Class of 2012: Head of the Class

This week I am going to be partaking in the YA Superlatives 2012 Blogfest that is hosted by Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, and Tracey Neithercott.

Compiling this list was a lot more fun than getting the yearly ballots in high school (in case you were wondering, had there been a "Most Invisible" category, I probably would have swept that). Please keep in mind that I've only read 48 books this year and not all of them were 2012 releases. So be prepared to see repeats but know that I really do love the books I'm posting.

Let's get this started!

Favorite Dystopian

I've been following C.J Redwine on Twitter for quite some time and it feels like this book should have been out before this year. I got a signed copy of this while at the Decatur Book Festival earlier this year and after meeting C.J, I knew I had to go home and read Defiance immediately. I loved this more than I expected and really enjoyed having another strong and determined female lead with Rachel.

Favorite Science Fiction

Sci-Fi is not something I enjoy on a regular basis. I don't know what it is but there are very few things in this genre as a whole that hold my attention and A Million Suns by Beth Revis is high on that list and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.

Favorite Fantasy

Oh, Laini Taylor. I haven't quite finished reading this book but I knew from page one that I was going to love it. Her writing is beautiful and so is the cover. I really can't wait to see where this story goes.

Favorite Contemporary

Was there any doubt that this would make the list as my favorite contemporary? Spoiler Alert! The Fault in our Stars is hands-down the best book I've read this year and is officially one of my newer all-time favorite books. John Green owns me and I think that this book is one that only he could do. It's gut-wrenching, sweet, and just plain beautiful and if you read any book on my list, please let it be this one. It has been almost a year since this book has come out and it is one of the few that I still think about ALL the time.

Favorite Action/Adventure

Veronica Roth's debut novel, Divergent was one of my favorite reads in 2011, so it was only natural for me to be itching to read book two in the series, Insurgent. I really enjoyed getting more backstory on some of the secondary characters and plus, more Four is always welcome. I'm looking forward to see how she wraps up this series.

Favorite Romance

I loved everything about this book from the traveling to the relationship between Bria and Rowan. The settings leap off the page and the emotions are very real. 

Favorite Paranormal /Favorite Mystery

I combined two categories because I couldn't decide which one to put Maggie Steivfater's The Raven Boys in. This was my second favorite book of the year and I was lucky enough to win an ARC of it. As soon as I was finished reading I probably would have started re-reading it immediately if I had not promised some of my friends I'd send it on a mini book tour. It has a little bit of everything and if I had any questions regarding Maggie's creativity (I didn't), this book would have put those to rest. Once again, Maggie has awed me with her world-building and her ability to create a complex story like no other. The writing is amazing and I love how well she does alternating POVs. Raven Cycle #2 is probably my most anticipated 2013 release and I'm glad there will be four to the series. 

Favorite Family Drama / Favorite Comedy

Another combination of two categories. I don't know what it is about Kody Keplinger but I just love her books and was not disappointed when reading A Midsummer's Nightmare. This book screams "family drama" to me and it was just a fun read that I couldn't put down. I love how her characters are always flawed and they just feel like real people to me. 

Favorite Genre Bender

Honestly, Everneath by Brodi Ashton was a HUGE surprise to me. After I ordered it, it sat on my shelf for a while and I had an "OMG WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS?!" moment once I started it. For some reason I didn't read what it was about and had I done that sooner, I probably would have read it right away. I LOVED this book because it had the romance and the paranormal that I love so but it was a re-imagining of the Persephone myth and I absolutely adore Greek mythology --remember my love for all things Percy Jackson? So this was right up my alley and became one of those books that I love to recommend and was ecstatic when my friends Jennie and Joyce read it and loved it.  I am bouncing up and down with anticipation for the accompanying novella and book two that are both out soon!

Would any of my picks make your list? What are some of your favorite books of 2012?

Check back tomorrow for my Popularity Contest picks!