Top Ten Books I Read in 2013
Woo Hoo! This post is late! Nothing like looking back in the rearview mirror, friends. A little reflection is good for the constitution, I say. Just so happens that I’m looking back a little bit further than everyone else because I didn’t have a chance to post this list on Tuesday. Holidays, man. They were CRAY this year for me! I don’t even know what happened!
Anywho, without any more delay on my part, here are my top ten 2013 reads. I look forward to this list EVERY. YEAR.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey | I don’t usually get down with aliens all the time, friends. Hard-core science fiction is one genre that I really need to be in the mood for. But this book was crazy fast-paced and dramatic; it was like reading a movie. But also with thought-provoking elements and psychological suspense. Can’t wait for more.
Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara | THIS BOOK was just so dang pretty. I loved the setting–Maine, in winter–and I loved the prose. I felt very close to the story as well because I know someone who suffers from MS like one of the main characters does, and so this book really touched me. I wish more people would read it.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas | One of my favorite things about series is that thing that happens sometimes when the first book is good and then the second book comes out and WHOA, it gets better in the most amazing ways. This is one of those times. If you liked THRONE OF GLASS, this one will not let you down. OPPOSITE.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell | There are so many feelings going on with this book. I’m going to tell you a quick story: I saw the movie Saving Mr. Banks over the holiday (AMAZING. I cried) and there’s a scene where P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) is complaining about the lack of gravitas in the script for Mary Poppins. To illustrate her point, she throws the pages of the script out the window and, as the pages flutter slowly to the ground, says, “See, Mr. Disney? NO WEIGHT.” If she had thrown ELEANOR & PARK out of that window, it would’ve plummeted to the ground and landed with a thud and made a dent in the dirt.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor | OMG. This list is in no order whatsoever, but if I had to pick an absolute favorite book I read this year, this book would be in serious, legit contention. It was emotional and vivid and I literally cannot think of a single thing about it I didn’t like. I loved it so much that I’m rereading it already via audio as we speak. The story of Karou and Akiva is one of my favorites around right now.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater | Here’s another example of excellent book 2 syndrome. I really enjoyed THE RAVEN BOYS, but there were some things that made me go, “Ummm…say what now?” I’m amazed at the creativity and imagination authors have when creating their stories. THE DREAM THIEVES was completely gripping and even though I’m still in the dark as to what exactly the end game is here, I’m loving it more and more.
Champion by Marie Lu | Look at this pair! But since we’re doing this one book at a time, let’s just look at CHAMPION for now because, for real, it deserves everyone’s undivided attention. This is a LEGIT proclamation: This is one of the best series conclusions I’ve ever read. I cried, I felt hope, I felt love. The story felt real, and so my emotions were heightened. I’m sad that this series is over, but it went out on top.
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers | SIGHHHHH I just love this series. Sybella and Beast are excellent main characters because they are both broken and in dark places. I loved reading about them because I loved seeing the two of them accept each other’s darkness without judgment. But the drama in the big picture of this series is ramped up as well, and that made me love it MORE.
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner | I will be reviewing this one shortly, but I’ll tell you this: Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. There were twists that shocked me, and a romance that warmed me. I know that this book has been billed as “Titanic in space,” and yeah, I can see it. But as a steadfast viewer of Lost, I saw lots of parallels there as well. Read into that what you will.
Just One Day by Gayle Forman | I read this book at the beginning of 2013, and it stuck with me all throughout the year. I read JUST ONE YEAR when it came out, but I have to say, I’m partial to the first book. It felt magical, and then it felt so real that it killed me. Allyson’s growth is a sight to behold for sure. Plus, PARIS OMG. I love that city.
Oh wow, you have some on here that I still haven’t read – like I have Champion and have actually picked it up and held it in my hands several times but that doggone nagging series finale fear that I have just will not let me open it. I AM AFRAID, Amy. I cannot help this. But the Laini Taylor, oh my you are so right, such a great story. Eleanor and Park made my list!! YAY!!! It and Attachments were my top two books this year, I think. My third was probably Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer which was SO GOOD.
I’ve only read ONE book one your favorites list – Eleanor & Park. E&P is a favorite of mine, too, though. I’ve been hearing such wonderful things about These Broken Stars. Generally futuristic books aren’t something I love (there are exceptions, of course), but I think I need to give this one a try. And I LOVE that cover. But does it have a happy ending????
Okay. I missed doing this list on Tuesday and was gonna write it off, but now I want to do it! However I’m pretty sure that I’d just be copying your list! I haven’t read all of them, but have read the majority and they were, hands down, the best books this year! E&P, Crown of Midnight, The Dream Thieves… oh, I want to hug these! Great list Amy and here’s to 2014 being filled with books just as good if not better! 🙂
I’ve only read three books in your list – two of which were total favorites for me, too! And oh goodness I own like five others on here… so I guess maybe I should finally get around to reading those? So glad you had some great reads in 2013 and that it looks like I’ve got some good reading in my future 🙂