2013 Favorites
In 2013, I have read around 180ish books. The sad thing is, for every 10 books I have read, only about 1-3 books make it into my 4-5 star range. I am a picky reader and I don’t tend to follow the popular trends of the 50 Shades type books or the New Adult favorites but I do follow my emotions. So, here’s a list of books that emotionally moved me in 2013. Some books were published this year but most were just what I read this year.
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
I loved this young adult novel about a tortured girl who meets a boy who also has a sad past. These two reluctantly become friends and eventually help each other heal. It is written so beautifully and emotionally.
On Demon Wings by Karina Halle
This is the 5th book of the Experiment in Terror series which follows a duo team in a ghost hunter type reality show. This is by far my favorite book in the series since the possession felt so real and freaked me out a lot! If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I highly recommend it for paranormal fans.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
A thought provoking womens fiction novel about a woman who accepts a job as a care taker of a quadriplegic man. It is emotionally written and I felt a very strong connection to the characters.
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
This is a refreshing Young Adult novel about a girl who tries to change herself to fit in but at the end, she really just needs to be who she is. It is a book full of hurt, pain, bullying but also a very inspiring coming of age story.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I loved this young adult novel. It is a very sweet romance with humorous banter, awkwardness, sometimes embarrassment as well as realistic first-love cheesiness. This book is written thoughtfully with so much truth to how life, love and family can be.
Meant to Be
Up the Challenge
by Terri Osburn
These contemporary romance books surprised me because the formula for small town romance seem to be the same in most books. So, to find Terri Osburn’s Anchor Island was refreshing. She writes humor with just the right subtle amount without overdoing it.
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell
I highly recommend this book for Western Romance fans. This author isn’t afraid to write the grittiness of the American Western life but also finds the beauty among it.
Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
This is an oldie contemporary romance published in 1996. If you are a CR fan, Ms. Phillips is a must read. This particular book has a very different but fun storyline about an arranged marriage and a circus. Circus, you ask? Yes, circus. You must pick this book out to find out more!
World After by Susan Ee
This is a young adult/sci-fi/dystopia/paranormal/post apocalyptic novel which I waited over two years for it to come out and it was definitely worth the wait. This is the follow up to Angelfall. The setting is in the San Francisco Bay Area and I loved how Susan Ee portrayed how the end of the world would alter this area and its people. If you're a fan of this genre, I highly suggest you read this!
Well, that’s my list of favorites in 2013. I look forward to finding more gems in 2014!
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