My Top 13 Books of 2013

My Top 13 Books of 2013 

First let me set the rules.
Rule 1: Series count as one book. We will be here all day if I haveo list every book individually (plus I would never fit it into 13).
Rule 2: These are not ranked in any order. I simply couldn't choose between any of them and since this is my blog, and I say I don't have to....so this is what you get.
 
And I think that's all the rules I have. So let's get started:

1. The Lord of the Rings
 

   
What can I say? This series is the ultimate standard against which all high-fantasy is measured. Of course I was going to love it. I have no idea why it took me this long to finally read them, but I think I read them at just the right time in my life. The story of these tiny hobbits setting out to save the world is touching and epic and everything I love in high-fantasy on full display.

2. Unsouled

 
This is a series that, for whatever reason, I always underestimate. Either that or they are getting better and better as the series progresses (which is almost unbelievable in itself). This series covers a myriad of topical issues in a way that isn't shoving that fact down your throat. Neal Shusterman is a master of plot and character development. I love Connor, Lev, and Risa and how much they've changed since the beginning of this rollercoaster. I cannot wait to see this brilliant series wrap up in 2014.

3. Champion

This was a fantastic ending to a fantastic series. June and Day's story had a full arc that was really beautiful. I think their problems were resolved in the perfect way. This series is completely un-put-down-able (shhh... that's totally a word). It's action-packed and the plot is always full of twists and turns.

4. The Fairyland Series

   

Gorgeous characters in a gorgeous world with some of the most gorgeous writing I have ever encountered. This series is whimsical and unique. There is always something new in Fairyland to be discovered. The metaphors are brilliantly incorporated into the prose and the imagery is spectacular.

5. Fangirl

I love all things Rainbow Rowell, but this book spoke to me deeper than her others because I identify with Cath on a level that few other characters have accomplished. She's a bit socially awkward and sort of a dork, but also incredibly smart and caring. This book chronicles her first year of college with all of its ups and downs. It focuses on her relationship with her dad and sister, which was touching and very genuine. Also, LEVI. He's like no other male character I've read. He's charming and happy and considerate. I want one.

6. Allegiant

 

CONTROVERSIAL BUT SPOILER-FREE EXPLANATION: I  love how Veronica Roth finished off her wildly popular series. She took risks that not many authors would dare to take, thrusting her characters into a new political situation so far into the series and so far removed from the world of the past. But she managed it beautifully and I think that it was exactly what the series needed. Tris shone in this book, her bravery was inspiring.

7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus

           

SHUT UP. THIS DEFINITELY COUNTS AS ONE. (I know it shouldn't, but it's the only way I could make 13 work without having to make an impossible decision between these nine books). I am kicking myself for not reading these when I was younger, but I think I enjoyed them just as much(if not more than) I would have reading them as a kid. They're hilarious. The characters leap off the page and pull you into their world with them. The adventure is perfectly plotted and paced.
Then in the Heroes of Olympus series, the world expands. You're introduced to Piper, Leo, Jason, Frank, and Hazel (all of whom I love deeply).
There are not enough good things that I could say about this world that Rick Riordan has created. I will read anything Riordan writes for the rest of his career. He's absolutely brilliant.

8. The Song of the Lioness Quartet

     

Another series I should have read long, long ago. How did I not even hear of these until now? It's about Alanna, a girl who wants be a knight. She wants to go on quests and learn swordplay. She's so kick-butt and sassy and smart. Her problems feel natural to a girl in her position and so do her relationships. Her story arc in the series combined is fantastic because it takes place over a period of around six years, so you see her grow and mature. She has earned her place in my all-time favorite heroines list. (Plus, her and George are the cutest thing in the history of ever, end of discussion).

9. The Book Thief

One of the most beautiful stories I have ever encountered. Hope and love in one of the darkest times in history. It is a story of life among much too much death. A girl who loves stories and a family who offers protection to those who need it. This book will stay with me forever. I earnestly believe that everyone should read this book, because it changes you when you read it. You start to see the world differently.

10. Crown of Midnight

 

I loved Throne of Glass (I mean, it made my Top 12 of 2012 list last year and everything). But this book. THIS BOOK. Completely fantastic. Utterly brilliant. It had me crying and cheering. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I cannot wait for the next four books in this SPECTACULAR series. All of the characters are so well-written.

11. The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy

   

YA High fantasy at its finest. The world is so broad and interesting. The characters are brave and unique and genuine. Rae Carson is a very thoughtful writer. By that I mean that you can tell she puts a lot of thought into both her world-building and the implications of her characters' decisions. She put a lot of effort into making Elisa a great role model for girls as well as relatable. Elisa has a mind of her own and is a ruler to be reckoned with.

12. The Lumatere Chronicles

   

This series broke my heart while simultaneously filling it. I fell in love with Lumatere and Charyn and all of the people living inside them. The writing is masterful. The imagery and use of language is breathtaking. The stories are heart-breaking with a sliver of hope mixed in. The tone is mystical and foreign, yet you feel right at home inside the story. It felt like I knew the characters. I cried for them and I rooted for them. No amount of explanation could ever describe the beauty of this story.

13. The Grisha Trilogy

 

This series is very high concept with an extraordinary level of execution. A high fantasy combined with clearly defined, almost scientific, magic, elements of Russian culture and folklore, and a sort of steampunk twist thrown into the mix. YES! And while that sounds like it shouldn't work, by golly, IT DOES. The uniqueness of this story, along with the themes concerning freedom and choice, make it an unbelievably incredible read.

Honorable Mentions: The Kane Chronicles (I figured I already had enough Riordan on the list. Even though I am a firm believer that you can never have too many Riordan books), Sweetly (that is one fantastic retelling), Eleanor and Park, Attachments (what can I say? Rainbow Rowell just wins), The Infernal Devices (*cough*WillHerondale*cough*), Dark Triumph, The House of the Scorpion, The Diviners.

Here's to 2014. May it be filled with as many great reads as 2013 was.



2014 Most Anticipated Releases

2014 Releases that I'm Freaking Excited For:

So, last year I did a post very similar to this. In that post I went through and listed the reasons why I'm excited for these certain books, but they ended up looking and sounding too alike. So this is just a list and all you need to know is that I am FREAKING EXCITED for this year's releases.

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine #2)---January 14th

Update: Read. Reviewed. 5/5 stars.
 

This Star Won't Go Out---January 28th

Update: Read. 5/5 stars.

Ignite Me---February 4th

Update: Read. Reviewed. 4.5/5

The Guard---February 4th

Update: Read. 2/5 stars.
 

The Winner's Curse---March 4th

Update: Read. Reviewed. 5/5 stars.

 

The Assassin's Blade---March 4th

 Update: Read. Reviewed. 5/5 Stars.

Divergent Movie---March 21st

Update: Watched. Reviewed. 4/5 stars.

 

The One---May 6th

 

Update: Read. Reviewed. 1/5 stars.

The Fault in our Stars Movie---June 6th

Update: Seen. Reviewed. 5/5 stars.

Ruin and Rising---June 17th

Update: Read. Reviewed. 5/5 stars.

Four: A Divergent Story Collection---July 8th

Update: Read. To Be Reviewed. 3/5 stars.

Landline---July 8th

Update: Reviewed. 5/5 stars.

Isla and the Happily Ever After---August 12th

Update: Read. 5/5 Stars.

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods---August 19th

The Girl of Fire and Thorns Stories


Heir of Fire---September 2nd

Read. 5/5 Stars.

The Infinite Sea---September 16th


The Young Elites---October 7th


Blood of Olympus---October 14th

Read. 5/5 Stars.
 

Undivided---October 14th


Mortal Heart---November 4th


Gathering Darkness---December 9th 2014
 

This Shattered World - December 23rd


Unannounced Dates:

Firefight---December 2014?
Some places say it's coming out December and some say January. I'm going to leave it here anyway.

(Study #4)---2014

Attachments

Attachments

By: Rainbow Rowell


Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories. By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

RAINBOW ROWELL HAS DONE IT AGAIN. She made me feel all of the things and care about all of the characters, and that's why she's become one of my favorite authors. I mean, she had me sold on this premise, while under the management of any other author it could turn out incredibly weird, she made it work.

 

The flow, the language, and the characters really shone. I loved watching Lincoln going about his life. It felt normal, like what life is actually like. He had good days and bad days and days that were slow and sort of gray. I just love the portrayal of real life.

Fitting with Rainbow Rowell's strengths, Lincoln felt like a very genuine person. All of his relationships (with his D&D friends, with Justin and Dena, with his mother and sister) were incredibly real.

 

genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.genuine.

 

^^That is exactly what I feel like when writing a review for a Rainbow Rowell book. But I can't say that it's not completely accurate.

 

My favorite part, however, was probably the emails between Jennifer and Beth. They were hilarious, in a incredibly witty way. I wanted to be friends with them, because not only were they funny, they were loyal and kind and great friends to each other. It was spectacular how Rainbow managed to make them 3-D characters in just a few lines of emails to each other, not even describing most of their lives, not even knowing what they looked like.

I loved how you didn't know what they looked like, but you didn't need to. You knew their fears and the things they loved. You (and Lincoln) experienced their essences before ever seeing them in person.

 

The plot moved along like I think a contemporary's plot should. It was sometimes a bit anecdotal, in the best way. There were some meandering scenes that you didn't see how they would fit into the overall plot, but then somehow they did and they added to the atmosphere of the read along the way.

 

This lived up to all the things I have come to expect of a Rainbow Rowell book. I'm pretty certain now that I will read anything and everything that she writes. (Including Landline, that comes out next year and for which I AM SO EXCITED).

 

Quotes:

 

"Tonight it was enough to be one of them. To be someplace where he always had a spot at the table, where everybody already knew that he didn't like olives on his pizza, and they always looked happy to see him."

 

"Every moment feels meant for me. In October...I have faith in my own rising action. I was born in February, but I come alive in October."

 

"It's so easy for someone else to say, "Don't worry. Everything's going to be all right." Why not say it? It doesn't cost anything. It doesn't mean anything. No one will hold you to it if you're wrong."

 

"Things get better--hurt less--over time. If you let them."

 

""So what did you see?"

"Just...the sort of girl who would write the sort of things that you wrote."

"What things?"

"...I pictured a girl who could be that kind, and that kind of funny. I pictured a girl who was that alive...A girl who never got tired of her favorite movies, who save dresses like ticket stubs. Who could get high on the weather... I pictured a girl who made every moment, everything she touched, and everyone around her feel lighter and sweeter. I pictured you."

 

"I didn't know love could leave the lights on all the time."