, the plot wasn't even the best part of this book...

Libba Bray is a very, VERY gifted writer, and her two biggest strengths are world building and character development.  The Diviners was written from more than ten different points of view, and every single one was done extremely well.  Developing that many different characters is hard enough, but to actually manage to write their POVs, without confusing the reader?  Before I read this book, I would have said that it was impossible, but not only did Libba do it, she did it so that I really felt a connection to every one.  There were characters I loved (Evie, Theta, Sam, Memphis), and then here were characters I loved to hate (Naughty John, Bill, The House), but there was not a single character that I didn't have an opinion of, and that is rare for me.  The other thing Libba masterfully accomplished in this book was her depiction of the era and setting.  Just WOW!  She really did her research, capturing the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, the Prohibition Era, and NYC as a living, breathing thing.  I think one of the reasons I as able to read this book so quickly was that I felt like I was dropped into the story; I didn't feel like the reader of a story, but rather a participant, and that feeling had everything to do with Libba's world building.

Overall, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books this year; Libba takes the number two spot again! (Sorry, Libba, but nothing is going to touch David Levithan's beautiful, Every Day. Read my review HERE.)  If you haven't already decided that you need to read The Diviners, let me be the one to tell you that you must! It is pos-i-tute-ly amazing!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is pretty scary, and there are some intensely graphic murders.  Also, there is loads of drinking, as several scenes take place in speakeasies.  No sex to speak of, and really not much language.  I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade and up, as long as the reader isn't too easily spooked, and isn't intimidated by the length of the book. (ages 10+)

** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of this book as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!  Click HERE for details!  International.  Ends 11/01/2012 **

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop: Win a Copy of THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray

Thanks for stopping by YA Litwit on the 2012 Spooktacular Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm.  This year I am giving away Libba Bray's newest book, the creepily awesome The Diviners (read my review HERE), and this is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!  Go ahead and fill out the Rafflecopter to enter, and don't forget to check out the rest of the goodies my fellow bloggers are giving away on the hop!  Best of luck and Happy Halloween!

Oh, and while you here, check out my OTHER awesome GIVEAWAY!  Click this LINK for your chance to win a copy of Dear Teen Me, where 70+ MG and YA authors write letters to their teenage selves!  It's not to be missed!

Another AWESOME Giveaway, You Say? Win a SIGNED Copy of THE SPINDLERS by Lauren Oliver

SO... Who else has eagerly awaited Lauren Oliver's newest book, The Spindlers?  I know that when she told us about it at her signing for Pandemonium early this year, I was excited!  My son and I had the opportunity to read this fabulous book early (Thanks HarperCollins Children's!!), and we both LOVED it.  In fact, it is my favorite of her books yet (read my gushy, love-fest, review HERE)!

  

When I heard that she would be doing a release-day signing near me, I was stoked!  She was amazing, as always. Engaging, personable, and real.  She didn't even get offended when my son wanted a picture with her, but wouldn't stand too close because "all girls have cooties". Totally worth the 45 minute drive in rush-hour traffic!  Benjamin got his copy signed, and I got one signed for one of ya'll!  So, go ahead and read my REVIEW, then fill out the Rafflecopter below!

Lauren reading from The Spindlers

Lauren and Benjamin

Best of luck!

GIVEAWAY: Win a SIGNED Hardcover of THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas

So guess what?  I had the honor of meeting the wonderfully talented Sarah Maas at the Decatur Book Festival a couple of weeks ago.  She was lovely, and a real joy to talk to.  She signed my copy of Throne of Glass, which happens to be one of my favorite books this year (read my review HERE), and she signed a copy for one of my lucky followers.   Enter via the Rafflecopter below!  Best of luck!

ARC Review and Giveaway: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: July 31st, 2012

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

If you've been a follower for awhile, you know that YA Contemporary is not my favorite genre, and I typically like YA Contemporary Romance even less.  This book has changed that for me!  I will now be more open to reading this type of book in the future because Pushing the Limits blew me away!  It was fantastic!  Once in awhile I come across a book that I can use a motivational tool- one that I can bribe myself to do much dreaded household chores with a one chapter reward for each chore done...  I cleaned my entire house, top to bottom, in less than a day because I NEEDED to know what the next chapter would bring. This book was that riveting!  Sooooo.... Would you like to know WHY I thought it was great?  Well, there were many reasons, but before I get to the actual review, I must comment on the cover.  The jacket is good.  I like it.  It's eye-catching, and I think the publisher captured how I imagined the main characters really well.  However, I didn't love it until I removed the jacket!  WHOA!  Do yourself a favor and buy the hardcover (or win it here), because it is awesome!  Now...

First off, I really enjoyed the characters, and their stories.  This story belongs to the two main characters, Echo and Noah, but I'm going to mention first the supporting characters; Aires, Beth, Isaiah, Ashley, Luke, Mrs. Collins, Lila, Grace, Natalie, Mr. Emerson, Jacob, Tyler, the Petersons- they all had rather minor roles in this story, but huge impacts on it.  I'm glad Katie McGarry took the time to develop them the way she did, intertwining their knowledge of who Echo and Noah were, when they weren't really sure themselves.  As for Echo and Noah?  Echo is a seriously damaged girl, who has every reason to feel lost and a little hopeless.  She had a pretty awesome life before the "incident", but is now a scarred, bitter shell of her former self, and she doesn't have an inkling how she got there.  All she knows is that some horrible thing happened to her, that it involved her bi-polar mother, who her father now has a restraining order against, and that she is left with horrible physical and emotional scars because of it.  She knows that whatever happened was so awful that she has repressed the memory, and that during the one attempt to recover the lost memories, her mind almost fractured from the stress.  Add to that the facts that her beloved older brother was killed in Afghanistan, the majority of her "friends" turned on her because of the rumors, and her super-controlling father is remarried to, and having a child with, her former (much younger) babysitter, and you have a recipe for a girl that has SERIOUS issues, through no fault of her own.  Then there is Noah, who is, on the surface, the stereotypical bad-boy product of the foster care system.  He smokes weed, drinks, and is known to be a total one-night-stand guy.  Everyone at school thinks Noah is a loser because of the person he projects, but in reality, he is as damaged as Echo, for very different reasons.  After losing his parents in a house fire, Noah went from foster home to foster home; he had some horrible experiences that turned him from the poster child for "happy" to the person he is today, but the worst was losing access to his two younger brothers.  Through individual counseling with a common therapist, and their growing, yet reluctant, attachment to one another, the layers of both Echo's and Noah's pasts are peeled back, revealing secrets and pain that no person should have to bear alone...  My heart ached for them, but at the same time, soared as they discovered one another in ways that only someone who can relate to your pain could.

I also liked the way the story was set up.  I thought telling this story in Echo's and Noah's alternating POVs really brought it to life.  It made them seem so much more real, and it accomplished the difficult feat of capturing how each one felt about, sometimes shared, sometimes solitary, events in their lives.  It was a great way to be an outsider looking in, and it made me sympathetic to both characters when I could very well have become annoyed with either had it been told from only one POV.

Finally, I have to comment on the ending... I started to get nervous toward the final third of the book.  I was really afraid that they were both going to make HUGE, life-shattering mistakes- mistakes that would effect the people in their lives like ripples on a pond.  I felt like it was going to be either that, or a rushed, cliched, happy ending that didn't fit the story, and in either situation, I would have been unhappy.  What I didn't expect was the satisfying, yet open to interpretation and new possibilities ending that I got.  It was absolutely flawless!

Honestly, I had intentions of reading this book because it was blurbed by Simone Elkeles, a YA Contemporary writer who I happen to really like.  I figured that if it was near as good as Perfect Chemistry, I would like it.  Well, no disrespect to Ms. Elkeles, but Pushing the Limits was BETTER- like, in a class of its own!  If you enjoyed her books, don't walk, RUN to the book store to buy this book, because you will not be disappointed!  I'm still a bit shocked, given my past feelings toward YA Contemporary Romance,  that this has been, to this point, one of my favorite books of 2012.  It's not to be missed!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++++ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  There are some really heavy themes in this book.  Lots of teen drinking and drug use, some violence, abuse, and sex.  I would say this book is best suited for grades 9 and up (ages 14+).

**NOW... For the giveaway!  Thanks to HarlequinTeen both for providing my review copy of this fabulous book, and for providing a copy for me to give to one of ya'll!  Best of luck!!**

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GIVEAWAY! Win a SIGNED Hardcover Copy of Hourglass by Myra McEntire

In just 12 days, Timepiece, the sequel to Hourglass (read my review HERE), comes out.  In honor of this very anticipated sequel, I am going to give a SIGNED copy of its predecessor away.  Hourglass was one of my favorite books of 2011 (read this POST if you want to know what kind of company it keeps) and I want to make sure that everyone reads it, so one of my lucky followers will get a FREE copy!  All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below and cross your fingers!  Good luck!

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GIVEAWAY: Win a Signed Hardcover of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

So, I went to an event today, featuring Lauren Oliver, Dan Wells (Partials), and Claudia Gray (Fateful, Balthazar).  They were all great, but I am such a Lauren fangirl , so I was especially thrilled to hear her speak.  She signed all my books; Before I Fall, Delirium, Liesl & Po (for my son, Benjamin), and two copies of Pandemonium), and I couldn't be happier!

Anyway, now you have an opportunity to win a SIGNED copy of your own, so hurry up and sign into the Rafflecopter below (sometimes it takes a few seconds to load, so please be patient!).  GOOD LUCK!!

25 Days of Jubilation Giveaway! YA Litwit's Top 25 Books of 2011

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.