Friday, January 10, 2014

Best of 2013 and Year-End Summary

I'm a bit behind, but I have finally put together my Best of 2013 List - whew, it was a hard choice! I read so many great books this past year.

All together, I read 79 books last year (that's 15 more than in 2013!). Here's the break-down:
  • 32 were adult fiction
  • 23 were teen/YA fiction 
  • 16 were middle-grade fiction
  • 4 were memoirs
  • 4 were nonfiction but not memoirs
Of the 79 books, I listened to 12 of them on audio.

As always, I had a hard time choosing my favorites! In no particular order, here are my Top Ten of 2013  (you can check out my top ten list of kids/teen/YA books read in 2013 at Great Books for Kids and Teens).
 And I couldn't resist a few Runners Up! I just didn't want to leave these out: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, Redfield Farm by Judith Redline Coopey, Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, and The Yokota Officer's Club by Sarah Bird

And, for a little extra fun, here are a few superlatives:

Best Book of the Year and Best Book by a New-to-Me Author:

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
(I agree completely with the Pulitzer committee - it blew me away - I am still thinking about it 8 months later!)





Best Book from an Old Favorite Author:

Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
(just LOVED it and also The Bean Trees, read in 2012)


Best Audio Book of the Year: 
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  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne  
(I counted it as best audio for both adults and teen/YA)


 Best Memoir of the Year:

(can't wait to read the rest of her memoirs!)

 

Best Nonfiction Book of the Year:

In Other Worlds by Margaret Atwood 



You can also check out how I did on my 2013 Reading Challenges.

What were YOUR favorite books read in 2013?

5 comments:

  1. I bought The Orphan Master's Son when all the Christmas online sales were going on. I can't wait to dig into it. I'm excited after reading your enthusiasm. I also loved The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I watched the film this summer. It was good as well.

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  2. Heidi -

    I watched The Boy in the Striped PJ's movie this summer, too...after I'd listened to the book. I still cried even though I knew what would happen!

    Hope you enjoy The Orphan Master's Son - it's an unusual book and a bit confusing at the start of Part 2, but soooo good.

    Sue

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  3. Did you read The Orphan Master's Son with a book club this year? It sounds very good and I'm wondering if I should suggest it to my club.

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  4. Anne -

    I read Orphan Master's Son on my own, but it would be a great book to read with a book club - LOTS to discuss!

    Sue

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  5. Sounds like I need to read Orphan Master's Son and The Housekeeper for my Around the World challenges. Thanks for the recommendations!

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