Lip Smackingly Good Books (Best of 2011 -- An Armchair BEA post)

There are a ton of amazing releases either currently out or scheduled for release in 2011 and well, you're about to see a list of my favorites! All the links that you see will direct you to their Goodreads pages. :)

Current Releases (in no particular order):

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
It takes a lot to make me pale when it comes to books, but Beth's description of the glass boxes that everyone was frozen in (as well as what went into putting everyone into the stasis) sure managed to do it! Besides for that, there were twists that I didn't see coming and I love it when books manage to pull that off--because after reading so many books for so long, sometimes it's hard to surprise me anymore. I haven't stuck my review up on the blog just yet, but to me, this was definitely a five star book.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Wither was one of those books that I knew I was going to love. Sure enough, Lauren's writing style drew me in and Rhine's world was both beautiful and frightening at the same time. Needless to say, I'm really, really looking forward to Fever. Again, another book that I haven't posted my review of just yet--but it's coming soon, just you wait and see! ;)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
There was a ton of hype about Divergent and I went into it with mixed feelings. However it wasn't long until I was flipping pages and racing towards the end, so completely absorbed in the story that I really, really wished that the story hadn't ended. 

Die for Me by Amy Plum
I love it when books are set outside of the United States--or are placed in unique settings. But in Die for Me's case, it wasn't just the setting that proved itself unique, it was also the storyline. I absolutely adored the dynamic between Vincent and Kate; so much so that I caught myself tearing up at one point during the book.

Stay by Deb Caletti
I'll be honest, it's rare for me to love a contemporary book. But Stay really swept me off my feet.

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
I really need to get my review of this up! Admittedly this is more so a four star book than a five star book to me, but I loved the setting (Lovecraft) and all the steampunk elements. It's definitely not a romance (in my opinion), but it's a grand adventure none the less.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
It's rare for me to like Middle Grade books, but The Emerald Atlas really struck me as the sort of book that has the potential to appeal to fans of YA fiction and maybe even some of us older kids. It was a great read and had classic fantasy elements that I loved.

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Upcoming Releases (in order of release):

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (5/24/2011)
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (5/31/2011)

Blood Red Road by Moira Young (6/7/2011)
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (6/7/2011)
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma (6/14/2011)
Passion by Lauren Kate (6/14/2011)
The Revenant by Sonia Gensler (6/14/2011)
Withering Tights by Louise Rennison (6/28/2011)

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore (7/12/2011)
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard (7/21/2011)
Wildefire by Karsten Knight (7/26/2011)
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (7/26/2011)

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (8/2/2011)
All You Desire by Kirsten Miller (8/9/2011) 
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin (8/9/2011)
Possess by Gretchen McNeil (8/23/2011)
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver (8/30/2011)

Dark Passage by M.J. Putney (9/13/2011)
Fateful by Claudia Grey (9/13/2011)
Frost by Marianna Baer (9/13/2011)
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (9/13/2011)
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey (9/20/2011)
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies (9/27/2011)
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton (9/27/2011)
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan (9/27/2011)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (9/27/2011)
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (9/29/2011)
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (9/29/2011)

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (10/4/2011)
Eve by Anna Carey (10/4/2011)
Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (10/11/2011)
Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala (10/18/2011)

Crossed by Ally Condie (11/1/2011)
Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough (11/8/2011)
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (11/15/2011)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (11/15/2011)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (12/6/2011)
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey (12/8/2011)
Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie (12/13/2011)
Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne (12/20/2011)

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Maybe I should be happy that I didn't end up going to BEA this year. xD I mean, look at that list! My shoulders ache just looking at it! But like most of my fellow bloggers, I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and a great storyline--which means that I'd have risked a sore shoulder without a second thought. ;) 2011 appears to be yet another great year for books and I can't wait to see what 2012 will have in store for us!

So, what books have you enjoyed so far in 2011? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? Feel free to leave a link and I'll drop on by to check out your posts! :D