Best of the Best Reading Challenge

I'm about to do something crazy... I'm taking the American Library Association's "Best of the Best" Reading Challenge. My goal will be to read 25 of the 80 books on this year's Best Fiction for Young Adults list, or other awards lists, by June 30th. I will keep track of my books on this blog. Think I can do it? Want to do it with me? I've already read five books... Why don't I start writing about them today?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs
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I LOVE this book! Everybody should read it! The writing style is reminiscent of Greg Galloway, which is a big compliment from me, since As Simple As Snow is one of my favorite teen books ever. The book is centered around an abandoned orphanage filled with crazy secrets. This book has monsters, adventure, mystery, and lots of creepy photographs.
Jaina Rating: A

The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
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I am going to use the word LOVE again in all caps, because this was my favorite book all year. This was an Alex Award book, because it is technically written for "adults," but this is unlike any adult book I've ever read. In this book, two magicians' lives are centered around a lifelong duel. The magicians run a circus through magic in a neverending show of skill, enchanting patrons with the most unique circus experience they've ever had. I want to live inside of this book.
Jaina Rating: A+

Stay
by Deb Caletti
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I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites. A girl and her father move away for the summer in the hopes of escaping her controlling and mentally unstable ex. Even if she's gone, can she really escape? The book was well written, but plot-wise, it was sort of like a Lifetime movie. Although I'm entertained by formulaic dramas, I'd much rather read about magic, disease, ghosts, and circuses.
Jaina Rating: C+

Wither
by Lauren DeStefano
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Again, LOVE LOVE LOVE. I was so obsessed with this book that when I met the author, I had to try not to embarass myself because I'm such a fangirl. Set in a future where a genetic disease causes women to die at age 20 and men to die at 25, girls are either sold into prostitution or marriage. When Rhine is kidnapped and forced into marriage, her only thought is escape. One of the most unique teen books I've ever read. I've recommended this to almost everybody I can think of. The sequel, Fever, was just released.
Jaina Rating: A+

Where She Went
by Gayle Forman
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Let me start out by saying that If I Stay blew me away. However this sequel, told from Adam's point of view, didn't wow me quite as much. If I had just read this book alone, I'm sure I would rate this higher if I had read this on its own, but since I loved the first book so much, its hard to separate it. Spoiler alert from the first book: Mia woke up from her coma. Since then, she has moved to NYC to go to Juilliard and Adam has become a big rock star. Another spoiler alert: he's still in love with her. Will they ever connect again?
Jaina Rating: B

Each week, I will update with more books I have read for the project. Cheer me on!