I’m working on my reading goals for 2013. I want to do a balance of 2012 titles I missed (and I am going by calendar year, not publishing year), older books that I’ve never gotten around to reading, and newly published books I’m excited about or on the fence about. Part of that is looking back on what I’ve read this past year.
My Top Ten Young Adult Releases of 2012
10. Beta by Rachel Cohn {review}
9. Grave Mercy by R. L. Lafevers {review}
8. Immortal Rules by Julie Kawaga {review}
7. Personal Effects by E. M. Kokie {review}
6. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund {review}
5. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson {review}
4. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater {review}
3. Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore {review}
2. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor {review}
1. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforth {review}
It feels really fantasy and sci-fi heavy. I think a lot of the contemporary or realistic fiction I read this past year was not released in 2012.
Top Ten 2012 Young Adult Releases I Still Need to Read
10. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
9. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
8. I Hunt Killers by Bary Lyga
7. In Honor by Jessi Kirby
6. What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang
5. Ask the Passengers by A. S. King
4. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
2. Adaptation by Malinda Lo
1. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
What were your favorite 2012 releases? Any titles that I should make sure and read in 2013? I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface.
wrapped up in books 
I admit, I haven’t read many of your favorites but I’ve seen them showing up on other lists so I really need to get on it. Great suggestions!
I have to admit, I haven’t read any of these titles yet either! I have a lot to add to my list. The ones you suggest in the comment above sound good–maybe a starting place! With two positive reviews, The Innocents is definitely on my list now too!
I don’t know how this is possible but I have not read a single book on either of your lists!
I have eclectic taste in YA! If you pick up any, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST and CODE NAME VERITY are the way to go. Did you read THE INNOCENTS by Frances Segal — it’s my #1 adult pick and I think you’d like it. It’s a retelling of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE set in Jewish North London, and it lives up to the original, which I would have thought an impossible feat.
Yes! I read The Innocents in November and LOVED it. I’m a big Age of Innocence fan and agree it lived up to the original.