[tps_title]Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 10 Books of 2013[/tps_title]
This year I set a whole new personal record on books read. At 116, I can’t imagine ever reading this many books in one year, which makes me kind of sad. Anyway, a great majority of those 116 were new 2013 releases. Obviously, it was very hard narrowing the list down to a measly ten. But I did it! Also, I noticed that a great majority of the books I read and loved this year were contemporary fiction, a genre I’ve avoided a bit in previous years.
1. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – What can I say that I already haven’t said? This book is perfect. These characters and their love story are so precious, unique and moving. This book is already a classic.
2. Just One Day & Just One Year by Gayle Forman – I love Forman’s If I Stay and Where She Went, so I was looking forward to her next two companion novels. I don’t think I’m cheating by putting these two books together as one entry. You can’t fully experience this story without reading both. These two books, Just One Day in particular, spoke to me so completely. I read them at a time in my life where I was having similar feelings as these characters. Their journeys offered me so much invaluable insight. They’re lovingly written and solidified Gayle Forman as one of my favorite authors ever.
3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz; Read by Lin-Manuel Miranda – The audiobook wasn’t released until 2013, so this SO counts! This book is the definition of beautiful. Full of life, truth and love, this book makes you feel it all and then some. Another classic YA book that will stand the test of time.
4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – This book was very unexpected. On the surface, it seems like a parody of the life of a fangirl. In reality, it goes deep, exploring the nature of being a dedicated fan and how immersed one can be in a fictional world. It’s a wonderful coming of age story that is truly touching and relatable. It’s the most NOW book on this list. If you haven’t read this book yet, I will need to call an emergency Kanye West dance party.
5. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan – Exquisite, gut-wrenching and powerful. David Levithan once again delivers a poignant masterpiece that will resonate in readers’ hearts for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years afterward.
6. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey – I listed ten reasons why you should read this scary alien invasion thriller here.
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7. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Read by Daniel Sharman – I have a love/hate relationship with Cassandra Clare’s books. But if there’s one thing I have to admit is that she knows how to eloquently end and wrap up a series. Clockwork Princess is an excellent book that makes the previous two books in The Infernal Devices even better. Also, the audiobook is pretty damn good as well.
8. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson – Another ending to a series, which ended spectacularly. Rae Carson gives us a fearless and real protagonist in The Fire and Thorns Trilogy and to see it all end in an action-packed and moving finale was amazing.
9. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle, Read by the author – This is the only non-YA book on the list. I don’t read Middle Grade novels often enough, but this one is just so uplifting and wonderful. If you’re a fan of musicals and Broadway, this is YOUR book. I should note it’s more than just musicals, but about believing in yourself, taking chances and not letting anyone stop you from your dream. This book reminded me why I do what I do here at The Young Folks and to not ever give up.
10. The Fiery Heart and The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead – I say it all the time, but if you haven’t read Richelle Mead’s Bloodlines series, or Vampire Academy novels already, I don’t know what to say to you besides: GET ON THAT. Mead has taken the Bloodlines characters and really made them into something phenomenal. Sydney and Adrian make such a captivating pair. Their forbidden romance is written with so much respect and realness that it’s impossible to not be invested in this duo. I honestly think that Bloodlines is going to end up being better than Vampire Academy.
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Honorable Mentions: Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood, The Humans by Matt Haig, Parallel by Lauren Miller, The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
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