Hi everyone! Welcome to another monthly wrap-up here at Stardust and Words. I had a super productive month in March, which I'm really happy about. I managed to read 15 books and post 8 reviews, which I think is a personal record for me. A couple of them were classics too, which furthers my goal of reading at least one classic a month in 2016. I hope that y'all had great months in March! Tell me what you read and loved in the comments :)
1. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë (4)
Orphaned into the
household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at
Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit
and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls
in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful
marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's
passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society
traditionally allowed.
With a heroine full of yearning, the
dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes,
Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to
engage and provoke readers.
2. Some Kind of Happiness – Claire Legrand (4.5)
THINGS FINLEY HART DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT
• Her parents, who are having problems. (But they pretend like they’re not.)
• Being sent to her grandparents’ house for the summer.
• Never having met said grandparents.
• Her blue days—when life feels overwhelming, and it’s hard to keep her head up. (This happens a lot.)
Finley’s
only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages
of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her
grandparents’ house and realizes the Everwood is real--and
holds more mysteries than she'd ever imagined, including a family of
pirates that she isn’t allowed to talk to, trees covered in ash, and a
strange old wizard living in a house made of bones.
With the help
of her cousins, Finley sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood
and uncover its secrets. But as the mysteries pile up and the
frightening sadness inside her grows, Finley realizes that if she wants
to save the Everwood, she’ll first have to save herself.
Reality and fantasy collide in this powerful, heartfelt novel about family, depression, and the power of imagination.
3. The Crown and the Arrow (The Wrath and the Dawn #0.5) – Renée Ahdieh (3)
Seventy-one days and
seventy-one nights had come and gone since Khalid began killing his
brides. This dawn, Khalid would mark the loss of the seventy-second
girl, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran. Khalid didn’t know how many more of these
dawns he could take. And there was something about this latest girl that
piqued his interest. Not only had she volunteered to marry him, but at
their wedding ceremony, she had seemed not the least bit afraid. In
fact, what he had seen in her eyes was nothing short of pure hatred. She
was about to lose her life. Why wasn’t she afraid? Why did she hate him
so? He had never before gone to his wife’s chambers before her death at
dawn. Tonight would be different.
4. Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins (5+)*
Anna is looking forward
to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best
friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is
less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in
Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.
But
in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of
romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?
5. A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes #1) – Brittany Cavallaro (4.5)
The last thing Jamie
Watson wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep
school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the
only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the
famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, who has inherited
not only Sherlock’s genius but also his volatile temperament. From
everything Jamie has heard about Charlotte, it seems safer to admire her
from afar.
From the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy
between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything
else. But when a Sherringford student dies under suspicious
circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock
Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Jamie
and Charlotte are being framed for murder, and only Charlotte can clear
their names. But danger is mounting and nowhere is safe—and the only
people they can trust are each other.
6. The Word For Yes – Claire Needell (2)
After their parents’
divorce, Jan, Erika, and Melanie have to get used to the new world
order: a father who’s moved to another continent and a mother who throws
herself into moving on. Jan, off at her first semester of college, has
plenty to worry about, including an outspoken roommate who’s kind of
“out there” and an increasingly depressed and troubled long-distance
boyfriend. Her younger sisters, left at home in New York City, and
dealing with all the pressures of life in high school, aren’t exactly
close. Erika is serious and feels awkward and uncomfortable in crowds,
though her beauty tends to attract attention. Melanie is socially savvy
and just wants to go out—to concerts, to parties, wherever—with her
friends. The gap between all three girls widens as each day passes.
Then,
at a party full of blurred lines and blurred memories, everything
changes. Starting that night, where there should be words, there is only
angry, scared silence.
And in the aftermath, Jan, Erika, and Melanie will have to work hard to reconnect and help one another heal.
At
once touching and raw, Claire Needell’s first novel is an honest look
at the love and conflicts among sisters and friends, and how these
relationships can hold us together—and tear us apart.
7. Ivy – Sarah Oleksyk (2)
Ivy, a teenager from a
small town, longs to leave and pursue her dream of becoming a painter.
But life isn't easy when you never know the right thing to say. After
beginning a long-distance relationship with a kindred spirit, Ivy gets a
glimpse of freedom too good to pass up. Only while trying to escape her
troubles does she start to understand that while she can leave home,
she can't run away from herself.
8. Rebel of the Sands – Alwyn Hamilton (5)
She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.
Mortals
rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the
wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still
practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about
Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from.
Destined
to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills
to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and
devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures
he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of
leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse,
fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for
treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or
that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is.
9. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) – Cassandra Clare (5)*
In a time when
Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of
darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome
to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the
New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
The
year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural
underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her
only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem,
the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up
against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons,
warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable
clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and
only Tessa and her allies can stop them...
10. Devil and the Bluebird – Jennifer Mason-Black (4)
“Devil-at-the-crossroads” folklore finds its way to YA via this moody, magical tale
Blue
Riley has wrestled with her own demons ever since the loss of her
mother to cancer. But when she encounters a beautiful devil at her town
crossroads, it’s her runaway sister’s soul she fights to save. The devil
steals Blue’s voice—inherited from her musically gifted mother—in
exchange for a single shot at finding Cass.
Armed with her
mother’s guitar, a knapsack of cherished mementos, and a pair of magical
boots, Blue journeys west in search of her sister. When the devil
changes the terms of their deal, Blue must reevaluate her understanding
of good and evil and open herself to finding family in unexpected
places.
In Devil and the Bluebird, Jennifer Mason-Black delivers a heart-wrenching depiction of loss and hope.
11. A Fierce and Subtle Poison – Samantha Mabry (3)
Everyone knows the
legends about the cursed girl--Isabel, the one the señoras whisper
about. They say she has green skin and grass for hair, and she feeds on
the poisonous plants that fill her family’s Caribbean island garden.
Some say she can grant wishes; some say her touch can kill.
Seventeen-year-old
Lucas lives on the mainland most of the year but spends summers with
his hotel-developer father in Puerto Rico. He’s grown up hearing stories
about the cursed girl, and he wants to believe in Isabel and her magic.
When letters from Isabel begin mysteriously appearing in his room the
same day his new girlfriend disappears, Lucas turns to Isabel for
answers--and finds himself lured into her strange and enchanted world.
But time is running out for the girl filled with poison, and the more
entangled Lucas becomes with Isabel, the less certain he is of escaping
with his own life.
12. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli (5)*
Sixteen-year-old and
not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school
musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at
risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being
blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his
sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of
Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With
some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends,
and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every
day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated.
Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort
zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising
himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing,
adorable guy he’s never met.
13. Wink Poppy Midnight – April Genevieve Tucholke (3) (link to GR review)
Every story needs a hero.
Every story needs a villain.
Every story needs a secret.
Wink
is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy
is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen
bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink.
Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the
page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and
inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.
What really happened?
Someone knows.
Someone is lying.
14. The Crying of Lot 49 – Thomas Pynchon (2)
The highly original
satire about Oedipa Maas, a woman who finds herself enmeshed in a
worldwide conspiracy, meets some extremely interesting characters, and
attains a not inconsiderable amount of self knowledge.
15. Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys (3)
Wide Sargasso Sea,
a masterpiece of modern fiction, was Jean Rhys’s return to the literary
center stage. She had a startling early career and was known for her
extraordinary prose and haunting women characters. With Wide Sargasso Sea,
her last and best-selling novel, she ingeniously brings into light one
of fiction’s most fascinating characters: the madwoman in the attic from
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. This mesmerizing work introduces
us to Antoinette Cosway, a sensual and protected young woman who is
sold into marriage to the prideful Mr. Rochester. Rhys portrays Cosway
amidst a society so driven by hatred, so skewed in its sexual relations,
that it can literally drive a woman out of her mind.
A new introduction by the award-winning Edwidge Danticat, author most recently of Claire of the Sea Light,
expresses the enduring importance of this work. Drawing on her own
Caribbean background, she illuminates the setting’s impact on Rhys and
her astonishing work.
Hope you guys had a great March!
xx
Caroline
Showing posts with label tid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tid. Show all posts
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
top ten tuesday recent five stars
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is "March 29: 10 Of My Most Recent 5 Star Reads (Or Ten Of The Best
Books I've Read Recently if you don't 5 star stuff...or you could do 5
of my latest five star reads & five of my most disappointing or 1
star reads)" And BOY do I LOVE talking about my latest five star reviews so HERE WE GO!



1. Clockwork Prince – Cassandra Clare
This was a reread for me, one of my absolute favorite series. If you haven't read The Infernal Devices yet, honestly, what are you doing with your life? Will Herondale is my number one book crush, and I identify so much with Tessa. These books are incredible! Y'all need to give them a chance if you haven't already :)
2. Rebel of the Sands – Alwyn Hamilton
This is hands-down a top three favorite read of the year for me. It totally snuck up, I wasn't expecting to even read it, let alone love it as much as I did. Kickass protagonist, interesting setting, incredible potential for further installments, I just loved it all.
3. Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins
Another reread on this list, but this is one of my favorite books of all time! I love basically everything about this book, and every time I read it, the love I have just seems to grow. I love the setting, Paris is such a romantic city, and Anna and Etienne are one of the best couples in YA, to me!
4. Kings Rising – C.S. Pacat
OMG YOU GUYS! This series!! This book is the third and final installment of the trilogy, and it's without a doubt my favorite. There were so many scenes that made me squeal and die from feelings. I can't stress enough how much I love this series.
5. Prince's Gambit – C.S. Pacat
Basically, refer back to what I just said about Kings Rising, apply it to Prince's Gambit, and then read these books and die over how amazing they are.

6. Me Before You – Jojo Moyes
I'll be honest, I've seen Jojo Moyes' books before, but I didn't think about picking any of them up until after I saw the trailer for the movie based on this book. But boy, am I glad that I picked it up. It ended up being heartbreaking and beautiful, and now I can't wait for the movie to come out!
7. I'll Meet You There – Heather Demetrios
This is another one that I wasn't expecting to love. I saw a couple good reviews of it and picked it up because I was kind of in a reading slump at the time. It snapped me right out of it and surprised me on every single page by how much I loved it.
8. Passenger – Alexandra Bracken
I only read the first book of the Darkest Minds series, and I really enjoyed it, but I've just never finished the series. Passenger's premise was something that immediately sparked my interest though, and I ended up falling in love with the book, the characters, and the time-travel aspect of it. Definitely cannot wait for Wayfarer to come out!
9. Truthwitch –Susan Dennard
This was probably the most hyped book of 2015 into 2016, I just heard glowing review after glowing review about it. I was a little apprehensive, because after all of that hype, it would've been so easy for Truthwitch to fall short, but I ended up ADORING this book. I can just tell that this is going to be a new epic series.
10. Ten Thousand Skies Above You – Claudia Gray
I love this series, and I feel like it doesn't get enough love. These settings are so incredible and I am so invested in the happiness of all of these characters! Definitely read these first two books before the third one comes out in November!
what is on your lists this week?
xx
Caroline
Friday, February 12, 2016
HAMILTON booktag
Umm, so basically, like just about everyone else in the world right now, I'm obsessed with Hamilton. If you've been living under a rock and haven't heard about it, it is a hip-hop Broadway musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton. It's one of the most amazing things to ever exist in the world, and its creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, is one of my favorite people ever, and the creator of another popular show, In The Heights. When I saw that Krystianna did this tag over on her wonderful blog, Downright Dystopian, I knew that I had to do this one as well! So thank you Krystianna for the tag and also for the images of the song titles, which I am borrowing here! Here is the link to the OP of this tag. Here we go!
I would love to be a Shadowhunter. Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series were some of the first books that I read that really got me into the online book community. They remain some of my favorites, and I love the idea that, in this world, the fantastic is just right under everyone's noses. I would want to be a Shadowhunter for sure, but just seeing vampires and werewolves and seelies and warlocks would be incredible for me. Or, taking it even further, going back to Victorian London and being a Shadowhunter there would be just as amazing.
Louis Lane from Gwenda Bond's incredible series! I read the first book over the summer, and the second one is supposed to be coming out later this year. I don't hear nearly enough praise for this book, because I think that it is wonderful, and Lois is an incredible character. She's a precocious loudmouth who can't keep her nose where it belongs, which is useful, because it gets her into all kinds of scrapes that are both exciting and rather funny. I love the idea that Lois Lane has always been incredible, and she doesn't need Clark Kent to make her so. Love this book, can't wait for the next one.
Of course, I'm going with Delilah Bard from The Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab. The second novel is out next week (!!!!) so there's still time to hop on this incredible bangwagon. Lila a swashbuckling fiend who dreams of getting out of the gray doldrums of London, where she is trapped in a man's world. When she runs across Kell, a magical traveler, she sees it as her opportunity to become something more than the hand she's been dealt, and follows him into the unknown, hoping for adventure and, just maybe, a ship to fuel her escape into the unknown.
What else can I choose but the relationship in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth??? No spoilers here, if you haven't already had your heart ripped mercilessly out of your chest, but this is one of the saddest endings to a book or series that I have ever run across. I think I cried just as much the first time I read TFIOS as I did when I finished Allegiant, and that is saying something, for sure. I swear, this was the most unnecessary plot twist in the entire world, and I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that it actually happened.
Besides King George himself, who I would pick if I could, I am going to go with basically everyone from Vicious by V.E. Schwab (her second appearance on this list, woohoo) There is a lot of gray area over who is evil and who is not, and I'm not sure there is ever even a clear answer about who we are supposed to root for, but the one thing that I do know is that everyone in this book has their sassy moments, for sure.

I thought that I saw the plot twist coming in the end of Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass series, but it turns out I was MISTAKEN. It took me totally by surprised, the direction that Mass took the character of Celaena, and she continued with that amazing arc through the third and fourth books. Queen of Shadows had about 15 plot twists that I totally didn't see coming, and I loved every single second of it. From the reveal moment in the second book, these books have not taken their foot off the gas.
When the fourth book came out last summer, I marathoned all of The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer. I think that these lend themselves really well to marathoning. They are middle grade, which makes them super quick and fun reads, and the world is so fun to slip into, you won't realize that you've read through two books before you reach for the third one. I would definitely recommend this series to fairy tale and MG fantasy lovers. The characters and the plot events are just wildly entertaining.
I am a huge fan of multiple POVs. I absolutely love reading from many different character's perspectives, especially if it is done right. The most recent book that I loved with multiple POVs was Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. There are six main characters in this novel, and all of them have such a distinct voice. Bardugo manages to juggle them expertly, giving them all screen time without detracting from the depth of their characters. Love love love this novel, so sad that it is only going to be a duet.





Besides King George himself, who I would pick if I could, I am going to go with basically everyone from Vicious by V.E. Schwab (her second appearance on this list, woohoo) There is a lot of gray area over who is evil and who is not, and I'm not sure there is ever even a clear answer about who we are supposed to root for, but the one thing that I do know is that everyone in this book has their sassy moments, for sure.



I am a huge fan of multiple POVs. I absolutely love reading from many different character's perspectives, especially if it is done right. The most recent book that I loved with multiple POVs was Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. There are six main characters in this novel, and all of them have such a distinct voice. Bardugo manages to juggle them expertly, giving them all screen time without detracting from the depth of their characters. Love love love this novel, so sad that it is only going to be a duet.

Um, duh.
(This is spoilery, obviously)
Basically, the end of The Book Thief destroyed me, and I wish that I could go in there and make the bomb not fall, saving everyone close to Liesel, but especially Rudy. I swear to God, when Rudy died, I wanted to rip out my own hair and just cry forever, which I basically did. This book is so beautiful and heartbreaking, especially in the end, and I love it for that and also in spite of it.
If you love Hamilton and want to do this tag, please do and comment a link to your post!! I would love to see what you guys come up with!
xx
Sunny
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Top 13 Books of 2013
Well. 2013 is over, and 2014 is here! While I'm so excited about all the releases and books scheduled for 2014, I think its important to sit back and think about all the wonderful books we've hugged, thrown and cried on in 2013. And so, when I watched Katytastic's year end wrap up on YouTube, I was inspired.
The way Kat does it is that an author is only allowed to be on the list once, all books are allowed as long as they are new-to-you (aka: they don't have to have 2013 publishing dates), no rereads count, and finally, this list is not in order of favorites, but more chronological order. Let's get to it!
1) Dark Star- Bethany Frenette
This was one of the first books I read in 2013. I have always been a superhero buff, and I feel like YA just doesn't really touch on the subject that much. So I was so excited to read this. The world was well built up in this one, and there were a lot of questions left unanswered, so I will look forward to reading the sequel, "Burn Bright," which is out this year.
Find it on goodreads
2) Ascend- Book 3 in the Trylle Trilogy- Amanda Hocking
This is the third book in a trilogy, and I marathoned all three books back in January. I must say, the conclusion was my favorite of the three. I loved the way the relationships developed, the ending of the conflict, and the growth of the characters, especially our main character, Wendy. Also, trolls are not a fantasy race that you often see written about, so I enjoyed getting that perspective.
Find it on goodreads
3) Clockwork Princess- Book 3 in the Infernal Devices Trilogy- Cassandra Clare
If I had to pick a favorite book of 2013, this would probably be it. The Infernal Devices is one of my favorite series- ever, and this conclusion was so stunningly beautiful and wonderful and heartbreaking, I don't think I'll ever get over it. I was so sad to say goodbye to Tessa, Will and Jem, but this book was so perfectly written, I daresay I wouldn't want any other books about them. I laughed, I cried (for more than a fair bit of it) and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Find it on goodreads
4) Scarlet- Book 2 of the Lunar Chronicles Quarter- Marissa Meyer
Boy oh boy do I love this series. I read the first book, Cinder, in 2012, and I did like it a little better than Scarlet, but since they were in different years Scarlet definitely makes its way onto this list. I absolutely loved this futuristic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. The new characters are just as amazing as the old ones that also feature in this story. I love the way Marissa Meyer writes- its quick paced and never drags, and the way she weaves the elements of the fairytales into these futuristic settings is phenomenal. The Lunar Chronicles is an amazing series, and I can't wait to read the next installment. (Cress, its out February 2014)
Find it on goodreads
5) The Host- Stephenie Meyer
I got this book for Christmas in 2011, and I never finished it, because that was when Twilight was really uncool and I didn't want to be seen with anything by Stephenie Meyer. But I picked it up this year out of curiosity and it turns out I absolutely loved it. It drags a bit in the beginning, but once you get into it, it is a truly amazing story. I haven't read much involving aliens, but this was a really well-written version of them. I love the characters most of all in this book, because at some points the plot does drag, but the characters redeem the story.
Find it on goodreads
6) The Evolution of Mara Dyer- Michelle Hodkin
This is the second book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, and I think this book just built upon the amazing story that Michelle Hodkin set up in the first book. I love the idea of the unreliable narrator, and the fact that no one can tell what's real and not real. The whole element of psychological problems and insanity really edges out the book. Also, dat cliffhanger doe. So insane. I was reading this in ebook form and I didn't know the end was the end so... that was so scary. I can't wait for the third book, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, out in June.
Find it on goodreads
7) The Fifth Wave- Rick Yancey
Oh my god. This book was a thrill ride from start to finish. I read it on a plane from the east coast to Germany. Nine hours, the book was done. I loved every minute of it. Its got a kick-ass heroine, a quick-paced plot, and a cute boy. What's not to love? This book was also scary because- it could happen. Its not so far off from the truth that you can just discount it as fiction. It could happen. I am so looking forward to the second book in this series.
find it on goodreads
8) Siege and Storm- Book 2 in the Grisha trilogy- Leigh Bardugo
I love this world. This is one of my favorite worlds. In it exists a race of people who are gifted in one way or another, all pledged to the service of a king and a darkling. This is the second book in a planned trilogy, and I thought that book 2 had so many more twists and turns, which I found more enjoyable. The second installment also sets up for what is sure to be an unforgettable book three.
Find it on goodreads
9) Apollyon- Book 4 in the Covenant series- Jennifer L. Armentrout
This is one of my top five favorite series, and I am so glad I picked it up in 2013. I love all four books that I've read so far (the fifth and final was recently released, but I haven't picked it up yet) and the two novellas. To me, this is a grown up Percy Jackson crossed with Vampire Academy. I'm completely taken by this series. It is one of two series that has ever had me in the fetal position, sobbing. There are many feels involved. I love all the books the same, so picking one is arbitrary, but Apollyon is book four and so I picked it. I love love love this series.
Find it on goodreads
10) Fangirl- Rainbow Rowell
This book could fight Clockwork Princess for the top spot of 2013. I absolutely love everything Rainbow Rowell writes (her other YA book, Eleanor and Park, was also a contender for this list), but Fangirl just spoke to me in a way few other books have. I think its for every person who has ever fangirled over something. I saw myself in the main character and in the plot, and I was laughing and crying and enjoying every minute of it. I wish there was more about these characters, because I would read it in a heartbeat. I'm hard pressed to think of too many other books that I enjoyed more than this.
Find it on goodreads
11) The House of Hades- Book 4 in the Heroes of Olympus Series- Rick Riordan
I've loved Rick Riordan since I was in middle school. I passed through those years on Percy Jackson, and when Heroes of Olympus came along, I just loved him all the more. House of Hades is just the next, best, installment in the series. There's not much more to say except that after this book, I can honestly say I love each and every character for a different reason. Even the ones I didn't really like before, I love them now. These books are 100% amazing.
Find it on goodreads
12) The Coldest Girl in Coldtown- Holly Black
I don't normally read a lot of vampire novels, but this one I read and loved. There was something creepy about it, but that creep-factor grabbed my attention and I was held rapt until the end of the story. I just posted a full review here, so go check it out and you can see all my thoughts on this book.
Find it on goodreads
13) These Broken Stars- Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Last but not least, here comes These Broken Stars. At first, it reminded me of Titanic in space, but it grew to be so much more than that. I love things that take place in space, and I'm fascinated by space and space travel, so I already loved the premise of this book before I even started it. I loved the survival aspect of it, the character growth, and the way the relationship moved from page one to the end. It was an extremely worthwhile read.
Find it on goodreads
So, that was really difficult. I read so many wonderful books in 2013, and narrowing it down was hard, man. But, there you have it, my top 13 of 2013. May 2014 be filled with just as many amazing reads.
xx
Sunny
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