On day one of the Best of 2011, we talked books. Now on day two, we get to talk about characters! Again, I’ve been comparing answers from my So Far post back in June. It’s been fun to see how after adding only about 50 more books to my read list, how my answers have changed, or not. 
Day Two: The Characters
1. Favorite Female Main Character
Georgie Finch, The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
2. Favorite Male Main Character
Atticus O’Sullivan, The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
3. Best Couple <3
Adam Wilde and Mia Hall, Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman
4. Who I So Want to be Best Friends With
Kyle McHugh, Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia. Kyle was so fun and full of heart! She made me laugh and cry. I’d love to add Kyle to my lot any day, as a sister or a friend. I adore her!
“I feel like I’ve always loved him, and now I just got lucky enough to find him.”
This revelation lit a fire in Kyle. She leaped off the bed, pointing at her sister with gusto. “Well, Livia, McHugh women aren’t quitters. And we definitely don’t quit on love. You better bury all this sorry-ass self-pity and man up. If finding him will bring you back to normal, that’s what we’re going to do.”
After all the times Livia had advised and encouraged Kyle, she now just shook her head, laughing. “You’re pretty smart for a bratty little sister.”
~Livia & Kyle, Poughkeepsie
5. Who I Fell Completely In Love With
Leif Helgarson of The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. Yeah, okay, my interpretation of Leif probably isn’t as refined as the one in the book, but can you really blame me for picking Charlie to play him?
6. Worst Villian
Best: V’lane, Shadowfever (Fever, #5) by Karen Marie Moning
Baddest: Heinrich Kramer, a witch hunter from One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress #6) by Jeaniene Frost
7. Best Character Twist (who you loved then hated or vice versa)
Lord Rodolfo Greco
River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren
Everyone kept telling me, you’re gonna love him, but I didn’t believe it because oh how I loathed him in Cascade. But then a softer side of him started to show, and in Torrent, he flipped my world around. Ultimately, he’s deliciously deceptive.
“Forgive me, I cannot help myself. I want you. Want you for my own. Be my wife. Be mine.”
~Greco, Torrent (River of Time #3)
8. Best Kick-Arse Female
Gabi Betarrini, River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren
9. Best Kick-Arse Male
Atticus O’Sullivan, The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
10. Broke Your Heart the Most
Lochan Whitely, Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
11. Favourite Pet/Animal Character Award
Paws up, this award goes to Oberon, Irish Wolfhound and best friend to Atticus O’Sullivan. I mean he has his own twitter account, @IrishOberon!!! Plus, he talks… well, kind of.
Oberon chuffed, his version of human laughter. “Suffering cats, Atticus, you’re talking like I’m a twitchy Pomeranian when I’m more emotionally stable than you are.”
~Oberon, Hammered
12. Best YA Parents Award
Momma and Papa Betarrini, River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren
13. Favorite Sibling Relationship
Blake Hartt, Cole Bridge, and Beckett Taylor of Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia. These brothers, all freaking HOT, were the kind that would truly do anything for one another. I loved how dedicated they were to each other.
14. Favorite Best Friends/Friendship Award
Swim the Fly (Swim the Fly #1) by Don Calame. Matt Gratton and his two best friends, Coop and Sean, were awesome. And, the situations they got into were hilarious.
15. Best Character Names
Male: Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn (Prince Ash) of The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
Female: Alexia Tarabotti of Soulless by Gail Carriger
Worst Character Names:
Male: Dare Macintosh, When You Dare by Lori Foster
Female: Moonshine “Mo” Wenstein of How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper. But you really can’t blame Mo; her parents were hippies.
Bonus: Best Love Triangle
I avoid reading about love triangles as much as possible, but the one between Marcello, Gabi, and Rodolfo in the River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren was pretty great. When I wasn’t wishing I was Gabi, I was rooting for both guys to win the girl. LOL
Who were some of your favorite characters this year? Tell me about it.
It’s the end of the year, so it’s time to start talking favorite books, and thanks to Nomes, I’ve got the perfect way to do it!
So, I have to admit I haven’t quite met my reading challenge goal. I’ve only read 104 out of my 111 goal, but I do feel like I have a good pool of books to chose from to complete this list.
Day One: The Books
1. Favorite Book Read in 2011
The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
I recently re-read this book just to double check if it was still my fav of the year, and yup, it’s the one on top! The communion I felt after reading about Georgie’s story is something I’ll never forget. And Tom’s bit was really a heartfelt tale, too.
2. Most Powerful Book
Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
This book gave me so much, hearty laughs and big fat tears! And, I loved the characters. Also, I’ve discussed this book so many times with my friends. To me, that’s the ultimate mark of a darn good book, one that makes you WANT TO talk about it!
3. Brilliantly Funny
Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne
I listened to the audiobook and read the book! Either way, it’s freaking hilarious. You better believe that a 21 centuries old Druid has some funny stories to tell. And, Atticus is such a geek, too, and not ashamed to admit it. I’ve got this book shelved under my Legen…wait for it…dary shelf!
4. Best Ache-y, Heart-Breaking, Tear-Jerker Read
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
This book had my stomach in knots because I honestly didn’t know which way the story would go. I mean, I had my hopes, but I wasn’t completely sure because Adam was so broken and angry. And I really couldn’t help but ache for Mia. The gravity of all that she’s lost is always with her.
5. Most Beautiful Story
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
It took a while for the story to full form, but when it finally came together, the ties the characters shared were really remarkable. Every part of the story was gripping, filled with some heavy teenage angst and sweet, smile inducing moments.
6. Delicious Rainy Day Comfort Read
How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
If you have to be stuck in below zero temperatures, you might as well do it while snuggled up with a sexy werewolf and a funny, laid back, homegirl. The story had it’s slow parts, but it was a fun read none the less because Mo was so charming!
7. Adrenalin-fueled, Unputdownable Award
Waterfall (River of Time #1) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Actually, the whole series never took a seat. Gabi could not sit still for a second, but you can’t really blame her. Traveling back in time to Medieval Italy is bound to get you into a bit of hot water, which Gabi quickly discovered. The trouble that found her lead to a lot of heart-stopping action.
8. The Beautiful Prose Award
The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
9. Most Atmospheric and Vivid Setting
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
10. I-So-Want-To-Go-There Award
Waterfall (River of Time #1) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
I’d love to go to Medieval Italy for a day to swoon over knights in shinning armor, but then I’ve got to get back to my indoor plumbing.
11. Most Original and Imaginative
Heart of Steel (Iron Seas #2) by Meljean Brook
12. Best Under-Appreciated, Hidden Gem Book
Good Oil by Laura Buzo
13. I-had-no-idea-i-would-love this-so Award
Swim the Fly (Swim the Fly #1) by Don Calame
14. Most Haunting Story
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
15. Outside My Comfort Zone but Gosh How I Loved It
Awakening by Kitty Thomas
Most of my out of my comfort zones reads are by Thomas, but I really think she is such a remarkable author. She knows how to tell an intense story, and that is why she is on my auto buy list. And even though I don’t really read stories about mermaids, Awakening is one I jumped right into and really enjoyed.
16. Series That I’m Loving
At the half way point, my answer was the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian, and I’m still loving it. But I’ve also got to include the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne!!! It’s freaking awesome in every way!
17. Always Recommending this Book Award
Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles #1) by Kevin Hearne
I’m proud of the fact that I’ve gotten several people to read this book!
18. Completely Awesome Premise Award
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
19. Would Make the Best Movie
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Who knew vampires and unicorns would be such a fun mix?!
20. Want to Re-Read Already
Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
I read this book way too fast! At the time, I just couldn’t wait to know what was going to happen. Now, I’d love to go back through it at a slower pace to spend time with the smaller parts of the story.
I’m so glad Nomes challenged us to do a Faves of 2011 So Far back in June. I had so much fun comparing my answers then to what I have listed as my faves now. Some books changed, but some stayed the same.
What was on your list? Please leave me a link and I’ll check it out.
I’ve been collecting my newest books for a while now, and here is the result of my hording. And yes, I realize there’s a lot of links below. Sorry ’bout that, but I like to keep a record of where I got my most precious things from.
WON:
Dracula in Love by Karen Essex, won from Tinasbookreviews
Dark Life (Dark Life, #1) by Kat Falls, won from Girls Just Reading
Forgive My Fins and Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs, won from Midnyte Reader
Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels, won from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Original Sin (Personal Demons, #2) by Lisa Desrochers won, from Teens Read & Write
Mieradome by Kate O’Hegarty, won from The Book Addicted Girl
Starring in the Movie of My Life by Laurel Osterkamp, won from That’s Swell
Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski, won from bibliophile brouhaha
Rampant (Killer Unicorns, #1) by Diana Peterfreund, won from Girls Just Reading
Winterborne by Augusta Blythe, won from Tinasbookreviews
GIFTED, from people who are FULL OF AWESOME:
Embrace the Night Eternal (Envy Chronicles, #2) by Joss Ware
Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
Cascade (River of Time, #2) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Torrent (River of Time, #3) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Thank you for these m’lady!
FOR REVIEW:
Ember by Carol Oates
Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2) by Darynda Jones (audiobook)
Retribution (Dark-Hunter, #20) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (audiobook)
The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin (audiobook)
Bought:
Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
Unmasqued by Colette Gale, recommended by Kelsa P.
And don’t forget to check out these upcoming events:
So, that’s my collection for the month. The old TBR is out of control, and I really need to stop adding to it. Why do books have to be so tempting?
What’s in your mailbox this week? Please feel free to leave a link, and I’ll go check it out. 
What better way than to top off a good book than with a GREAT Cover?! Amanda of On a Book Bender, Christi of Smitten with Reading, & Felicia of Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog want to see the covers that made you swoon!
So, it seems I’m making a habit of featuring vampires on Top Off Tuesdays. In fact, it feel like my little blog is becoming a Vlog = Vampire + Blog. Sorry bout that, but I really do find them irresistible. Below, you’ll see why.
This week I wanted to feature covers that are so craptastically delicious, they gave me a tooth ache when I first spotted them.
Enemy Lover (L.O.S.T #1)
Karin Harlow
When you have no alternative, then you call in L.O.S.T. Because with the Last Option Special Team, it’s do or die. . . .
It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.
Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, Special Ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right-hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his.
Enemy Mine (L.O.S.T., #2)
Karin Harlow
releases: August 30th 2011
While tracking a hijacked cask of enriched uranium in Kyrgyzstan, L.O.S.T. operative Nikko Cruz is ambushed and left for dead. Which means he must be hallucinating when the only woman he ever loved—the woman he was sentenced to death for killing—comes to his rescue. Half-daemon Selena Guererro has secrets she’d kill for. The most important one, she’s already died to protect. Now she’ll do anything to keep her daughter safe. But she can’t just leave her lost love to perish. She injects Nikko with immortal blood serum, putting herself in grave danger.
When Nikko comes to, he is superhuman and super pissed. The mother of his daughter—the one he thought killed their child—is alive. He wants answers. He wants blood. And despite his best intentions, he wants Selena. He traces her to a mysterious terrorist cell where the cask has surfaced. First, he must retrieve the deadly material. Then he’ll take revenge on his beautiful ex. But when nothing goes as planned, Nikko and Selena find themselves burning with desire . . . and blowing the roof off their separate worlds, human and daemon alike.
As I absorb the awesomeness of the hunky men on these covers, I’m not sure what to comment on first. Should I feel weird about swooning over CGI guys? But then again, how can I help myself. Look at both of those pair of eyes. So blue, so mesmerizing. And the glistening chests. So smooth, so lickable.
I have to admit to feeling a little discomfort with the second cover. At first glance, I thought his fangs were lip rings of some kind. And the little dribble of blood is a bit messy for an experienced vampire. Still, I really want to cuddle in his nook.
Has anyone read these books yet? Are they good. Please let me know.
What book covers are making you swoon? Join the fun here: Top Off Tuesday!
