The Best of 2013

I can't believe another year has gone by! And what an incredible year its been, especially for the blog and all the amazing followers I have gained! So here's my yearly review, with my top three picks from several different topics.

Top Three Anticipated Releases of 2013

the releases that i last year stated i couldn't wait for

3. Splintered by A.G.Howard - I will still stand by it - gorgeous cover, but the read really wasn't what I had hoped it would be. But I'm still intrigued to read the sequel. What can I say; Morpheus has me wrapped around his little finger.

2. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - When I chose this last year, it didn't even have a title! Allegiant was incredibly disappointing, but I guess it was a fitting end to one of my favourite trilogies.

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. UGH. MY FEELS. The reception for this read was quite controversial, but personally I really liked it. No matter what team you were on, you got your happily ever after, and Clare managed to do that in a realistic way. Well, realistic for Shadowhunters, anyway.

Top Three Covers

the most beautiful covers from books i have read this year

3. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - For this I'm talking about the UK cover. I could stare at it for ages - it represents literally everything about this book in the most beautiful way. Note to self: I need a copy.

2. Mystic City by Theo Lawrence - The book wasn't all I thought it would turn out to be, but the cover is absolutely breathtaking. 

1. Ink by Amanda Sun - When I found out about this novel, I was intrigued. But when I saw it - well, it was love at first sight. The fact that the novel is set in Japan and has a cover that links to Japanese culture is wonderful as well as gorgeous; I need a copy to stare at...in a non-creepy way.

Top Three Debut Authors

first novels from authors that were absolutely amazing

3. M. P. Attardo - I read Intermix Nation for a blog tour, and I absolutely loved it. It took the idea of racism, of a kind of apartheid, and brought it together to create an amazing read. It's one of the best indie books of the year.

2. Kara Taylor - I was really surprised - though definitely in a nice way - when reading Prep School Confidential. At first I just thought it'd be a nice, light, interesting read - a bit of Gossip Girl mixed in with a murder mystery? What more could I want? However, I found it held so much more depth than your average Gossip Girl episode. I adore this series, and I am so excited for Wicked Little Secrets.

1. Katie McGarry - author of the Pushing the Limits series. I read the first three books this year, and I loved each and every one of them. I really can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Top Three Book Boyfriends

men that made me swoon

3. Chaol from Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Oh, Chaol. When I first read Throne of Glass, I couldn't choose whether to side with Dorian or with Chaol. But after reading Crown of Midnight...it just had to be Chaol. Whilst not your typical bad-boy, there is a ruggedness and fearless aspect about him that makes him seem so.

2. Jem Carstairs from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I will always love Jem, and I am so sad that The Infernal Devices series came to an end this year. However, it had the ending I wanted and Clare definitely did him justice. 

1. Étienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss - I do love me some French boys (even if he isn't actually French...but sssh) Étienne swept Anna and myself off our feet, and although this isn't the end of the series, I'm sad that the books focus on different characters - I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet.

Top Three Couples

the most adorable couples

3. Eleanor and Park from Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - I only recently finished this book, but heck did I adore it. This is one of the most realistic relationships I have ever come across in a YA novel, and I could see endless similarities to teen relationships of my own. It made me nostalgic in the best way.

2. Allyson and Willem from Just One Day by Gayle Forman - I want them to get married and have babies. Why does this not happen? They sewed my heart up and then broke it all over again. 

1. Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - So. Much. Chemistry. It was like every single page would just fizzle up it was so hot! I don't believe I've ever shipped two characters as much as I shipped these two (well, apart from Destiel...but still...)

Top Three Favourite Reads

the ultimate reads this year

3. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales - I was expecting this novel to be good, but not as good as it turned out to be. Weirdly, this novel taught me a lot about myself, and I was able to relate to Elise in more ways than I can count. It's strange when an author manages to target your feelings and experiences so precisely - but Sales did just that, and I will forever remember this book.

2. Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe - Wolfe had a reputation that I was aware of, but I'd never read a book of hers myself. This was my first, and it was absolutely breathtaking. It combined elements of several genres and bundled it into a single novel, and it was so addictive that I had difficulty putting it down. I need more *grabby hands*

1. Wonder by R. J. Palacio - Wonder left me speechless and mildly broken. I don't think I will ever be over this read.

Top Three Anticipated Releases for 2014

most anticipated books to be released the next year

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - The title says it all really. I'm a fangirl, both for a range of fandoms and Rowell's writing. Hopefully I'll be getting an ARC of this in the new year.

2. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano - Since finishing the Chemical Gardens trilogy, I was mildly disappointed but still excited to see what DeStefano would churn out next. And then this. A floating island in the sky? This has never been done before and I just can't wait to get my hands on it.

1. This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl - I joined the Nerdfighteria just after Esther's death, and from what I heard, it seemed like an amazing voice had been lost from the world. This book captures aspects of that voice and her personality, bringing together and compliation of her diary entries, stories, and much more.

So that's my year in books! I managed to reach my goal of 100 books and have overpassed it by almost half. I think next year I'll aim for 125 books - oh look, and that's tomorrow! Here's to another great year in the blogasphere.