This week's Top Ten Tuesday on The Broke and the Bookish is "Top Ten Books I Read in 2013" you know, just to keep things easy. I didn't read a TON of books that were actually published in 2013, so I'm going to include a couple that I've only read part of but not finished. They'll be at the bottom. Here goes nothing!
1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I can't recommend anything by Rainbow Rowell enough. Such beautiful writing! 2. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
This was such a sweet, touching story. It's not an all-time fave, but I'm glad I read it.3. The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This was like a YA version of my favorite show, Criminal Minds, so for that alone I'm a fan. But I was also totally into the premise, and can't wait for #2 to learn more about the characters!
4. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
I enjoyed this book - it wasn't uber deep, and was full of things I didn't quite buy, but the character development was good and the story was cute and entertaining. It was a quick read, too, so good if you're looking for a light afternoon of reading!
5. Agent 21: Codebreaker by Chris Ryan
I liked this best out of the Agent 21 series so far. Less plot holes and inconsistencies, set in London (my FAVE place in the whole world) and smacked of my favorite British espionage TV show, Spooks (aka MI-5). Pageturner, edge-of-your-seat thriller.6. The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
I didn't like this as much as the first book in the series, The Name of the Star, but it was still an enjoyable read, and I'll definitely be first in line for The Shadow Cabinet.7. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
To be totally honest, this book would have been higher up on the list if it weren't for the (vague spoiler alert) dog incident. If that had happened earlier in the story, I would have DNFed it. Gratuitous animal violence that doesn't even advance the plot? NOT COOL, ROBYN. Not cool.
Also? Why on EARTH change from the original title and cover (above right), both of which were much, much better? I really don't understand people sometimes.
That's only seven, because I only got back into reading in June and only got into YA books around the same time and have been playing catch-up. So here are a couple other 2013 releases I've started and enjoyed so far.
1. Night Film by Marisha Pessl
This I read about 100 pages of and it has me intrigued but also vaguely confused and possibly a little bit creeped out. So we'll see how it progresses - I like the writing so far, and it certainly has done a good job of ramping up the suspense so far!
2. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I started this a couple of days before Christmas and got about 150 pages into it in a day. I decided to set it aside until after Christmas, though, because it's so well-written and draws me into Theo's experiences so expertly that it was just too much around the holidays. But I'd say that's more of a reason to read it than not - writing that good is worth the pain, right?
3. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
I'm becoming a huge fan of this author. I loved Silver Linings Playbook, and from the beginning of this book I'm going to be just as blown away. I love that he tackles weighty topics (like mental illness, loss and suicide) but that he manages to do so with a sort of cock-eyed optimism that leaves the reader actually feeling better, not worse. It's a rare gift, and one I value immensely in my reading materials.
So that's it, my best books of the year! Did you read any of these? What books did you love in 2013? Share in the comments!
