Top 100 Teen Books

This summer NPR threw a Best-Ever Teen Fiction poll where more than 75000 votes were cast and 235 finalists nominated. The other day I found this list through Nina's blog. I have not seen it before so I obviously didn't vote but since I'm such a big fan of lists I had to post it here and check out how many of the books I actually read. I wish Jellicoe Road (Melina Marchetta), Stolen (Lucy Christopher) and The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson) had been on this list but maybe it's because they aren't as well known as many of the others (or maybe I'm not a teenager anymore;-). I also have to say that I'm not a big fan of all the books I've read either that made it to the top 100 so I would gladly find a place for my three favorites.

The books I read are highlighted and the books I plan to read in the nearest future are marked with a cross. That means books that are already on my tbr-shelf at home or I plan to read in the book blog tour this fall. I think it has to be a new goal for me now to read as many of these as posible because there are so many I want to read:-)

1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling

2. The Hunger Games (series), by Suzanne Collins

3. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

4. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

5. The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien x

6. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

7. The Lord of the Rings (series), by J.R.R. Tolkien

8. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

9. Looking for Alaska, by John Green x

10. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

11. The Giver (series), by Lois Lowry

12. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (series), by Douglas Adams

13. The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton

14. Anne of Green Gables (series), by Lucy Maud Montgomery

15. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman x

16. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

17. The Princess Bride, by William Golding

18. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding x

19. Divergent (series), by Veronica Roth x

20. Paper Towns, by John Green

21. The Mortal Instruments (series), by Cassandra Clare

22. An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

23. Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes

24. Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher

25. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

26. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

27. Twilight (series), by Stephenie Meyer

28. Uglies (series), by Scott Westerfeld

29. The Infernal Devices (series), by Cassandra Clare

30. Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt

31. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

32. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (series), by Anne Brashares

33. The Call of the Wild, by Jack London

34. Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green, David Levithan

35. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous

36. Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones

37. Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli

38. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles

39. Vampire Academy (series), by Richelle Mead

40. Abhorsen Trilogy / Old Kingdom Trilogy (series), by Garth Nix

41. Dune, by Frank Herbert

42. Discworld / Tiffany Aching (series, by Terry Pratchett

43. My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult

44. The Dark is Rising (series), by Susan Cooper

45. Graceling (series), Kristin Cashore

46. Forever..., by Judy Blume

47. Earthsea (series), by Ursula K. Le Guin

48. Inheritance Cycle (series), by Christopher Paolini

49. The Princess Diaries (series), by Meg Cabot

50. The Song of the Lioness (series), by Tamora Pierce

51. Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson

52. Delirium (series), by Lauren Oliver

53. Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins

54. Hush, Hush Saga (series), by Becca Fitzpatrick

55. 13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson

56. It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

57. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy (series), by Libba Bray

58. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs x

59. The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros

60. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury

61. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier

62. Just Listen, by Sarah Dessen

63. A Ring of Endless Light, by Madeleine L'Engle

64. The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen

65. The Bartimaeus Trilogy (series), by Jonathan Stroud

66. Bloodlines (series), by Richelle Mead

67. Fallen (series), by Lauren Kate

68. House of Night (series), by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

69. I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

70. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlsit, by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

71. Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver x

72. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman

73. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle

74. The Maze Runner Trilogy (series), by James Dashner x

75. If I Stay, by Gayle Forman

76. The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley

77. Crank (series), by Ellen Hopkins

78. Matched (series), by Allie Condie

79. Gallagher Girls (series), by Ally Carter

80. The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale

81. Daughter of the Lioness / Tricksters (series), by Tamora Pierce

82. I Am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak x

83. The Immortals (series), by Tamora Pierce

84. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (series), by Patricia C. Wrede

85. Chaos Walking (series), by Patrick Ness

86. Circle of Magic (series), by Tamora Pierce

87. Daughter of Smoke & Bone, by Laini Taylor

88. Feed, by M.T. Anderson

89. Weetzie Bat (series), by Francesca Lia Block

90. Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen

91. Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (series), by Louise Rennison

92. Leviathan (series), by Scott Westerfeld

93. The House of the Scorpion, by Scott Westerfeld

94. The Chronicles of Chrestomanci (series), by Diana Wynne Jones

95. The Lullaby, by Sarah Dessen

96. Gone (series), by Michael Grant

97. The Shiver Trilogy (series), by Maggie Stiefvater

98. The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley

99. Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson

100. Betsy-Tacy Books (series), by Maud Hart Lovelac

I've only read 16 of these so I have a long way to go. I actually haven't finished The Fault in Our Stars just yet. John Green have five books on this list and as I'm loving the one I'm reading right now I have to pick up some of his other books.

 How many have you read and what do you think of the list? Are you missing a book or are there any bboks you think shouldn't be on this list?

Bitten by Books » Suzanne Lazear Release Party and Steampunk Contest LIVE Here!

Bitten by Books » Suzanne Lazear Release Party and Steampunk Contest LIVE Here!

Waiting on Wednesday: Linked

I'm not exactly waiting for this book. I was lucky enough to receive an e-book copy and read it already. However, I am waiting for the actual book to be released, so I can run to the bookshop to buy a copy and give it a nice spot on my shelf.

Linked by Imogen Howson, to be published March 28th 2013.

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.

Both the cover and the synopsis are amazing. The book is simply amazing. Everyone should add it to their list. (I'll post a review somewhere close to the release date.)




What are you waiting for this week?

"Waiting On" Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This event spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Please visit Jill's blog to find out what other book bloggers are waiting for.

~ Sylke

Bitten by Books » Author Jim C. Hines Interview and Book Giveaway LIVE Here!

Bitten by Books » Author Jim C. Hines Interview and Book Giveaway LIVE Here!

Book review: Poison Heart by S.B.Hayes

A mysterious girl, with luminous green eyes, stares back and from that moment on she haunts Katy and appears to know her every move, even what she is thinking. What is the strange connection between them? And what is the power of the emerald pendant which the girl bestows on her?
‘I’m everything you’re not and I’m going to take over your life… I’m your worst nightmare.’
These chilling words mean that Katy is gradually backed into a corner, alienated from everyone she holds dear, even her own mother. Only her best friend Luke, keeps faith and together they must find a way to defeat the girl who is determined that she will be with Katy...even until death.
(Photo and summary form Goodreads)

My thoughts: 
I read this book earlier this summer at a time where I was struggling with most of the books I was reading. I decided to read something exciting and light and hoped this was the perfect book for me at the time. Well, it was in a way. The concept of the story is very good and the background with the beautiful and mysterious british rural landscape and old churches and cemeteries is perfect. Though the plot seems promising I think the story, characters and writing are to simple and superficial. First, the main character Katy has always felt leftout and has a mother who struggles with depression. This should make us feel for her but the author doesn't really let us in to Katy's mind so we can understand her actions and choices. Second, the other characters except for maybe Genevieve, makes little or no impression at all. I also understood some of the connections at the end before Katy did and I pretty sure that wasn't intentional.

Ok, this sounds harsh, but I have some nice things to say about this book too:-) It was all in all a pretty exciting book and a very good summer read. I had to finish it and looked forward to continue reading it whenever I could. I just wanted and expected it to be better and maybe a little darker (I mean, look at the cover!). I have seen this book being compared to Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James more than once and I'm quite sure that if you liked that one you're going to like Poison Heart.

My rating:



Source:
Review copy from the norwegian publisher Aschehoug in exchange for an honest review
Silje*

2nd Annual Summer Giveaway Hop

2nd Annual Summer Giveaway Hop 

Co-Hosted by Mary from BookHounds

 & Forever Young (adult).

Well the dog days of summer are upon us.

I hope everyone has had a great summer and had the opportunity to read some awesome books this summer. So tell me

"What has been your most favorite read this summer?"
Your choice of one of this awesome 
books I've read this summer.

 Click HERE for the full list of participating bloggers on the hop. At this time there is nearly 200 great blogs to visit and enter their giveaway! This is a great way to meet more bloggers, win books, gift cards and more!

Click on the "Read More" to take you to Rafflecopter--

If you have any problem getting Rafflecopter to come up,

generally refreshing the page will fix it.

Read "Click for Instructions" before answering the question!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

Set in London, during the preparations for the Olympics, this book is a perfect read for this holiday. It is the second installment of the Benedict series, and in my opinion a (more than ) worthy successor of Finding Sky.

Yves' story.
This is about getting you out...I'm stealing you.
Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too.

My thoughts

Phoenix is a young Savant girl, surviving by stealing off unsuspecting tourists. When she is ordered to find a specific victim her whole life changes. Yves Benedict, another Savant, is her prey. She messes up and is not sure whether she can still rely on her remarkable gift. More importantly, she is not sure whether she will last the day. Luckily, she does and we get to enjoy a wonderful story.

I must admit I was first a bit skeptical when I found out this book wasn't about Sky & Zed. During Finding Sky I had grown attached to these two, while I liked Yves I didn't want to let go off them. After months of procrastinating I finally decided to give this one a try and I'm glad.
The story is a whole new one: New main characters, new place, new developments.Yes, the other Benedicts still play a significant role.
Again, Stirling's writing was amazing. The way she described everything made me feel like the book was about me myself, like I was Phoenix. How Phoenix feels, what she sees, what she thinks. Every sentence written in this books is interesting and creating vivid imageries. Stirling is definitely a creative mastermind.

Another thing I loved about this book is the character development. The Benedicts are intriguing, as well as their bond. Every single one of the seven brothers is different, what makes reading about them fascinating.
Yves is my kind of guy: intelligent, caring, romantic and a tad shy. How he's willing to do everything for Phoenix, right after he finds out she's his soulfinder, was touching. Though he immediately falls in love with her their love is hesitant at first. Yet he doesn't give up on Phoenix. As the story progresses their love runs deeper and develops, something I missed in Finding Sky.

Phoenix is an admirable heroine, someone I can relate to myself. The way she desperately wants to find a way out of the Community, the way she has trouble trusting others, the way she lost faith in humanity really. Throughout the book she learns to trust others, she learns to accept events even when she doesn't like them. 

Phoenix and Yves are from completely different worlds, them being together, it felt impossible at first. However, they complement each other perfectly. It's just right. 

Just like "Finding Sky" this story had me hooked right from page one, I can't wait to find out more about the Benedict brothers and their Soulfinders.
Stealing Phoenix was packed with loads of action and dangerous intrigues, and during their adventure Phoenix and Yves crept up on me.

Cover

Although the cover is nothing really "outstanding" nor related to the story, I like it. It's subtle, pretty. 

My rating of this book

Source

Bought at the local bookshop. 

Other links

Find this book on Goodreads

Visit Joss Stirling's website here

~ Sylke