This December I am once again hosting some of my favorite bloggers here on Katie’s Book Blog. I asked them to pick a few of their favorite books from 2013 and their one most anticipated book of 2014.
Today I have Jen from The Uninterrupted Reader!
I am a High School English/Reading Teacher and Literacy Coach. Reading has always been a passion of mine (as a kid, I used my digital alarm clock to illuminate the words on the page when my parents said “lights out”), so what better way to share that passion than with a blog.
I started this blog to keep track of my reading, recommend books to my students, and hopefully, to inspire a few more lifelong readers. Reading is a life-changing experience; a good book is something that can forever leave an imprint on a person. This blog is a way for me to share the books that left imprints on me, so hopefully you can discover them as well.
Enjoy my Best Books of 2013 (boy, is it hard to narrow down this year’s books) and, as always, Happy Reading!
Best Debut Novel
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
I’m not usually one for creepy or historical fiction, but this book blew me away. From the creepy cover to the fantastic last words, this book had me glancing over my shoulder for ghosts in the dark.
Best Start of Series
Pivot Point by Kasie West
A book that had me putting aside school work, tuning out my husband’s (loud) band practice, and staying up late into the night to finish. An all-around great read (hard to believe this is West’s first novel)! This is a sequel I can’t wait to get my hand on!
Best Series Finale
Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu
I don’t want to give anything away, but I absolutely loved this series from start to finish! Yes, I loved the Divergent series, too, but Legend’s ending is just perfect. Well done, Marie Lu!
Best Standalone
Reality Boy by A.S. King
This should probably be in a three-way tie for best book all-around, but I’ll let it have its own category; it deserves it. Funny and yet oh-so-anger-inducing, Gerald’s story will stick with me for a long time.
Best Unexpected Favorite
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
I picked this book up just to cross it off my TBR list, and HOLY COW! I couldn’t stop! I’m not normally a vampire fan, and what I’ve read of Holly Black in the past didn’t wow me, but this book…wow. Creepy, romantic, a bit gory (gross), but all-around amazing and a lot of fun!
Best All Around
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Winger by Andrew Smith
It’s a tie between Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park and Andrew Smith’s Winger. I cannot possibly choose between these two – I love them both with almost an obsessive nature.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: Love! Love! Love! I cannot, even months after finishing this book, get Eleanor and Park (the characters) out of my head. This book was extremely emotional for me; not in that I cried a lot (just teared up a few times), but in the range of emotions I felt. I found myself laughing out loud, which earned me some weird looks from my husband and dog. there were also points when I just couldn’t stop smiling, even when I wasn’t reading. These two characters are just too darn cute – their awkwardness, innocence, and love was just beautiful. Multiple times I just had to book down, lay my hands on it, close my eyes, and revel in the story. Rainbow Rowell’s writing? Holy cow! It connected to my soul (I know that sounds exaggerated, but I’m dead serious).
Winger by Andrew Smith: WOW! Just wow! It’s a special book; simple as that. Winger left me uplifted and yet heartbroken, it made me laugh and then cry, it left a serious imprint on my soul. This book is just so honest and real. Plus, it’s not pretty; everything doesn’t fit perfectly together, and it’s definitely not tied up in a pretty bow at the end. Hence, the reality of the story. Life isn’t perfect, life isn’t pretty, and everything doesn’t resolve nicely even though our studied plot diagram would have us believe so. Smith beautifully writes in unexpected turns, lost friendships, terrible but understandable decisions and frustrating (for the reader) conclusions. Again, real life.
Most Anticipated 2014 Release!
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Ahhhh June 10th is still SO FAR AWAY! I need to know how Mara’s story is going to end, and most importantly, I need some more Noah Shaw…swoon! If you haven’t started this series yet, stop everything and do so now!
What do you guys think of Jen’s choices? Have you read any of them? Do you agree with her about any of them?
Make sure to check back tomorrow for the next blogger’s picks!
I’d love to read Winger because the boy’s voice is perfect according to all the reviews! He’s an awesome author – and Jen’s top picks are always a sure hit 🙂