What's New in 2012

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to spend 2012 with you lovely people, and I can't wait to see what it has in store for the YA blogosphere.

I'm not one for new year's resolutions because 1. I break them 2. If you want to change your life, change it now! 3. The holidays are stressful enough, and 4. I break them, but I do love the promise of change the new year brings. In honour of that, I've made some (overdue) changes to the blog, which I'll briefly talk about. I'll also tell you what I plan to write and read in 2012, and then I'd love to hear your 2012 plans in the comments!

What's New in 2012

The Blog

The URL. This is the biggest change, and the one I'm most nervous about, because it inevitably leads to broken dreams links. The old url was briallison.blogspot.com, and the current one is bricarter.blogspot.com. If you link to my blog, you're awesome, and I'd appreciate it if you update the link. My blog should still appear in your dashboard if you follow me, and if you're noticing that's not the case, please let me know. Thank you!

The Layout. This was the fastest I've ever chosen a layout, which means it was a case of instant!love, which also means it could lead to a messy break-up. I'm not putting a ring on it yet, you know? But for now, I love it. What do you think, yay or nay?

Writing

Remember when I posted about the crazy story in my heart, and was all, "lolz I'll need to edit it if I want it to be a real story, get rid of the pregnancies and musical numbers, you know how it is."

Remember when I then proceeded to edit it and begin serious work on it? No? But come on, of course I did. I have a manageable story now that I still love, and the story's been so exciting to write so far. I'm reluctant to share the details, but I will say that it's the first time I've seriously tried to write from a male's point-of-a-view, which is definitely a challenge, but also refreshing to write. The plot's still a bit of a whirlwind, and I'm still getting acquainted with the characters, but hopefully I'll be able share some teasers from Arianna and Derek's story this year :)

The other big plan for 2012 is to revise Building Forts, and it's my first revision with awesome beta comments to take into consideration. I'm really excited to see what it'll become when all is said and done (before that, it'll look like me crying as I eat all the chocolate in my apartment, staring at a Word document), and I can't wait to check in with Callie and Chase again :)

Reading

Finally, these are all the 2012 releases I can't wait to read! 

Wanderlove - Kirsten Hubbard

This is Not a Test - Courtney Summers

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Tempest - Julie Cross

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children  - Kirstin-Cronn Mills

And that's not to mention all the 2011 releases I still need to read.

 What are you reading and writing in 2012?

Best of 2011: Books Published in 2011

Yesterday, I talked about the best books I read in 2011. Today, I finish the Best of 2011 series with a post about my favourite books published in 2011. 

As I mentioned yesterday, narrowing this list down to five books was easy. However, ranking those books? It was nearly impossible. Each book on this list is on my all-time favourites list, and they could all be tied for number one. 

5. Lola and the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins

"Just because something isn't practical doesn't mean it's not worth creating."

Read my full review here. If I were an objective person, this book would not be on the list. There are problems with it, and I recognize those. However, I checked this book out during midterm season, right before a weekend I spent locked away in room. This book became my study-break, and reading it was the highlight of my weekend. It's so easy to get swept up in the sweet love story Perkins creates, and I felt like I was right there in San Francisco with Lola and Cricket. Also, the Anna and Etienne scenes were such a nice touch. Unfortunately, Santa didn't bring me Cricket like I asked for, but there's always next year, right? ;)

4. How to Save a Life - Sara Zarr

Sara Zarr is the master of quiet stories that capture your heart. This book could have been melodramatic, but it never felt that way; it was heart-shattering in how realistic it was. But, after Zarr shattered your heart, she took the time to put it back together. Also, this book is probably the best example of dual-POV I've read. Mandy and Jill had unique voices, and I cared about both of them. I often skip POV's in dual-POV novels to read the one I enjoy more, but I was never tempted to do that with How to Save a Life. I also loved the way the love-triangle is handled in this novel. It's nice to see one where both boys are viable options.

3. Divergent - Veronica Roth

"A brave man acknowledges the strength of others."

You don't know how many times I tried to review this book, but gave up because all I wanted to say was, "I really liked it!" I'm having the same problem now. But, there's something wonderful about that. It's rare for me to read a book now without thinking about it critically for a review, or analytically for my English classes. Roth pulled me into her story in a way that allowed me to focus on and enjoy the story. So, to sum up: I really liked  this book!

2. Like Mandarin - Kirsten Hubbard

"A person's actions could be interpreted in a number of  ways, depending on who was watching."

Read my full review here. Honestly, I said it all in my review. This is another personal book for me. I've been Grace, and this is one of those books I wish I was around when I was fifteen years old. All I can hope is that teenage girls who feel the way I did find this book, because I have no doubts that it'll help them. I had high expectations for Like Mandarin, but Hubbard surpassed them. Her characterization is spot-on and her prose is beautiful without being pretentious. I recommend this book to anyone who's ever been a teenage girl. 

1. Where She Went - Gayle Forman

"I wait for the day that you'll resurrect me."

I didn't expect this. I liked If I Stay, but it wasn't a favourite of mine. I expected to enjoy Where She Went, but not for it to be my favourite book of 2011, and one of my favourite books of all-time. I still remember sitting outside, reading this, and getting so into that, to use a cliche, the rest of the world disappeared. I also listened to Adam-esque music while I read it, and I found myself turning the volume up as I read and feeling everything. Adam's not always likable, but oh my gosh, I ached for that boy. I listened to this audiobook on my commute to and from school in November, which was a mistake, because I nearly cried on the bus. The prose in this book was incredible as well; there were moments I had to put the book down because I was so excited about the prose. When I went through the goodreads quotes to find one for this post, each quote brought me right back to a moment in the novel, and the emotion associated with that part. It's my favourite book of 2011 because no book made me feel as much as it did.

Best of 2011: Books Read in 2011

…That were not published in 2011. I divide my favourite books of the year into two categories: The best books I read in 2011 that were not published in 2011, and the best books I read in 2011 that were published in 2011.

Both lists posed different challenges. I read a lot of books in 2011 which were published in different years, and I had trouble narrowing it down to five. It was easy, however ,to choose my five favourite books published in 2011, but impossible to rank them, because they’re some of my all-time favourites. Don’t worry, you’ll hear more about my angst over that tomorrow.

So, how did I solve the problem for today’s list? Well, I have six books on the list instead of five. I won’t tell if you wont.

                  6. You Against Me - Jenny Downham

"Do you want this to be a love story?"

Full disclosure: I finished this book yesterday, and it was the first book I read on my shiny new e-reader. So, I’m attached to it, and I’m not sure how I’ll handle it when the library copy expires and I can’t click on the steamy and sweet scenes anymore. Seriously, this was the first book in a long time I went into without expectations. Sure, I loved Before I Die, and I read reviews for it awhile ago, but I’d forgotten by the time I downloaded the book. I didn’t even remember what the plot was. And guys, that made for such a nice and surprising reading experience. I’m not a fan of third person, but Downham made me forget that the book was in third person (I didn’t realize it until I was a few pages in, honestly,) because she still brought my into the characters’ heads. The plot kept me turning the pages (and I’m not typically a stay-up-until-two-in-the-morning-reading girl) and the characters gave me a reason to care.

5. I Know It's Over - C.K. Kelly Martin

"How many times can a person break your heart?"

Read my full review here. Martin’s such a rockstar. I’d argue that she writes the most realistic books in YA today, and I Know It’s Over is the perfect example of it. Nick’s voice is smart and poignant and so real; it almost feels like he’s your brother, the way you grow to know and care about him. The plot could’ve been melodramatic, but it wasn’t; Martin told the story in an honest and heart-felt way, which made it feel like the story of your brother. Also, this book is so Canadian, and I think this is the first time that a book which isn’t about mining in the maritimes (you guys don’t understand how many of those I had to read for school,) has felt Canadian to me.

3. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler

"I'm heavy, like there's too much gravity on my heart."

Read my full review here. Ugh, this was the perfect summer read. Not because it’s a light-hearted romance—don’t let the title fool you—but because it captures the magic of summer so well. This was the book I wish I read when I was a teenager. This book deals with so many themes I could relate to—loss, summer love, how to handle temporainess—and I’m sure others relate to, as well. It’s become a really personal  book to me.

3. Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins

"Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?"

It’s true, I didn’t read this until 2011. It’s the only book I read twice in 2011, actually; I read it for the first time in February, and for the second time when I went to Kazakhstan in July. I brought it to Kazakhstan because it’s the ultimate comfort read. Anna’s voice is perfect, self-deprecrating but still smart, and always funny. And, of course, there’s the Boy Wonder himself: Eh-tienne. I’m more of a Cricket girl myself, but St. Clair still made me swoon. This book is cute and poignant, and I think it’ll be my comfort-read for many years to come.

2. Please Ignore Vera Dietz – A.S. King

"If we're supposed to ignore everything that's wrong in our lives, then I can't see how we'll ever make things right."

To quote my goodreads review, "This is the kind of book that makes me wish I was a high school teacher so I could assign it to my students. It's just really, really good." And honestly, I don’t know what else to say about it. It’s just so good. But I’ll try anyway: It’s insightful but never pretentious. It has characters unlike any other characters I’ve read in YA that you care about. Its plot is page-tuner. It takes risks. It’s good.

.

1. A Blue So Dark – Holly Schindler

"Sanity is a sonnet with a strict meter and rhyme scheme-and my mind is free verse."

Read my full review here. Honestly, there’s not much more that I can say that I didn’t say in my review. This book caught me so off-guard. I didn’t expect to like it. I definitely didn’t expect it to get inside me the way it did. But, it joins Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever in being one of the few books that I’ve connected with in a way I can’t even describe. Not only did this book help me deal with some issues in my personal life, but it also made me write again. That’s a pretty powerful book.

My connection to is why it’s number one, but don’t think that means it’s any less brilliant of a book. The charactertization and portrayal of relationships is spot-on and the prose is brilliant and poignant. Of all the books I read in 2011, this is the one I’ll take the most from.

What were your favourite books read in 2011?

I'll post my  favourite books published in 2011 tomorrow! 

Music to Write to in 2012

When I made my lists of the best writing songs of 2011, I mentioned that most of them were released earlier in the year. This is the list of songs that didn't make the cut solely because they were released later in the year, and I haven't had a chance to write to them. These are the songs of 2011 that I'll write to in 2012!

5. The War is Over – Kelly Clarkson

All I have to say is you don't deserve me.

While I adore Kelly Clarkson, I was underwhelmed by Stronger. However, I fell in love with “The War is Over” the first time I listened to it. It’s a great anthem for characters realizing they deserve to be treated better than their partners are treating them.

4. Safe and Sound – Taylor Swft ft. The Civil Wars

Don't you dare look out your window darling/Everything's on fire.

When this song appeared on my Twitter feed, I thought I’d imagined it. Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars are two of my absolute favourite artists, and they colloborated on a song for The Hunger Games? Come on, that’s too good to be true. But the song was everywhere within hours, and I fell in love. I always write to Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars anyway, but since I associate it with one of my favourite books, hearing it makes me want to write. It’s the perfect song for those romantic scenes when the characters escape from the chaos arround them, and focus on each other.

3. Over You – Miranda Lambert

But you went away/How dare you/I miss you.

It’s both exciting and frustrating to discover a song that’s perfect for your novel when you’re not working on that novel. So much about this song reminds me of the climax in my novel, and I know I’ll have this on repeat when I revise it in 2012. But, this song is appropriate for any novel in which characters miss someone. The emotion that Miranda sings with in the chorus captures the feeling of being left perfectly.

2. No Light, No Light – Florence and the Machine

I never knew daylight could be so violent.

Again, while I love Florence, I was underwhelmed by Ceremonials. Honestly, the only songs I like on it are “Shake it Out” and “No Light, No Light,” but I love those songs. This song is so dark and dramatic, which makes it perfect for any climax.

1. This Isn’t Everything You Are – Snow Patrol

Just take the hand that's offered and hold on tight.

Oh guys, this song. I’ve never seen to many writers tweet or blog about a song before, which tells me that you all love to write to it, too. The lyrics are the perfect anthem for any character who’s defined by something that, well, isn’t everything they are. The music fits well, too; it’s hard not to feel empowered when that music kicks in. The song is both subtle and dramatic, and listenting to it helps create both kinds of moments. It’s a great anthem for writers, too. Your word-count, number of followers, pile of rejection letters? It’s not everything you are.

What songs will you write to in 2012?

The next lists will be my favourite books of 2011, so look out for that! :)

Best of 2011: Fifteen Writing Songs - Part Two

Here's the second part of my countdown of the best writing songs of 2011! You can read the first part here.

7. The Lonely - Christina Perri

Dancing slowly in an empty room/Can the lonely take the place of you?

I usually write to songs because of their lyrics, but it's the mood of this song that inspires me. It evokes this haunting type of sadness, which helps me get in the mood to write the more depressing scenes.

6. He About to Lose Me - Britney Spears

I feel it burning and I know I'm standing far too close.

And yet again, I hear a Britney Spears song as full of angst. Cheating, or even being with the wrong person at the wrong time, has been a common theme in what I've wrote this year, and this song captures the feeling of the cheater perfectly. They know that they're doing something wrong, but they "can't overcome this chemistry." And, as they cheat, they know that their partner, or the person they want to be with, is slipping away. It's hot and heart-breaking at the same time. 

5. Skin and Bones - David J. Roch

So don't try to save me, and please God forsake me/I'll suffer alone, I just want to be left.

I posted a dance for this one because it's where I first heard the song, and now I always associate the two. I cried the first time I watched this dance, because to me, it and the song are all about giving up, even (or especially) when there are people who will do anything to help you. It's the song I play in my characters' darkest moments.

4. Bird of Winter Prey - William Fitzsimmons

We're more than just the blood of what we've done.

This song is on the list because of the lyric I quoted. This CD came out when I was writing a part of my novel where my characters were just destroyed by guilt. The reassurance that they were more than their actions was exactly what they needed and, ultimately, what they gave each other. Guilt is almost always a theme in my work, so there's always a use for this song.

3. Someone Like You - Adele

We were born and raised in a summer haze/Bound by the surprise of our glory days.

Well, obviously. This is the angst anthem of 2011, so of course I wrote to it. Much like the other Adele song on this list, I wrote to it because I danced to it. My characters are really too young to relate to the lyrics, but they understand the emotion behind it, and when I danced to this song, I was able to put that emotion into my writing.

2. Poison and Wine - The Civil Wars

I don't love you, but I always will.

I wish I had the space to quote all the lyrics, because they're all perfect and poignant. Joy and John Paul didn't waste a single word when they wrote this song, which makes every line feel like a punch to the gut. The song is a messy love story, and those are what I strive to write. I could put this song on for almost every scene I write, and either the lyrics or music would be appropriate. It's beautiful in how it's both heart-healing and heart-breaking.

1. Falling - The Civil Wars

Tell me it's nothing/Try to convince me/That I'm not drowning/Oh let me tell you, I am.

This is, by far, the most scene-specific song on this list. But, it was such a significant scene, and the song was so important to it, that now whenever I think of that novel, this is the first song that comes to mind. My character, Callie, danced to this song, and it was her first real breakthrough, the first time she realized there was something seriously wrong with the way she'd been treated. And her boyfriend, Chase, guided her through it. While I never explicitly stated this was the song she danced to in the scene itself, I described it, and   danced to it as though I was Callie to know what she'd do. This song brought me closer to my characters, reminds me of the novel I spent most of the year working on, and is the one closest to my heart. 

And that's it! I'll post my 2012 songs closer to the new year. If you celebrate it, have a wonderful Christmas!

Best of 2011: Fifteen Writing Songs - Part One

I’m obsessed with end-of-the-year countdowns, so from now until the new year, I’ll be talking about what I believe the best of 2011 was in terms of entertainment, which may take the form of music, television, celebrities, and of course, books.

I knew I wanted to post about music, but there was so much incredible music released this year that it was impossible to create a list of my favourite CDs or songs. So, instead of talking about the best music of 2011, I’m talking about the best writing music. This list features fifteen songs that were released in 2011 that I loved to write to. They’re not ranked in order of how much I like the song themselves, but in order of how much I wrote to them. That means most of the songs were released earlier in the year, because I haven’t had a chance to write to some new releases. So, when I finish this list, I’ll post a smaller list of songs I know I’ll write to in 2012. Here's the first part!

15. Housewife’s Prayer – Pistol Annies

I’ve been thinking about setting my house on fire.

One of my characters, Tiffany, is only seventeen, but already feels like a housewife. Though she’d never admit it, it’s her anthem. But, that’s not the only reason I write to this song. The theme of it, the desire to do something crazy and wrong that comes from dissatisfcation, appears in most of what I write, in one form or another.

14. Tough – Kellie Pickler

There ain’t nothing wrong with a woman that got a little backbone.

Like most writers, I torture my characters, and they come out stronger for it. This is their theme song when they realize that, and are ready to fight for themselves.

13. Learning to Love Again – Matt Kearney

That was the real you running through the fields of gold wide open.

 I write to every Matt Kearney song, and it’s always because of moments in the songs rather than the songs as whole. This one’s a little  different, though, because its theme of the real you is why I love to write to it. The theme of someone revealing their true self to someone else and then falling in love either because of or through that is always present in my work.

12. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall – Coldplay

I turn the music up, I’m on a roll this time/And heaven is in sight.

Ever since this song was used for the final montage on So You Think You Can Dance, I’ve heard dance in it. The two projects I’ve focused on this year feature dancer, and I hear everything my characters feel when they dance in this song.

11. She’s Dope – Down With Webster

Girl you’re a star, attention’s nothing new to you.

This is such a jam, and sometimes you need to write to music which pumps you up and makes you go, “Yeah, I’m awesome.” It’s also the way my male love interests see my female MCs ;)

10. Inside Out – Britney Spears

You touch me and it’s breaking me down.

 Oh gosh, I don’t even know how to explain this one. Basically, the song’s story of break-up sex is quite similar to a storyline I wrote this year, except mine was full of angst and didn’t involve dubstep. So, because I associated the song with my story, I started to hear it as full of angst, and I had it on repeat when I wrote one of the saddest scenes in my novel. Seriously. Also, believe it or not, this is not the only Britney Spears song on the list!

9. Turning Tables – Adele

Under your thumb, I can’t breathe.

I write to this song because I dance to it. It’s one of my favourite songs to dance to because it forces me to break down, and I’m able to write in that emotional and honest state it brings me to.

8. Beautiful Girl – William Fitzsimmons

Beautiful girl/May the weight of world resign/You will get better.

I always write to William Fitzsimmons because he’s so honest in both his lyrics and his voice, and it makes me honest. My characters always need to hear that they’ll get better, and this song promises them that.

What do you think of these songs? Any guesses as to what songs will appear in part two? What songs did you write to in 2011?

Road Trip Wednesday: All I Want for Christmas

Road Trip Wednesday is hosted by YA Highway.

This Week's Topic: What would be the ideal holiday present for your main character (or favorite character?)

I love prompts which give me an excuse to perform ridiculous Google searches! I have two main characters at the moment, Arianna and Tiffany. Arianna's a musical theatre geek, and Tiffany's the captain of a dance team.

Arianna: Be a Broadway Star Board Game 

Guys, if I knew enough people who love Broadway as much as I do and would be willing to play this with me, this would totally be on my Christmas list. It's a board game which takes you through the process of becoming a Broadway star, all the way from acting school to the Tony's. There are also Make or Break Cards which give you a chance to perform, and according to Amazon reviews, the challenges include, "Sing a Rodgers and Hammerstein song like a rock song." Arianna would love to live through a Broadway career without actually living through it, and she'll take any opportunity to perform, so this would be perfect for her.

Tiffany: Wireless Boombox

Tiffany likes to dance in the middle of a football field at midnight, and she has to dance with her iPod in her pocket and headphones in her ears. Speaking from experience, it's not ideal, especially when your iPod goes flying and you nearly strangle yourself. She could bring this boombox to the field and dance, which would not only be safer, but more of a rewarding experience since her music would fill her small town. It would also be great for dance team practices since her school doesn't have decent speakers in the budget, and its portability would allow her to travel with it to competitions. 

What would you buy your characters for the holidays?

Best of 2010: Books

I have a slight obsession with end-of-the-year specials, so it's only fitting that I do a Best of 2010 miniseries on this blog. Yesterday, I talked about my favourite music and television of 2010, and today, I'll talk about my favourite books released and read in 2010.


I became obsessed with YA over the summer. Sure, I loved my Sarah Dessen and Judy Blume books, but I'd never even heard of THE HUNGER GAMES until I joined Absolute Write (why yes, it is uncomfortable to live under a rock.) I've been playing catch-up, so most of the books I read this year were not released this year. That's why I'm doing two lists: one for the best five books released in 2010, and one for the best five books I read in 2010.

Top Five Books Released in 2010

 5. Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan
I'm cheating: I haven't finished this book yet. But, I love it so much that it needs to be on this list. A book has never made me laugh and feel so much at the same time. Honestly, I'm not a fan of either Will Grayson, but it's impossible not to love Tiny Cooper. I laugh out loud pretty much every time he speaks (my favourite part of the novel thus far is when he saw a bed and said, "Look, a bed!" Seriously, I lost it...it doesn't take much to impress me.) This book isn't just funny, though. I had to put the book down and flail after reading one scene because it made me feel so much. I'm looking forward to finishing it. 

4. Some Girls Are - Courtney Summers

In making this list, I've realized that Courtney Summers is currently my favourite YA author (uh, spoiler alert.) I love her style so much, and it shines in this book. Regina's voice is uncomfortably real, to-the-point, and packed with emotion. This is such a page-turner, I-need-to-know-what-happens-next-more-than-I-need-sleep book. I love bitchy MCs (as you will see...spoiler alert), and Regina is just perfect in all her flaws.

3. Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

Look, it's another bitchy MC! Yay! I hated Sam, but I loved that her attitude towards popularity wasn't oh-it's-so-hard-to-be-popular one I'm used to reading, but instead it she thought along the lines of, "Yeah, my life is easier because I'm popular, and that's the way it is." Her honesty is as refreshing as it is off-putting. The plot of this book is incredible as it's intricate and at times shocking, but it still makes sense (as much as a book with this premise can make sense, that is.) My favourite thing, though, is the romance in this book. In fact, it's the best romance I've read in YA. I felt and believed every moment of their relationship. These characters still haven't left me.

2. The Sky is Everywhere - Jandy Nelson 
Up until last week, I thought this book would be number one on my list, so know that it is a close runner-up (actually, my top three are all quite close.) I don't need gorgeous prose to like a book, I just need it to be honest. Well, this book is written in gorgeous and honest prose, and that's what makes it so incredible. Lennie is perfect. I understood her, gosh, did I ever understand her. Grief is hard for me to read about, but when I find a book that handles it well...I can't explain how wonderful that is, but I think all of you understand. It's like someone finally gets it, and Lennie got it, and I got it, and it was incredible. The romance in this book is wonderfully real and sweet, and gah, the entire thing is perfect.

1. Fall For Anything - Courtney Summers
There are so many things that I want to say about this book, which is why I'm going to dedicate a post to it in the new year. For now, I'll say that I've never felt as much as I have reading a book as I did when I read this book. Much like THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, this book handles grief in way that was hard for me to read, but gosh, I needed to read it. I've known a couple Beth's, and could relate so well to Eddie's hate of her. Milo is just my favourite boy ever. Everything with Culler was thrilling and intriguing. Eddie is flawed and perfect and I've never wanted to hug a character so much. Stop reading this post and go buy this book. Seriously.


Top Five Books Read in 2010
French the llama, it was hard to narrow this list down to five. Honourable mentions go to HANDCUFFS by Bethany Griffin, BREATHING UNDERWATER by Alex Flinn, and IF I STAY by Gayle Forman.

5. Before I Die - Jenny Downham 
Honestly, I wasn't crazy about this book when I started it. I hated Tessa. I couldn't sympathize with her, even with her condition. But, as the book went on, I started to appreciate her honesty and just her raw her voice was. And there was Adam, oh, Adam. Their romance is second only to the one in BEFORE I FALL as my favourite YA romance. It was the same thing: I felt every moment of their relationship and it was beautiful and terrifying and completely heartbreaking. It took me awhile to get into this book, but by the time I was finished? I couldn't get it out of my head.

4. Looking for Alaska - John Green
This is the first YA book I read when I started to play-catch up, and I'm so glad it was. It helped me understand what YA is, which is when I realized that it's everything I love: honest, fast-paced, and incredibly emotional. This was also my first introduction to John Green, which led to me discovering the vlogbrothers and nerfighteria, which is just awesome. It's an incredible book, but it means a lot to me as well, and that's why it's number four on this list.

3. Cracked Up to Be - Courtney Summers
By now it should be obvious that I love Courtney Summers, yes? I think I'm one of the few people who prefers this book to SOME GIRLS ARE, though FALL FOR ANYTHING is definitely my favourite. Parker's another bitchy MC and gosh, I love her for it. The voice in this book is incredible, as it is in all of Courtney's books. My favourite thing about the book, though,  is Parker's relationship with Chris. It's just so perfectly real and messed up. This book is raw and uncomfortable and I loved every word of it.

2. The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind - Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Why haven't more people read this book? I think it's the perfect coming-of-age book. Morgan's life certainly has issues, but it's not an issue book, it's just an honest representation of the life of a sixteen-year-old. Morgan's confusion over Derek, Rob, and Tessa is so real, and so well-done. My favourite thing about the book is the small town setting (I always love small town settings), and Morgan's overwhelming desire to just get out. I know tons of sixteen-year-old who can relate to that feeling. Heck, I didn't even grow up in a small town, but I pretty much felt like that since I was twelve until I graduated. Morgan's just such a real character and I see her in myself.

1. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
I hate to be so obvious with my number one pick, but I love this book as much as everyone I said I would. It's the first dystopian I've read since THE GIVER back in grade six, so I wasn't sure how much I'd like it. Well, once Peeta was introduced, I was sold. Seriously, biggest crush on a fictional character ever, which says something. I'm not a huge fan of Katniss, to be honest (which is why her and Peeta isn't one of my favourite YA romances), but I definitely rooted for her. This book is  so intense and I had to put it down a couple of times (understatement) because I couldn't deal with it. But, I always picked the book back up again, because I needed to know what happened. And because of Peeta. It's funny, because I'd read the descriptions for CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY (note that I haven't read MOCKINGJAY yet, so no spoilers, though I'm 99% sure I already know the two biggest spoilers), so I knew that certain people needed to survive the games. Well, I pretty much convinced myself that it was some sort of marketing scheme by the publishers that all of you were in on, because I didn't see how they could survive until the end of book. Seriously, I was surprised when they did! So many things surprised me in this book that I would've seen coming if I hadn't been so into it. I was right there with Katniss at the games, and I felt everything she did.

What books have you read/enjoyed on these lists? What are your favourite books of 2010?

Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve, and I'll see you in 2011!

Best of 2010: Music and Television

I have a slight obsession with end-of-the-year specials, so it's only fitting that I do a Best of 2010 miniseries on this blog. Today, I'll talk about my favourite music and television of 2010, and tomorrow I'll talk about my favourite books published and read in 2010.

Music

Best Albums Released in 2010         

Taylor Swift - Speak Now
I wrote a post in November about how Taylor Swift is one of my inspirations, in which I talked a bit about my love for her newest album, Speak Now. Well, I've listened to it a lot since then, and it's become one of my favourite CDs to write to. It's just such an honest representation of a young adult's life. I've added the entire CD to my playlist for BUILDING FORTS, because at least one of my characters has felt what Taylor sings about.

Maroon 5 - Hands All Over

My love for Maroon 5 tends to surprise people, because I'm a bit of a prude, and...well, just look at the cover art. But, their slower songs are incredible (seriously), and to be blunt, the rest of their music turns me on. I'm a prude, but I'm human. Maroon 5 tends to release their worst songs as singles ("Give a Little More" is my least favourite song on the CD, and I'm not crazy about "Misery.") The best songs on the CD, by far, are "How" and "Just a Feeling." But as a whole, Hands All Over is a solid album, with the perfect mix of emotional and sexy songs.

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

I saved the best for last. Mumford & Sons are not only my favourite new band, but one of my favourite bands of all time. It's so refreshing to hear new music that really doesn't sound like anything else, and I don't know of any bands with Mumford & Sons' sound. My favourite thing about them, though, is not how unique they are, but rather how emotional their songs are. I feel every single note, to the point where it's almost uncomfortable, and I love that. They're just so brilliant.

Best Single of 2010

Whip My Hair by Willow Smith

I'm only half-kidding. Honestly, my favourite single of 2010 was probably "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry, which is weird, because I have many issues with Katy Perry. But, it definitely has something to do with the fact that it's perfect for my novel, and I never fail to smile when I hear it.

Television
Best New Series of 2010

Parenthood
I don't understand why more people aren't watching and talking about this show, because I think it's currently the best show on television. The storylines are real and emotional, the characters are well-developed, and all of the actors are brilliant (how can you can go wrong with Lauren Graham?) Seriously, I cried during the pilot of this show. I cared about the characters that much after spending no more than forty minutes with them. It's first show I've seen that has as much heart as the next show I'll talk about.


Best Season of an Old Series

Season Four of Friday Night Lights
Clearly, I'm a Jason Katims fan, as he works on both Parenthood and Friday Night Lights. I'm counting this season as airing in 2010 because that's when NBC aired it, even though DirecTV started airing it in 2009. Friday Night Lights is my favourite show, but I was wary of a season with little Matt Saracen. Honestly, Matt makes Friday Night Lights for me. He's my favourite character of anything, ever. Well, "The Son" gave me everything I needed from Matt Saracen. I wrote a post about that episode, so I won't repeat myself except to say that it's my favourite episode of the series, and easily one of my favourite episodes of any television show, ever. "The Son" is enough to make season four of Friday Night Lights my favourite new season of 2010, but the rest of the season was solid as well. I loved that there was more focus on my second favourite character, Landry, and I warmed up to all of the new characters (especially Luke and Becky, though I know the latter is an unpopular opinion.) It was a solid season for an incredible show, despite the loss of multiple main characters.

Your turn! In your opinion, what was the best music and television of 2010?

2010 Overview and a Thank You

I hate New Year's Eve.

It's just so much pressure. You need to go to the best party, have the perfect midnight kiss, and make resolutions for the new year.

Also, I really hate fireworks.

Last year, I was home alone on New Year's Eve. I watched Bring It On and danced around my basement to Ke$ha's TiK ToK. I made one resoultion: I was going to have fun in 2010.

I kept it. 2010 was one of the best years of my life.

The last half of 2009 was terrible. I hated my first semester of university, and you're not supposed to hate your first semester of university. You're supposed to make the best friends you'll ever make and have the most fun you'll ever have and live the best years you'll ever live. That didn't happen to me. I don't have a problem with people drinking, but everyone seemed to have a problem with the fact that I don't drink. I I hated living in residence, and my only friends on my floor were friends I'd had since high school. I did well academically, but, that was because I obsessed over my schoolwork to the point where I had no life outside of it. I didn't write. I didn't dance. I didn't spend time with God like I needed to. I didn't make plans with my friends. I worked and watched everyone around me have the time of their lives.

Guess it's no surprise that I was miserable, eh?

I knew that something needed to change in 2010. As mentioned, I made the resolution to have more fun, but I didn't really know what that meant. When 2010 came around, I didn't change overnight. There was no epiphany where I realized, "If I do x, y, and z, I'll be happy." Little things just started to change around and in me, and it led to happiness. I was still a perfectionist when it came to my schoolwork second semester (honestly, I still am one now), but it wasn't as bad as it was first semester. Funny thing is, I did better second semester than I did first semester. I started to make friends at school and I became particularly close to my school's Christian Fellowship. I danced and spent more time with God. Things weren't perfect at the beginning of 2010, especially since I was dealing with a particularly nasty illness, but things were better.

Then May came around, I had four months of summer vacation, and I decided to write again. Up until I graduated high school, I was a fanfiction writer. I loved it, and don't regret a second of it. But, even though I'd tried to write a novel a couple times before with no success, I made a promise to myself that I'd stop writing fanfiction by the time I graduated high school, and focus on writing a novel instead. I kept the first half of that promise, but as I said, I didn't write during my first year of university. I didn't even write the summer between high school and university. I don't know what my motivation was to start writing again in May, to be honest. I just knew that I needed to.

I wrote fanfiction on small a message board opposed to posting it somewhere like fanfiction.net, so there was a real sense of community there, and that was my favourite thing about it. I was scared to write without a community supporting me, like I thought I'd have to do if I wrote a novel.

Then I started this blog, and realized I had nothing to be afraid of.

I'm not sure we always realize how rare and wonderful it is to have a group of people, most of whom have never met, who support each other like the YA community does, especially since we all more or less have the same goals. I didn't think anyone would read my first post, but all of you were quick to welcome me into this family, and there are no words for how much I appreciate it. Honestly, I'm getting emotional writing this because you guys have done so much for me, and I'm just overwhelmed by it. Every comment means the world to me. Every post you write on your own blogs has helped me to become a better writer.

There are two moments I can point to in 2010 and go, "This is when I became happy again." One is when I joined the leadership team for my school's Christian Fellowship and found my university family. The other is when I started this blog and found my online family.

I needed to write again. Thank you for helping me write. Thank you for helping me become happy again again. Thank you for everything.

I had so much fun in 2010.

I currently do not have plans for New Year's Eve. I have two Bring it On movies saved on my DVR and Ke$ha's We R Who We R on my playlist. I'm making one resolution: I'm going to have even more fun in 2011.

Wishlist for the YA Genre

On the Playlist: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Carrie Underwood

Considering all the time we spend reading YA, reading about YA, blogging about YA, and of course, writing YA, I think it's fair to say that the genre owes us a Christmas present or two. What could the YA genre give you this Christmas to make you love it just a little bit more? Note that though I'd love to see more of everything on my list in YA books, I don't necessarily want to see these items replace anything else. This list isn't a criticism of what the genre lacks, but rather what I'd personally love to see more of in the future. Also, if you know of any books like the ones I mention in my list, please tell me about them in the comments!

My Wishlist:

• Books centered around football. I don't watch football and can't understand it for the life of me, but I'm slightly obsessed with football movies and television shows. Think Friday Night Lights (the television show, because I'm a terrible person and haven't read the book yet), so it goes beyond I'm-dating-the-quarterback, but that's still a part of it. I'd actually love to see a football book focused on the male relationships within the team, because I'm fascinated with male/male friendship. 
• On that note, books that focus on male/male friendships.
• More boys in general, really. Not because I think they're underrepresented in YA, necessarily, but because I love boys and I'm shameless like that.
• I think I'd like to see more unrequited love. Not the kind where the boy would never like the girl because he's so much more popular than she is, but ones where the readers think there really is a chance that the main character will get the boy or girl they want, and the boy or girl just isn't interested in that way. 
• More attention paid to characters' passions, what they want to pursue after high school. Don't get me wrong, I love hormone-crazy teens, but I was a hormone-crazy teen who wrote and danced throughout high school. I want to see what teens love other than each other.
• A really good mystery, and I think what makes a mystery great is a satisfying and sensible ending that's still a little shocking. I love mysteries so much, and would love to write one (this is coming from the girl who fails at plotting), but I'm not finding many examples in the YA genre. I could be looking in the wrong places, though, so please let me know if you know of any awesome YA mysteries.

What's your wishlist for the YA Genre? Do you know any books that fit with my/a commenter's list? Let me know in the comments!

Favourite Holiday Songs!

On the Playlist: Silent Night - Mercy Me

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Wondering what music to listen to while you're on a sleigh ride through a winter wonderland? Need to add noise to your silent night? In the mood for some silver bells that jingle?

Can you tell that I've been watching The Sing-Off which, let's be honest, is actually a competition of puns? 

Now, I'll share my five favourite holiday songs, and you will laugh, because they are embarrassing. But, that's the beauty of Christmas. It makes it ok to listen to campy music! (We will ignore the fact that I listen to campy music year-round.)

5. O Holy Night - Kelly Clarkson

It's just a gorgeous song, and Kelly's version resonates with me the most.

4. My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears

Don't judge. I know you love it too. 

3. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Rosie O'Donnell and Elmo

It's Elmo. Do I have to say anything else? And I LOVED Rosie O'Donnell when I was a kid (seriously), so the duet never fails to bring back memories of those magical Christmases you have when you still believe in Santa Claus.

2. The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone) - Celine Dion

I honestly don't know how to explain what this song means to me in words. It's not the song itself, but it's how it reminds me of my mom, who passed away. When I hear it, I feel like she's with me again. That is truly magical.

1. The Seven Joys of Mary - Great Big Sea

I'm a maritimer. To be a maritimer, you have to love Great Big Sea. Seriously, it's a requirement. I love where I live, and as Great Big Sea does so well, this song captures the maritimes. It sounds like home.

What are your favourite holiday songs? 

Road Trip Wednesday: Toys and Shirtless Boys

On the Playlist: Deck the Rooftop - Glee Cast

Road Trip Wednesday is hosted by YA Highway.

This Week's Topic:

You spot Santa at the mall, climb onto his lap, and whisper that you've been a good boy or girl in his ear. What do you want Santa to bring this year? Go wild! Have fun! After all, you earned it

I just watched A Very Glee Christmas (...again), and cried (...again) when Brittany asked Santa for Artie to be able to walk, but my favourite line of the episode was when Mike told Santa, "I want Channing Tatum to stop being in stuff." I'll put that on my Christmas list, too. Well, I'd edit it to "I want Channing Tatum to stop being in stuff with his shirt on." A girl can dream.

I would also love it if whenever I make a change in revisions that affects the overall structure of my novel, everything in the novel that needs to change to be consistent with what I changed would automatically fix itself. Santa can do that, right?

As for things I could actually get...

• Books! ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins as at the top of my Christmas list.
• Microsoft Office. I lost it when my computer exploded (I may be slightly dramatic), and I'm sorry Microsoft Works, but you are just not Microsoft Word.
• Notebooks.
• Pens. I lose pens like nothing else. Well, except for bobby pins. I could use some more of those, too. 
• Clothes, anything anyone will give me. I hate shopping for clothes and rely on holidays to give me a wardrobe. Seriously.
• Chocolate. I always need more chocolate.

What's on your Christmas list?