To Re-Read in 2014!

This post is a little late but I have a couple of books I want to re-read this year and I want to share them with you! 

1. Divergent

This one is kind of obvious. The movie comes out early this year (THE FEELS) so I want to make sure I have all of the scenes fresh in my head before I go see it. This might be easier said than done after reading Allegiant but I'm still a little bit excited to experience it again. 

2. The Fault in Our Stars

I've been wanting to re-read this one for a long time, probably since the moment I finished reading it the first time. Unfortunately for me, I'm saving it for June. To think that we'll get to see this beautiful story on the big screen is mind-blowing! I've been a fan of John Green since high school so this book (and maybe even the movie *fingers crossed*) has a special place in my heart along with his other novels. 

3. Just One Day/ Just One Year

I read Just One Year months after I read Just One Day and I feel like the experience wasn't complete. What I mean by that is that I still caught little details from the first one in the companion novel but reading them back-to-back adds a whole different layer to the reading experience. I really enjoyed both the writing and the travel elements in these novels so I'm looking forward to losing myself in them again. 

4. Eleanor & Park

I read the ARC of this one and I know that Rainbow Rowell changed a couple of things in the final edit. I really need to read the finished copy and I don't think I can put it off for much longer. 

5. The Great Gatsby

I read this in high school (aka a long time ago) and I loved it. I've been wanting to re-read it for years and I don't see a reason why I shouldn't dive into this one in 2014. 

6. Of Mice and Men

I claim that this one is my favorite novel of all time yet I haven't read it in years. I need to fix this ASAP because that's just plain embarrassing. 

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Which novels are you planning to re-read this year? I would love to know!

Top 13 of 2013!

I read 111 books this year. These are the best ones out of the bunch!

1.  Please Ignore Vera Dietz

This novel was my introduction to A.S. King and it definitely left an impression on me. I read three of her novels in a matter of weeks and I don't regret a second of it. If you are not familiar with A.S. King, I highly recommend her because she is a magnificent storyteller! 

2.  Fangirl

Like everyone else, I loved Eleanor & Park and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it, though. I grew so attached to the characters that I couldn't get them out of my head for weeks! I can relate to Cath in so many levels that the story became very personal to me. And don't get me started on Levi! I just adore him so much that I'm currently stalking every Starbucks in the hopes of snatching a guy just like him. ;) 

Oh, and if you've read it, please tell me that I'm not the only one who has read chapter thirty-one several times.

3.  Out of the Easy

Beautiful. Profound. Touching. I can't say anything bad about this novel. I knew from the very first chapter that this story was special. The setting, the plot, the characters...it all comes together to create one phenomenal book. 

4.  Just One Day/ Just One Year

Traveling + First Love = A Winner in My Book. This is a coming of age story that takes us on a journey to the most beautiful places in the world and introduces us to one of the most realistic couples I've ever read in a YA contemporary novel. 

5.  Easy

I dived into this novel not knowing what to expect. To say that it was a pleasant surprise doesn't do it justice. It is such a beautiful and realistic love story centered around a very delicate subject. It is both powerful and romantic. As soon as I put it down I wanted to read it again, which is a sign that this novel is fantastic. 

6.  Legend Trilogy

 

I'm not going to lie: I almost didn't read this trilogy. I only picked it up because I didn't have anything to read. Awful, I know. This is heart-pounding perfection. It has action, romance, great world-building, an intense plot, amazing & flawed characters, and it is wonderfully written. What else could you want? 

7.  The Sea of Tranquility

This is another one that left me shocked at how much I enjoyed it. The relationship in this one is so complicated that it will take you on an intense roller-coaster ride.  It has so many layers that--once they come together--you'll be left exhausted but wanting more. 

8.  Never Fade

While I enjoyed The Darkest Minds, I didn't love it as much as I loved its sequel. I don't know how Alexandra Bracken does it but she makes sure you are so invested in the story that you curse, sweat, cry, laugh, and just about have a heart attack. This series is definitely worth the hype.

9. The Bone Season

This beauty is expected to be a seven book series, which is incredibly awesome. The story is so intricate that you might get a headache from trying to keep everything straight but it is so worth it.  I barely slept while reading this because I didn't want to put it down. It is THAT good. 

10. Daughter of Smoke & Bone / Days of Blood & Starlight

Let's get this out of the way: the covers are gorgeous. I could look at them for days. The story totally merits the beautiful presentation. It comes alive in your head in such a unique way that I fell in love with Laini Taylor's writing. It is so freaking beautiful! I can't get over how she puts words together to create the most magical sentences I've ever read.

11. These Broken Stars

Fun. That's how I would describe this novel. Also, kind of creepy. You don't know what's going on for the majority of the story but that alone makes it great! I loved the characters and the writing is phenomenal. I can't wait to read more stories set in this world. 

12. Where She Went

I liked If I Stay but I loved Where She Went. Only a fantastic novel can break my heart the way this one did. Both novels are so emotionally charged that all you'll want to do afterwards is have a party for one with your favorite ice cream and a huge box of tissues. 

13. Help for the Haunted

I saved the 13th spot for this one on purpose. This is one is the only "scary" book I read in 2013 but it was a good one. I was so terrified of it that I made sure I didn't read it at night. It is super creepy but also really enjoyable. 

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Which books made your list? I would love recommendations for next year as well! 

October 2013 - TBR

Hello!

I've been patiently (not really) waiting for this very month to come about because the most amazing books are being released within days of each other. I already pre-ordered all of these beauties so I want to share with you the books I'll be reading at the end of the month.

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

544 pages

Expected publication: October 22nd, 2013

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

This is the heart-stopping (and most likely heart-breaking) final book in the Divergent series. Who ISN'T counting down the days until this books comes out? I'm expecting a lot of tears and a whole lot of action from this one. Fans of this series have been waiting for answers from the very beginning and I am certain Veronica Roth won't disappoint. Even though I'm devastated that this is the last chance for us to experience the lives of Tris and Four, I cannot wait to stay up all night reading the conclusion to an amazing series.

2.  Just One Year by Gayle Forman

323 pages

Expected publication: October 10th, 2013

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

The heartrending conclusion—from Willem’s POV—to the romantic duet of novels that began with Allyson’s story in Just One Day

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

Shifting gears a little bit, JOY is a companion book to Just One Day. I picked up the first book a couple of months ago and I had no idea how much I was going to love it. Allyson, the main character, is so real and likable. I truly feel like anyone can relate to her, which is one of the reasons why I can include this book as one of the best ones I've read this year. The relationship between her and Willem and how little you know about him is not only intriguing but it also makes you feel every emotion known to man. Since this novel is told from Willem's point of view, it'll fill in all the blanks from Just One Day while it'll also tie everything up. I also have a feeling this one is a tearjerker, so plan accordingly.

3. Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

512 pages

Expected publication: October 15th, 2013

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

This beauty is the second book in The Darkest Minds series. I read TDM at the beginning of the year and I'm still on the fence about it. Even though I enjoyed it (especially towards the end) it didn't grip me as much as I hoped. However, the concept is interesting and the characters are so amazing that I pre-ordered it and I will sit down to read it as soon as it arrives. Also, it doesn't hurt that all of the early press I've seen for this is overwhelmingly positive.

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So, there you have it! All I have left to do is wait for the UPS man and stay away from all of the spoilers that are bound to pop up all over the internet! :)

Are you excited about any of these titles? Or any others I didn't include? Let me know!