Your Top 10 Books of 2009

As a part of my contest I asked you, my readers, to rank your Three Favorite Books of 2009. 19 people commented and told me their favorite books, and the result of the comments inspired me to do this:

THE 10 BEST BOOKS OF 2009
- According to YA Vampire Books' Readers -

10. Evernight by Claudia Gray

10. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

10. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

10. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

10. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

5. Fire by Kristin Cashore

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

And finally, with superior 7 Votes, The Best Book of 2009:

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins!

Suzanne Collins has two books on the list, both The Hunger Games & Catching Fire - Impressing!

To read the complete post and all comments, go here.


Is there any book you're missing on the list?

New Year's Eve

Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy the last day of 2009!
I hope you all will have a wonderful 2010. See you then :)

P.S Today is the last day to enter my contest. The contest ends tonight at 12pm, so make sure you enter before then!

Here's the contest post, and comment here or here if you want Extra Entries.

Happy New Year!
Fan(g) Girl

Waiting on Wednesday (12/30)

Title: WISH
Author: Alexandra Bullen
Release Date: January 1st, 2010

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

Sounds like a great book filled with joy, sadness and magic.

* Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill @ Breaking The Spine *

Spotlight: Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld is the author of the bestselling "Uglies" series, as well as several other books including the newly released Leviathan. And he is also the author of a young adult vampire novel - Peeps.

A year ago, Cal Thompson was a college freshman more interested in meeting girls and partying than in attending biology class. Now, after a fateful encounter with a mysterious woman named Morgan, biology has become, literally, Cal’s life.

Cal was infected by a parasite that has a truly horrifying effect on its host. Cal himself is a carrier, unchanged by the parasite, but he’s infected the girlfriends he’s had since Morgan. All three have turned into the ravening ghouls Cal calls Peeps. The rest of us know them as vampires. It’s Cal’s job to hunt them down before they can create more of their kind. . . .

Bursting with the sharp intelligence and sly humor that are fast becoming his trademark, Scott Westerfeld’s novel is an utterly original take on an archetype of horror.

There is a sequel/companion novel to Peeps called The Last Days, this book was released in 2006 as well.

Strange things are happening: old friends disappearing, angels (or devils) clambering on the fire escapes of New York City. But for Pearl, Moz, and Zahler, all that matters is the band. As the city reels under a mysterious epidemic, the three combine their talents with a vampire lead singer and a drummer whose fractured mind can glimpse the coming darkness. Will their music stave off the end? Or summon it?

Set against the gritty apocalypse that began in Peeps, The Last Days is about five teenagers who find themselves creating the soundtrack for the end of the world.

If you are a fan of Scott's other novels, or if you just want to read an horror urban fantasy - Peeps might be the perfect series for you!

Have you read these books? Leave a comment and tell me, and other readers, what you thought about them!

Fan(g) Girl

Contests around the Blogosphere

Hi all! I Hope you had a great holiday time!
Didn't get the books you wanted for Christmas? Don't worry! Here are a few awesome contest I've discovered recently (They are all open internationally!) :

The Dark Divine ARC + purple Nail Polish
Loru @ Pure Imagination is giving everyone a chance to win an ARC of The Dark Divine. Contest ends January 6th.

400 Followers Contest
Natalie @ Mindful Musings is celebrating 400 Followers with a contest. One (possibly three) person wins a book! Ends January 20.

Win a $20 Shopping Spree
Tina @ Tina's Book Reviews is celebrating 150 followers with a contest where one person wins $20 to shop for at the Book Depository. This contest is open until January 25.

200 Followers Shin-Dig
Shut Up I'm Reading is celebrating 200 followers with an awesome contest. There will be at least three winners (four if she gets 50 more followers!) and the prizes are great. This contest ends on Valentine's Day (February 14th)

It seems like there is a "contest war" going on between the two awesome sisters of The Bookologist and The Undercover Book Lover. Both are having to equally fantastic contests, check them out:

The Undercover Book Lover is giving everyone a chance to win Some Girls Are, Before I Fall & All Unquiet Things. This contest is open until January 30.

And her sister, The Bookologist retorts with a chance to win THREE 2010 ARCs. (Open until January 31).

I think that's it for today :)

Fan(g) Girl

In My Mailbox: Christmas Special

* In My Mailbox is created by The Story Siren, with inspiration from Alea *

Books I got for Christmas:

Never Bite a Boy On the First Date by Tamara Summers

1. I've got a few issues:
2. I'm a vampire now.
3. One of my classmates was found dead, with telltale fang marks.
4. I didn't do it! (really!)
5. Nobody believes me, so . . .
6. I'm going to have to find the real killer. I've already got three suspects. (three very cute suspects.)
7. One more problem: I am seriously falling for one of them . . . but what if he's the killer?

Boys That Bite by Mari Mancusi

Technically Sunshine can't get killed-because she's immortal. Well, not quite yet. Due to the worst case of mistaken identity with her dark-side-loving twin sister at a Goth club called Club Fang, Magnus, a vampire hottie, went for Sunshine's innocent neck. Now if she doesn't reverse it in time, Magnus will be her blood mate forever and she's doomed to be a blood-gulping, pasty, daylight-hating vampire. That would seriously bite.

And now, after the unfortunate slaying of the vampire leader, Sunshine, her sister Rayne, and Magnus must find the one thing that can solve her problem: the Holy Grail. They wish it were a joke but it's not. It's absolutely necessary that Sunshine gets out of this in time, because somehow she scored the hottest prom date in her school, the mouth-watering Jake Wilder. So she just can't be a vampire for the prom-let alone the rest of eternity.

Books From The Library:

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

After Davey's father is killed in a hold-up, she and her mother and younger brother visit relatives in New Mexico. Here Davey is befriended by a young man who helps her find the strength to carry on and conquer her fears.

I've never read a Judy Blume book, so when I found this one at the library I had to borrow it!

Rumors by Anna Godbersen

After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.

All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoon-maker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency.

As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.

And I know that there are two belated Christmas books coming my way - so I'm looking forward to their arrival as well!

Fun-Post Friday

Some of you may have seen this video clip already. . .but it's worth watching again, don't you think?

2.38-2,39 is one of the best parts - so funny!

* Video originally posted by A Booklover's Diary*

P.S Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates on the 25th of December! D.S

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

For those of you who don't celebrate until tomorrow - get in the right Christmas mood by listening to my two favourite Christmas songs:





And for those who celebrate today: Merry Christmas! I hope you'll get what you wished for!


Fan(g) Girl

Waiting on Wednesday (12/23)

Title: All Unquiet Things
Author: Anna Jarzab
Release date: January 12, 2010

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

I'm not a big fan of the cover, but the summary sounds really good!

Secret Santa Post

My Secret Santa gift(s) has arrived! Of course I couldn't wait until Christmas to open it, so here's what I got in my package:

EX-MAS by Kate Brian

Two Exes. One holiday adventure.

Merry Ex-Mas?

Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.

Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau -- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.

It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?

SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Can you imagine how excited and happy I got? Shiver and Hush, Hush are two of the most talked-about and loved novels this year!! I can't wait to read them! And Ex-Mas, could there be a cuter Christmas read? Thanks Jennifer!

In My Mailbox (Week 49-51)

IN MY MAILBOX

* Hosted by The Story Siren, inspired by Pop Culture Junkie *

From the Library:

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

Are the books is better than the TV-series? I'm curious to find out!

From My Secret Santa: Three awesome books! Take a look at THIS post to see what I got!

I'm baaack!

Yep, that's right, I'm back home again. Hope you had fun while I was gone!
I had fun while I was gone at least! The weather was great, around 35C (100F) and sunny. Quite a shock to the -10c (23F) and snow I got home to!

I got a few books while I was away, so look out for an In My Mailbox post later today!

If you still haven't entered my contest where TWO persons win a book of their choice, what are you waiting for? Click HERE to get to the contest post, and click HERE and HERE for a chance to earn extra entries into the contest. (I love your answers so far btw)

Happy Holidays!
Fan(g) Girl

Waiting on Wednesday (12/16)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: The Lonely Hearts Club
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Release Date: December 29, 2009

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

Read an excerpt from the book at Elizabeth's website.

I think this book sounds super cute & funny! Definitely on my TBR List :)
Fan(g) Girl

* This is a scheduled post, I'm currently on vacation and won't be able to respond to any comments or e-mails until I get back home *

Top 70 Vampire Movies of All Time

Snarkerati.com has, based on the average IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes scores for each movie, ranked the Top 70 Vampire Movies of all Time. And the winner is an over 80 years old movie, NOSFERATU from 1922!

On the list we also find Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, Blade and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Go HERE to see the complete list!

How many movies on the list have you seen?

* This is a scheduled post, I'm currently on vacation and won't be able to respond to any comments or e-mails until I get back home *

* Extra Contest Entries *

Do you want extra entries in my giveaway for $16 to spend at books at the Book Depository? Of course you do! Read on to see how you can earn 3 Bonus Entries!

2009 was a great book year, don't you think? Well, I suspect 2010 might be even better!
Please tell me 3 of the best books you read in 2009, AND 3 2010-releases you can't wait to read! Doing this will get you 3 bonus entries in my contest!

I'll go first: I've read soo many good books in 2009, some of my favorites are Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, Top Ten Uses For an Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro and the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.

In 2010, I look forward to read lots of books, including Rules of Attraction (the sequel to Perfect Chemistry) by Simone Elkeles, Forget You & Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols, Strange Fate by L. J. Smith and The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott.

Leave your Top-3s in the comments section to get 3 bonus entries!

* This is a scheduled post, I'm currently on vacation and won't be able to respond to any comments or e-mails until I get back home *

Waiting on Wednesday (12/9)

* Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine *

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Release Date: December 22

A prodigal son

A dangerous love

A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

Read the first (amazing) chapter here: http://www.breedespain.com/TDDsneakpeak.html

After reading the first chapters of the book I'm completely hooked! Someone give this book to me now! ;)
BTW I've seen a book with a similar cover but with blue fabric instead, does anyone know which book I mean?

* This is a scheduled post, I'm currently on vacation and won't be able to respond to any comments or e-mails until I get back home *

* Extra Contest Entries *

Have you entered my Contest where one person wins $16 to spend at books at the Book Depository, and another person wins a paperback of his/her choice?

1) Yes? Great! Read on to see how you can get 5 extra entries and increase your chances of winning!

2) No? Then, what are you waiting for? Head over to the contest post right away and enter! Then come back her to get 5 extra entries!

Please tell me about a Vampire you think should be featured on "Vampire of the Week" and why he deserves it! Doing this will get you FIVE bonus entries in My Contest!

It could be a vampire from a book, movie or TV series.

Example: "I think Edward from Twilight would make a perfect Vampire of the Week! He's a vegetarian, and so sweet and caring of Bella. Such a gentleman!"

To get some inspiration, take a look at my previous VoW posts:

Edward (Twilight)
Emmett (Twilight)
James (Twilight)

Angel (Buffy)
Spike (Buffy)

Damon (Vampire Diaries)
Stefan (Vampire Diaries)

Dimitri (Vampire Academy)
Mick (Moonlight)
Eric (True Blood)

So, who do you think would make a perfect Vampire of the Week? Leave a comment! Remember, doing this will give you FIVE extra entries in My Contest!

Fan(g) Girl

* This is a scheduled post, I'm currently on vacation and won't be able to respond to any comments or e-mails until I get back home *

Vacation!

Hey!
Just wanted to tell you that I'm going on vacation tomorrow! My sister and I are going to Thailand for two weeks, and I'm super excited! I've never been to Asia before!



So, I have scheduled some posts for the next two weeks, not as many as usual, but still something for you to read :)

In My Mailbox is naturally on vacation too, but I'll make a big post when I get home! (IF I get any books while I'm gone) Waiting on Wednesday is going on as usual.

Just wanted you to know that I won't be able to answer any e-mails or comments until I get back home (December 18).

Please keep on entering and do your best to promote my contest while I'm gone! :)

- Sara

Waiting on Wednesday (12/2)

* Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine *

Title: My Soul To Save
Series: Soulscreamers (Book 2)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Day: December 29


"If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee. That’s what we do.”

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk....

I've read the first book in the Soulscreamers series, My Soul To Take, and I really liked it! There were just enough "supernaturaly" in it, sure Kaylee is a banshee, but she's still like a normal girl, going to school and living in a normal world. So I'm looking forward to see what's next for her and Nash, plus I would like to read more about Tod!

Fan(g) Girl

* Don't forget to enter my Contest to win $16 to spend at books at the Book Depository. 25 persons have entered so far - which means that there will be Another Winner! This person will win a paperback of his/her choice, also ordered from the Book Depository. *

Contest @ Dark Faerie Tales

Angela of Dark Faerie Tales is having a HUGE contest on her blog. There will be Four winners, and she has over 30 BOOKS to choose from! Check it out:

Welcome to Dark Faerie Tales first Happy Holidays Book Blowout!

1 Grand Prize Winner (4 Books)

1 First Place Winner ( 3 Books)

1 Second Place Winner (2 Books)

1 Third Place Winner (1 Book)

Giveaway is open to everyone and ends January 5th

What are you waiting for? Head over to her blog and enter! :)

Spotlight: The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod centers around Vladimir a half-human, half-vampire boy. There are three books in the series so far; Eight Grade Bites (released in August 2007), Ninth Grade Slays (April 2008) and Tenth Grade Bleeds (July 2009). A fourth book called Eleven Grade Burns will be released in February 2010, and after that a fifth and final book, called Twelfth Grade Kills, will be released.

Eight Grade Bites

If you thought eighth grade was tough, try it with fangs and a fear of garlic.

Junior high school really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod, and not in the good slurp-up-the-blood kind of way. A gang of bullies harasses him daily, the principal is dogging his every move, and the girl he really likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has to hide the fact that he's a vampire.

When the one teacher he really connects with mysteriously vanishes, Vlad is determined to find him. But then Vlad finds an unsettling note scribbled across his essay: "I know your secret."
Vlad must locate his missing teacher, dodge the principal, resist the bullies’ tempting invitations to Bite me!, and get a date for the dance—all before he is exposed for the teen vampire he is.

Ninth Grade Slays

High school totally bites when you're half human, half vampire.

Freshman year sucks for Vlad Tod. Bullies still harass him. The photographer from the school newspaper is tailing him. And failing his studies could be deadly. A trip to Siberia gives "study abroad" a whole new meaning as Vlad connects with other vampires and advances his mind-control abilities, but will he return home with the skills to recognize a vampire slayer when he sees one? In this thrilling sequel to Eighth Grade Bites, Vlad must confront the secrets of the past and battle forces that once again threaten his life. Find out why author D.J. MacHale calls The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod "Gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding."

Tenth Grade Bleeds

High school can be so draining when you're half-human, half-vampire

It's another sucky year at Bathory High for Vladimir Tod. The evil vampire D'Ablo is hunting for the ritual that could steal Vlad's powers. His best friend Henry doesn't want to be his drudge anymore. And as if all that weren't enough, it's getting harder for Vlad to resist feeding on the people around him. When months go by with no word from Uncle Otis and D'Ablo shows up demanding Vlad's father's journal, Vlad realizes that having a normal high school year is the least of his concerns. Vlad needs to act fast, and even his status as the Pravus won't save him this time...

Eleventh Grade Burns

The penultimate chapter in the thrilling vampire series!

Things have taken a darker turn for the half-human teenager with an appetite for blood. Joss, a vampire slayer and Vlad’s former friend, has moved back to Bathory. A mysterious and powerful new vampire, Dorian, appears with a shocking secret and an overwhelming desire to drink Vlad’s blood. And Vlad’s arch enemy, D’Ablo, has a sinister plan to eliminate Vlad once and for all. With death threatening from every angle, Vlad will have to use every ounce of his skill and training to survive, but nothing can prepare him for what awaits him in the end.

About the Author: Heather Brewer was not your typical teen growing up. She wore black, danced under full moons and devoured every book in sight.
She hasn’t changed much.

Today, Heather can be found writing in her funky, black Happy Bunny jammie pants, dancing under the full moon, devouring every book in sight, and attending renaissance faire in costume (and in character).

Visit Heather Brewer's website to learn more abouth her and her books. You can also read excerpts from the Vladimir Tod books there.

My Thoughts: If you're trying to find a Christmas present for your brother, this might be the solution! The main character is a guy, the titles are catchy and the covers are really cool! Plus, the books sounds really good!

Fan(g) Girl