Top Ten Books With A Memorable Setting

So I know that for today's topic I was supposed to pick a specific setting, but that was too difficult so I took a different route.

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider - This will forever be one of the coolest settings of all time--a half-hospital/half-boarding school for teens suffering from a new, incurable strain of tuberculosis.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - I love Gatlin, the southern Gothic town this series takes place in! I really enjoyed learning all the town intricacies and quirks. And, of course, the underground community of witches.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - Who can forget New Pretty Town, a place for all the new Pretties to go and party & live in mansions & drink champagne. They can essentially do whatever they want as long as they don't question the surgery to make them Pretty.

Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler - I know that New York City has been written about loads of times, but there was something about this book that really put me in New York and made me feel like I was there. MY REVIEW.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Not only does this take place in Wales, but it takes place in 1940s Wales with a house full of fantastical creatures. MY REVIEW.

Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell - If you want to travel to a dark Neverland that shifts and changes at random, this is the book for you. MY REVIEW.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Cuz Panem.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I just adored reading about the Amsterdam adventures in this book! I'm fairly certain I've never read anything else that takes place in Amsterdam.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - THE LONDON INSTITUTE <33333

And I Darken by Kiersten White - Somehow I always find a way to talk about this book. Because it's fantastic. And part of what makes it so spectacular is the setting. I mean, come on, THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE! MY REVIEW.

Top Five Authors I Read for the First Time in 2015

This week was a little tricky for me because, if I'm being honest, I've hardly read much this year. And a lot of the stuff I did read was by authors I had read in the past. After much deliberation and staring at the measly 23 books I've read this year, I was finally able to pick 5 new authors who work I really enjoyed this year.

What I read by her: 

I read Speechless first and loved it so much that I immediately picked up Saving June. These are both fabulous YA contemporary books, and I will read anything else that Hannah Harrington releases. 

What I read by her: 

I picked up Wither over Thanksgiving break and enjoyed it MUCH more than I thought I would (You can read my review if you want). Of course I needed to figure out what happened next, so I picked up Fever the second I finished (again, you can gander at my review). This series has been great so far, and I can't wait until I have time to read the third book, Sever. I can't wait to see what else Lauren DeStefano will come up with for us! 

What I read by her: 

I finally joined the fun with the wonderful Eleanor & Park! I'd heard so many wonderful things about all of Rowell's books, especially this one. I was dying to dive in, so I bought this gem in Ireland and read it on the plane ride home. I was not disappointed, friends. I haven't had the chance to read any of her other work yet, but all of it is on my list! 

What I read by her: 

I had been on a real contemporary kick when I decided to read All the Bright Places this summer. I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting myself into, but it sounded decent enough so why not. Uh, this book was far beyond decent enough. Let me tell you, this book left me a mess for days. Days, I said. This book was taut with emotions and I felt every single one of them. I hope Jennifer Niven puts out more YA that leaves me reeling like this one did. 

What I read by her: 

Again, I was on a huge contemporary kick this summer, so when I read the description of Extraordinary Means while I was perusing the book aisle of Walmart, I knew I needed to buy it. I'm very happy I did! This book had a really unique, interesting premise and fantastic characters. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Schneider!

Tell me about the awesome authors you discovered this year!