Hello all!
So it's been about a year and a half since I last wrote or even looked at my blog. But it's Christmas Break for me and with all this extra time on my hands, I got the urge to post. Judge away, but I'll post what I want and when I want.
Anyway, this year I've really fostered my love for reading again. As a child, you're forced to read (I should know, I'm a teacher constantly telling my kids "READ!"). In college, you're forced to read educational texts that are dry and boring. It's not until after you've graduated from school that you have the time or energy for reading for fun again. At least, that's how it was for me. So this year I've spent all of my school breaks reading (along with knitting, watching Netflix, and sitting in my pajamas all day, but that's beside the point). So I thought I would share:
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Books I’ve Read (and loved!)
in 2013
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1. The Divergent Series (Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant) by: Veronica Roth
This series is the closest thing I've found to The Hunger Games trilogy. It's set in a future, post United States society. It's got a forbidden romance. It's got a strong female lead. What more could you want?! I have to say I honestly liked this series more than The Hunger Games. However, if you read this series, be prepared to hate everything after you finish the third book, Allegiant. I still haven't gotten over it.
If you love The Bachelor, then you will love this trilogy. This book takes The Bachelor and classes it up a bit. It's about a strong female lead who gets chosen for the Selection. The Selection is to help the good looking prince find his wife. The setting is in a castle, they wear fabulous clothes, and it's got a love triangle. I've actually only read the first book (The Selection), but I have got The Elite on hold at the library and I can't wait to read it! I'm kind of putting off reading the 2nd book (The Elite) because the 3rd book (The One) doesn't come out until May 2014.
3. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
This book. Oh, this book! It's got more twists and turns than a rollercoaster and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The first 3 chapters will confuse you, and I almost stopped reading because I thought there was no way she could connect these characters' lives. However, I am so glad that I stuck it out because the author not only connects the character's lives but makes you wonder how you never saw any of it coming. Mystery, romance, murder, female leads... I give this book 2 thumbs up!
4. Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank
First good thing about this book: it's FREE right now if you download it using the Kindle app! So if you're looking for a great free read then this book should be downloading now. This book is also centered around a murder, has a strong female lead, and romance. I'm just going to let Amazon give you their blurb because they're better at it than I am: "For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She's had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone's toilet's overflowed, but she's never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect." I couldn't put this book down! There's actually 2 other books in this trilogy (you can find them here and here), but I was satisfied after the first book and didn't feel the need to read the next 2. Maybe in 2014, I'll read the last 2 books.
5. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by: Mindy Kaling
I absolutely love Mindy Kaling and her book did not disappoint. Such a fun book for girls in their 20s. I loved that it was about Mindy Kaling's life but it also had great advice for girls in it as well. Strong female role model for the win!
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey
If you want to learn about Fey's experience as a female actress in a man's world, then this book is for you! It is so funny that I found myself laughing out loud. Just like Mindy Kaling's book, Fey tells about her life while also throwing in sage advice.
7. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
I'm pretty sure everyone has read this book by now. However, I was at the beach and wanted a good romance to read. It also helped that I'd already seen the movie and was picturing Zac Efron the whole time (I LOVE Zac Efron!). As they always say, the book is better than the movie.
8. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
I know some people view Chelsea Handler as the trashiest person on the planet. And her book definitely had some trashy moments. But it was really funny and fun to escape to Chelsea's world for a bit.
9. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Here's another murder mystery except in this one, you have no idea who is telling the truth or what the truth is. It's about a married couple who are living a perfectly happy life when the wife mysteriously goes missing and the husband is the main suspect. You think you know what's going to happen and then you get to a certain part of the book and everything changes. This book has been on every "must read" list out there so go read it!
10. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This book is being made into a movie so I had to read it before it comes out! It's also been on every "must read" list. It is about 2 teenagers with cancer that meet at a cancer support group. They fall in in love and it's an absolutely beautiful story to watch unfold. Fair warning: you will be depressed for days after reading this book.
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So there you have it! Those are the books I've read and loved in 2013. What does it say about me that most of these books are romance, mystery, or have a strong female lead? I guess that's my type! I am looking forward to finding more books to read in 2014. If you have any suggestions of books for me to read, feel free to leave a comment and let me know! I'm always looking for new books to read on my school breaks.
What books have you read in 2013? What were your favorites? Do you have a "type" of book?
Until next time,
Elizabeth
Here's another murder mystery except in this one, you have no idea who is telling the truth or what the truth is. It's about a married couple who are living a perfectly happy life when the wife mysteriously goes missing and the husband is the main suspect. You think you know what's going to happen and then you get to a certain part of the book and everything changes. This book has been on every "must read" list out there so go read it!
10. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This book is being made into a movie so I had to read it before it comes out! It's also been on every "must read" list. It is about 2 teenagers with cancer that meet at a cancer support group. They fall in in love and it's an absolutely beautiful story to watch unfold. Fair warning: you will be depressed for days after reading this book.
___________________________________________________________________________
So there you have it! Those are the books I've read and loved in 2013. What does it say about me that most of these books are romance, mystery, or have a strong female lead? I guess that's my type! I am looking forward to finding more books to read in 2014. If you have any suggestions of books for me to read, feel free to leave a comment and let me know! I'm always looking for new books to read on my school breaks.
What books have you read in 2013? What were your favorites? Do you have a "type" of book?
Until next time,
Elizabeth
