Let this be the hour when we draw swords together

This New Year’s resolution (2012), I’ve decided to do something attainable and something much funner than dieting or cutting chocolate out of my diet (WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?). I’ve decided to read 30 books, from cover to cover within this year. 

1. The Discovery of Witches I found this book to be fabulous and a great start to my resolution. My only complaint was the ending and that I was left with wanting more in some aspects but I highly recommend this one.
2. Extraordinary Evil: A Brief History of Genocide This book was exactly that, “Brief” but covered quite a bit of history. I did notice (and was quite annoyed) in certain areas how redundant the writing became and I also noticed that the author kept going back to the bullying theme. She explains before the novel flourishes that she has studied and written many novels about bullying and I appreciate how she breaks down genocide and how it can happen in situations but most of the book was about bullying. The title of the novel almost seemed gimmicky to me as well, the author didn’t even go near the theme of “evil” and constantly states that genocide occurs because of inhumanity and humanity…nothing otherworldly and does not even go near evil. I’m quite annoyed that authors use evil when talking/writing about genocide as it is not evil that makes us commit horrible acts but ourselves.  This book definitely helped me see the many sides and faces of genocide, which I greatly appreciated. Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone interested in learning more, though quite frankly, I think everyone in their lifetime should read this one. 
3. The Hunger Games At first, I was super hesitant to read this because it was written in first person and present tense (I’m picky!) but I read the first few pages and knew I was hooked. I tried to put it down but every time I did, it called to me, demanding me to read more. And I had to, I had to know more, had to understand Katniss’ story. It had the perfect amount of action, and there were parts where I was on the edge of my seat reading faster than I knew I could, there was romance and it was a perfect amount. Anymore and I would have been annoyed, though if there were less amounts, I wouldn’t have minded. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to others that haven’t already succumbed to its lure. 
4. Heart’s Blood  I should mention in advance that this book is part of the Trilogy BUT I did not read any of the other books, in fact, the other two books don’t interest me in the least. This book is brilliant, I mean, I started it around noon and did not put it down until the next morning. I wish I was joking but it is THAT brilliant. I  I could say its kind of like Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast with a strong Irish element but that wouldn’t do the book or the author justice. I don’t know what else to say except this book taught me about bravery and courage, two things I never really thought about but now, I can’t stop thinking about them. If you should read one book this year, you should definitely read this one. 
5. Daughter of the Forest  I’ve come to expect bittersweet from this author (also penned: Heart’s Blood). I’m not complaining because this book was fantastic and…to be honest, I’m still sitting here trying to take in the masterpiece. I read it in one day (I physically could not put it down) and the writing and plot, and the characters wrap you in their world so when you’re done reading, you’re disjointed from reality and the book’s reality. It’s an odd feeling. This book is the first in the Sevenwaters trilogy but to be honest, it’ll be a LONG time before I read on. I grew very attached to the two protagonists and I’m not ready for them to die (the author is very realistic, and she writes historically accurate plots, which means, people didn’t live long back then…which means…you guessed it, they’re going to die at some point. I’m just not ready for that.) This was a fantastic book and I really would recommend this one and Heart’s Blood. 
6. Bonds of Justice  This is a fantastic book and Nalini Singh is one of my favourite writers. I think if I could write even one tenth of the way she writes, I’d die happy. Yes, this is a romance but what I appreciate and love of her romance books is that there is an element of darkness and they are in no way sappy (don’t you just hate sappy?). I feel like this book should get a higher rating but there were elements of the book that I really didn’t care for (the case the two protagonists were working on). Aside from that, this book is a part of a series that I haven’t read, so it’s a great standalone. Also note, I was bored one night and so I decided to read this thinking I could put it down at a reasonable hour: no such luck. I didn’t go to bed until three am because I could not put the damn book down. That is a sign of a good book and I’ve noticed all of Nalini’s books are like that. Definitely recommend this one.
7. Bride of the Mist ((please note: when I have more time, I’ll add the proper links and my thoughts on each book))
8. The Bride and the Beast
9. Desire Unchained
10. Ravished
11. The Rose Garden
12. Texas Destiny
13. Divine Deception

Yes, I’m well aware that the latest books are romance/smut but I’m in a mood, and I’m damn well going to get my fill before I get sick of it all again.