Day 3 of Faves of 2011

Yes, it's more of Nomes's fabulous little blog series, the Faves of 2011. Today we have a few random awards to give out. Hope you enjoy my list!  

the scenes

1. best first chapter

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

I loved how the scene just seemed to fly off the pages, almost like stream of conscious type writing, and as many of you know, I'm particularly fond of opening scenes that involve kissing strangers (points to Nikki's Wish button above). 

2. best climax

There are really too many that fit this description so I'm going to break my rules of choosing just one.

All of these are kind of action packed, though I didn't intentionally do that.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi 

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

3. best ending

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

The ending of Finnikin is just much, much too sweet for words.

4. best plot twist/revelation (no spoilers!)

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Because I was too blind to see it coming. :( 

5. scariest/most disturbing scene

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

There's a scene in the middle of this one that absolutely turned my stomach. I mean I knew that it wouldn't come to fruition, so to speak, but it was still chilling to read. 

6. steamiest scene (or sweetest/sexiest kiss award)

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

This book is so sexy almost from the get-go, but there's one scene in particular that was just HOT - and then funny - and then rather sweet. Loved it. :) 

7. best swoon-worthy moment

Anna and the French Kiss

Close to the end, at the park. Yes, that one. :)

8. biggest nail-biting moment

Burning For Revenge, Tomorrow Series #5 by John Marsden

This series is full of nail-biting moments actually, but there's one in particular in book 5 that sort of turns the whole series around. JM isn't afraid of kill off his characters, and I was certain that one of them was going to bite the bullet this time around. Can't say whether they did or not, of course.

9. most hilarious scene

Angus, thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Picture a young girl, a Sex God, and um... hair fried by over-bleaching. I started laughing out loud. :)

10. most heart-breaking/tear-jerker moment

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

There are a few heartbreaking moments in this one that makes you just kind of crumble up inside. Anyone who has ever had a friend turn on them will be able to relate.

 the random

1. fave first sentence

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

The string slices into the skin of his fingers and no matter how tough the calluses, it tears. 

(so she's talking about a guitar here, but you could take a leap and say that it's a metaphor for the MC - just brilliant!)

2. fave book title 

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier

It's significant, unlike so many other titles out there, but you won't know what it means until the very end. Also I know that I could never come up with anything that simple, desolate, and brilliant.

3. fave reading experience (ie: created a great reading memory)

Guitar Highway Rose

This book made me crazy desperate to be a teen and free of responsibilities and eager to make mistakes again. Gah! 

4. book with the best food in it (made me so crazy-envious-hungry)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Examples: Turtle soup, pheasant stuffed with figs, stewed oysters, potted larks, greens cooked with bacon, pickled watermelon rind, buttered parsnips, cold tongue. Gingerbread, pies of brandied peaches, cherries and mincemeat, macaroons, blancmange, Jordan almonds, and maple syrup bread pudding. The list goes on and on. Obviously not everything in this book would appeal to all palates. 

5. book with the most sensual weather (made you shiver/sweat)

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi 

Well, it's set in a futuristic world where much of New Orleans is underwater and there are hurricanes all the time and what not. And it's very very hot. And they're on a ship for parts of the story. Nasty. 

6. most embarrassing book cover (feeling sheepish in public)

Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

So it wasn't particularly the picture, but rather the title, especially since I was reading it at my son's soccer practice. :)

7. can’t believe you waited this long to read the book (!)

Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin

If there's one book that deserved a heck of a lot better marketing, it was this one. 

 

I'll be hopping around to all the blogs again soon. If I've missed you over the past couple days, my apologies. I try to visit everyone, but sometimes I get lost in Bloggerworld and can't find my way out.