My mom always used to tell me that as I got older, the faster time would fly by, and she could not have been more right about that. I cannot believe that 2013 is just about over; I truly, truly feel like I just wrote the look back post for 2012.
Where to begin with the past year? I met my Goodreads reading goal for 2013 despite reading about 10 fewer books overall, mostly thanks to adjusting to some real life changes. On the bright side, I now have the financial means to support my book buying habit, so hooray! I'd happily give up some reading time to be able to buy books (and other necessities, like, say, food).
I admit that it's been hard for me to sometimes watch the blog go for days without a post because I haven't had time to write one or simply because I can't review any books if I haven't read any books. At the same time, though, taking unintentional reading/blogging breaks has made me appreciate both more. For a while I was too caught up in worrying about whether I'd have enough posts for the week, and I was racing through books so I'd be able to post some reviews. I feel like I'm reading for fun again, and I needed to regain that perspective. And, despite my anxiety, the blog is still here, and I thank all of you with all of my heart for sticking around. I absolutely love talking about books with you, and that is what keeps me blogging. I seriously can't imagine life without you guys, and now I need to change the subject before I really begin blubbering.
And now for the hardest part of this post: choosing my favorite books from 2013! Two of my picks were finales to series that still make me sad to think they're over. Two are parts of series that I love so much I wanted to pick all the books I've read from both series during the past year, but I didn't because I'm trying not to cheat with the list. So here is the list, in no particular order:
The most beautifully written novel I read in 2013, hands down.
It was every bit as amazing as I'd hoped, and I cried every bit I thought I would. Will, Jem, and Tessa—I'll never forget you.
It's insanely difficult choosing between this and
Quintana of Charyn, the last book in
The Lumatere Chronicles and which I also read this year, but Froi's incredible transformation from
Finnikin of the Rock to the book that bears his name gives book 2 in the series the edge.
Dear Captain Westfall, I know you're a fictional character, but will you marry me?
Another tough choice between two books from the same series. I loved Warner even more after reading this, and I already loved him a ton before, so that's why
Unravel Me gets the spot on the list over
Shatter Me.
A fantastic end to a fantastic angel series.
A stellar debut with a unique premise, a kick-ass heroine, and a swoon-worthy hero.
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
This is the book that made me laugh the most this year. It also has the honor of being the book whose ending most made me want to scream in anger.
A superb fantasy novel featuring dragons.
To wrap up this post, I thought I'd give an update on the handful of last-minute bookish goals I'd hoped to accomplish by the end of the year:
- Read Divergent. I'm working on that right now. I'm not sure I'll finish it by December 31, but at least I finally started reading it!
- Complete the Australian Women Writer's Challenge. Done. The review for the last book was posted two days ago.
- Read a Christmas-Themed Book. Done. I even read the title I mentioned in my original post, Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.
- Buy Some Bookshelves. Sadly, this isn't looking like it's getting done before year's end. Buying new bookshelves is not a decision to be made lightly, and I just haven't had time to shop around.
- Go to the Library. I went once in November, and only to pick up a book I had on hold, but it was soooo nice to set foot in there again after such a long absence.
And that's it. It's been another awesome year in books, and I'm looking forward to beginning a new reading year!
