64 Books Read in 2012!

2012 was not a bad year reading wise. I managed to get 64 books read, which put me 14 books over my 50 Book Challenge.

To recap, here is a list of the books that I have read and links to their reviews:

JANUARY:

1. Wicked by Sara Shepard

2.  Killer by Sara Shepard

3. Heartless by Sara Shepard

4. Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

5. Wanted by Sara Shepard

6. Twisted by Sara Shepard

7. Ruthless by Sara Shepard

FEBRUARY:

8. Voyager by Diana Galbadon

9. Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

10. 1222 by Anne Holt

11. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

12. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

MARCH:

13. Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian

14. Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

15. Private #1 Suspect by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

16. The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike

17. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

18. Down the Darkest Road by Tami Hoag

APRIL:

19. Gun Games by Faye Kellerman

20. Need You Now by James Grippando

21. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

22. Private Games by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

MAY:

23. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

24. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

25. The Innocent by David Baldacci

26. The Uglies by Scott Westerfield

JUNE:

27. 11th Hour by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

28. Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie

29. Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green

30. The Witness by Nora Roberts

31. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

32. Pretties by Scott Westerfield

33. Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich

JULY:

34. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

35. Changeling by Phillipa Gregory

36. Guilty Wives by James Patterson and David Ellis

37. Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich

38. 50 Shades Darker by E.L. James

39. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

40. I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

AUGUST:

41. When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison

42. 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

43. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

SEPTEMBER:

44. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

45. 11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King

46. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

47. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

48. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

49. Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

OCTOBER:

50. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

51. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

52. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

53. Stunning by Sara Shepard

NOVEMBER:

54. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

55. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

56. Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen

57. NYPD Red by James Patterson & Marshall Karp

58. Divergent by Veronica Roth

DECEMBER:

59. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

60. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

61. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

62. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

63. Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

64. Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

No. 7 for 2012

Title: Ruthless
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 4/5
Book: 7/50 (14% completed)
Pages: 339 pgs
Total Pages: 2,131/15,000 (14.20% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

This book was slower than her other books. It’s not my favourite of the series. I really hope that the next book picks up in pace although I think Shepard is starting to draw out the series a little too much. I think the series had a perfect end at “Wanted”.

About the Book:

For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania-and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They’ve lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it’s not over yet.

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past-someone she never thought she’d see again-is back to haunt her.

But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It’s their darkest secret yet, and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, justmaybe, they deserve what’s coming to them.

No. 6 for 2012

Title: Twisted
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 4/5
Book: 6/50 (12% completed)
Pages: 307 pgs
Total Pages: 1,792/15,000 (11.94% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Ruthless by Sara Shepard

This book was my least favourite of the series. Quite honestly, the series is starting to feel like it is dragging. How many bad decisions can these girls make? It seems like they are learning nothing in their journey through the series. Shepard could have ended the series with “Wanted” because she had all of the loose ends tied up. Still worth the read but I’m starting to wonder if Shepard is out for the money over the quality of her series.

About the Book:

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The pretty little liars have more secrets than ever-twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little <i>too</i> cozy with her soon-to-be stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do <i>anything</i> to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break to Jamaica, they did something <i>unforgettable</i>. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore…eventually.

No. 5 for 2012

Title: Wanted
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 5/5
Book: 5/50 (10% completed)
Pages: 231 pgs
Total Pages: 1,485/15,000 (9.9% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Twisted by Sara Shepard

I’m still enjoying the series but this wasn’t my favourite book. It’s starting to feel like Shepard is stretching to make a plot for her books. Still love the series and will definitely continue reading!

About the Book:

For three long years, Hanna, Spencer, Aria, and Emily wondered what happened the night their best friend Alison disappeared. Now that all their questions have finally been answered, they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicket things. Will the girls get everything they’ve ever wanted? Not if I have anything to say about it.

No. 4 for 2012

Title: Lost December
Author: Richard Paul Evans
Rating: 5/5
Book: 4/50 (8% completed)
Pages: 346 pgs
Total Pages: 1,254/15,000 (8.36% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Wanted by Sara Shepard

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great story of friendship, family, and finding your way through hardship. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

About the Book:

When Luke Crisp graduates from business school, his father, CEO and co-founder of Fortune 500 Crisp’s Copy Centers, is ready to share some good news: he wants to turn the family business over to his son. But Luke has other plans. Taking control of his trust fund, Luke leaves home to pursue a life of reckless indulgence.

But when his funds run out, so do his friends. Humbled, alone, and too ashamed to ask his father for help, Luke secretly takes a lowly job at one of his father’s copy centers. There he falls in love with a struggling single mother and begins to understand the greatest source of personal joy.

No. 3 for 2012

Title: Heartless
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 5/5
Book: 3/50 (6% completed)
Pages: 275 pgs
Total Pages: 908/15,000 (6.05% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

Well, this series seems to get better and better as it goes on. There have been several twists and turns in the plot thrown at readers in this instalment and it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat! Can’t wait to read the next one!

Book Description from Jacket or Back of Book

First Emily, Aria, Hanna, and Spencer claimed they found a dead body in the woods behind Spencer’s house, only to have it vanish without a trace. Then, when the same woods went up in flames, they swore they saw someone who’ssupposed to be dead rise from the ashes. And even after all that, the pretty little liars are still playing with fire. Call me heartless, but it’s about time someone shut these liars up for good. After all, nobody likes a girl who cries wolf-least of all me….

No. 2 of 2012

Title: Killer
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 5/5
Book: 2/50 (4% completed)
Pages: 322 pgs
Total Pages: 633/15,000 (4.22% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Heartless by Sara Shepard

I am still loving this series! I had nothing to worry about when I said that I was worried that it would seem like the series was going to drag out with the plot. That is not the case and I love the big cliffhanger at the end. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Book Description from Jacket or Back of Book

In picture perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie-and so do Rosewood’s four prettiest girls.

Hanna, Aria, Spencer and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things-things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn’t die with her.

Hanna’s on a mission to corrupt Rosewood’s youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria’s snooping into her boyfriend’s past. Spencer is stealing-from her family. And pure little Emily’s abstaining from abstinence.

The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali’s killer was arrested and A’s true identity was finally revealed. But not there’s a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

No. 1 of 2012

Title: Wicked
Author: Sara Shepard
Rating: 5/5
Book: 1/50 (2% completed)
Pages: 311 pgs
Total Pages: 311/15,000 (2.07% completed)
Version: Book
Next up: Killer by Sara Shepard

Another great book in the Pretty Little Liars series. I’m really intrigued by Spencer’s storyline and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I’m really not a fan of Kate’s and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s involved in a big plot line in future books.

Book Description from book jacket or back of the book

In idyllic Rosewood, Pennsylvania, where Burberry earmuffs keep diamond-studded ears warm, four very pretty girls have done some very wicked things…

High school juniors Hanna, Spencer, Emily and Aria have paid dearly for their sins. A stalker named “A” terrorized them for months and revealed their darkest secrets. But not that A’s true identity has been revealed, the girls can finally go back to their pretty little lives.

Only, once a pretty little liar, always a pretty little liar-and these girls just can’t help but be bad. Hanna will do anything to be Rosewood’s queen bee. Spencer’s digging up her family’s secrets. Emily can’t stop thinking about her newboyfriend. And Aria approves a little too strongly of her mom’s taste in men.

As the secrets get darker and the scandals juicier, the consequences turn deadly. After all, girls who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And in Rosewood, someone is always watching….