My Favourite Books of 2013
I’ve read a number of books over the last year so today I thought I would share some of my favourites. It should be noted that some of these books were not released in 2013. They just happen to be my favourite books from the year.
Fiction
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
I read this entire book in a single train journey. Normally I can only read for about 20 minutes before getting distracted by something but I sat for 6 hours and read this entire book. - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.
This is one in a very short list of books that has made me cry. And I think everyone should read it. - The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence.
I am constantly trying to convince my friends to go read this book. However it turns out its difficult to convince your friends to read a book when you refuse to tell them what the book is about. But I can’t help but feel that telling the plot of the book would ruin the entire story. - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
I was disappointed when I finished this book, not because it was a bad book but because the circus wasn’t real. To be honest I really didn’t care about the plot I just want to spend hours exploring the circus. - The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window by Jonas Jonasson
I found this book in January in the Kindle store. I paid 20p for it. And because I only paid 20p for it I thought it wouldn’t be that good, I ended up enjoying it so much I bought a paperback copy too.
Non-Fiction
- Blog Inc by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
Every time I get into a funk and don’t want to blog any more I pull this book out to inspire me. Which is weird considering its just a book giving advice on starting out and growing a blog. - The Art of Bioshock Infinite by Irrational Games
Bioshock Infinite was my favourite game of the year and when I found out I could buy a book of all the concept art from the game I knew I had to have it. - Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
I originally saw a quote from this book on Tumblr and it turned out to be rather interesting read. - Craft: Techniques & Projects
This is a huge book packed with loads of different crafty things to do. From papercraft to candle making. However I’ve not actually found the time to try anything from it. - The Geometry of Type by Stephen Coles
The Geometry of Type explores 100 traditional and modern typefaces and reveals overlooked elements of type design. Basically this book makes my inner Graphic Designer happy.
Check out my favourite books from 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
28 Comments
Aishwarya
Honestly, the plot of the Night Circus didn’t interest me even in the least when I found out that it had insta-love and that the battle stretches for YEARS. But I will bump Ready Player One up my list 🙂
bluchickenninja
Yeah, the plot of The Night Circus wasn’t that great. And Ready Player One has actually become my favourite book of all time. You need to read it.
Aishwarya
On it 🙂 Will get back to you once I’m done!
The Overlord Bear
I don’t know about these books that much…Anyway, I remember finishing the first volume of “The Lord of the Rings” and finishing the Harry Potter series this year (I think?). For the books that I really want to read next, a certain Japanese light novel series is in my list (and I freaking need to learn Japanese…).
bluchickenninja
I think I first read LotR and Harry Potter when I was 10 or 11. I should really go read them again.
Learning Japanese could be interesting. I learned a tiny bit of Chinese when I was in school but immediately forgot all of it when I got back from China.
The Overlord Bear
As for me, I find learning Japanese to be really important, since going to Japan (and living there, too) is one of my dreams. Well, good thing I found this post on Tumblr containing a list of links to some convenient online resources for learning Japanese. Welp, if I put my mind to it, then I can learn Japanese!
bluchickenninja
Thats awesome. Good luck with that.
The Overlord Bear
Right. Time to do my best and have fun with learning, then. YEAH!
Veerle
All these books were already high on my TBR list, but now I definitely think I should read them! Good luck with your challenges for the coming year 🙂
bluchickenninja
You should read Ready Player One and The Universe Versus Alex Woods first. I think I enjoyed them the most. And thanks, I’m hoping to at least do better than last year.
K J
Ready player one would be on my list if I had a list. 😛 Good selections there. I might read the universe versus alex woods since it gets good reviews like this!
bluchickenninja
You should go read both. And start a reading list. Thats fun too.
K J
I meant I had read Ready Player one haha.
I might start a list actually. I always forget which books I’ve read. :/
bluchickenninja
Doh! My brain isn’t working just now. And you should check out Goodreads. I use it to keep track of what books I want to read and what I have read. Its pretty useful.
Rachelle
I like your selection of favorite books! What is your name on goodreads? Love to follow you!
bluchickenninja
Thanks! I’m not sure exactly what my username is but here is a link to my profile: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16161486-emma
Anonymous
Thanks for the interesting list, you’ve inspired me to make a list of my own. I’m looking forward to reading some of these books.
bluchickenninja
Awesome!
leahlindeman
I actually haven’t heard of any of the books you listed. Potential new reading material. As for my fav 2013 books, I loved Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. I just started reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I have a feeling I’ll like it a lot since I loved the first two. I tend to read books two or three years after their release dates.
bluchickenninja
I’ve heard of the book series by Veronica Roth. I think my sister is reading it just now. I keep meaning to buy it but never get around to it. Isn’t that the one thats being made into a movie? I can’t remember.
jazzeisinger
I loved Ready Player One! Have you read anything that’s written in a similar style? The closest non-techy equivalent I can think of is Matthew Quick’s Like A Rockstar or Silver Linings Playbook, but neither catch the same futuristic vibe.
Frank K.
I had not known of any of these books. Thanks for cluing me in, and also, thanks for checking out my blog.
bluchickenninja
No problem. Thanks for visiting my blog too!
Akhiz
For me 2011 was the year in which i read the most number of books. 12,13 were good years too but 11 was just a reading spree.I just started my own blog, really liked your review and will try to get my hands on one of these. 🙂
dweezer19
Nice variety there. It has been tough for me to find fun, engrossing fantasy fiction since Harry Potter ended. My son got me hooked and we saw every film together from the time he was in sixth grade. I usually read two or three books at once, just to keep the mind exercised and not bored. Good luck with this year’s reads!
Capt Jill
Interesting selection. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of any of them or even the writers. Usually I read everything. Lately I’ve been reading the paranormal stuff, just got into Kim Harrison. Just finished a non fiction ‘The Calorie Myth” which I thought was good (and pretty much validated everything I’ve been arguing with my Drs about for decades)!
AliceIsMental
I read the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and loved it too, but I’m scared to read the quasi-sequel about Queenie Hennessy because I don’t want to ruin how good it was. Also I almost bought the Hundred Year Old but was unsure whether it was really worth buying. You’ve convinced me now 🙂
bluchickenninja
Yeah. I saw the Queenie Hennessy book. But I really don’t want to buy it unless I know its good.
The Hundred Year Old Man is brilliant. I got it on the Kindle store for 20p and it was the best 20p I have ever spent.