Belated Happy New Year, everyone! Hope all of you drank lots of champagne (or whatever), danced your heart out and welcomed 2014 with a big smile! J
2013, however it was, was a good year for me in terms of
reading. I read around 60 books, which included many genres, and almost all of
them were great. And I wanna share with you all the good books that I read in
2013. They’re in no particular order of favourites, because I don’t think I can
choose which one I liked best, since they were all almost neck-to-neck. I won’t
mention the books of authors that almost everyone has read, like And the Mountains Echoed, Inferno, The Longest Ride, etc. I’m basically gonna include and talk about
the books of authors I read for the first time, and the ones I absolutely
loved. So, here are my top 10 books of 2013:
1.)
The Fault
in Our Stars, by John Green- I had heard so much about John Green before I
picked up this book. But I started reading it with almost no expectations. Maybe
that’s the reason it took me by surprise and just swept me off my feet! I don’t
think I even need to mention that I fell for Augustas Waters from the very first
line, and boy did I fall hard! John
Green is one hell of a talented writer; his character portrayals, dialogues,
metaphors… they all win your over! It is definitely the most quotable books
ever (after The Harry Potter series, i.e.).
“As
he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once”.
Gus and Hazel’s story made me smile and cry
at the same time, and it’s a story that’s going to stay with me forever.
2.)
The Lovely
Bones, by Alice Sebold- I bought this book totally on impulse. I was
strolling around the bookstore at Dubai Airport when I saw this book, read the
plot, liked it and bought it; not knowing that it was soon going to be one of
the most beautiful books I’d ever read. Alice Sebold dealt with a subject that’s
so gruesome, but she turned it into something so heartbreakingly beautiful. Highly
recommended.
3.)
The Little
Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery- This book proves that a lot can be
said without really saying much. The
Little Prince is wonderfully unique. Enough said.
4.)
Divergent,
by Veronica Roth- This book formed a part of the dystopian books I read in
2013, and undoubtedly, this was THE best of them all! Veronica Roth’s writing
is fast-paced and the world building is just so fantastic! I loved how Tris
wasn’t a flawless character, that she took her time, made mistakes, and grew as
a person. Tris and Four’s chemistry was awesome. And Four! <3 Totally
looking forward to completing the trilogy this year.
5.)
Eleanor
and Park, by Rainbow Rowell- THIS book. Oh my God, this book! It made me go
on a roller coaster ride of emotions! I just couldn’t stop giggling at the
sweet, pure, innocent love that Eleanor and Park shared and I wept when they
faced those hurdles. Rowell is SUCH a freakishly talented writer! I loved Park,
okay? I.JUST.FELL.IN.LOVE.WITH.HIM! This is a must read for all those suckers
of romance. Seriously. I just can’t wait to read all of her other books.
6.)
If I Stay,
by Gayle Forman- Another extremely talented writer I came across this year.
Gayle sew this story so wonderfully, and the pain of love and loss was
beautifully conveyed. It’s a perfect, short read. I’m pretty sure the sequel, Where She Went, is going to be great,
too.
7.)
Wonder, by
R.J.Palacio- I love it when I pick up a book knowing not exactly what to expect
from it, and then it just blows my mind away. Wonder is the perfect example of this. Hats off to Palacio for creating
such an adorable and unique character. Her simple yet extremely effective
writing just made me go insane with joy! August Pullman is a kid who is going
to stay in my stupid, bookish heart forever. <3
8.)
Till the
Last Breath, by Durjoy Datta- I’m not someone who enjoys the books of
typical Indian writers, the one with drunk IIT’ans and booze and sex and crap.
Durjoy Datta definitely falls in that category (though of course he’s kind of
better than the other Indian writers). But Till
the Last Breath was a total exception. I devoured this book within two
hours, and I was left with clouded vision. Armaan and Piu, you should know that
I was totally praying for you two. <3
9.)
Anna and
the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins- The warm, fuzzy, giddy feeling of
being in love for the very first time…that’s what this book reminded me of.
Stephanie Perkins just made the streets of Paris come alive for me. I just
couldn’t put this book down. A quick read and a must-read for lovers of cute love
stories. And girls, just read it for Etienne. <3
10.) Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson- The last
book that I read in 2013, and the year couldn’t have ended in a better way. I’d
been dying to read this book from a very long time, and it didn’t disappoint me
at all. Melinda almost didn’t speak at all, but her silence spoke volumes. Very
few writers have the ability to create something beautiful out of something so
damaged, and Laurie is one of them.
So, here they are, the best among
the best books that I read in 2013. Hope every reader out there checks out at
least some of these books, and do make sure to tell me if you liked any of
them. J
And I hope that 2014 turns out to
be an even better reading year. Till then, read on, you all.
Lots of love,
Creative Insanity.
