Quote of the Day

"So what do I wish for? Something I'm not sure I want? Someone I'm not sure I need? Or someone I know I can't have?
Screw it. Let the fates decide.
I wish for the thing that is best for me."

Anna and the French Kiss

Just One Day

Written by Gayle Forman

Goodreads Synopsis: When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of "Twelfth Night" in England, there's an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left.
Over the course of the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

My Confession: I posted a few weeks ago about the 24-Hour Read-a-Thon sponsored by Penguin Teen in honor of this book. Did any of you read Just One Day in just one day? Gotta love that. Well, I did - and I must say, this book was worth every ounce of hype it generated. It's that good. I can sum up my love for this book in three parts: The Boy, The Best Friend, and The Trip.

The Boy. Willem, oh Willem. Forman has a unique way of writing male characters that are utterly refreshing, relatable, and enigmatic (much like If I Stay's Adam). We only meet Willem for a brief moment in the grand scheme of this story, but just like Allyson, we're left reeling from our encounter with this simultaneously carefree and dark Dutch boy. The way he and Allyson interact - like they're two halves of the same whole, from their conversations to the quiet, contemplative looks they exchange - is pure magic. It's the real-life romance that everyone craves, with just enough grit to remind you that this isn't a fairytale. In just one day, we're equally convinced that Willem belongs with Allyson, and she with him. His disappearance is throtteling, and I felt my heart break with Allyson's. But the question of what happened lingers, and you know in your gut that something must have gone very wrong. And you're left wondering just what that could have been.

The Best Friend. Having Willem disappear from Allyson's life and from the second half of the novel would have been an epic disaster if it weren't for Dee, a flambouyant and fabulous college coed who Allyson befriends in a Shakespeare class during her freshman year. Dee is the kind of supporting character who deserves a spin-off, his own chance to tell his story. Sweet, shy, cookie-cutter people-pleaser Allyson gets thrown out of her shell by Dee, who forces her to confront the issues she's suppressed for years. He opens her eyes to everything she could be. She pushes him away - he pushes back. Their friendship runs deep and begins to heal the fractured mess of emotions that Willem's disappearance created. And Dee is hilarious. He's wise. He's the wake-up slap Allyson so desperately needed. He's a character to remember.



One of my favorite Dee and Allyson moments.


The Trip. Europe. France. Paris. If you can get through this story without wanting to jump on an airplane and book it across the Atlantic - congratulations. Your wallet is probably a lot thicker than mine. The setting, the scenery, the little detailed descriptions of cobbled side streets and grand architecture, turns Paris into the third main character. Every lovely word used to bring this romantic city to life felt like it was chosen with the most careful precision. It's the kind of place that could make even the harshest cynic believe in miracles. And, at the end of the day, Forman's gorgeous writing accomplishes what every great story tries to instill in its readers: hope.

My Recommendation: For heaven's sake, read this book. There was a very deep, unsettled part of me that could relate to Allyson and her Type-A mannerisms, her aching need to please everyone but herself, and her dubious but profound love for someone who finally took a chance on her. But this isn't a story about true love and Willem - it's a story about realizing what you want for yourself and allowing the happiness you know can exist when you let yourself be. That's why it's so powerful, and that's why everyone will be scrambling for Just One Year, Willem's take on his year without Allyson, when it releases in the fall. At the deepest root of human nature, we want to be able to believe in ourselves, so much more than needing someone else to provide that validation. And Just One Day taps into the Allyson within all of us - bringing us to the ledge of despair and then showing just what we're all capable of when we least expect it.

Rating: 5/5

368 pages, published by Dutton Juvenile (Jan. 8, 2013)

Quote of the Day

He looks at one of the pictures for a long time. Then looks at me. "I'll keep you up here." He taps his temple. "Where you can't get lost."

Just One Day

9 Books to Read Before They're Made into 2013 Blockbusters

It's a brand new year, with hundreds of new opportunities to sit our bums in a movie theater and munch on popcorn. This year should be no different -- especially since it seems that more and more films are looking to literature for inspiration. 2013 will certainly see its share of book adaptations, from the bestselling (Catching Fire, Safe Haven) to the classic (Carrie, The Great Gatsby) to the obscure (Warm Bodies, Admission).

These nine films are structured to make a waves, either with their bold casting choices or glamorous cinematography. How well they fare at the box office remains to be seen, but all nine book versions are currently available. Stock up, read up, then carry that notebook and pen to the theater and take some notes! (Just me? Fine.)

Side note: Don't recognize the name of an actor? Want a peek of what the character will look like? Click on every actor's name for their IMDB page!

Warm Bodies
Book by Isaac Marion
In Print: 2011
In Theaters: February 1

Goodreads Synopsis: A zombie who years for a better life ends up falling in love--with a human.
R is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams. He doesn't enjoy killing people; he enjoys riding escalators and listening to Frank Sinatra. He is a little different from his fellow Dead.

Notable Cast: Nicholas Hoult (X-Men First Class) is R. Also starring Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) as Julie, John Malkovich (Burn After Reading) as General Grigio, and James Franco's lookalike brother Dave Franco (21 Jump Street) as Perry Kelvin.  

My Prediction: There looks to be enough action, gore, and humor in this film to offset any Twilight/paranormal romance comparisons it could attract. I'm not usually one for zombies, but this story might have just the right amount of heart. See it.

Beautiful Creatures
Book by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
In Print: 2009
In Theaters: February 14

Goodreads Synposis: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been coutning the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Notable Cast: Relative unknowns Alice Englert (Lena) and Alden Ehrenreich (Ethan) join Hollywood powerhouses Emmy Rossum (Ridley), Jeremy Irons (Macon Ravenwood), Emma Thompson (Sarafine Duchannes), and Viola Davis (Amma).

My Prediction: The trailers make this film look super-creepy and dark, but the book is fantastic and utterly epic. I would definitely recommend reading the book first, just to have a grasp of the world this story lives in. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy this phenomenal cast. See it.

Safe Haven
Book by Nicholas Sparks
In Print: 2010
In Theaters: February 14

Goodreads Synposis: When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautfiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her...a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's emphatic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety or one of riskier rewards...and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Notable Cast: Josh Duhamel (Alex), Julianne Hough (Katie), Cobie Smulders (Jo), and David Lyons (Kevin).

My Prediction: I'm getting a smidge bored with Nicholas Sparks stories. I'm becoming even more bored with the film adaptations. They should have stopped after creating classics out of A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. I'm not convinced the acting chops of Duhamel (who can do better than this) and Hough (who I still only see as a dancer) will stand up against those two. Skip it.

Admission
Book by Jean Hanff Korelitz
In Print: 2009
In Theaters: March 13

Goodreads book synopsis: For years, 38-year-old Portia Nathan has avoided the past, hiding behind her busy (and sometimes punishing) career as a Princeton University admissions officer and her dependable domestic life. Her reluctance to confront the truth is suddenly overwhelmed by the resurfacing of a life-altering decision, and Portia is faced with an extraordinary test. Just as thousands of the nation's brightest students await her decision regarding their academic admission, so too must Portia decide whether to make her own ultimate admission.

Notable Cast: Paul Rudd (John Halsey), Tina Fey (Portia Nathan), Michael Sheen (Mark), and Wallace Shawn (Clarence).

My Prediction: Paul Rudd and Tina Fey. A comedic combo made in heaven. The end. See it.

Carrie
Book by Stephen King
In Print: 1974
In Theaters: March 15

Goodreads book synopsis: A modern classic, "Carrie" introduced a distinctive new voice in American fiction -- Stephen King. The story of misunderstood high school girl Carrie White, her extraordinary telekinetic powers, and her violent rampage of revenge, remains one of the most barrier-breaking and shocking novels of all time.

Notable Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz (Carrie) takes over the role made famous by Sissy Spacek in 1976. Julianne Moore (Margaret White) steps into the role as Carrie's manicly religious mother and Judy Greer plays the compassionate gym teacher Miss Desjardin.

My Prediction: If you've never seen the 1976 version of Carrie, check it out before heading to the theater for this remake. Better yet, read the book. There is nothing creepier or scarier than what this girl is capable of. The book pushes you right into the middle of Carrie's mind and knowing the details of the story will help understand the overarching themes throughout the film. See it.

The Host
Book by Stephenie Meyer
In Print: 2008
In Theaters: March 29

Goodreads book synopsis: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Notable Cast: Saoirse Ronan (Melanie Stryder), Max Irons (Jared Howe), Jake Abel (Ian O'Shea), and Diane Kruger (The Seeker).

My Prediction: This is a tough one. While The Host is an arguably better and more substantial story than Twilight, there are so many intricate plot twists and turns in the novel that may not translate well onscreen. Similar to Twilight, which consolidated many of the novel's endearing scenes into one awkward jumbled mess, The Host may also find itself victim to an underwhelming film adaptation. Skip it (and read the book instead).

The Great Gatsby
Book by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In Print: 1925
In Theaters: May 10

Goodreads book synopsis: Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of
his country's most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace becomes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream. It's also a love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying, but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing.His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties, and waits for her to appear. When she does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbor Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. Spare, elegantly plotted, and
written in crystalline prose, The Great Gatsby is as perfectly satisfying as the best kind of poem.

Notable Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan), Tobey Maguire (Nick Carraway), and Isla Fisher (Myrtle Wilson).

My Prediction: I'm rather pleased with the casting of this film, and I'm interested to see what kind of grit Leo DiCaprio brings to the arrogant and tortured Gatsby. Tobey Maguire seems tailor-made for Nick, and Carey Mulligan is a throwback to the classic and classy Daisy we all imagined while reading the book. I don't think there will be a middle ground with this film -- it will either be astounding or awful. I'm leaning toward the former. See it.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Book by Cassandra Clare
In Print: 2007
In Theaters: August 23

Goodreads book synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. 

Notable Cast: Lily Collins (Clary Fray), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Valentine Morgenstern), and Jamie Campbell Bower (Jace Wayland).

My Prediction: Lily Collins is really making a name for herself in Hollywood right now, as is Jamie Campbell Bower. On paper, they feel like the odd couple of paranormal adventure/romance. The books, however, have a huge following, so you can expect rabid fans to show up in droves. However, there have been so many films like this one released in recent years, so City of Bones will need to embody something extraordinary to ensure it doesn't become just more paranormal white noise. See it if you read the books, but wait until the DVD if you didn't.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)
Book by Suzanne Collins
In Print: 2009
In Theaters: November 21

Goodreads book synopsis: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Notable Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth are back to reprise their roles as Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. They're joined by new faces Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee), Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair), and Jena Malone (Johanna Mason). Other returning favorites include Donald Sutherland (President Snow), Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), and Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy).

My Prediction: The first movie in The Hunger Games trilogy played extremely close homage to the book, satisfying and pleasing millions of fans. It's already been hinted that Catching Fire will stray a bit from the written word. It's all good with me -- any concerns I had about this film franchise were put to rest after watching Lawrence, Hutcherson, and Hemsworth not just embody but become their iconic characters. Add in a bunch of fresh faces (go easy on Sam Claflin, people - remember, no one liked Robert Pattinson in the beginning either, and Claflin is positively yum) and you're going to have a pretty fantastic and pulse-pounding sequel. See it.

Thanks to GoogleImages for the movie posters!

Quote of the Day

"He smiled understandingly--much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey."

The Great Gatsby

Penguin Teen's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

Hey bookaholics!

Have you all heard about Penguin Teen's 24 hour read-a-thon this weekend? It's in honor of Gayle Forman's newest release, Just One Day. Get all the information here.

From 5:00pm today (Friday, January 11) to 5:00pm tomorrow (Saturday, January 12), readers all over the world will sit down with this book and engage with characters Allyson and Willem. Tweet your progress and talk to other readers using the hastag #JustOneDay. Then, at 7pm on Saturday, Gayle herself will be answering questions on Twitter--tweet her using the same hastag and get in on the conversation!

For those of you who have read Forman's other books, If I Stay and Where She Went, this new release is highly anticipated. If you haven't, you should. And definitely before the movie comes out! Yes, If I Stay is being made into a movie. According to Gayle, it's still in the casting stage with rumors of an up-and-coming young actress in talks to play main character Mia. Want to know more? Read Entertainment Weekly's interview with Gayle here.

You can bet I'll be getting in on this action this weekend. Check Twitter for my own updates and feel free to tweet me @thebooknookblog with your own!

Happy Reading!!

Quote of the Day

"There are moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life and there are moments that you think you'll remember for the rest of your life, and it's not often they turn out to be the same moment."

The Scorpio Races

Entice

Written by Jessica Shirvington

Goodreads Synopsis: Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever.
The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed. 

My Confession: When I read the first book in this series, Embrace, I had a feeling this series was going to be really exciting. After reading the second installment, I knew I was right. This book is so full of intricate plot twists, inventive details, and steaming-hot love and restraint -- I loved it. I don't know how this author has managed to weave such a delicate and crazy-complicated story that somehow continues to make sense, despite the constant introduction of new rules and new people. Violet's journey as a Grigori is shaping up to be long and winding -- at the very least. The obstacles thrown into her path, the danger she is constantly in, and the pain she endures over her inability to connect with the man she loves makes her someone you instantly root for. Despite her low moments, she's an absolutely kick-ass heroine who refuses to quit.

Entice picks up where Embrace left off, with Violet and Lincoln struggling to move past their encounter with Phoenix, who truly ruptured their already-fragile relationship. Being destined Grigori partners, they are still unable to physically express their love for one another. If they do, they risk severely diminishing their powers and upping their odds of being overpowered and killed. Just the slightest touch can burn, a constant reminder of what they can never have. While we can read Violet's frustration and sadness, Lincoln's anguish, seen through pained looks and choked words, is just as palpable. When a group of other Grigori arrive, they inform Lincoln and Violet of a way (though improbable and unlikely) that they can be together. The ups and downs of their relationship seem centered on their inability to express their feelings, so this glimmer of hope survives most of the book. However, once they realize what is at stake with this new "opportunity," their love for one another prevents them from taking the risk necessary to cement their relationship. If they loved each other a little less, they could totally make it work. Oddly ironic.

The addition of Grigori around Violet's age (especially the adorable and endearing goofball, Spence) was a really great touch. Allowing Violet to form new friendships, while maintaining a close bond with her human friend Steph, softens some of Violet's hardness. Having other people around to talk to seems to take some of the burden of not having Lincoln off her shoulders. Her relationship with her dad is still bizarrely detached, and his presence in this series still doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me yet. Her mother is alluded to once again, and I'm really hoping we learn more about her later. There's a lot of potential there, and I'd love to see it unfold. Violet's odd family dynamic can't be for nothing, but it's just hung there in the background for two books now. I'm ready to see what purpose it truly holds here.

Phoenix returns in all his villainous glory, and Violet finds out the hard way that she's forever connected to him. But I have the feeling that there's more to Phoenix than what we've seen so far. While he's definitely dark, something about his feelings for Violet seem genuine. He's a complicated character with a newly-revealed control over Violet, a control that ensures he'll be sticking around for a while. I think this connection is going to be explored further in the upcoming books, and at the very least, it'll continue to complicate things for Lincoln, who we know isn't over what went down between Phoenix and Violet.

The action in this book is fantastic. You really feel like you're right there, in the middle of battle, watching the magical and ferocious carnage unfold. I often find myself shying away from books that rely too heavily on the paranormal to tell a story. This series is totally different. The paranormal aspect doesn't drive the story like you'd believe; to me, it merely enhances it. I'm so much more fascinated by this take on fallen angels and the re-imagining of Bible passages (not to mention the emergence of a particularly famous Bible character). There are still so many stones left unturned, and I was relieved to read that this series is slated to be six books long. Hallelujah, indeed.

Recommendation: With the Grigori engaging in a battle for the "Scriptures," and therefore for the fates of all Grigori, the best part is yet to come. I enjoyed this book so much more than Embrace, and it's never a bad thing when a series continues to up the ante. I can't predict where things are going to go and how anything will ever be resolved. This doesn't strike me as a happily-ever-after type of series, but I'm totally along for the ride anyway.

Rating: 5/5
438 pages, published by Sourcebooks Fire (Sept. 4, 2012)

New Email Address!

Comments? Recommendations? Questions? Just want to say hi?

The Book Nook has a new email address for any and all of the above!!

Send a message to booknookblog@yahoo.com and I promise to answer, even if you disagree with something I wrote. Books are meant to inspire lively conversation, and in doing so, often create a difference in opinion. Plus, I'm always looking for new books to read and literary trends to hop on, so tell me what you're reading. Don't be shy!

For other ways to reach me to talk about books (or anything, really, I'm quite friendly), check out the Contact page!

Thanks for the pretty envelope picture, Google Images!

Merry Christmas, Bookaholics!

A big ho ho ho and gigantic hug to all my readers who stuck with me this past year. I know I didn't review as many books as usual and my posts were sporadic and unpredictable. Please accept my sincere apologies and honest promise that I will do better in the New Year. Truth is, I just didn't have as much free time to pleasure-read as I was previously used to. Now thirteen months into my first full-time position, I think I've finally figured out how to balance work with my extracurricular blogging. So expect bigger and better in 2013!

This is for you!! (Seriously, knowing people read this blog makes me ridiculously happy.) I hope your Christmas holidays are filled with fun, family, and cozy new reads by a warm fireplace.

Quote of the Day

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

My Top 12 Books of 2012 in 12 Words

Do you sense a theme here? I hope so. I'm not normally this obsessed with the number 12.

Now, not all of these books were exactly published in 2012, but I discovered/read/became obsessed with them in 2012. Good enough, yes? Let's begin.

12. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
By Mindy Kaling
Crown Archetype - 2011
After reading this, I want Mindy Kaling to be my new BFF.

11. The entire Stephanie Plum series
By Janet Evanovich
Various publishers, most recently Headline Book Publishing - 2012
Nineteen crime-solving, bounty-hunting books with one intensely hot love triangle.

10. I've Got Your Number
By Sophie Kinsella
The Dial Press - 2012
Girl finds boy's phone. Boy wants phone back. Guess what happens next.

9. The Next Best Thing
By Jennifer Weiner
Atria Books - 2012
TV writer Ruth learns that Hollywood's lights are more glaring than bright.

8. Size 12 and Ready to Rock
By Meg Cabot
William Morrow Paperbacks - 2012
Newly-engaged Heather must catch a killer because this time, it's personal.

7. Imperfect Bliss
By Susan Fales-Hill
Atria Books - 2012
Can reality TV inspire real feelings in a modern-day Elizabeth Bennet?

6. Destined (Wings #4)
By Aprilynne Pike
HarperTeen - 2012
With Avalon under attack, Laurel must embrace her destiny or destroy it.

5. Beautiful Redemption (Beautiful Creatures #4)
By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - 2012
Trapped between worlds, Ethan must risk everything to return home to Lena.

4. The Probability of Miracles
By Wendy Wunder
Razorbill - 2011
Cancer-striken Cam moves to Promise, where miracles are more than rumors.

3. The Art of Fielding
By Chad Harbach
Little, Brown and Company - 2011
One catastrophic mistake forever changes the once-inevitable course of several lives.

2. The Way We Fall
By Megan Crewe
Disney-Hyperion - 2012
Love struggles to survive an epidemic that destroys everything worth living for.

1. The Fault in Our Stars
By John Green
Dutton Books - 2012
A story about how deeply you love, not how long you live.

So there you have it, fellow bookaholics. Do you agree with any of my choices? Was there an awesomeamazing book that I missed and should become obsessed with in 2013? Are you as impressed as I am that I managed to summarize all 12 books in just 12 words? Discuss!

Photos courtesy of Goodreads.com

12 Things That Made 2012 an Exceptional 12 Months: A Year in Review

I think nostalgia is a required emotion in the month of December, when we're days away from the start of another year. It's a time to reminisce on all you've accomplished, everything you didn't get to do, and how long you promise you'll keep that resolution this year.

But at the end of the twelfth month of the twelfth year, I can't help but look back on these last twelve months and go, woah. A lot has happened. A lot has changed. Some things didn't happen, and some things didn't change. And for once, instead of looking forward to all I can feasibly predict in 2013, I'm looking backwards at all the little things that made 2012 one of the best years of my life.

12. Meeting Emily Giffin. (You really didn't think I could write an entire blog post that didn't mention my book nerd-ishness? C'mon guys.) Emily penned one of my favorite books, Something Borrowed. My friend from work and I trudged all the way to the Upper East Side for a Barnes & Noble meet-and-greet. Instead of reading from her newest novel, Where We Belong, Emily shared anecdotes and jokes with the small herd of us crowded inside the room. It's always awesome to meet someone you've admired for so long and realize that they're as normal as can be. Being able to go to author events like these has been one of my favorite things about living in NYC.

11. Summer Sunshine. If there's a summer where my toes don't touch the sand in Ocean City, NJ, then it means I'm dead. I know this particular phrase gets tossed around frequently and often by everyone, but OCNJ really is my favorite place in the entire world. The summer of 2012 was my first with a full-time job, the first time in my life that summer wasn't synonymous with freedom. So I used some of my precious, disgustingly adult vacation days to take a long weekend with one of my best friends down to Ocean City. We shacked up for a few nights in an oceanfront hotel and spent our days under the sun with books and music. We went right after Memorial Day weekend, so the town was quiet and uncrowded. It was a brief break from reality that my friend and I so desperately needed. How could going to my favorite place with one of my favorite people not make my awesome 2012 list?

10. Friends, friends, friends. 2012 was an absolutely amazing year for friendships. I made a bunch of new ones, rekindled old ones, and cherished the strong ones I already had. Apart from my family, there aren't many other people I'd voluntarily choose to be around. But, I can truly say, I have the best friends in the world. It's the best feeling to know that no matter what you do, what you say, or what happens today, tomorrow, or next week, some people will always love you for you. And you know how I can be so confident in that assessment? Because it's exactly how I feel about all of them. And that kind of unconditional love doesn't grow on trees.

9. Philly girl in a New York City world. You can take the girl out of Philly, but you can't take Philly out of the girl. One of my favorite memories from this past year was trekking out to Citi Field in Queens with my roomie to watch my Phils take on the New York Mets. The night was an adventure before it started, with my roommate and I vowing to meet at 42nd Street to get the 7 train to the stadium. Little did we know, there are two different stations at 42nd Street, one near 5th Avenue and the other in Times Square. Of course, I went to one and she went to the other. Trying to find each other while underground without cell service--yeeeep. A small miracle later, we enjoyed a night of baseball, Shake Shack, and a ninth-inning comeback led by Ryan Howard that left me whooping and hollering like I was back in Philly.

8. Breaking news: boys still stink. I learned, rather quickly, that total and complete trust in another person is not always rewarded. Remember that someone needs to earn your respect and faith; that way, it won't hurt nearly as much when you realize they never deserved it in the first place. 

7. Surviving Sandy. This wasn’t exactly one of my best memories of 2012, but it’s made an impression nonetheless. My roommate and I weathered one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast in our tiny, Upper West Side apartment. And while destruction raged around us, we stayed relatively safe. My second home, the Jersey Shore, was ravaged beyond recognition. The NYC subway system was flooded. Hoboken, NJ—where I work—was in ruins, our office building underwater and the streets teeming with debris and the wrath of an overflowing Hudson River. To this day, transportation is still delayed, and in the case of the Hoboken PATH system, still destroyed. I’ve never seen the kind of destruction Sandy brought down on the places I’ve loved for years. I hope 2013 can bring the kind of recovery this area so desperately needs. Click here to donate to the relief efforts.

6. Turning 23 in style. Who says you’re too old for princess crowns? My friend Ashley, my roommate Caroline, and I all have birthdays in August, all within a few days of each other. This year, our first year being away from home on our birthdays (since we’re all recent NYC transplants), we journeyed out to my parents’ home in suburban Pennsylvania and had ourselves some good, old-fashioned birthday fun, complete with an ice cream cake inspired by The Little Mermaid. I don’t think a birthday has ever been that much fun—maybe it’s because I finally got to share it with friends.

5. Peace out, USA! 2012 marked the first year I left American soil. My passport was stamped for the first time, and I flew to Toronto on a business trip. My boss only accompanied me on the first day; after she left, I was on my own. I worked during the day and explored at night. I walked to the Rogers Centre and watched a Blue Jays game, ending my night with soft-serve ice cream in a bright blue, plastic mini-batting helmet. The hotel was gorgeous, the service impeccable. For the first time ever, I felt like a big deal. And I learned that it’s truly, remarkably possible to be insanely happy all by yourself in a different country. 

4. Christmas in New York City. I can cross watch the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center off my bucket list. Caroline and I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with complete strangers for hours upon hours, watching a gigantic screen broadcast the concerts and interviews taking place a half block away. We inched closer and closer as the NYPD adjusted the crowd barriers, allowing us to finally catch a glimpse of one tree branch a mere minute before it was lit. Having watched the festivities on television for as long as I can remember, it was nothing short of magical to see those colors light up the night sky in person. And that was just the beginning of the Christmas season in NYC. Everywhere you go, there are twinkle lights hugging bare trees, wreaths hanging on every door, tinsel brightening up a room, and holiday carols in your ears. It really is the most wonderful time of the year, and no place does Christmas like New York City.

3. Speaking of New York City....I moved there, yeah. Apart from the bunk beds, kiddie-size appliances, slanted floors, broken intercom, and nonexistent counter space, it's been pretty awesome.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Smith Photography

2. My best friend got married. This was my first time as a bridesmaid, the first time I stood up on an altar and watched someone I love dearly promise their life to another person. Thankfully, my friend Erica married a wonderful, fantastic, and funny man who I know and trust to adore her every second of every day for the rest of their lives. I'm more than happy to call him a friend now, too. The wedding was beautiful, but it was the months leading up to the wedding that I cherish the most: the dress fittings, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding-eve girl talk in our hotel room. I have known Erica since I was 15 years old. There are days where she knows me so well, it scares me. I was so honored to be a part of her special day, and it was an absolute blast. I could live to be 100 years old, and that day will forever be one of my top life memories. 

1. My first 5k. Yes, this is my top memory of 2012. A few months ago, it would have been Erica's wedding, no questions asked. But then I signed up for a Halloween 5k in Hoboken, NJ. As much as I've always loved the idea of running, the actual act has been difficult for me. After suffering from chronic shin splints and lymphedema, running long distances seemed more like a pipe dream than a feasible reality. But this costume-encouraged, all-ages race made me feel comfortable. Heck, I could walk this thing if I had to. 

But I didn't have to.

My time of 42:26 was nothing to get excited about. That's just about a 14-minute mile. But I spent most of the race in a light jog. I ran the first mile without stopping. I didn't finish last. As I turned the corner to the finish line, I saw the three friends who had come to support me, cheering me along with cups of early-morning coffee in their hands. 

When I crossed that finish line, I couldn't help but get choked up. Maybe it was because three people who I've known for less than a year willingly woke up early and traveled to New Jersey just to show their support for me. Maybe it was because I didn't blow out my shins and actually finished the race. Ultimately, I think it was mostly the fact that I felt so good. Good about myself, for the first time maybe ever. After years of struggles with self-image, especially those centered around weight, I realized I was capable of doing something really awesome. Something healthy. Something that made me feel alive. That day changed the way I felt about myself. And in a lot of ways, that day in October 2012 changed the course of all my years to come. 

Quote of the Day

"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The D.U.F.F.

Written by Kody Keplinger

Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Confession: I think I decided to buy this book because the title was so in-your-face. I mean, "Designated Ugly Fat Friend," really? My finger was poised over my Nook--I was just looking for a quick, fun read. I wasn't totally in the mood for a story that was going to "teach me a lesson" about body love. But then I realized how many times I identified as a DUFF, and I pressed "purchase." Yes, Barnes & Noble, I'm okay with you charging my credit card $7.99 for this ebook. I want to read what this brave teenager (yes, the author is a teenager) has to say about this topic.

Okay, so who hasn't felt like the ugly, fat one in their group of friends? If you haven't, then you can stop reading here. Because I have--almost every day of my twenty-three year existence. And I can count on one hand how many times I've read a character like this--someone simultaneously smart, sassy, and completely uncomfortable in their own skin because of what society perceives as "pretty." And not once have I ever believed that a legitimately attractive male would fall for someone with a little junk in the trunk. But I believed Wesley's genuine affection for Bianca, not because of what she looked like, but what she brought out in him. In never trying to please Wesley, Bianca is herself--she doesn't worry about her body or image. And in doing so, she finds a peace within herself and everything she has to offer. I think it adds a little truth to the adage that you can never love someone without truly loving yourself first. In many ways, I don't think you can ever be truly loved until you love yourself enough to show all of yourself to that person, until you realize you have nothing to hide. That's how Wesley and Bianca fall in love with each other's true self. And that's why it feels so real. Wesley never really loses his edge, and Bianca never really loses that cynicism, but they find a way to soften the other.

But I think this can be more than a feel-good story for girls who have always felt marginalized for not fitting into a size 2. I was really impressed with the eighteen-year-old author's concept of storytelling and building character. A lot of this book was very believable, and Bianca's voice was strong and consistent. There were a few points where I winced or grimaced, mainly in the moments when Bianca equates Wesley to a drug, the way she uses him to avoid facing her home issues. I get where the author was trying to go with this--I just don't think it totally got there.

Recommendation: This was a really cute read and a page-turner in its own way. The characters are three-dimensional and I really enjoyed reading a truly relatable female voice, someone who wasn't at the top of the high school food chain. Bianca's not a blonde, perky cheerleader (even though one of her best friends is); she doesn't have "tragic beauty" that she just doesn't realize. She's 100% normal, American teenager who is just trying to survive adolescence. Her uber-popular friends really love her, and it was utterly refreshing to read about how perception really is reality. And a little self-love and confidence never hurt anyone.

Rating: 3.5/5

280 pages, published by Poppy (Sept. 7, 2010)