Top 13 Books of 2013

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes...you're doing Something.” -Neil Gaiman

Hello readers, this is my slightly late post on my favourite reads that I read in 2013. 

The books I will talk about are not strictly books that were released in 2013, or that debuted in 2013, but merely books that I read last year . 

There will be links to my review of each books and I will write a sentence or two on what I loved about each book. 

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The following books are not in any order, not in the order I read them in or the order of how much I enjoyed each novel. 

Here we go! 


13. The Song Of Ice & Fire Series by George RR Martin 

Review Links: Game Of Thrones Review  | Clash of Kings Review | Storm of Swords Review |

Why I loved It: Okay, so I only read the first three books in the A Song of Ice & Fire series this year but so far, this series is one of my favourites. The books are action packed and very suspenseful. The books contain so many unforgettable characters that you grow to love and hate over the series. The series is not for younger readers as contains scenes of sex, violence, incest, murder, abuse etc.,  But if you are over the age of 16, I would really recommend this series and the Tv show is very good also. 


12. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass 

Review Links:  | The Selection |  The Elite  |  The One (Cover Reveal)  | 

Why I loved it:  For many many months I had been hearing rave reviews around blogs and on the Epic Reads Tea Time show for this series. I purchased The Selection in 2012 and finally got around to reading it in 2013. I read The Selection in almost a day and devoured The Elite. This series is amazing, believe the hype. I didn't think this series would be my cup of tea based on the covers but please give it a chance. If you like suspense, strong protagonists, corrupt governments and some romance, please pick it up! Also...Team Maxon !!!!

11. Dead Ends by Erin Jade Lange

Review Link:  | Dead Ends Review | 

Why I loved it: In February I read Erin Jade Lange's debut novel Butter ( Review Here). I really enjoyed Butter and was more than happy to receiver her next novel for review. This book deserves all the praise. I loved this book because of the beautiful writing style, the eloquent phrasing, the captivating storyline and the way the novel kept me enthralled in the world until the end. The characters and their friendships are some of the best I've ever read in contemporary and this novel is on my list of best contemporary fiction novels ever. Please pick it up and read my review for more thoughts. 


10. Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher 

Review Link:  | Ketchup Clouds | 

Why I loved It : I loved Pitcher's previous novel My Sister Lives On The Mantelpiece (Review Here) and was curious to see how this novel would compare to it. This book was flawless. I loved the humour in the writing style and also the poetic scenes. The romance was breathtakingly done. The reader is kept constantly guessing until the very end what the big secret is and the way it is revealed is perfect. An amazing novel. Check out my full review for more of my thoughts. (Also gorgeous cover!)



9. DeadLands by Lily Herne  (#1) 

Review Link :  | DeadLands | 

Why I loved it:  I had never read a zombie novel before this one. I went into this novel blind and was so happy when I finished it. This novel was amazing from the realistic portrayal of teenagers to the amazing setting of South Africa. The book was full of brilliant twists and turns. The characters were brilliant and unique. I own the second novel Death Of A Saint and will be reading it soon, so look out for that review. 

8.  An Abundance Of Katherines by John Green

Review Link: | An Abundance Of Katherines | 

Why I loved it: I went to a John Green book signing in Dublin earlier in the year and I purchased this book, along with my next book on the list, at the event. I loved this edition of the novel and I got it signed by both John & Hank Green. I loved this book for so many reasons. The plot of this novel is a lot more quirky than any of John Greens other novels, where the boy only dates girls named Katherine. I also loved the characters, Colin and Hassan are one of my favourite friendships ever. The footnotes...any book with footnotes is just an immediate favourite,  as you'll see in another of my favourite reads. Check out my full review above to see more of my thoughts on this book. 

7. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan. 

Review Link:  | Will Grayson, Will Grayson | 

Why I loved It: I also got this book signed at the John Green event. Before reading this book, so many people told me that they thought it was the worst of John Greens books and that they hated it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved everything about this book. I loved the humour, the dual POV and of course, the musical aspect! This book was so fun, but also serious. I really like the way John Green & David Levithan positively portrayed confusion about sexuality and acceptance of sexuality in this novel. Also do you ever think about the person who has the same name as you? Check out my review for more of my thoughts. 

6. Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Review Link:  | Maggot Moon | 

Why I Loved It:  This book was absolutely phenomenal. It is such an unusual and unique take on a dystopian novel. It takes place around the time of a moon landing. The setting is so very unique and frightening. The characters in the book are so three dimensional and memorable, Standish and Hector have a place in my heart. The writing of the novel is poetic at times, the dialogue has such great flow and there is constant awareness of the horror of the setting constantly. This book is just amazing, please pick it up. Check out my review above for more of my thoughts. 

5. Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O' Porter 

Review Link:  | Paper Aeroplanes | 

Why I Loved It: When I received this book I was excited to see what Dawn O' Porter would be like as an author. I was so pleased that this turned out to be another one of the best contemporary novels I'd ever read. I loved the plot and the many twists and turns I did not see coming. The characters were great and I loved the strong and honest portrayal of friendship in the novel. The book was all around fantastic. I can't wait for the sequel Goose set for release in early 2014. Check out my review for more detail. 

4. The Chocolate Box Girls Series by Cathy Cassidy

Review Links: | Cherry Crush | Marshmallow Skye | Summer's Dream | Coco Caramel | 

Why I loved it: When I as young I loved Cathy Cassidy's novels. When my sister introduced me to these novels aimed for a more teenage audience I devoured them . I adored these books. The characters in them are so well created, and you feel so close to them after each novel. Each novel is from the perspective of a different sister in the series. There is also a yummy chocolate recipe in the back of each novel. These novels also deal with deeper topics like bullying and eating disorders and it is the way Cathy Cassidy writes so honestly about these tough topics that make me love her even more as an author. Check out my reviews above for more of my thoughts on each novel. 

3. Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield 

Review Link:  | Friday Brown | 

Why I Loved It:  I still do not hear enough praise for this novel, which is sad because I thought this novel was amazing. The book gives the reader an honest portrayal of the dangers of living on the streets. I was sucked into the story and into the emotions of the characters. The characters were amazing, I don't think I will ever read a character as amazing or unique as Silence. The writing style was poetic, descriptive and flawless. Please read this novel. Check out my review above for more of my thoughts on this novel. 

2. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick 

Review Link: | Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock | 

Why I loved It : This book blew me away. It has gone onto my list of books that I loved so much I will try to read them on an annual basis. I loved so many things about this novel. It was so unique and memorable. The character in it are so alive, they leap off the page. I thought the novel was such an honest portrayal of teenage depression and suicidal thoughts. The book really touched my heart and I was crying through so many scenes. If you loved the Perks Of Being A Wallflower,  you'll really like this. Please check out my review. 

1. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Review Link : | The Bone Season | 

Why I Loved It : When I got this book for review I had heard next to nothing about it. I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel. I did not give this book five stars but I do feel it was one of the best I've read this year. The characters were so unique and the fantasy setting was great. I loved the setting of a fantasy London set in the future. I really enjoyed the characters relationships and friendships, especially Paige's relationship with Warden. I can not wait for the sequel ! Check out my full review above to see my full thoughts on the novel. 

Hope you enjoyed this post of my favourite novels read in 2013. Please comment below if you have read or reviewed these books and please link your Top Books of 2013 posts below! Happy New Year! 

Check out my Christmas Book Haul ( Here )