Friday, December 20, 2013

Jess' Top 7 of 2013

I read so many good books this year! Of course, I say that every year - and every year, it's true. :) I didn't hit my reading goal, as this year was a year of changes, but I still feel comfortable with the amount that I have read.

This year I tried to mix in even amounts of indie authors with traditionally published authors, but most of my favorite books this year weighed in on the traditionally published side. Please note that these are books I read this year, not necessarily books that came out this year.

Without further ado, here are my top 7 books from 2013:

#7: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Not only did I love this book, I LOVED this series! Wasn't a huge fan of the movie, but that's how it generally goes with that sort of thing. :) I think you definitely need to check it out if you haven't yet and are a fantasy novel fan.

#6: The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom
Even if you're not religious, I think you'll appreciate this book. The main character is actually a skeptic which makes it very enjoyable. It leaves you thinking "What if?"

#5: Reach: A Twin Bred Novel by Karen A. Wyle
Pretty sure this author deserves to be discovered by a big time publisher, because I just plain love her books! The first book of this series made my Top 7 list in 2011, and her second book deserves it just as much. If you like SciFi, check her out - you won't be disappointed.

#4: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
This takes the idea of "new spins on fairytales" into a steampunk realm and rocks it! You'll have fun placing the characters, and will probably enjoy the "Cinderella meets Firefly" feel to this book. The second book in the series is just as good, and there's a third book coming out in 2014 that I"m sure I will love!

#3: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Take a post-apocalyptic future, add in a touch of government conspiracy and a faint echo of Little House on the Prairie (no lie!) and you have this incredible book! I loved the simpleness of this book, which takes almost as much talent to write as a very complicated book.

#2: The Never List by Koethi Zan
This book was dark, and haunted me - but it really deserves to be here! It's not very often that a scary book makes it on my list, so you know it has to be good. Not a great book to read before bed, but you could read it during the day. ;)

#1: The Host by Stephanie Meyer
I'm not the biggest Stephanie Meyer fangirl, but this book was leaps and bounds above the Twilight series - so if you like that series, you'll like this book! This is another post-apocalyptic novel, but in an "alien invasion" way, and it really drives home the idea of second chances. Not only was this a great book, but it was also a solidly good movie!

What were YOUR top books in 2013?

Recommended Read: The Never List by Koethi Zan

The Never ListThe Never List by Koethi Zan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A chilling and twisted tale told from the point of view of a woman with OCD held captive in a cellar for three years by a sadistic and evil man. As she unravels the past to insure he doesn't get parole, she discovers an even darker and more sinister plot involving more women then she could have ever imagined. This is a terrifying story and not for the faint of heart, but a story that deserves to be read because of its brilliance.

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Recommended Read: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not a Drop to Drink Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A chilling look into the not so distant future where the government controls almost all water, and uses that as a means to control it's citizens. The plot is suspenseful, the characters brilliantly hardened by circumstances and intertwined in their struggle for survival. This is a truly remarkable book from a promising new author and well worth the read!

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Recommended Read: Reach by Karen A Wyle

Reach: A Twin-Bred Novel (Twin-Bred, #2)Reach: A Twin-Bred Novel by Karen A. Wyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored Karen's first novel Twin Bred - in fact, it made it into one of my Top Books of 2011 (http://authorjess.blogspot.com/2011/1... ). So when she asked if I'd like to read her next book in the series, I jumped at the chance! I was definitely not disappointed.

Twin Bred are growing up fast as they set forth toward a new land and a new destiny far away from their home world. We get to find out more about the two who were left behind and find their paths linked once more, and all of the Twin Bred learn that difficulties can arise in any environment. The characters develop nicely, the plot is interesting, and the pace is just right. Another wonderful book by a great author!

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