And I’ll be real here for a minute: I read too much this year. That’s not a humblebrag as some of it wasn’t exactly … highbrow. I know most of you imagine me with heavily beaded necklaces and flowy lady tops, sitting on a window settee in the bay window of a brownstone in Brooklyn, but I’m not quite of that ilk. I’m more the reading in fits and starts in my old polka dot robe while downing giant cups of coffee and eating spinach dip (not together). Got that sexy picture in your head? Yeah, it smacks of ghetto Kroger* $2 paperbacks.
*copyright: Bekah, during our last Boozy Book Club
But not everything I read was tawdry romances. Most of it was really great. I was going to do a round up list of My Favorite Top 5 Books of 2013, which turned into a Top 10 list, which morphed into a categorized, qualified genre list of at least 25 novels. I simply cannot narrow it down. SO, that’s why you’re getting this haphazard, unorganized, blatantly and categorically biased list of what are essentially my picks for Book Court 2013. They’re like Homecoming Princess Court, but without the itchy corsages and slooze dresses. Yanno, a total popularity contest with frivolous rewards. Oh, high school.
End of The Year Book Court 2013
Most Surprising Newcomer: Sea of Tranquility
I talked about Josh Bennett and his future awesomeness in this book boyfriends post, but I never told you guys why Sea of Tranquility was awesome. It kind of came out of nowhere at the beginning of the year, by an unknown author and everyone was going nuts for it at the same time. It was reminiscent of some popular Twilight FanFics, so of course it was an addictive treat to read. It skates the line between YA and NA pretty closely. But it’s the romantic tingles (and the last line) that made it so sweet. And my most surprising like of 2013.
Best Series Ender: Clockwork Princess
This was a difficult choice. I wanted to give this a tie between CP and Boundless, but in the end I had to think of the book and the series as a whole, and not just how much I loved the last pages. Clockwork Princess was one of my most anticipated books of 2013. Years of waiting to see how Tessa, Will and Jem’s story would unfold and ultimately end had me in the bookstore before it opened, and devouring hundreds of pages before lunch. This book leaves you wanting nothing; and it’s very rare for a series to end that way. It also has one of the most gut-wrenching and satisfying epilogues I’ve ever read.
Favorite Newly-Discovered Author: JoJo Moyes
It started with some word of mouth buzz about a newish book: Me Before You. I loved the cover, so I looked into the author’s older books since MBY became our book club pick and I had to wait. I found and devoured The Last Letter from Your Lover, which has dual time frames, love letters, infidelity and a seriously perfect ending. Then my real life book club finally got around to reading MBY and every single one of us loved it. We waited for months for The Girl You Left Behind to come out, and loved it too. The truth was, we were already fangirls for all things JoJo. As evidenced by this ridiculous fake interview I did.
Favorite Romance Novel: About Last Night
I read a lot of romance this year. Some of it shamefully smutty, some of it a little literary and ambitious, and some of it (like this one) juuuuust right. I think Ruthie Knox is a super smart romance author with fun characters and interesting ways to take them down the … girl meets boy – they fall in love against their will – they eventually get it together … road of genre romance. About Last Night has a very hot and conflicted hero and a capable, sexy and intelligent heroine. And it doesn’t skimp on the smex. Just try to get that knitted cowboy hat* image out of your head and you’ll be golden with this one.
*don’t ask
Biggest Breath of Fresh, Dystopian Air: Coda
I talked a little about Anthem in this book boyfriends post, but I don’t think I ever told you guys how incredibly awesome this YA dystopian world is. It’s nothing like how you’ve imagine the rest of them … people separated by ability, faction, sector, etc. There are class designations yes, but this book has some of the most unique prose I read this year. Add to that an intrinsic relationship with music, truly unique characters, and it’s a whole new dystopia. Plus the author* is a total sweetheart.
*wink wink kiss kiss*
Fastest Read: Two Boys Kissing
As soon as I read the blurb for this book I knew I would not be able to wait to read it. Sure enough, I downloaded it at midnight, and was finished with it (but not finished with my tears) by afternoon tea*. Based on the story of two gay friends trying to break the world record for longest kiss, this book is narrated by an older generation of gay men, who died during the AIDS crisis and are looking into the lives of young people now. It has everything: the dissolution of a long term relationship, the flutters of new attraction, the horrors of bullying, and the power of friendship and love. It’s so so so good. And I read it so fast.
*By afternoon tea I mean my 3pm Little Debbie and Dr. Pepper
Slowest Read: Kushiel’s Dart
Oh lord. I like this book a LOT, I do. But I have been reading it for over a month, I still have 200 pages left, and WHO KNOWS when I will be done. It’s this really intriguing genre blend, definitely high fantasy but with an erotica and romance note as well. It’s fascinating, but for some reason, it’s taking me over a month to read it.
Loved to Hate It: Tampa
Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew. This book. If this were a real Homecoming Court, she would be the most beautiful girl in school who is easily the worst person you ever met. Synopsis: Female teacher sets out to seduce her very underage male students. Succeeds. And succeeds in grossing me out forever. Based on a true story out of Tampa, FL this is BY FAR the most disturbing book I read this year (and I read some doozies). And pretty much guarantees that I will never visit Tampa. Just by association. Still, it’s a totally engrossing book if you love to hate your narrator.
Most-Recc-able To Anyone: Night Film
You guys remember this Boozy Book Club pick, right? It was easily one of our favorites so far, so much so that we did a little live chat with the author, Marisha Pessl. One thing I loved about this book is I feel like I can recommend it to anyone. My dad, my co-workers, ladies that love YA, thriller readers. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy reading it to be quite honest. And that is rare. That’s why it’s getting such an honored spot on my Book Court. (Not that you can tell, but it’s like Book Court Princess).
Best Reading Experience: The Bronze Horseman Series
For for Book Court Queen for 2013, I’m going to have to go with these three books. I read the first one while relaxing on the beach with my family, and it was such an emotional roller coaster that it practically ruined my trip. That and those tacos from La Paz. I was such a wreck that I got home and immediately bought the other two books in the series and then just stared at them for months, scared to go on and simultaneously dying to know what happened. The second and third books did not disappoint. Equally amazing, frustrating, terrifying, exhilarating and fantastic. I laughed, cried, yelled, giggled and had a freaking.book.experience with this series. Also, they officially kicked off my realization that I am totally 100% into historical romance. So, congrats Shura and Tatia. I love you. And give you my highest honors of 2013.
So there it is: My Book Court for 2013. I had so many wonderful reads this year, and if you want to see all of them check me out on GoodReads. We’re starting 2014 with The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood for Boozy Book Club. It’s gonna be tough competition for Book Court 2014. Someone better make me some rainbow loom bracelets and bring me Starbucks to homeroom.
