These are listed more or less in the order I read them.
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
It is no great secret that I am a bit of a Susanna Kearsley fan girl. I am not sure what it is exactly but her voice, the stories she chooses to tell, the dual time frames, the characters, the relationships and more really work for me. I actually started this book at the end of last year but I deliberately dragged the reading of it out because I wanted it to be one of the first books I finished this year!
Easy by Tammara Webber
I had heard a lot of good things about this book but I was still blown away by how much I loved it. I have borrowed one of this author's other books but I had to return it unread! Maybe next year!
The Best Man Kristin Higgins
Sometimes you just get lucky and read the perfect book for you right at that exact moment and I think that is what happened with this book. I have read most of Higgins back list and liked a lot of them but I must confess that I prefer her later books where she moved away from the first person narrative where you never got inside the heroes head to third person.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Well this is a first! This is a book that I had on my best of list last year. This year I reread it (unusual in itself) and still loved it even though I already knew the story!
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman
A few years ago I saw that Paullina Simons blurbed one of Kimberley Freeman's earlier books but I didn't end up reading it. Last year I finally read one of Freeman's books, Wildflower Hill, and liked it a lot, but I was totally engaged with this book. I have now read my way through her back list and have her latest book here to read soon.
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
If I had to pick just one author as my discovery of the year it would be Melina Marchetta! I had been told to read her for a long time and all those people were right! I actually listened to this one on audio twice. I gave the first listen 4.5/5 because the first portion of the book was a bit confusing but on the second go around I was very impressed with the way that there were many important clues to what was going on. Oh and there was a crush on a way too young character too!
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
In between Jellicoe I listened to Saving Francesca which I really liked. This book features the same characters that are in Saving Francesca but it was this story which had me feeling all the emotions on all three occasions that I listened to the audio!
I will hopefully be able to post all my 2013 stats next week. Might have to try and write at least some of that post when I go back to work so I can do all the analysis on something bigger than my tablet screen!
Currently Reading
Thornwood House by Anna Romer and listening to Finnickin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta (yes, her again)
Up next
I am not really sure. I really need to take a look at library due dates etc!
I totally agree Marg, these lists come out way too early. I'd never thought of them like early Christmas decorations, but you're right (and apparently one of the supermarkets is bringing hot cross buns out next week!). Having said that I always do love a best of the year listing, they're always fascinating. I knew that I'd see Melina Marchetta there- I really must try to read her now too, she definitely one author I've been meaning to read for ages- ever since Looking for Alibrandi came out actually...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Firebird and Me Before You. My covers were different. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI also liked Me Before You and the next book of hers, The Girl You Left Behind, which I liked even more. The Firebird is on my TBR list for next year. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI feel sad that I haven't read any on your list, although several of these books are on my tbr shelves. I'm definitely interested in The Firebird now, so I'll have to pick that one up!
ReplyDeleteI don't post my best of list until later this week! I often read a lot in the last days of the year, and some of my best reads have been read in those final days. I'm not taking any chances of missing something!!
ReplyDeleteNot one of these books on your list are on my radar. I need to check them out!
Well, I clearly need to read Me Before You AND Marchetta in 2014!
ReplyDeleteI know. The lists come out SO early! It's kind of silly... And they are mostly all the same. Kind of boring, really. I have read Melina Marchetta before, but only the one book. I need to read more by her and think I have at least one e-book on my reader. Hope 2014 is a good reading year for you.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Melina Marchetta so maybe 2014 is the year I will read this. I'm also liking the look of Lighthouse Bay. Me Before You was my first read of 2013 and I loved it too. Thanks for sharing your list.
ReplyDeleteI have the same complaint about those best of books lists! How can you say that with months to go!?! Nice list of books too! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSame here, I wait until the last moment to post a best of year list. You never know what you may still read right? Me Before You is such a wonderful book. I read that a couple of years ago and it also made my favorites list. Here's to a great reading year ahead!
ReplyDeleteI suck at favourites lists, I'm always too afraid golf leaving something out!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
I DNF'd Jellicoe -- I wonder why since everyone else *loved* it. I may need to give it another try.
ReplyDeleteI really impressed to read all this great information....I got the very best beauty tips from your site...your information is very useful for us...I really appreciated this great information...your work is very best.....Beauty is most important thing in the new generation...thanks for sharing all this great information....
ReplyDeleteI've seen Jojo Moyes on a few "best of" lists, and I'm determined to read The Girl You Left Behind this year. I saw some lists coming out really early, too, but I waited until the 1st to post mine. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about early best of lists! I couldn't manage that. The last book I read in 2013, that I finished on December 31st, made my best of list. You never know when one might sneak in.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your list! I haven't read any of your top books, but several are ones I want to read.
Have a Happy New Year!