Monday, December 23, 2013

Best Books Liza and Arianne Read in 2013

Top 10 of 2013 is hosted by a group of fabulous bloggers and you can find more information here

Both Arianne and I are posting our lists, so bear with us it it gets a little bit long ;)  When it comes to books, the more, the merrier. 

Talk about throwing us in at the deep end! I’ve had the privilege of reading so many great books in 2013 – both newly published and ones I should really have read last year – it was almost impossible to select a definitive list. I have to say even I was surprised by some of my choices, but the one thing that unites all of these books is the fact they were great stories from great writers. They are the kind of incredible stories that need little introduction. 

Liza’s List


1.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Why did it took me so long to read this book?  Please don't make the same mistake and read it now!


2.  The Raven Boys and The DreamThieves by Maggie Stiefvater - I couldn't separate these two books (and I would have added Maggie's The Scorpio Races if I could); magic, dreams, doomed love, first kisses (or not)


3.  Wait for You and Trust in Me by J. Lynn - This is the same story, one told from Avery and Cam's point of view, so it counts as one, right?  A great love story.


4.  Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi - the perfect ending for a perfect series, dystopian at its best.



5.  The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - Loved it!  Awesome, sarcastic, funny, romantic.


6.  The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson - the ending to one of my favorite series ever!  Hector and Elisa rock!


7.  Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers - female assassins, war, death handmaidens, love, hate, fear.


8.  Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins - *screams* "I love you Kai"...  seriously sexy and sweet.


9.  Just One Day and Just One Year by Gayle Forman - Another set of companion books.  Oh, the feels!


10. Days of Bloodand Starlight by Laini Taylor - this is an incredible story, with amazing characterization, full of magic, puppets, monsters, angels, and blood. 

Arianne’s List


1. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider – one part frank, two parts funny, all parts wonderful.


2.  MyLife Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – sweet, sunny, and so utterly full of love.


3.  TheBone Season by Samantha Shannon – original, complex and totally worth the hype!


4.  Pushingthe Limits by Katie McGarry – a knock out romance worth waiting for.


5.  Outof the Easy by Ruta Sepetys – bold, brave, brilliant.


6.  TheLook by Sophia Bennett – I have no words which will do this book justice. So full of sisters and surprises!  


7.  Prodigyby Marie Lu – I am in awe. 


8.  CodeName Verity by Elizabeth Wein – I cried. So will you.


9.  This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith – the literary equivalent of marshmallow.


10.  MysticCity by Theo Lawrence – last but not least, the unexpected favourite!

So that’s it – a year of brilliant books (and apparently, crazy-long titles) whittled down to just twelve. Did any of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments!

13 comments:

  1. I've read and love quite a few from both lists but the rest are all on my radar. I've been seeing some on multiple top 10s so I'm getting more excited about them. I'll definitely try to get my hands on some of them.

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    1. I hope you do! All of these are truly outstanding!

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  2. Days of Blood and Starlight most definitely would be on my top reads if I'd read it in 2013. I am patiently waiting for Dreams of Gods and Monsters .

    My Top 10 Reads of 2013

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    Replies
    1. You must read it! It keeps getting better and better. I have high hopes for the end of the series :)

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  3. I love Rae Carson, I'm so glad that I'm seeing her on so many peoples' lists! I really need to read Days of Blood & Starlight, I loved the first book but I want to wait as long as I can so I'm not dying for the third book.

    Roxy @ Story Envy

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  4. Wonderful list ladies! I love The Distance Between Us & Dark Triumph! I have so many of the other books on my TBR list. Code Name Verity made me cry, in a good way haha. Thanks for sharing!

    Here's my Top Ten Reads of 2013

    Cyn @ Bookmunchies (:

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  5. The Laini Taylor book would have made it into my list if I had read it this year, but read it last year. I still need to read The Dream Theives. Nice selection.

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  6. Loved Sweet Peril! Pushing the Limits and My Life Next Door are favorites too but I read them last year. MUST read The Distance Between Us!

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  7. I also loved The Bitter Kingdom! What a great a conclusion novel to a really awesome series. And I read Pushing the Limits last year - my favorite of the three! :)

    Happy holidays!

    Check out my Top Ten post!

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  8. Awesome lists! Thanks so much for taking part in the Top 10 of 2013! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your Top 10’s :D
    Hugs,
    Jaime @ Two Chicks On Books

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  9. Loved Mystic City- and I am so excited to see that that sequel is on the catalog for this summer!

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  10. Ooh ooh! Great picks on both lists! Lots that I love and lots that I desperately need to read! :) Loved seeing Prodigy, since I feel like very few others probably picked it, though I did as well. Y'all obviously have fabulous taste! :)

    Rachel @ Paper Cuts

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I love comments! Please leave me one and I will try to reply as soon as I can. Liza

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