Top Ten Books of 2013

Hey guys, I was tagged by my friend to write my Top Ten books of 2013. She did this on Facebook but I thought I'd write it on here, 1) because I thought you guys would be interested in reading it too, and 2) because I wanted the space to be able to type about it - without taking over Facebook. :D

These aren't in any order, just books that made an impression on me during the year and whatever order I remember them in. (Brain fog is horrendous).

1: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith - aka JK Rowling

This was the 100th book I read in 2013. I deliberately saved it. 

I was excited to get my hands on it after hearing who the writer was - having not heard of it prior to that. 

I loved it! I will even go to say it was a lot better than the Casual Vacancy which to be honest with you took a while to pick up. This one I could get straight into, I'm not sure if that's because I love mysteries and crime books, but this one just was a page turner. 

I now cannot wait for the next book. 

2: Life Of Pi by Yann Martel 

When I saw the trailer to the film I was gripped and intrigued by it, oddly as it wouldn't be something I normally want to see.

Being an avid reader I knew I had to read the book before seeing the film, so I got myself on Amazon and found it was less than £1 for the kindle version of the book. Brilliant!

I would say this, the book is not for those with a weak stomach - which is something I would have liked to have know prior to reading it, having a weak stomach and all. BUT it was a good book and it stayed with me long after I had finished it.

3: The Haunting at Reindeer Manor by Kevin Guest

I got this as a freebie from Amazon. I was looking for Christmas books and it came up. It has absolutely nothing about Christmas in it, but it's still a good read. Creepy. I finished this about 3am and spent the rest of the night creeped out haha. It's the first of three books, the series is good but this one was definitely one that got the heart racing more.

4: Animate Me by Ruth Clampett

This was a cute book about a guy who works in animation keeps drawing on Starbucks cups to impress the girl he likes. The book includes some of the drawings. It was a good book and very cute, I'd love someone to doodle me pictures on Starbucks cups :D

5. Chance of a Lifetime by P.T Dilloway

You have to read this book - the series actually - with no distractions or you could easily lose the plot (in the story, not actually lose the plot). I have done a review on all three books in this series earlier on in this blog if you go back a few pages. They do contain spoilers though.

6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I think most people read this book in school. My school was rubbish and we spent 2 years reading and re-reading Animal Farm. A book I cannot stand now because you can't read a book 3 times a week, every school week for 2 years without hating it. :S I'd probably have felt the same about any book if I had to re-read and re-read and re-read it so many times in that long space of time.

As it is, I didn't pick up this book until this year and now I'm wondering why I've never read it before. I loved it.

7. Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher

I heard about this book a lot following both Tom and Carrie Fletcher on Twitter. It was written by Tom's wife Giovanna. I found it on Amazon for £3 so couldn't say no to that. I'm glad I didn't, this book made me feel EVERY emotion you could feel, such an easy read and inspired me to create this make up look.

Apparently she is writing another book and let me say this, I will not hesitate to pre-order it when I can.

8. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Another book I bought because of the film. I actually watched the film first and LOVED it. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. What's not to love?

Even more it tackles mental illness which people shy away from so much, or else make those who suffer from mental illness "crazy" which isn't the case. 

Then I read the book - although slightly different I loved the story even more so. I have read it twice already and ahhh love it.

9. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

A friend got me on to the Delirium series, I honestly loved the series minus the ending - which would ruin everything to most and I definitely got angry at it, but I would re-read this book again. It was one of those books I literally blocked the world out and just came out like "NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW!" 

I love disappearing in books, and this is a book you can definitely forget the world around you for a bit.

10. Inferno by Dan Brown 

Lastly would be Dan Brown's Inferno. To be fair this was the half book I read in 2013/2014 but I still had to add it. I love Dan Brown. My old boss borrowed me his Angels and Demon's book years ago when we were talking about loving reading, I literally returned the book to him the next day like "SO GOOD!" then I read Da Vinci Code and loved that one as well. Of course when the Lost Symbol came out I had to buy that - even though I didn't enjoy it as much, I knew I had to get Inferno when it came out. I love the Character Robert Langdon so another story involving him - I needed to read. Inferno is definitely a better read than the Lost Symbol (IMO) and I could no put it down. I hope Dan continues to write for Robert, I would love to go on more adventures with him.

That's it, my top ten (in no order) books I read in 2013.

You will notice I didn't go into too much details about the book - but if you click the name of the book you will be linked to their GoodReads page which has descriptions about each.  

Last year I read a total of 112 books (well 112.5 haha) I challenged myself to read 100 books so I was impressed I went over.

This year I'm challenging myself to read only 50. I want to try and get more reviews in and I can't do that when I go from one book to the other too quickly haha. 

You can follow my reading journey on GoodReads. If you have an account feel free to add me, I'd love to see what you're reading too. :D 

xx