Sunday, December 1, 2013

Best of the Bunch - November 2013

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted over at Always Lost in Stories on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favorite book of that month.

November 2013

I'm pretty happy with the number of books I managed to read this month, considering that I also edited Unlocking Brisingamen (the upcoming sequel to Scars of the Bifrost).  Unfortunately, I only read a few that I really loved, but at least I definitely had a clear winner.  :-)

This month I reviewed the following books:

  • Waking Up Dead by Margo Bond Collins | Review | Rating: 3/5
  • Replica by Jenna Black | Review | Rating 4/5
  • North Pole Reform School by Jaimie Admans | Review | Rating 4/5
  • Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge | Review | Rating 4/5

  
  • Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder | Review | Rating 4.5/5
  • One Bite by Jennifer Blackstream | Review | Rating 4/5
  • Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder | Review | Rating 4/5
  • Lichgates by S.M. Boyce | Review | Rating 4.5/5

    • Through the Door by Jodi McIsaac | Review | Rating 4/5
    • Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden  | Review | Rating 3.5/5
    • Impossibly Love by Shane Morgan | Review | Rating: 2.5/5
    • Prodigal by Rektok Ross | Review | Rating 4/5

    • Firebolt by Adrienne Woods | Review | Rating 3/5
    • Deep Blue Secret by Christie Anderson | Review | Rating 3/5
    • The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson | Review | Rating: 3/5
    • The Guardians by T.M. Franklin | Review | Rating 5/5

    • Sia by Josh Grayson | Review | Rating 4/5
    • Fragile Brilliance by Tammy Blackwell | Review | Rating 4.5/5
    • My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick | Review | Rating: 5/5

    And my November 2013 Best of the Bunch winner is . . .

    My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

    I absolutely adored this book and I think that it will stick out in my mind as a favorite for a very long time!

    Summary: "One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

    The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

    As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

    A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.
      

    So, what was your best November read?

    Comments (10)

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    I so want to read Cruel Beauty..I loved the idea of picking your best of the month!
    1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
    Cruel Beauty was another one at the top of this month's list - some people have said that they thought it was the best book they've read all year!
    Wow!! It looks like a lot of books when you have them in a post like that!! And you're fav was the last you read for the month, go figure!!

    My recent post Teaser Tuesday #70 – Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
    1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
    Actually, technically I read My Life Next Door a bit earlier in the month, but didn't get around to posting my review until the month was almost over. :-)

    You're right about the number of books - it looks like a lot when they're all pictured - I love it! It makes me feel like I got so much done. (Or that I didn't get anything done - depending on how you look at it - the more I read, the messier my house is! :-)
    The cover of Replica is so pretty, I want to read it badly.
    My recent post Forever Beth: Lost and found by Elizabeth Cook-Howard
    Wow- you reviewed a LOT of great looking books this month! I'm dying to read Cruel Beauty and Replica looks really cool as well.
    Poison Study is one of my favourite books of all time.

    Thanks for taking part in Best of the Bunch!
    My recent post Best of the Bunch November 2013
    1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
    Lots of people have said that Poison Study was their favorite book of all time - that's why I knew I needed to read it!! It was definitely high up on my list for this month, but I loved My Life Next Door even more! Glad you picked it up! :-)
    Sally@Always Lost...'s avatar

    Sally@Always Lost... · 579 weeks ago

    P.S I went and ordered My Life Next Door after reading our review of it ;)
    Looks so good!
    My recent post Best of the Bunch November 2013
    Cool hop! I do monthly wrap-ups, which is kind of like this hop. :)
    WOW, you have so much time for reading! With school, work, volunteering, scholarship essays, and the basics, I have only had time for about 7 books every month. :P Good for you. :) And yay for My Life Next Door!

    My recent post Flash Giveaway: Unbreathable by Hafsah Laziaf
    1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
    I probably shouldn't read as much as I do - it makes my husband a little crazy sometimes, I think. :-) I homeschool my kids so I don't read a ton during the day (although I do sometimes read while they're working on something independently), but I read a lot in the evenings. I basically don't watch TV anymore - I just read. I'm a really fast reader too, though, and can usually read a book in a day.

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