Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read in 2013


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten(ish) Books I Read in 2013



1. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

This is one of my favorite series and Calaena is one of my favorite heroines. This is also the series I probably push on my bookish friends the most. When I first picked up Throne of Glass last year, I was completely blown away at how it good it was. Surprisingly, Crown of Midnight might have been even better.





2. Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles #2) by Melina Marchetta

After reading and loving Finnikin of the Rock and it's main two protagonists Finnikin and Evanjalin, I really didn't know if I would like Froi of the Exiles. Froi had done some pretty terrible things in the first book, and I didn't know if I could get over them enough to like Froi in a book of his own. I never should have doubted Melina Marchetta. I liked and rooted for Froi just as much, if not more than, Finnikin and Evanjalin. The third book in the trilogy, Quintana of Charyn, came out in 2013 and it is a phenomenal ending to the trilogy. If you are remotely interested in epic fantasy pick this series up. There is a warning though: Marchetta will give you all the feels, break your heart and then put it back together. I have no words to describe how fantastic Marchetta is as an author.





3. One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels #2) and
Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Love By Numbers #2)
by Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean is probably my favorite historical fantasy author. Every one of her books is smart, witty and has fantastic characters. I read most of both these series in 2013, and honestly, any one of those books could make any of my top ten lists.





4. Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews

As long as the writing team of Ilona Andrews keeps writing in the Kate Daniels series, they will probably always make my top ten of best books. This installment was one of the best books in the series - I had all the emotions. While Kate was still as funny as ever, there were other parts that made me want to cry or beat someone senseless. If Kate weren't a fictional character, I'd want to be her or, at the very least, be her best friend. Well, Andrea is pretty awesome and bad-ass, too. Maybe I can be their third-wheel.





5. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I discovered, fell in love with, and became obsessed with Neil Gaiman all this year. Of all the books and graphic novels I've read by him, Neverwhere is my favorite. I listened to it on audio with Neil Gaiman narrating and it holds a special little place in my heart.





6. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands






7. Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling #1) by Megan McCafferty

I picked up this series because it was compared to the novels of Sarah Dessen. While this series isn't really that similar to Sarah Dessen, I loved it. I connected and empathized with Jessica immediately. How could I not empathize with a somewhat socially awkward teenager who almost always over-thought every situation? The series is also very witty and well-written.





8. The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards Sequence #1) by Scott Lynch

Highly entertaining epic fantasy. It's witty, well-written, with an intricate plot, and has great characters. I listened to the audio (on all three in the series that are currently out), and the narration is fantastic. There is, however, a LOT of profanity.





9. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

One of the best dystopians I have ever read. I shouldn't have waited until 2013 to read it.





10. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

This is probably the book that most surprised me. I didn't think I would like it as much as I loved it. The story begins in the 1920s but spans almost the entire lifetime of Cora, the chaperone. It's a historical novel which touches on the life of Louise Brooks, but it is so much more than. It's a journey of two women, who are strong in different ways who touch on each other's lives. And it's the story of Cora's self discovery. It was wonderfully written, and the audio version was pretty great.



What were your favorite reads of 2013?

5 comments:

  1. I've been wanting to pick up The Chaperone for a while now. I've seen it pop up on a couple of blogs, so I guess I have to break down and read it. :) Happy new Year!

    My Top Ten Tuesday

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    1. You definitely should, especially if you like historical fiction! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Fun list! I loved If I Stay too. I liked Sloppy Firsts but never did continue with the series.

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    1. The second one was just as good as the first! You should check it out. I haven't gotten around to the third one yet, but I've heard the whole series is just as good. Thanks for stopping by!

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