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Monday, June 24, 2013

Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The Sea of Tranquility
by Katja Millay

My Review | Goodreads

This book is angst-central. But I'd like to point out that though The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay is an emotionally draining novel, it is also one that will leave you breathless from the outstanding beauty of the characters and the writing. The Sea of Tranquility is about a lot of pain, but through all that hardship, there is HOPE. So while the journey was hard, the ending was beautiful.


The Archived
by Victoria Schwab

My Review | Goodreads

Just when you think there are no more truly original ideas left for books, enter The Archived by Victoria Schwab with an entirely unique and exciting concept that was so refreshing in its originality. It's a fairly complex concept, but Victoria Schwab nails the execution of it, ensuring that the reader is never confused, only intrigued.



Etiquette & Espionage
by Gail Carriger

My Review | Goodreads

I may have a new author crush in Gail Carriger. She has a definite talent for humourous writing, vibrant characters, and fast-paced entertaining plots. I do admit though that there was some bias in my love for Etiquette & Espionage because it had a vague semblance to Harry Potter - a quirky boarding school, fun and cartoonish characters, a general whimsical atmosphere. Sounds fun, right?


Shades of Earth
by Beth Revis

My Review | Goodreads

FREX, Shades of Earth was INTENSE. This was the third and final book in the Across the Universe Series - and it went out with a bang! Shades of Earth, and indeed the entire trilogy on a whole, was exciting, surprising, and entertaining. Chaos, lies, and murder abound in this absolutely thrilling finale. If you haven't read this trilogy yet, then what the heck are you waiting for?


Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo

My Review | Goodreads

Shadow and Bone was my JAM. It had so many elements that I love, including (but not at all limited to): a wonderfully developed and beautifully picturesque world, a creative and fascinating magic system, a sort of boarding school setting, an awesomely relatable and fierce heroine, a slow building and fantastically swoony romance, and an enigmatic and complex villain. Shadow and Bone has it ALL!


Clockwork Princess
by Cassandra Clare

My Review | Goodreads

Overpowering happiness and emotional devastation - is it possible to feel such entirely different emotions over the ending of a series? Because with Clockwork Princess, the final book in one of my most favourite and beloved series, I sure felt that way. Clockwork Princess was a mixed bag of thrills and laughs, anguish and dread. I could not think of a more perfect outcome and ending for this amazing series and its beloved characters.


Unbreakable
by Elizabeth Norris

My Review | Goodreads

Unbreakable was just as exciting and electrifying as Unraveling. Elizabeth Norris has a true talent for crafting ambitious story lines and she handles them exceedingly well. Part of what makes Unbreakable so riveting is its breakneck pacing. I mean, GOOD GRIEF it was kind of insane how non-stop the action was. But what I think I loved even more is that the insane and numerous action scenes were never at the expense of character growth and emotion.


The 5th Wave
by Rick Yancey

My Review | Goodreads

The 5th Wave is the best sci fi novel I've ever read and is one of the best post-apocalyptic reads I've read (alongside The Road). Combining an intriguing plot, intelligent prose, and vivid characters, The 5th Wave is an absolutely gripping story and one that is not to be missed. For folks who are wary of sci fi: this is your chance to try one that is guaranteed to enthral you and leave you wanting for more!


Cinder
by Marissa Meyer

My Review | Goodreads

With a futuristic Asian setting, a plucky cyborg for a heroine, and the intrigue behind the mysterious Lunars, Cinder was a definite WIN for me. Cinder is compulsively readable, equal parts comforting as a retelling of a well known fairy tale and exciting as an original futuristic world. As a fairy tale retelling, Cinder was definitely predictable, but there was still enough excitement and creativity in the setting and concept to ensure I was never bored despite this.


The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater

Review to be posted this Thursday | Goodreads

Maggie Stiefvater, where have you been all my life? The Scorpio Races was my first read of hers and I loved it entirely. I couldn't be more impressed with Maggie Stiefvater's beautiful writing, as well as her ability to craft an understated, yet completely impactful and memorable story. Plus, I love horses so I was pretty crazy about a storyline revolving completely around them.



45 comments :

  1. I loved Clockwork Princess! And Scorpio Races. But Clockwork Princess was so wonderful.

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  2. I've seen Sea of Tranquility forever and it took me until like a week ago to realize that was ice cream on the cover...I just never noticed and it blew my mind. Now as soon as I get through a good chunk of my TBR I am attacking that book.

    Great list, I read The Archived and Cinder and really enjoyed them

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  3. *sigh* Sadly, I've only read The Archived and Shadow and Bone out of this list, but I do have to agree with you, they were awesome reads! I'm glad to see at least one contemporary up there, since I know you're a huge fantasy fan. :D great list, Aylee! I'll have to jump on a lot of those books soon!

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  4. Wonderful list! :) We have some in common! I haven't been able to read Clockwork Princess yet but I plan on it lol I think I've been putting it off :P I adored Cinder though, and Shadow and Bone as well.

    Check out my list if you'd like :) http://hardcoverobsession.com/2013/06/25/top-ten-3-top-reads-in-2013/

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  5. When I see The Archive, and The 5th Wave and Shades of Earth on your list I want to hang my head in shame because I have not read them yet. I have no excuses. It makes me happy though that you enjoyed Cinder as well as Shadow and Bone so much.

    Happy Reading.

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  6. I really want to read The Sea of Tranquility, it looks so good! I'm not surprised to see Shadow and Bone on your list since you read it this year; it truly is an amazing novel. The 5th Wave is on my list as well - it's a pretty thick book, and I powered through the whole thing like it was nothing! Shades of Earth is also on my TBR. Happy reading & excellent choices!

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  7. Ohh! Cinder made my list as well! I actually just finished it last night and while some aspects were a little predictable, I found that it didn't actually bother me that much. I cannot wait to read the second book, Scarlett!

    My TTT

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  8. I enjoyed Cinder, but it didn't make my list this week. Only because there's so many good books that I've read this year!

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  9. I've only read Cinder, but I've heard great things about all the other books on this list. That's why they're all already on my TBR list. :D

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  10. I adore Clockwork Princess too! And I'm planning to read The Archived for quite some time now. So nice to see it on your list!

    Neysa Kristanti @ [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E.]

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  11. I love your top ten! Almost all of them are on my read or TBR list:)

    My TTT:
    http://evelinesbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/top-ten-tuesday-teaser-tuesday-5.html

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  12. I read Cinder a while ago and enjoyed it. The 5th Wave sounds really good and I know a lot of bloggers who've highly recommended it - one to read in the future I think! (PS I love your blog header!)

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  13. Shades of Earth was great, made my list as well. And I liked Cinder as well but Scarlet was better. The Clockwork Princess let me down.

    My TTT

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  14. I don't think I've read anything on that list, it's terrible!

    The cover for Clockwork Princess is GORGEOUS.

    And I so so so have to get the 5th wave (although hopefully your favourite sci-fi novels will expand once you read Ender's Game ;) ).

    I'm going off to college for three weeks this summer (CTY, I'm 14) so if I can at all I'm going to buy The 5th Wave, Across the Universe and Clockwork Princess. It will be amazing. Plus it's basically nerd camp, so we're all swapping books :D

    And by the way, I am so jealous of your formatting sklls. They're gorgeous. I saw the link you sent me to show me how but I'm not quite good enough for that yet!


    Great list, a lot of these are at the top of my TBR!

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  15. Believe it or not, I've only read one of the books you mentioned in this list! Shadow and Bone - that was a REMARKABLE book. I'm still struggling to maintain my excitement whenever someone mentions it. I'm going to start The Sea of Tranquility very soon, as well as Cinder and The 5th Wave, so I really can't wait, because I've heard nothing but awesome things about them. Fab list, Aylee!

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  16. SEIGE AND STORM! Yes, yes, yes! That one is on my list, too, Aylee. I still have to collect my thoughts enough to be able to review it though haha ever have that problem? Seriously though...fantastic list this week :)

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  17. I loved The Scorpio Races as well and it made my list today. I read but Etiquette & Espionage and enjoyed it enough. Cinder and The Archived are books I hope to read sometime this year.
    My TTT.

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  18. I have seen CP on so many lists, but although I loved the end, I didn't the rest... Must be me.

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  19. Shadow and Bone is also on my list! I loved that book to pieces. 5th Wave is on my TBR list too.

    My TTT: http://www.bookythoughtsandme.com/top-ten-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2013/

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  20. The fifth wave is a book I think I will own by lunch time today after I've seen it on 5 lists so far! I am in love with the Lunar Chronicles! I shouldn't tell you this, but 4 Harry Potter books made my top 10 list... yes, I just read them and yes, I am still mourning Snape and Black. I can't even talk about it. Great site!

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  21. I agree with many of your choices - Clockwork Princess was the one that brought out the most reaction from also - so good, so good.

    I'm kinda curious what your least favourite books this year have been now...

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  22. Whew! I'm glad you read Cinder recently, otherwise I would not have read a single book out of your favorites O.O *blinks* I'm thrilled it made the list though hehe! I SO NEED a copy of Shadow and Bone in my house, right now. It's reign at the top of my wishlist must end!! Speaking of the TBR pile, the Archived, Across the Universe, Etiquette & Espionage and The Scorpio Races are all on there as well, but since I got the sequels to the last 2 at BEA - getting my grubby little hands on book 1 for those series is priority. I'm pumped to see them on your best reads list :D Oh and Unravelling is another one I scored a copy of, I remember your review moving it up my TBR so I can't wait to read that one either! Fabulous picks Aylee ♥

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  23. I still need to read The Archived and Cinder. I've heard such good things about both. Great list!
    Natflix&Books' TTT

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  24. LOVE your list! Great picks! I have been wanting to read Cinder and The Sea of Tranquility since forever! Top 10 Tuesday
    Review: Obsidian

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  25. I definitely agree with you on The Scorpio Races! Such a unique and creative novel. I also really liked Shades of Earth as a conclusion to the series, though A Million Suns was certainly my favorite.

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  26. I still need to read The Archived and The 5th Wave but so happy to see TSoT, Cinder, and Shadow and Bone on your list! AND the Scorpio Races!! You've read some awesome books so far :D

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  27. Your list is so awesome! There are a lot of series here that I want to get into but never seem to pick them up :(

    My TTT with a twist!

    Annoushka @ Annoushka Reads

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  28. I loved The Archived! So good. And Cinder and The 5th Wave. I still really need to read Shadow and Bone though!

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  29. CINDER! That one made it on my list, too. I really cannot wait to read Cress, and I generally hate Sci-Fi. I've been seeing The Archived a lot today, so I totally need to check that one out. Oh and Shadow and Bone, too! And I need to read Clockwork Princess but I'm so scared! I'm going to be an emotional mess. :)

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  30. So glad you loved The Scorpio Races and Cinder. Two of my favorites! =)

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  31. "INTENSE" is the perfect word to describe SHADES OF EARTH. I'm still surprised by that book, so much happened!

    YAY for THE SCORPIO RACES, CINDER, and SHADOW & BONE! Such great stories :)

    Fabulous top ten, Aylee!

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  32. I absolutely cannot wait to read Shades of Earth! EEK! Brilliant list, I've added some new books to my to-read list now :)

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  33. Fantastic list, every single book is either on my wishlist or on my shelves waiting to be read!

    My Top 10 Tuesday!

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  34. I should pick up Across the Universe - you make it sound so good! Shadow and Bone totally has it all, but my favorite thing is by far the amazing world. I loved how Clockwork Princess ended, too! A nice way to end a love triangle. I still need to read Scorpio Races - Maggie is so awesome.

    My TTT

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  35. Sigh....Clockwork Princess! I could barely drag myself back to modern times to find out what happened to Clary, Jace, & Simon. Boy, everybody is reading Shadow & Bone, aren't they? I'll definitely add it on my to-read list!

    Marvelous list & thanks for sharing :)

    Sam @ Mad But Magic

    PS LOOOOVE the name of your blog & the graphic!

    Our TTT: http://madbutmagicya.blogspot.com/

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  36. I think I've only read two of your picks (Cinder and Sea of Tranquility) and I got the 5th Wave in my shopping cart right now, waiting until I'm out of my buying ban.
    LOL, I hope I love the 5th Wave as much as you did.

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  37. Thank you so very much for featuring THE ARCHIVED!!

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  38. I've read half the books on your list, and the other half are on my TBR shelf! Etiquette and Espionage also made my TTT this week! Check it out: http://ashleythebookjunkie.blogspot.com/http://ashleythebookjunkie.blogspot.com/2013/06/top-ten-tuesday-2.html

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  39. YES TO SO MANY OF THESE AYLEE! The Scorpio Races, Unbreakable, and Shadow & Bone all top my list of favorite books ever, and I absolutely adored Cinder as well. I still need to read The Archived and Sea of Tranquility, I've heard awesome things about both and clearly you loved them too, so I must make time!

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  40. Shadow and Bone is one I really want to read so it makes me even more excited to read it seeing it on the top tens. I keep seeing the archived popup a lots so I may have to bump it up the priority list. Happy Reading!
    Here are my top ten.

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  41. What a great list, I agree with so many of these! Can't wait to read your Scorpio Races review, I adored that book. :-) Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Lots of my own favourites too! I also loved Shadow and Bone, Clockwork Princess and The 5th Wave. I can't belive we're so far into 2013 already. Time really does fly by. :)

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  43. I agree about Shadow and bone & Cinder. Some of the other books are high on my reading list!

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  44. I can't believe I've only read two of these! The rest have been on my list for a while, but I just haven't gotten to them yet.

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