Best Books of 2013
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
When the aliens came, they weren't as we planned. They weren't green martians with glassy black eyes flying around in disk-like ships, and they definitely weren't gentle and homely like ET. These invaders turned our world against us, wore our skin to deceive us, and left us decimated and unable to trust. As Cassie, one of the last free humans, struggles to stay alive and find her brother, the capable and mysterious Evan Walker arrives to help her survive a deadly attack. The more Cassie learns about him, she is certain she should not trust him, but her heart disagrees. When he promises to help her locate her brother, Cassie must decide if fear or hope will lead her. The action in this book is nonstop as you, like Cassis, are unsure of who to trust. This book looks to have the power of The Hunger Games, and fans of this series will devour this book. It is original and amazing!
When the aliens came, they weren't as we planned. They weren't green martians with glassy black eyes flying around in disk-like ships, and they definitely weren't gentle and homely like ET. These invaders turned our world against us, wore our skin to deceive us, and left us decimated and unable to trust. As Cassie, one of the last free humans, struggles to stay alive and find her brother, the capable and mysterious Evan Walker arrives to help her survive a deadly attack. The more Cassie learns about him, she is certain she should not trust him, but her heart disagrees. When he promises to help her locate her brother, Cassie must decide if fear or hope will lead her. The action in this book is nonstop as you, like Cassis, are unsure of who to trust. This book looks to have the power of The Hunger Games, and fans of this series will devour this book. It is original and amazing!
Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff
Boy Nobody is the boy with face and name you can never remember. Trained as an assassin since age 11, he has been on many missions for The Program, the secret government group he works for. When he gets a target, he moves to a new town with a new name, makes friends, and when someone dies, he disappear. Boy Nobody is always able to get the job done quickly and quietly, and he has never failed to complete his mission. However, his most recent mission makes him question everything he has been to lead to leave about The Program, He can't keep himself from caring for his latest target and his daughter. Suddenly, he is questioning the validity of The Program, his ability to complete his mission, and the life he is living. Boy Nobody has the skills to complete any assassination, but can he prevent one from happening? I could not put this book down as I watched Boy Nobody struggle between being true to the Program and being true to himself. I can't wait for the second book, The Lost Mission, to come out in June of 2014.
Boy Nobody is the boy with face and name you can never remember. Trained as an assassin since age 11, he has been on many missions for The Program, the secret government group he works for. When he gets a target, he moves to a new town with a new name, makes friends, and when someone dies, he disappear. Boy Nobody is always able to get the job done quickly and quietly, and he has never failed to complete his mission. However, his most recent mission makes him question everything he has been to lead to leave about The Program, He can't keep himself from caring for his latest target and his daughter. Suddenly, he is questioning the validity of The Program, his ability to complete his mission, and the life he is living. Boy Nobody has the skills to complete any assassination, but can he prevent one from happening? I could not put this book down as I watched Boy Nobody struggle between being true to the Program and being true to himself. I can't wait for the second book, The Lost Mission, to come out in June of 2014.
Easy by Tamara Webber
While leaving a party, college sophomore Jackie is attacked by a guy she thought of as a friend. She escapes only by the strength of a boy she has never met who happens to hear her cries for help. Unwilling to turn in her attacker, Jackie must handle his continued threats, her ex-boyfriend's renewed interest, and her attraction to Lucas, the boy who saved her. Why can't love every be easy? This is an exceptional addition to the new adult genre. I loved how Jackie learns to fight back; she and her best friend even take self-defense classes together. Lucas' mysteries go from intriguing to heart-breaking.
While leaving a party, college sophomore Jackie is attacked by a guy she thought of as a friend. She escapes only by the strength of a boy she has never met who happens to hear her cries for help. Unwilling to turn in her attacker, Jackie must handle his continued threats, her ex-boyfriend's renewed interest, and her attraction to Lucas, the boy who saved her. Why can't love every be easy? This is an exceptional addition to the new adult genre. I loved how Jackie learns to fight back; she and her best friend even take self-defense classes together. Lucas' mysteries go from intriguing to heart-breaking.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
This is a heart-breaking story of first love. Eleanor has never fit in. Now she is stuck living in a tiny house with her many siblings, a step-dad she does not trust, and cries in the night that she cannot stop. With her big, curly red hair and second-hand clothes, Eleanor does not fit in her new high school. On her first day, she is looking for a seat on the bus, and the only person willing to let her sit down is Park. Now, he does not do this to be nice. This is definitely not a story about love at first sight. At first, Park can't stand to have this weird girl sit with him, and Eleanor is annoyed by Park's callous attitude. However, as they start reading together and sharing their favorite music on the bus, they see each other in a new light. Suddenly, their worlds revolve around each other, which is very dangerous for Eleanor. If her step-dad ever found out about her boyfriend, the consequences would be unimaginable. Everyone needs to read this book. Rainbow Rowell is a genius. It won the Good Reads Best Books of 2013 Young Adult Fiction award. Rainbow gets the joys and heartbreak of first love, and reading it, you will think about your own first love. This is on my Best Books of 2013 and ever list!
This is a heart-breaking story of first love. Eleanor has never fit in. Now she is stuck living in a tiny house with her many siblings, a step-dad she does not trust, and cries in the night that she cannot stop. With her big, curly red hair and second-hand clothes, Eleanor does not fit in her new high school. On her first day, she is looking for a seat on the bus, and the only person willing to let her sit down is Park. Now, he does not do this to be nice. This is definitely not a story about love at first sight. At first, Park can't stand to have this weird girl sit with him, and Eleanor is annoyed by Park's callous attitude. However, as they start reading together and sharing their favorite music on the bus, they see each other in a new light. Suddenly, their worlds revolve around each other, which is very dangerous for Eleanor. If her step-dad ever found out about her boyfriend, the consequences would be unimaginable. Everyone needs to read this book. Rainbow Rowell is a genius. It won the Good Reads Best Books of 2013 Young Adult Fiction award. Rainbow gets the joys and heartbreak of first love, and reading it, you will think about your own first love. This is on my Best Books of 2013 and ever list!
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath is the ultimate Simon Snow fan. She has read all the books multiple times, dressed up to go the midnight movie premiers, and is one of the most popular fanficion writers about his series. She and her twin sister, Wren, have spent their lives with Simon Snow, but now they are heading off to college. Wren does not want to room with Cath, and she is ready to leave Simon Snow behind. Cath, on the other hand, is hurt and unwilling to give up her life with Simon. All alone, Cath attempts to navigate the choppy waters of college: making new friends, succeeding in classes, finding your own voice, and falling in love. Although she can't imagine a guy she would like more than Simon Snow, she finds a boy who is perfect for her in a way she never imagined possible. I didn't think I could like this book more than Eleanor and Park, but I do. It is a powerful story about falling in love and discovering who you are meant to be. I want to say more about the boy, but it would give away the ending. Let's just say that this tops my list.
Cath is the ultimate Simon Snow fan. She has read all the books multiple times, dressed up to go the midnight movie premiers, and is one of the most popular fanficion writers about his series. She and her twin sister, Wren, have spent their lives with Simon Snow, but now they are heading off to college. Wren does not want to room with Cath, and she is ready to leave Simon Snow behind. Cath, on the other hand, is hurt and unwilling to give up her life with Simon. All alone, Cath attempts to navigate the choppy waters of college: making new friends, succeeding in classes, finding your own voice, and falling in love. Although she can't imagine a guy she would like more than Simon Snow, she finds a boy who is perfect for her in a way she never imagined possible. I didn't think I could like this book more than Eleanor and Park, but I do. It is a powerful story about falling in love and discovering who you are meant to be. I want to say more about the boy, but it would give away the ending. Let's just say that this tops my list.
It was painful, but I narrowed down my favorite books of 2013 to my favorites of the year.
Just One Day / Just One Year by Gayle Forman
24 hours. In the scope of a lifetime, it is a short amount of time, but everything can change in 24 hours. You to fall in love, break your heart, and become a new person. In hopes of embracing a daring, new side of herself, responsible Ally agrees to spend a day in Paris with Willem, a Dutch guy she has just met. During that day, she falls in love with her new, daring self and with Willem. Unfortunately, she wakes up the next morning alone and broken-hearted. Embarrassed and haunted by Willem, Ally starts college in a depression. With the intervention of a few friends, she abandons her parents expectations and decides to uncover the daring Ally of her dreams and Willem's whereabouts. Book two of the series, Just One Year, explores how Willem's life is changed by that day. Paris is the city of love, and I fell in love with this two-book series. I related to Ally's struggle to discover who she is truly meant t o be. She wants to follow her dreams instead of her parents. I loved how she follows her heart to track down Willem and learn the truth of why he left. This novel inspired me to try French macaroons, and I recommend eating CH Patisserie's French macaroons while reading this book to get into the spirit of Ally's transformation. The only problem is I that really, really want there to be a third book. If there isn't, I implore you to email Gayle to request it!
24 hours. In the scope of a lifetime, it is a short amount of time, but everything can change in 24 hours. You to fall in love, break your heart, and become a new person. In hopes of embracing a daring, new side of herself, responsible Ally agrees to spend a day in Paris with Willem, a Dutch guy she has just met. During that day, she falls in love with her new, daring self and with Willem. Unfortunately, she wakes up the next morning alone and broken-hearted. Embarrassed and haunted by Willem, Ally starts college in a depression. With the intervention of a few friends, she abandons her parents expectations and decides to uncover the daring Ally of her dreams and Willem's whereabouts. Book two of the series, Just One Year, explores how Willem's life is changed by that day. Paris is the city of love, and I fell in love with this two-book series. I related to Ally's struggle to discover who she is truly meant t o be. She wants to follow her dreams instead of her parents. I loved how she follows her heart to track down Willem and learn the truth of why he left. This novel inspired me to try French macaroons, and I recommend eating CH Patisserie's French macaroons while reading this book to get into the spirit of Ally's transformation. The only problem is I that really, really want there to be a third book. If there isn't, I implore you to email Gayle to request it!
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Uncle Ben said that "With great power comes great responsibility." Therefore, when an Event transforms certain humans into indestructible superheroes. Davids's dad, like most humans, are excited to have strong protectors that will save humankind. What they have forgotten is that in the real world absolute power corrupts absolutely. When David watches his dad and a room full of innocent humans get murdered by the "hero" Steelheart, David vows that one day he will discover his weakness and destroy him. With the help of the Reckoners, a group of humans working together to bring down the tyrants, David may finally get a chance to get revenge for his father's death. By far, the best action book out in 2013. I can't wait for book two. This is the anti-superhero book where superpowers make you superbad. A provocative idea.
Uncle Ben said that "With great power comes great responsibility." Therefore, when an Event transforms certain humans into indestructible superheroes. Davids's dad, like most humans, are excited to have strong protectors that will save humankind. What they have forgotten is that in the real world absolute power corrupts absolutely. When David watches his dad and a room full of innocent humans get murdered by the "hero" Steelheart, David vows that one day he will discover his weakness and destroy him. With the help of the Reckoners, a group of humans working together to bring down the tyrants, David may finally get a chance to get revenge for his father's death. By far, the best action book out in 2013. I can't wait for book two. This is the anti-superhero book where superpowers make you superbad. A provocative idea.
A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
Mix together an angry anorexic, a suicidal boy, a video-game addict, a disturbed young girl, a compulsive liar, and a mute and ask them to work together, and you should have a terrible mess. Brought together as an anger management group at the Heartland Ranch, a school for troubled teens, this tough and hurting group of teens will do crazy, dangerous and remarkable things to help each other earn new freedoms and a chance to move back to grow. Their amazing journey is at times laugh-out-loud funny, heartbreaking, and transformative. I finished reading this book with hope that things can be better. Life can bring difficult challenges, but with good friends, anything is possible.
Mix together an angry anorexic, a suicidal boy, a video-game addict, a disturbed young girl, a compulsive liar, and a mute and ask them to work together, and you should have a terrible mess. Brought together as an anger management group at the Heartland Ranch, a school for troubled teens, this tough and hurting group of teens will do crazy, dangerous and remarkable things to help each other earn new freedoms and a chance to move back to grow. Their amazing journey is at times laugh-out-loud funny, heartbreaking, and transformative. I finished reading this book with hope that things can be better. Life can bring difficult challenges, but with good friends, anything is possible.
True Legend by Mike Lupica
Drew Robinson is known on the courts as "True" Robinson because he has proved he is a true basketball phenom. As a Junior, True's career is already being tracked by colleges, the NBA, and sports magazines. With his notoriety, True has found that a lot of people around him want to "help" him out. He always has friends to help with homework, get chauffeured around, and get him whatever else he needs. The only person that is not impressed with him is mysterious basketball player with mad skills that he meets one night on the courts. As True's mistakes on and off the court mount up, this washed up player may hold the key to Drew's survival. Once again, Lupica has created a compelling sports story with exciting games, over-time twists, and players with heart. This is a powerful basketball story.
Drew Robinson is known on the courts as "True" Robinson because he has proved he is a true basketball phenom. As a Junior, True's career is already being tracked by colleges, the NBA, and sports magazines. With his notoriety, True has found that a lot of people around him want to "help" him out. He always has friends to help with homework, get chauffeured around, and get him whatever else he needs. The only person that is not impressed with him is mysterious basketball player with mad skills that he meets one night on the courts. As True's mistakes on and off the court mount up, this washed up player may hold the key to Drew's survival. Once again, Lupica has created a compelling sports story with exciting games, over-time twists, and players with heart. This is a powerful basketball story.
Winger by Alexander Gordon Smith -
Ryan Dean West has a lot of strikes against him. At age 14, he is the youngest Junior in his school. Because of some trouble he got into last year, he will be rooming with a psychopath from his rugby team, who he is sure will kill him in his sleep, and he is in love with his best friend, a girl who sees him as a little brother. However, Ryan Dean West is a rugby player. From rugby, he has learned that you need determination, courage, and a little bit of craziness to get what you want. You can't let a few stitches or a concussion keep you from winning. Ryan Dean West is a fearless rugby player, and he is going to whatever he can, off and on the field, to make his Junior year the stuff of legend. Through Winger's wickedly astute observations to his insane bravery on and off the field, you too will fall under Ryan Dean West's spell. The ending is a sucker punch that you can't expect, and you won't stop thinking about. This book is one of my favorites of 2013.
Ryan Dean West has a lot of strikes against him. At age 14, he is the youngest Junior in his school. Because of some trouble he got into last year, he will be rooming with a psychopath from his rugby team, who he is sure will kill him in his sleep, and he is in love with his best friend, a girl who sees him as a little brother. However, Ryan Dean West is a rugby player. From rugby, he has learned that you need determination, courage, and a little bit of craziness to get what you want. You can't let a few stitches or a concussion keep you from winning. Ryan Dean West is a fearless rugby player, and he is going to whatever he can, off and on the field, to make his Junior year the stuff of legend. Through Winger's wickedly astute observations to his insane bravery on and off the field, you too will fall under Ryan Dean West's spell. The ending is a sucker punch that you can't expect, and you won't stop thinking about. This book is one of my favorites of 2013.