2013 was not one of my best years in reading. I was so swamped with schoolwork that I barely had time to read. I had to lower my Goodreads goal by a lot this year and I was worried I still wouldn’t make it. However, I may not have read a ton of books but the ones I did read were pretty damn great. Here are my top 13 books of 2013!
(Links go to my reviews.) (In no particular order.)
I adored Kasie West’s debut novel. I was a little afraid to read it since I’d been hearing such good things about it but the hype was all true. I loved Addie and Trevor and Laila and I can’t wait to find out how their story ends in Split Second. If you’re looking for something with alternate realities and an awesome romance/friendship, check this one out.
Taken is unlike any other dystopian out there right now and I think that’s the main reason why I loved it so much. I have been so underwhelmed by most dystopian novels lately but that was not the case with Taken, at all. If you’re looking for a fresh dystopian, try this one.
First contemporary on the list but definitely not the last! How To Love is on my list of all time favorite novels. I am not usually a fan of anything to do with teen pregnancy but it was done so well in How To Love. It was beyond adorable and I loved Sawyer and Reena. If you’re a fan of contemporary, check this one out for sure!
#4 Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3) by Katie McGarry
Like I said, definitely not the last contemporary on the list. Crash Into You, the third novel in the Pushing the Limits series, is by far my favorite. I loved finding out more about Isaiah and if it’s possible, I love him even more now. He and Rachel were great together and their story had me captivated from start to finish. This is another one I have to recommend for contemporary fans.
What do you know, another contemporary novel. I will admit that I haven’t read Eleanor & Park yet but after reading and loving Fangirl, I plan to get to it very soon. Fangirl is one of my all time favorite books. I really felt like I connected with Cath and I adored her story. Oh and there’s Levi. Just saying. Read this one. Now.
This one is technically new adult which I don’t normally care for but that was not the case with this one. I was hooked from the very beginning and I devoured this book. Nastya and Josh have one of the sweetest (even if a little messed up) relationships and I thought they were perfect for each other. This one was a little darker but I still found myself smiling at the end. It’s another one I’d recommend to contemporary fans especially if you’re looking for a good NA novel.
This is quickly becoming a list of all my favorite contemporary novels of 2013. The Book of Broken Hearts is another addition to my list of favorites from Sarah Ockler. I have yet to be disappointed by any of her books (including #scandal which will be out in 2014). I think my favorite thing about The Book of Broken Hearts was the family aspect. Sure, there was a fabulous romance, but there was so much more to this story. I highly recommend it!
Shadow and Bone is the book responsible for turning me into a fantasy fan so it’s only right that it’s sequel earned a place on this list. Siege and Storm may be a middle book but it so does not suffer from the sequel syndrome. I devoured this book and was left wanting so much more. The wait for Ruin and Rising is going to be pure torture. You should read this one though and join me in the torturous wait.
I was late reading this one and I seriously regret that. I was a huge fan of Alexandra Bracken’s debut novel, Brightly Woven, but for some reason I just didn’t pick up The Darkest Minds. It wasn’t that it didn’t appeal to me, I just kept pushing it off. I’m so glad I decided to stop putting it off. It’s one of my favorite dystopian novels and I can’t wait to continue with the series.
I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy The Program since I’ve adored all of Suzanne Young’s previous books but I was still a little nervous. It’s a big departure from her previous stuff and I wasn’t sure if I was going to love it as much. I think I actually loved it more. The Program is brilliantly written and full of characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with. Also, I already read the sequel (and conclusion) and it’s just as perfect. So there’s that. You should really read this one.
#11 Just One Day (Just One Day #1) by Gayle Forman
Just One Year (Just One Day #2) by Gayle Forman
I’m totally cheating here but I figure that since these are companion novels that I read back to back, I’d include them as one entry. That counts, right?
Just One Day and Just One Year are absolutely amazing and I really wouldn’t expect any less from Gayle Forman. I don’t think I loved them as much as If I Stay and Where She Went but they are definitely close seconds. Willem and Allyson were so great and their story was so fun. They are both really quick reads and they are truly perfect for a rainy day.
Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally
I adore Miranda Kenneally and all of her books. Do I really need to say any more? Yes. Fine. There are amazing romances, great family relationships, and some even better friendships. They are fun reads and they are super quick. I can’t get enough of this series.
#13 The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Girl of Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson
The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson
The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns #3) by Rae Carson
I binge read these books right before I met Rae Carson at the Dark Days signing in October. I had heard such good things about them and I was really in the mood for a fantasy novel. I have to agree with every amazing review for these books. Elisa is one kick ass heroine and I adored her. I also adored Hector. Oh my gosh, that boy is amazing. Just saying. This trilogy really did give me all the feels and fantasy fans should really read it.
What were some of your favorite books from 2013? Did any of them make it on my list? Let me know what you think of my choices!
Awesome, you and I had a few of the same books on our top books of 2013 post 🙂 Pivot Point, The Sea of Tranquility & of course, my favorite book of the year, The Program. I totally agree with you that the conclusion to The Program duology was amazing.I did have one of Katie McGarry’s books on my list, but it was Pushing the Limits which was my favorite one of the series (so far)
What an awesome list! I’ve only read 4 books that you listed, but I totally agree with why they’re on your favorites list. HOW TO LOVE & THE PROGRAM were absolutely phenomenal reads, and Suzanne Young definitely surprised me. Ugh, I still need to read FANGIRL and THE DARKEST MINDS, I’ve heard SO many amazing things about those! I’m adding the rest of these to my “must reads for 2014”, thanks for sharing, Katie! Here’s to another year full of great reads 🙂
sooo many favorites of mine as well! I LOOOVED The Program!! Taken was such a good book to! Along with Crash Into You! I know my sister just ADORED The Sea of Tranquility, How to Love, and Fangirl! Great picks!
– Farah
I’ve heard such amazing things about the Girl of Fire and Thorns series. I really want to read that this year! I loved Pivot Point and Crash Into You, too. I’ve heard mixed things about Taken, but I think I’ll definitely have to give it a try. Great picks 🙂
What a great haul, you have 3 I have been dying to read! Darkest Minds, The Program and Taken! What fantastic sounding books. Great picks!
You have some really good ones on your list! Loved The Darkest Minds and Pivot Point. I would love to get my hands on Siege and Storm soon. 🙂
Definitely need to read Pivot Point, Taken, and The Program! Fangirl and How To Love were also on my list of best books of 2013!
We’ve got lots of favorite book in common!! I too LOVED Sarah Ockler’s and Katie Cotugno’s and Fangirl and The Darkest Minds! Miranda Kenneally is a favorite author of mine, so she’s a given and I was so impressed with Katie West’s paranormal! It’s so original 🙂