I’ve been sharing all of the books I’ve read each quarter this year, and no way to finish out the year than with the list of final quarter reads. In the first quarter, I read over 50 books. In the second quarter, I also read over 50 books. The third quarter was when I hit a slower patch, finishing just over 20 titles.

So what about the final quarter this year? I managed to read 26 books. Not as impressive as the first and second quarter, but in my defense, I’ve been writing a ton. I’ve read longer books. I’ve also read quite a few manuscripts, which definitely impacts my book reading.

Here’s the breakdown! I realize there’s still a day left in 2012 and in this quarter, but I’m not sure I’ll knock another book out in that time frame. If I do, well, it’ll be the first I count in 2013. I’ve linked relevant reviews.

1. 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma (YA): This haunting story isn’t quite what it seems. Lauren’s visited by girls who have all gone missing when they were 17. Is she next? Incredibly rich writing.

2. The Sharp Time by Mary O’Connell (YA): A story of grief. It felt a little over the top for me and a little pretentious.

3. The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis (YA): I mentioned this was one of my favorite books in 2012, right? Oh how I LOVED this book. Reviewed here.

4. Live Through This by Mindi Scott (YA): This was a powerful little book about sexual assault. I may still review this one, though I talk about it in an article I’ve got coming out from VOYA in the new year (spoiler alert: I’ve got an article in VOYA next spring).

5. Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook (YA): A 2013 debut about a boy and a girl who run away from their home and their problems. They’re good for each other. They’ll save each other. They’re incredibly BAD for one another.

6. Return to Me by Justina Chen (YA): I was unimpressed with this. I can’t remember much other than feeling like the main character was way too privileged and unaware of it.

7. The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding (YA): This book was delightful. It’s about family and about musical theater and made me feel really good when I read it and when I finished it. Another 2013 debut.

8. 34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues (YA): This was billed as a read alike for 13 Reasons Why since it’s about a dead girl and the clues she left before she killed herself. It wasn’t spectacular.

9. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (YA): It’s the summer before dad will die from cancer and the family is spending it at their summer home. It was long, but it was pretty good.

10. Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos (YA): I didn’t care for this story of a girl trying to find her meth-using brother when he finds himself in trouble. Reviewed here. 

11. Fingerprints of You by Kristin-Paige Maldonia (YA): This was a story about a pregnant teen girl, a road trip, and a non-traditional family. I liked it and reviewed it here.

12. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith (YA): This was an adorable romance, set in a tight time period, on a plane, then abroad and I really liked it.

13. This is Not a Drill by Beck McDowell (YA): An adult suffering PTSD takes a classroom of first graders hostage, and not everyone comes out alive. I wrote a review of this and planned it for earlier this month, but I made the decision not to run it for obvious reasons. I may in the new year. This book had good parts and bad parts. A net neutral. This was a 2012 debut.

14. What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen (YA): I don’t even remember reading this. It was a mystery, and I remember feeling unimpressed. This was a 2012 debut.

15. When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney (YA): I LOVED this book. It was so, so good. Danny was an incredible character. The pain and the longing were so spot on. I talked at length about this book over at WORD for Teens.

16. The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr (YA): This is my favorite Sara Zarr, hands down. The third person captured everything perfectly. What happens when you quit the thing that defined you? When you give up art? Review to come in the new year (and spoiler — an interview with Sara Zarr herself!)

17. Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things by Kathryn Burak (YA): Another grief book, and as I said in my review, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

18. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony (YA/graphic novel kind of): This felt like hipstery stuff. I read it to see what it was, and it did nothing for me. I see the appeal. It’s not for me.

19. Absent by Katie Williams (YA): This is a 2013 book and it is AMAZING. Love ghost stories? Tales of revenge? J Horror? This is it. It’s a short little thing, but it packs a punch.

20. Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick (YA): Another winner coming out in 2012. This is a grief story but also, it’s a story about intimacy and romance and the way those things can tangle. I think there will be a review soon!

21. Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris (YA): Mind candy in the best possible way. Kate Grable is a riot. This entire book is fun. Werewolf fun.

22. Freaks Like Us by Susan Vaught (YA): This is another winner from Vaught. It looks at mental illness and bullying. There’s a mystery within it, too.

23. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers (YA Audiobook): I mentioned that Rhys has a southern accent? But it’s Grace’s voice that is so my favorite. This is an imperfect production — there’s a lot of obvious cuts and changes in intonation — but the story works well aurally.

24. Dare Me by Megan Abbott (adult): Girls are nasty and vile and this book was nasty and vile and really damn enjoyable because of that. There’s definitely teen appeal here, but the voice of the story makes it an adult novel, if that makes sense.

25. Empty by K. M. Walton (YA): This might be the most disappointing book I’ve read in a long time, and there is a lengthy review to come soon.

26. Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan (YA): ADD, grief, loss, 9/11, pop culture, and much more make this story of two boys and a hostage situation (sensing a horrible theme here) a great feat. The writing held it back from being a total knockout, though. Again, a review will come soon.

I guess that makes 25 YA reads and one adult read. But I did get an audiobook in, as well. I’m just starting Uses for Boys by Erin Lorraine Scheidt, which is a 2013 debut novel. I’ve got a few outstanding egalleys to read, so I’m working through those the first few weeks of the new year.