One of the best things about the end of the year in the book blogging world is all the great best of lists. I find many of my favourite books on these lists, which is no surprise really… when you’re asking for books recs where to better to go than the people who are so passionate about books they devote all their spare time to discussing them?

If you’re looking for your next great read, be sure to check out any of these books from
My Top 10 Reads of 2012:

1. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
   The Sea of Tranquility is a beautifully written emotional journey that I never wanted to end. I will read whatever this debut author writes next!
2. Legend by Marie Lu
   I was really in need of a great “can’t put it down” book and Legend absolutely delivered! Even among the sea of popular dystopian fiction, the plot is original and unpredictable.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
   John Green never fails to make me laugh, cry and fall in love with his characters and TIOS is no exception. Be forewarned though – this book will make you sad. It’s an amazing read you won’t want to put down, but plan something fun to do when you’re finished!
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth
   I loved this book the first time around, and when Insurgent came out there was so much going on that I had to go back and re-read the 1st book in the series. I loved it even more the second time! If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games and are looking for some really good dystopian fiction, I highly suggest giving Divergent a try.
   
5. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
   An excellent follow-up to Divergent that builds on the first novel and moves the story forward beautifully. No sophomore slump here!
6. The Future of Us by Jay Asher
   The Future of Us is a quick, easy read that’s hard to put down. With an original concept and thought-provoking message, Josh and Emma’s story will appeal to readers both young and old.
7. Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich
   As a huge fan of Janet’s Stephanie Plum series (which spins this book off into its own series), I should have known I would love Wicked Appetite! Deisel is just as fun and sexy as he is in the Plum ‘Between the Numbers’ books and Lizzy is a lovable heroine.
8. Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich
   Love this series! It’s full of the humour, fun and great characters I’ve come to expect from Janet Evanovich, and I really like that each book continues on with the same overall mystery. Oh and let’s not forget Carl the Monkey who cracks me up! The books are pretty fluffy, but I’m OK with that.
9. Wither by Lauren Stefano
   I loved this book! I’ve been on a real dystopian fiction kick in 2012, and even though some of the world-building was rather implausible, I still devoured this book.
10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
    This still stands as one of my very favourite books. After seeing the movie I spent so much time discussing the book/movie differences, that I finally had to just read the book again. And I loved it just as much the second time around.

The Future of Us
by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Summary
In 1996 few people had a computer in their home, the internet was a strange new place and Facebook hadn’t even been invented yet. So when Emma Nelson logs onto her AOL account for the first time, she’s understandably confused when a window for Facebook pops up on her screen. As she explores this perplexing website, Emma is shocked to discover that somehow this page seems to be all about HER but 15 years in the future. Unable to deal with this bizarre discovery on her own, Emma confides in her next door neighbour (and once best friend) Josh. Josh is convinced it’s a prank until he gets a look at HIS future self, and really likes what he sees. But the pair soon discovers that even the tiniest action in the present can have a huge effect on the future. Will Emma and Josh be able to manipulate their future to ensure happiness or will they end up destroying everything before they even get there?

Review
With a truly unique and innovative concept, The Future of Us captures the reader quickly and keeps them hooked with a perpetual desire to find out what will happen next.  Emma and Josh are likeable, although slightly selfish characters, which makes them believable teenagers. A collaboration between two authors, each chapter in The Future of Us alternates between the two main characters point of view. While this tactic can often be confusing – especially in this case when the characters have a very similar voice – it was an excellent way to show how different Josh and Emma’s views of the future were. While some potential for greatness was wasted with unexplored plot-lines, The Future of Us is a thoroughly enjoyable, feel-good story that moves well, even if it doesn’t overwhelm. The 90’s references were perfect, and the questions raised by the possibility of seeing your future kept me thinking for days after I had finished reading.

Verdict
The Future of Us is a quick, easy read that’s hard to put down. With an original concept and thought-provoking message, Josh and Emma’s story will appeal to readers both young and old.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Once upon a time, I used to post monthly reading updates but that went by the wayside (along with my reading goals) last year. This year I’m making an effort to bring back the monthly round-up.

2012 seems to have marked a return to reading for me. After a year filled with turmoil, life seems to have settled down and as a result I’m picking up a book more often. Yay! This month I managed to finish 6 books, and I was lucky enough to really enjoy each of them.

1. The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan
(Jan. 8 )

I mentioned briefly how much I loved the first book in this spin-off series last summer, and each book just keeps getting better and better!  I’m just sad I have to wait until fall for the next installment.

2. Firelight (Firelight #1) by Sophie Jordan (Jan. 9)

This was a good story… right up until the end. Because the book just STOPS. Basically right in the middle of a scene! There was no ‘ending’, and I was LIVID. If it hadn’t been an eBook I might have thrown the book.  Thankfully the version I read included the beginning of Vanish (the next book in the series), and the first chapter of Vanish makes for an excellent ending to Firelight.

3. The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff (Jan. 14) – Full review here

4. Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth (Jan. 18 )

Loved this one! Definitely in the realm of The Huger Games, but it didn’t have quite the impact of Katniss’ story.  I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.

5. Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles #1) by Suzanne Collins (Jan. 22)

Since I’ve yet to find anything I’ve loved as much as The Hunger Games since I read them, I thought I’d give Suzanne Collins earlier work a try. Gregor the Overlander is the first in a 5 book series that Suzanne wrote prior to The Hunger Games books. While it’s a good story with lots of action and likeable characters, I found it skewed a little younger than I like and I doubt I’ll continue on with the series.

6. The Future of Us by Jay Asher (Jan. 24) – Full Review here