Skip to main content

TTT: Top Ten Books I've Read so Far in 2013


This week's TTT topic is Books I've Read so Far in 2013. (I am only including books already published and not books I've read ARCs for that have not been released yet.)

It is always hard to narrow the favorites down to 10. There is always a temptation to cheat and list all the books. I am being ruthless and limiting to 10. Sort of. I have devised a way to include more books, just not in this post and that way could possibly benefit you, Dear Reader. How? Check out the end of the post.

But first, the books (in alphabetical order, links are to my reviews for all but first):
 A Coalition of Lions by Elizabeth Wein: If you were unaware that Elizabeth Wein was writing awesome historical fiction that takes place in Ancient Ethiopia prior to her Code Name Verity fame, you should acquaint yourself with these books now. I haven't written a review yet because I want to finish the rest of the series first. But for now know this is SO GOOD. Hard to get a hold of, but worth it.

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty 

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

 
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Jinx by Sage Blackwood 
 Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller

Mirage by Jenn Reese

 Stolen Magic by Stephanie Burgis

Summerkin by Sarah Prineas

There are a lot more books that I have thoroughly enjoyed this year. As a way to highlight more of them and share them with you I will be hosting two giveaways. Each giveaway will be short, only lasting 36 hours.

MG Giveaway will post Friday, June 28 at 8:00 AM EST and end Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 PM EST.

YA Giveaway will post Sunday, June 30 at 8:00 AM EST and end Monday, July 1 at 8:00 PM EST.

Stay tuned for details!
Labels:

Comments

Christina said…
Ahhhhh! You make me want to read ALL of the middle grade. I was looking at Jinx at the library last night, and I wanted it so hard, but I have no time. :( Also, Jenn Reese's sequel, which sounds like it was even better than the first one, which I did like quite a bit.

However, must admit A Corner of White didn't work for me. I feel like it should have, but I am just not quirky enough or something. There's nothing worse than getting that something's funny, but not being amused. Sigh.
June 25, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Brandy said…
"You make me want to read ALL of the middle grade." Success! Maybe I should start putting MG titles into your Sadie Hawkins thing that way you will have an excuse. :)

A Corner of White doesn't work for everyone, and I can see why. It worked perfectly for me though!
June 25, 2013 at 8:09 AM
alicia♥ said…
WOW. Eleanor and Park is appearing on consecutive TTT lists!! I was still hesitant about reading to for a Debut-a-Thon later this week but you guys have me convinced!! Now I really can't wait for that sweet first love feeling that everyone praises :D Heard amazing things for Going Vintage too, curious about it now!

Alicia @ Summer Next Top Story
June 25, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Hollie said…
I thought Going Vintage was such a cute book, I really enjoyed the story. I need to read Eleanor & Park soon. Great list!

Thanks for stopping by my Top Ten!
June 25, 2013 at 10:13 AM
StacyRenee said…
I love middle grade novels. They are so fun. Just added a few of these to my TBR list. :)
Here's my Top Ten Tuesday
June 25, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Anonymous said…
I can't wait to read Doll Bones; it sounds so creepy! I'm going to look into Saving Francesca. On The Jellicoe Road was my first by her and she won me over with it. Great list and thanks for stopping by!

Vyki @ On The Shelf
June 25, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Unknown said…
I haven't read many middle grade books but I think I might try to get into them! I really want to read Eleanor and Park as well as it sounds right up my street :)

My TTT with a twist!

Annoushka @ Annoushka Reads
June 25, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said…
I loved Going Vintage and Eleanor and Park! I want to read A Corner of White. Great list! Thanks for stopping by mine.
June 25, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Unknown said…
I have seen Eleanor and Park in several lists, I must read it soon! Great list :)

Thanks for stopping by!
June 25, 2013 at 7:34 PM
Brandy said…
I couldn't finish Winter Prince. Wein is just TOO good at depicting the hard things, and I couldn't take all of the abuse. BUT. I still say it is so good, and I LOVED A Coalition of Lions.
June 25, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Brandy said…
Eleanor & Park is definitely worth reading but it's not a debut. It's Rowell's first YA novel, but her second published work. Her first, Attachments, is also a great read.

Going Vintage is a wonderfully sweet fun story. Hope you enjoy them both!
June 25, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Brandy said…
Yes, the story in Going Vintage is wonderful. I love how Leavitt makes her books about family.
June 25, 2013 at 8:21 PM
Brandy said…
MG novels are the best. People always say, "I guess you have to read those because your a teacher." And I always say, "Nope. I would read them even if I wasn't because they are amazing."
June 25, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Brandy said…
Doll Bones is creepy but in a delightfully subtle way. I can't wait to book talk that one to my students.

Enjoy all the Marchetta novels you still get to experience for the first time. She's so good.
June 25, 2013 at 8:24 PM
Brandy said…
I love MG books. I think some of the most profound and excellent writing out there comes from these books.
June 25, 2013 at 8:25 PM
Brandy said…
A Corner of White is one of those books that's not for everyone. It seems to be a love it or hate it book. I've always enjoyed Moriarty's writing though and I think this one is her best.
June 25, 2013 at 8:27 PM
Brandy said…
Eleanor & Park has been everywhere today. It proves it is a great book. :)
June 25, 2013 at 8:29 PM
gautami tripathy said…
I see a few to add to my TPR pile. May you continue reading great books!!

Here is my Top Ten post!

June 25, 2013 at 8:52 PM
Brandy said…
Hope you enjoy the ones you added!
June 25, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Betsy said…
Oh yeah--I need to read Going Vintage! Forgot about that one. Adding to the GIANT TBR pile :-). And just think, if I win your giveaway, you won't have to spend any money on postage... Not that I'm trying to coerce you or anything... :-)
June 25, 2013 at 9:59 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes to EWein's Aksumite series! So glad to see A Coalition of Lions in your list. Maybe I'll see the other three books in your list at the end of the year? :) Have you managed to get copies of those? I'm planning to read Eleanor and Park, Going Vintage and A Corner of White. It's funny that you had a hard time narrowing down your choices. I wanted to participate this week but I didn't have enough titles in my list.
June 26, 2013 at 2:24 AM
Brandy said…
I do have the other three book in the Aksumite series. I hope to read them soon. My goal is to finish the series this summer.

I hope you enjoy E&P, Going Vintage, and A Corner of White as much as I did!

June 26, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Brandy said…
You couldn't possibly coerce me. I run my giveaways in a completely fair and aboveboard manner. You will have as much a chance as anyone and no more. Particularly as I'm using Book Depository so shipping doesn't matter anyway. :-)

And yes you need to read Going Vintage. It's actually exactly the type of book you're looking for right now. And you know you can just borrow my copy.
June 26, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak  by Robert Beatty is a thrilling tale of mystery and adventure set at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC in 1899. Having lived in Asheville and visited the house several times, there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to read this. (Also it's MG fantasy, always a bonus for me.) Serafina lives in secret in the basement of the Vanderbilt's spacious vacation home. She has lived there most of her life. Her father worked on the house as it was being built and is the mechanic who runs the massive generator and keeps the electricity going. Serafina is the chief rat catcher, slipping through the halls of her massive home secretly and quietly. She is light on her feet, sees well in the dark, and is quick enough to catch the vermin and keep them out. Serafina knows she if different and strange. Her father insists she stay hidden. But all that changes when one night Serafina witnesses a horrible crime. A little girl, a guest in the house, is fleein...
63 comments
Read more

Shorter Musings MG Fantasy

Here are some shorter musings on recent MG fantasy reads. Anya and the Dragon   by Sofiya Pasternack This book is fun. It is a book full of adventure, an obvious bad guy, some more complicated morally gray area characters, and a strong, brave heroine. It is also a book about friendships, community, and fighting for what is right. All things that usually work for me really well. While I enjoyed this, I did feel it was a little overlong and there were certain plot points at the end I didn't love. However, there were things I thought were done really well, such as Anya's Jewish faith and the idea that power needs to be challenged. In the end it was a middle of the road read for me, but it is one I will certainly be recommending to dragon and fantasy adventure lovers I know! R is for Rebel   by J. Anderson Coats This is tough because I usually really like Coats's books. I had such a hard time with this one though on so many levels. It's difficult to get into because t...
4 comments
Read more

Favorite Kissing Scenes

When thinking of a favorite things post I could do for February I decided it would have to be kissing. I've already done couples and I was feeling in the mood to do something fluffy and Valentine's related. So kisses it is. I read more MG than YA, and the YA I read tends to not focus on romance so this was actually harder than I expected it to be though a few jumped into my head right away. (And one of my choices does actually come from a MG book. One is adult. Gasp!) The actual scene from the book is quoted followed by my thoughts. The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a bride and a groom. It was a kiss between a man and his wife, and when it was over, the king closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the hollow of the queen's shoulder, like a man seeking respite, like a man reaching home at the end of the day . - The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner Turner doesn't write the...
11 comments
Read more

Shadowshaper

Shadowshaper  by Daniel José Older is everywhere. Best of lists. Award buzz. Blogs everywhere. It's one of those books everyone is reading and talking about. I had it on my TBR but decided I definitely needed to read it before the year was out just so I could weigh in on one of the most talked about books of 2015 if asked. It is deserving of every good thing said about it. Every. One. Sierra was looking forward to a relaxing summer break. Her plans involved hanging out with her friends and painting. They did not involve being chased by zombie like creatures and threatened by a magical power connected to her family's heritage she has never heard of. When murals begin fading all over her Brooklyn neighborhood, Sierra is perplexed. When her grandfather, who had a stroke, begins to apologize and starts repeating strange phases and insisting Sierra get the help of a boy she barely knows to help her finish her mural, Sierra is concerned but mostly about her grandfather. Then at a...
4 comments
Read more

The Penderwicks in Spring

The Penderwicks is not just one of my favorite ongoing series; it is one of my favorite series of all time. I'm always astounded by the depth of emotion and diverse, realistic relationship dynamics Birdsall is able to capture with these characters. The Penderwicks in Spring  surpassed my expectations even though they were astronomically high already. It is now my favorite, having edged out  The Penderwicks on Gardam Street . Minor spoilers for first three book are in this review. If you haven't read this series, get started: The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy  The Penderwicks on Gardam Street The Penderwicks at Point Mouette   Spring is coming to Gardam Street and Batty and Ben Penderwick couldn't be more excited. The season is bringing with it anticipation and new opportunities. Nick Geiger, the Penderwicks' neighbor, is returning home on leave from the Army after being at war. Both Skye and Ba...
2 comments
Read more