Top Ten Tuesday – Best of 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week they come up with a topic and invite whoever wants to add their own list to their own blog.

Today’s topic is actually supposed to be about my goals/resolutions for 2014, but I’ve actually already posted about this! Check out my general resolutions and my bookish resolutions!

Last week, however, I didn’t participate in TTT… don’t remember why. But after reading everyone’s posts about what their favorite books of 2013 were, I felt bad that I didn’t! So I’m going to participate this week! 🙂

Here are my Top Ten Books I Read in 2013:

Eleanor & Park – Was this NOT anyone’s favorite? Here is the most perfect imperfect love story with amazing dynamic characters who are average people – this is the kind of story I love to relate to

Honorable mention – Fangirl because you cannot list a Rainbow book without adding every other one you’ve read!

Crown of Midnight – Throne of Glass was pretty phenomenal for me but this one… this one blew the lid off of my excitement! It was so much more than ToG in that the characters were amazing. Celeana, hands down one of my favorite heroines, really came alive in this book and I was so excited we finally got to see her badassery come out.

Unravel Me – Two words: Chapter 62.

Another Little Piece – This one was one of those books that I didn’t feel got enough buzz. It honestly was SO good and spooky. But not in a “omg it’s coming up the stairs!” spooky kind of way. More in a I’m not really sure what’s going on and I’m pretty sure this is gross and weird but I must find out so it can scare the pants off of me. Read it.

Whistling Past the Graveyard – Not my kind of book and had we not read this for book club I never would have picked it up. But I’m very very glad that I did. I love that it expanded my range of books as well as entertained me. I’d love to say it was eyeopening or taught me a valuable lesson… but when you practically grew up in the same city where Bloody Sunday took place (the Alabama one, not the billion other ones out there) you kind of know about prejudice of the 60s. However, despite that, this was really a great look into these prejudices, the South, and honestly… just a really great look at people of all walks.

Across a Star Swept Sea – Everything about this one was great – the setting, the characters, the plot; I honestly couldn’t tell you a single thing I disliked. I really wish Peterfreund was going to write more in this world, but since I don’t think she is (unless I’m wrong…) I’m very satisfied that this one was the final in this companion series.

The Book of Broken Hearts – My SC girls and I totally fangirled over this one as well as bonded over it. There were just so many different aspects to this book that we all managed to identify with. It was also a truly, truly lovely book that inspired hope and love and all the feely things that come with family.

The Dream Thieves  – Kiki over at Gone Pecan stated “these books are not just books but experiences.” Meaning both this one and The Raven Boys. Anyway, I wanted to hug her and this statement because yes… this is EXACTLY how I feel about this book and wasn’t able to put into words just what this book is and means.

Where the Stars Shine – This book made Trish Dollar one of my favorite authors and it’s the only book I’ve read by her. I didn’t have high expectations going in, but within the first few pages I was hooked, unable to stop reading and loving every moment of it.

Rose Under Fire – I still get teary thinking about this one. It was honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read, not just this year. It opened up thoughts that I didn’t know existed in my head.

Here’s to 2014 bringing in tons of other wonderful, wonderful books!