Favorites from 2013
I read a lot of books in 2013 and thought it might be nice to have a top 20 for 2013. Looking back I did read a lot of good books, and a lot of terrible books, so it was harder than I thought it would be to pick a top 20. These are not in any kind of order, except for the one book that sticks out as my favorite that I have read this past year. Enjoy!
The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel
The Sea Of Tranquility was a beautiful story. Everything flowed naturally and it was not an insta-love situation. The ending, where most authors seem to mess up the story for me, was just perfect. I loved it. Worth a read for sure.
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City)
I love Penny Reid. I find her hilarious, and this book is so much fun to read. I love Janie and Quinn and they are so cute together! I love it! Here is my full review. So much fun! I can't wait for the next book with Janie and Quinn!!
The Language of Sparrows: A Novel
Heartbreaking. The Language of Sparrows is absolutely heartbreaking. It does have a hopeful ending, but getting there is rough. I just wanted to help Sierra and oh. Beautiful story. Here is my full review. It definitely surprised me how amazing this book was.
Inevitable (Harmony Book 1)
Inevitable is one of the hottest books I have ever read. The chemistry between Cassandra and Logan is unreal. They don't even make out all the time or have sex or anything in this book! They are 'just friends' since they both want different things, and Logan cares too much about Cassie to have her be a one night stand. It does end in a cliffhanger which was so painful to wait for book 2! Amazing. Here is my full review.
Joe
I was not expecting much from this book, but Joe was so good. Joe keeps telling you that she is not a hero, but she kind of is. The story is told from many points of view and the ending was one of the best I have read. Just the way it was written was incredible. I would love to read more about Joe! Here is my full review.
Forbidden
I still have no idea how a book about incest could be one of my favorites. It doesn't seem right. Tabitha Suzuma somehow managed to take a topic, incest, which normally weirds me out so much I just can't deal with it and make it into this beautiful story. I mean I normally cannot even deal even if they are not actually related and just recently became family (like a teenager who is adopted, or two parents who marry recently and have teenagers from other marriages or something). Still I am like no. But this...this was so sad and beautifully written and just unbelievable how much I enjoyed this story. I still can't get over it, even though I read this book months ago.
Waiting for the Storm
Waiting for the Storm is a sweet story about two people helping each other with the hardships in their lives. A very nice, sweet story and I really enjoyed it. Here is my full review.
Untethered
Untethered still surprises me. I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Katie Hoyaz made a character who I would usually hate, but wrote her in a way that I didn't. Still don't really understand how she did that, but it was amazing. Really great story and not something I have read in any other book (astral projection is not a popular topic in the books I read). Here is my full review.
The Athena Effect
The Athena Effect is another one where the author did things that if in another book I probably would have hated. Things that would have made me roll my eyes as they are cheesy (like the main characters named Cal and Cal). Somehow it worked in this book. Cal is so sweet and innocent and I immediately fell in love with her. The other Cal was great with her and their story was just so sweet and I loved it. Great great story.
Dark Places: A Novel
Dark Places was definitely a dark story in a very good way. If you don't like dark, then you should probably not read this one. I loved most of it, and there is pretty much no way I ever would have figured out exactly what happened which is awesome. My full review is here.
Robin: Lady of Legend (The Classic Adventures of the Girl Who Became Robin Hood)
I am not sure why I even picked up Robin: Lady of Legend as it doesn't really seem like my thing. Sure I know the story of Robin Hood, but it has never been a favorite of mine. This story, however, I loved! I loved Robin Hood as a girl. I loved that she could take care of herself and just really enjoyed everything about it.
Friend-Zoned
Friend-Zoned was a surprise for me. I had this book forever and kept skipping over it when I was looking for my next book to read. I don't know why but it didn't sound that good to me. I ended up loving it though and was hooked from the start. It was one of those books that I read in one sitting and never noticed how late it had gotten and how I had disregarded everything that I needed to do that day. I loved Tina who is one of the best people ever. And Nik was just perfect for her! I loved them together. Great, fun read. Here is my full review (and the second book is great as well).
Sweet Peril
It feels like I waited forever for Sweet Peril to come out. It is the second in a series and the first was one of my favorite books of 2012. Kai is so hot and I love him and Anna! I usually don't like angel/demon stories. I don't know why but they are usually not my thing. This story though is really a good read. I love the characters and reading about the world Wendy Higgins created. Now I am waiting for the third book to come out next year...
The Dusk Gate Chronicles Boxed Set, Books 1-4
Yes this is more than one book, but it is a series so I am counting it as one. I couldn't pick my favorite of the four (though I just saw there is a fifth book I wasn't aware of! I am going to have to read that soon....). Anyways The Dusk Gate Chronicles were great reads. Quinn is a very strong main character which was nice. I find that often times I get annoyed with these weak, stupid girls that are in a lot of books. Quinn and William are great and I loved reading about the two worlds, Quinn's and William's. In fact I think I read these books twice last year....I maybe have to read them yet again before reading the next book...
Darkness Of Light (Darkness Series)
Darkness of Light was another book that caught me off guard. I couldn't put it down once I started. I loved Eli and Ember and their verbal sparing and how you really don't know what is going on for most of the book. Great read and now I am reminded I need to pick up the second book (and maybe re-read this one next year).
Veneer
Veneer was a really interesting book. The world the author created was so cool and different and instead of long drawn out explanations about what things were and how they worked the author showed us instead (which I love). Really cool and I would love to read more.
Fear of Falling
Fear of Falling is one of those books where the main character is so broken, but you just want to snatch her up and make everything better. Kami was just so sweet and I just wanted her to be okay. Blaine is so sweet and perfect for her and this book made me tear up a few times.
The Rocking Horse
I usually don't like slow paced stories, or stories where you know what is going to happen. I did really enjoy The Rocking Horse even though it had both. The pace was incredibly slow, but it actually worked for me. You pretty much knew what would happen, but I still enjoyed reading it. A child is kidnapped after her mother, aunt and uncle are murdered in their home. This story is about that child and the town years later after that child grows up (though she doesn't know she is that child) and it is just a great read.
The Law of Attraction (Lawyers in Love)
The Law of Attraction is very funny and sweet. The synopsis makes it seem like there will be a lot of drama, but there really isn't. A fun read. Here is my full review.
And finally my favorite book of 2013. One book stood out above all others I have read this year and it is:
Eleanor & Park
I still cannot get over how amazing Eleanor & Park is. By far my favorite read of the year. It is such a beautiful story and so sweet and innocent. I almost cried at the end because it was over. I still have to stop myself from re-reading it again and again, from just spending a little more time with these characters. It is heartbreaking and beautiful and just absolutely amazing. Rainbow Rowell did an amazing job with this story. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon, and I am sure I will be re-reading it often. Absolutely beautiful. If you haven't read it yet definitely check it out. Here is my full review.
The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City)
I love Penny Reid. I find her hilarious, and this book is so much fun to read. I love Janie and Quinn and they are so cute together! I love it! Here is my full review. So much fun! I can't wait for the next book with Janie and Quinn!!
The Language of Sparrows: A Novel
Heartbreaking. The Language of Sparrows is absolutely heartbreaking. It does have a hopeful ending, but getting there is rough. I just wanted to help Sierra and oh. Beautiful story. Here is my full review. It definitely surprised me how amazing this book was.
Inevitable (Harmony Book 1)
Inevitable is one of the hottest books I have ever read. The chemistry between Cassandra and Logan is unreal. They don't even make out all the time or have sex or anything in this book! They are 'just friends' since they both want different things, and Logan cares too much about Cassie to have her be a one night stand. It does end in a cliffhanger which was so painful to wait for book 2! Amazing. Here is my full review.
Joe
I was not expecting much from this book, but Joe was so good. Joe keeps telling you that she is not a hero, but she kind of is. The story is told from many points of view and the ending was one of the best I have read. Just the way it was written was incredible. I would love to read more about Joe! Here is my full review.
Forbidden
I still have no idea how a book about incest could be one of my favorites. It doesn't seem right. Tabitha Suzuma somehow managed to take a topic, incest, which normally weirds me out so much I just can't deal with it and make it into this beautiful story. I mean I normally cannot even deal even if they are not actually related and just recently became family (like a teenager who is adopted, or two parents who marry recently and have teenagers from other marriages or something). Still I am like no. But this...this was so sad and beautifully written and just unbelievable how much I enjoyed this story. I still can't get over it, even though I read this book months ago.
Waiting for the Storm
Waiting for the Storm is a sweet story about two people helping each other with the hardships in their lives. A very nice, sweet story and I really enjoyed it. Here is my full review.
Untethered
Untethered still surprises me. I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Katie Hoyaz made a character who I would usually hate, but wrote her in a way that I didn't. Still don't really understand how she did that, but it was amazing. Really great story and not something I have read in any other book (astral projection is not a popular topic in the books I read). Here is my full review.
The Athena Effect
The Athena Effect is another one where the author did things that if in another book I probably would have hated. Things that would have made me roll my eyes as they are cheesy (like the main characters named Cal and Cal). Somehow it worked in this book. Cal is so sweet and innocent and I immediately fell in love with her. The other Cal was great with her and their story was just so sweet and I loved it. Great great story.
Dark Places: A Novel
Dark Places was definitely a dark story in a very good way. If you don't like dark, then you should probably not read this one. I loved most of it, and there is pretty much no way I ever would have figured out exactly what happened which is awesome. My full review is here.
Robin: Lady of Legend (The Classic Adventures of the Girl Who Became Robin Hood)
I am not sure why I even picked up Robin: Lady of Legend as it doesn't really seem like my thing. Sure I know the story of Robin Hood, but it has never been a favorite of mine. This story, however, I loved! I loved Robin Hood as a girl. I loved that she could take care of herself and just really enjoyed everything about it.
Friend-Zoned
Friend-Zoned was a surprise for me. I had this book forever and kept skipping over it when I was looking for my next book to read. I don't know why but it didn't sound that good to me. I ended up loving it though and was hooked from the start. It was one of those books that I read in one sitting and never noticed how late it had gotten and how I had disregarded everything that I needed to do that day. I loved Tina who is one of the best people ever. And Nik was just perfect for her! I loved them together. Great, fun read. Here is my full review (and the second book is great as well).
Sweet Peril
It feels like I waited forever for Sweet Peril to come out. It is the second in a series and the first was one of my favorite books of 2012. Kai is so hot and I love him and Anna! I usually don't like angel/demon stories. I don't know why but they are usually not my thing. This story though is really a good read. I love the characters and reading about the world Wendy Higgins created. Now I am waiting for the third book to come out next year...
The Dusk Gate Chronicles Boxed Set, Books 1-4
Yes this is more than one book, but it is a series so I am counting it as one. I couldn't pick my favorite of the four (though I just saw there is a fifth book I wasn't aware of! I am going to have to read that soon....). Anyways The Dusk Gate Chronicles were great reads. Quinn is a very strong main character which was nice. I find that often times I get annoyed with these weak, stupid girls that are in a lot of books. Quinn and William are great and I loved reading about the two worlds, Quinn's and William's. In fact I think I read these books twice last year....I maybe have to read them yet again before reading the next book...
Darkness Of Light (Darkness Series)
Darkness of Light was another book that caught me off guard. I couldn't put it down once I started. I loved Eli and Ember and their verbal sparing and how you really don't know what is going on for most of the book. Great read and now I am reminded I need to pick up the second book (and maybe re-read this one next year).
Veneer
Veneer was a really interesting book. The world the author created was so cool and different and instead of long drawn out explanations about what things were and how they worked the author showed us instead (which I love). Really cool and I would love to read more.
Fear of Falling
Fear of Falling is one of those books where the main character is so broken, but you just want to snatch her up and make everything better. Kami was just so sweet and I just wanted her to be okay. Blaine is so sweet and perfect for her and this book made me tear up a few times.
The Rocking Horse
I usually don't like slow paced stories, or stories where you know what is going to happen. I did really enjoy The Rocking Horse even though it had both. The pace was incredibly slow, but it actually worked for me. You pretty much knew what would happen, but I still enjoyed reading it. A child is kidnapped after her mother, aunt and uncle are murdered in their home. This story is about that child and the town years later after that child grows up (though she doesn't know she is that child) and it is just a great read.
The Law of Attraction (Lawyers in Love)
The Law of Attraction is very funny and sweet. The synopsis makes it seem like there will be a lot of drama, but there really isn't. A fun read. Here is my full review.
And finally my favorite book of 2013. One book stood out above all others I have read this year and it is:
Eleanor & Park
I still cannot get over how amazing Eleanor & Park is. By far my favorite read of the year. It is such a beautiful story and so sweet and innocent. I almost cried at the end because it was over. I still have to stop myself from re-reading it again and again, from just spending a little more time with these characters. It is heartbreaking and beautiful and just absolutely amazing. Rainbow Rowell did an amazing job with this story. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon, and I am sure I will be re-reading it often. Absolutely beautiful. If you haven't read it yet definitely check it out. Here is my full review.
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