Winner of our 2nd Blogaversary Giveaway!

The winner of the copy of Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare is Kristina!  She was #7 in the comments (since we didn't count Cheryl's comment and picked from 1-8 with random integer). 

Congratulations to Kristina and thank you all for entering, but mostly for sharing your favorite book with us! And, of course, thanks for sharing books and fun with us for the past two years!

It's our 2nd Blogaversary! We're celebrating with a Giveaway!

We finally met at the Decatur Book Festival!

WOW!  Two whole years of reading amazing books and then gushing about them to you all, our dear readers!  It's been so much fun and Leigh and I have had a great second year - we FINALLY met IN PERSON!

To honor our second blogaversary, I asked all the Whimsical Fic-ery contributors to help me make a list of our favorite books of 2011.  Yeah, we know Top 10 11 lists are usually done BEFORE the new year, but this is our tradition.  And we're lazy whimsical so we always do things late!  (In fact, this blog post is a day late, but we like staying true to form.)

So, without further ado, here is our list of favorites!  (In no particular order)

DIVERGENT, by Veronica Roth
Okay, I'm seriously bouncing in my seat in anticipation of the sequel to this book.  (COME ON MAY, 2012!) I truly, deeply LOVED Divergent and have spent the past seven months trying to convince others to read this book.  To be honest, most people I mentioned it to had already read it and they also LOVED it.  Well-written with a ton of action and an amazing kissy-scene, this book is just plain GOOD. 
Reading Rainbow for Divergent can be found here.





FORGOTTEN, by Cat Patrick
This is one of those sleeper books that I think everyone should read.  It's a fast read but it will linger with you for days after you finish.  It's a fascinating premise (the main character forgets the past, but remembers the future) and it's done extremely well.  It's twisty-and-turnsy in a way that will keep you guessing, or even gasping in surprise (as I did).  If you didn't listen to me the first time, do so now and read Forgotten!  I can't wait to see what Cat Patrick writes next!
Reading Rainbow for Forgotten can be found here.




THE IRON KNIGHT, by Julie Kagawa

I really don't need to tell you all AGAIN how much we love The Iron Fey series.  I mean, really - if you've been around for the past two years, you know.  But, THIS BOOK.  I love (and kind of hate - in a good way) writers who toy with my emotions so that I end up smiling though sobs by the end of a book.  Julie Kagawa has done this to me not once, but three times!  And it was THE BEST in The Iron Knight.  I loved every minute of this book. 
Reading Rainbow for The Iron Knight can be found here.





CLOCKWORK PRINCE, by Cassandra Clare
First of all - THIS IS THE BOOK THAT WE ARE GIVING AWAY!  YAY!  (Details at the end of this post...) Second, I adore this book!  I know, big surprise!  We're huge Cassandra Clare fans here at WhimFic and she did not let us down one bit with Clockwork Prince.  To be honest, I loved it even more than Clockwork Angel (and that is saying a lot).  And I know I just mentioned writers who mess with our emotions... uh, yeah, Cassie Clare has that down.  I was a mess (in a good way) reading this book.  Will! Jem! Will! Jem! TESSA?  Oh, it's so great.  I hope you win it if you haven't read it yet, but if not, this is a must-read to be sure.



THE NEAR WITCH, by Victoria Schwab
Back when Leigh originally recommended this book, I had not yet read it, so I haven't had a chance to gush about this one to you all yet! You might be lucky in that respect, because I truly love this book.  It was beautiful, haunting, lyrical, and, oh, did I mention beautiful? I loved everything about the story, and was left pondering for many days after I finished reading.  I believe this book is best read on a chilly night.  Perhaps in a cottage, with a fire crackling in the hearth and the lonely wind howling outside your windows... Oh, wait. I'm getting lost in The Near Witch again. It's easy to do, trust me. Or, just read the book and see for yourself!
Reading Rainbow for The Near Witch can be found here.



And now I shall turn this post over to Sophie, Cher, and Leigh with some of their favorites of 2011...




LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, by Stephanie Perkins
If Anna and the French Kiss is about a glimpse at first love, then Lola and the Boy Next Door is about that moment of possibilities. Those awkward moments we've all experienced with a boy we know well. Is it unrequieted love? No. It's more about timing. That natural push/pull, will he/won't she moments that document when a friendship is turning into something more. When I read this book, I kept thinking "If only...". If only Lola would dump that loser of a boyfriend. If only Cricket would just SAY SOMETHING. If only....we've all experienced that, haven't we? If I lived closer to you, I would've loaned you my copy of both books. Yes, it's THAT good.



RED GLOVE, by Holly Black 
We invented a word and I shouldn't admit it in a post but here goes -- Casselishness. Here's why. While the world-building and plot in this series is brilliant, it's the character of Cassel (and yes, it's written from his POV) that makes me keep reading. No matter the conflict, external or internal, he stays true to himself. Yes, he's THAT character and I couldn't help falling for him. If you haven't read White Cat and Red Glove, there's still time. Black Heart will be released this Spring. And you guys have got to meet Cassel. As far as fictional boyfriends go, he's on my Top 10 List. Near the top. Very, very close to Mr. Darcy.
Reading Rainbow for Red Glove can be found here.

**SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't read the first 3 books of The Mortal Instruments Series - MOVE ALONG - this portion has spoilers for those books, but not for the fourth book. **
CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS, by Cassandra Clare
Move over Edward; my heart belongs to a Shadowhunter now! This installment of The Mortal Instruments series was so good that I actually slowed down my reading of the last few chapters because I desperately didn't want the story to end (that and it's difficult to hold a book while you're biting your nails to the quick, freaking out about what's going to happen). Thank goodness there are two more titles in the series yet to be published! Cassie Clare found a perfect rhythm in this fourth book of the series, bringing the passion and angst off the page and into my heart, as Clary learns that every action, even the best intentioned ones, have consequences. While I, of course, loved the budding relationship (and *cough* shmexy times) between Clary and Jace, I found some of the most enjoyable developments to be between Alec and Magnus and Isabelle and Simon, and for the first time in the series I wasn't rushing through these characters' scenes just to get to "the good stuff." Twist after twist, kiss after kiss, Cassie Clare left me begging for more. Hurry up, May 8th!



HOURGLASS, by Myra McEntire
I gushed about this book back when we first reviewed it, and I'm so thrilled to have an opportunity to gush again. Myra McEntire did an excellent job of taking two of my favorite things (hot boys and time travel) and putting them together in a fun, exciting book. She created characters that we cared about, with dilemmas that made me ache. I laughed. I cried. I wished I was Emerson. I was thankful I wasn't Emerson. I decided I wanted to be Emerson for JUST ONE DAY. Preferably a day she was making out with the aforementioned hot boy. If you haven't read it yet, you need to. Then you can join me in anxiously awaiting the sequel, Timeslip. (More hot boys! More kissing!)
Reading Rainbow for this book can be found here.


BEAUTY QUEENS, by Libba Bray
I honestly can't believe Stacie let me be the one to put this on our list, because I think it's at the top of both of our personal favorites. Not just for 2011, either. This book is so surreal and over-the-top that it almost takes you off guard when you realize how honest it is. Beauty Queens is one part James Bond movie, one part Teen Vogue, and one part your-crazy-Feminist-aunt. And I mean that in a good way. It made me laugh so hard I had tears rolling down my cheeks, but it also made me think. I don't think the world is as bad off as Beauty Queens would have us believe, and I don't think every Beauty Queen is a ball of emotional issues waiting to come out. But Beauty Queens did what I believe Libba Bray wanted it to - it made me think between the laughter. And I love it all the more for that.
Reading Rainbow for this book can be found here.

THE NAME OF THE STAR, by Maureen Johnson
I loved this book so much, mostly because (as I said in my review) it has almost ALL of my personal hot buttons in it. London? Check. Hot Boys? Check. Strong Chicks? Check. Snark? Check. Ghosts? Check. It even had a Doctor Who reference, people. (Just a small one, though. Don't be scared, non-Whovians. This book is still for you.) If you like mysteries, you'll like it. If you like boarding-school-fish-out-of-water stories, you'll like it. If you like Maureen Johnson on twitter, (and who the hell doesn't?) you'll like it. Just trust me. You'll. Like. It. So go read it. Now!
Reading Rainbow for this book can be found here.




So, there you have it!  Our Top 11 books of 2011!  I am quite sure that we have forgotten a few books that should be on the list, and that is where you come in!  Thanks to Mrs. Oshimbo, we have a copy of Clockwork Prince to give away!  Mrs. O had an extra and generously donated it to help celebrate Whim Fic's 2 Year Blogaversary!  We love Mrs. O!  So, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post to let us know which book we missed.  What was one of your favorites of 2011, and why?  If you loved the ones that we listed, we'd love to hear about it, BUT the rules are that you also have to tell us about a DIFFERENT book than those on the list. 

Just to be clear - to be entered to win a copy of Clockwork Prince:
1. Leave a comment on this blog telling us one of your favorite books of 2011 that IS NOT ON OUR LIST.
2. Tell us WHY it is one of your favorite books.
3. Be sure to leave contact information in case you win!
4. Do this all before next Wednesday, January 11th, when we'll announce the winner.  We're giving you a WHOLE WEEK because we understand the need for extra time to finish things.  :)

And since Mrs. O will be shipping the book to the winner, this is a giveaway for US residents only.  I'm sorry!  I promised last time that we would have an international giveaway, so Leigh and I will have to find another reason for a fun giveaway soon! 

Thanks to all of our blog contributors for helping us celebrate by picking their favorites!  And lastly, THANK YOU to all of our readers for making the past two years so much fun! 

Reading Rainbow: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

I'm guessing now isn't the best time to introduce this week's book to you, being the busy holiday season and all, but I think you'll need an idea for all those bookstore gift cards you're about to receive, right?  Yes, you will. Since there is nothing better than an epic tale of epicness to sink into during those dreary January days, this book should be on your gift-card shopping list: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.

From Goodreads:
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.
Most of the chosen do.

I should point out that I love fantasy novels.  If you build me a believable world with strong central characters and some magic thrown in, I'm game. And, if the strong central character is a girl?  Even better.  Elisa starts out a little bit... erm... annoying.  I'm not going to lie.  But, she grows and learns and changes, and you all know I love a story about growth and change, right?  I think Veronica Roth's goodreads review of this book is spot-on in regards to Elisa: "Sometimes I got annoyed with her, but I think that's the mark of a good character--you don't always like them, just like you don't always like your friends or your family or your peers, but you do always root for them."  I concur.  Elisa is such a great character.  You may not be sure of her at first, but you will be wanting to cheer for her in the end, trust me. I honestly think this book is made better by Elisa's insecurities and faults in the beginning of the novel.  


And, oh! the world-building!  It's fantastic.  I loved, LOVED sinking into this world of Elisa's and  learning about it just as she did.  It was fascinating and truly well done.  It's also a story with much heartache and loss, and I always respect that in a book, even if it is hard (and sad!) to read.  But, Rae Carson makes it all worth it.  All of the trials and loss that Elisa endures is what makes her into the person she is at the end.  


And the ending!  This was perfect for a book that is the first in a series.  No ridiculously high cliffs, but instead a true resolution of the story that still made me long for the next book to come out.  I cannot tell you all how happy it makes me to read a book that does this well.  And even though I'll have to wait until next October (!) for the second book, I'll be first in line to pick it up!  


So, if you're like me and love to sink into fantasy during the colder months, definitely pick up The Girl of Fire and Thorns.  Get yourself a chair by a fire and a hot drink and enjoy!  


P.S. We will probably be taking a break (big surprise- hah!) next week, but we'll be back for our BLOGAVERSARY along with a giveaway of Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare!  Yay!  In the meantime, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a very Happy New Year to all! Love, Leigh and Stacie

Reading Rainbow: Fun and Fast Reads

The holiday season is upon us and for a lot of us, that means traveling.  I always love having a fun, fast read in my hands before boarding a plane, starting a road-trip, or spending time with the out-of-town family.  I like having something that is not too-engrossing, but still a great read.  So, today I am sharing with you three of my Fun, Fast Read picks.  They are all told from a boy's point of view, which is not something I normally pick up, but I loved all three of these boys.

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

I loved everything about this book.  It was crazy, action-packed, and even a little bit sweet.  My favorite thing about the book was that each chapter was titled with a question from a college application.  It put a unique spin on the action and was a fun way to set up the events.  I also loved that there was a Chick Who Could Kick My Ass, of course. 
Goodreads Synopsis here.

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford

This is a little gem of a book.  I read it for a book club and had no idea if I would like it or not.  It's not really my type of book, if you know what I mean.  But, happily, I ended up loving Carter and cackling at his antics.  I read this book while on vacation with (almost) my entire family and I often worried if my ridiculously loud laughter would wake anyone while I read in the wee hours of the morning.  I was very much surprised at how much I liked this book in the end and I will probably read it again.  Most likely when my son becomes a freshman in high school!
Goodreads Synopsis here. 

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Okay, so I know this has been out forever and it's already been made into a movie but I have never seen the movie and I had resisted the book because it's hard for me to like asshole main characters (like the MC in this book).  But, I do love fairy-tale retellings, so I finally gave in.  And?  I am glad I did.  I loved how Alex Flinn changed the story of Beauty and the Beast, but also how she retained some of the original elements and added her own twists.  I'm a sucker for romance and self-discovery as well, and this book had plenty of both.  It's a sweet story with some dry humor and a fantastic ending. 
Goodreads Synopsis here.

So there you have it: three picks for your holiday traveling needs!  Feel free to leave me some suggestions if you have any - I need some quick reads for this holiday season!

Reading Rainbow: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I know that we usually only rec YA books, but every now and then a book comes along that, while not categorized as YA, has that "YA feel" to it.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is one of those books.  (And you all know I mean that as a very high compliment, because YA books are the best!)  I was very excited to read this book, mainly because of the gorgeous cover, but also because of the much-discussed, intriguing first line, "The circus arrives without warning."  How could I resist that?

From Goodreads:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

I will start by saying that I have a HUGE love of imagery, especially when it is does well.  Some people find this book "too descriptive" and I could not disagree more.  I loved the every last word of this book, and nothing seemed superfluous to me.  Each scene (and oh, the scenery!) seemed so real, so vivid - I could not help but fall in love.  

And then, THE STORY!  It's mysterious, romantic, dangerous, and magical all rolled into one amazing story.   It does jump around quite a bit, so if you're a detail person, pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter.  It took me a bit to realize that the book is not linear, and sometimes this bothers me, but not so in this case.  I loved the way the story folded in and knitted itself together in the end.  The last line of the book (prior to epilogue) actually made me gasp and say (out loud), "Wow, that was good."  

So, if you want to sink into a delicious novel that will keep your mind's eye very busy, definitely pick up The Night Circus.