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Best Books of 2013

I can't actually believe I'm doing a 2013 write up already - how times flies when you're having reading fun. I've had a brilliant reading year and have managed around 150 brilliant reads, so you can imagine my pain in having to narrow them down. I would of loved to have mentioned everything but I had to be tough and get it down to a select 11 - including book of the year. I also couldn't help mentioning a few important books at the end. :) Have you done a 2013 wrap up? Leave me your links - I would love to check them out. Book of the year: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman Not only is this my book of the year, it is my favourite book of all time. Enchanting, beautiful and highly imaginative... Gaiman's words washed over me and took me to another place and another time where anything was possible. If you only read one book ever make it this one! 1. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider Think John Green with that extra little ...

On The Cover #44

On The Cover is a feature I am going to doing every now and again. I will pick one book cover that sticks out, is really interesting or just beautiful - I particularly like a book cover that has a stunning landscape. I think the cover of a book is very important, it's the first thing a person sees and some of the time it's the reason why a person will pick a book up and read the back. I will just pick a book that catches my eye from throughout the week. So come on Book Cover Lovers, share with me your favourite book covers. My Pick This Week: Winter Queen by Amber Argyle Summary from Goodreads ~Becoming a winter queen will make Ilyenna as cold and cruel and deadly as winter itself, but it might be the only way to save her people from a war they have no hope of winning.~ Mortally wounded during a...

The Windvale Sprites by Mackenzie Crook‏

Summary from Goodreads When a storm sweeps through the country, Asa wakes up the next day to find that his town is almost unrecognisable - trees have fallen down, roofs have collapsed and debris lies everywhere. But amongst the debris in his back garden Asa makes an astounding discovery - the body of a small winged creature. A creature that looks very like a fairy. Do fairies really exist? Asa embarks on a mission to find out. A mission that leads him to the lost journals of local eccentric Benjamin Tooth who, two hundred years earlier, claimed to have discovered the existence of fairies. What Asa reads in those journals takes him on a secret trip to Windvale Moor, where he discovers much more than he'd hoped to... Hardcover , 208 pages Published November 1st 2011 by Faber & Faber My Review The Windvale Sprites is a truly magical book that captured my imagination and had me flying through the pages at an alarming rate. Mackenzie Crook...

Unearthed (A Resistance Trilogy Novella) $0.99 Blitz PLUS Giveaway! (Rachael Wade)

Hey paranormal romance fans, have you checked out The Resistance Trilogy by author Rachael Wade? Book 1, Amaranth is FREE at all e-book retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, and Apple, and now through 12/19, UNEARTHED, a novella that follows the events of the trilogy, is on sale for only $0.99. If you love vampires, witches, and magic with your romance, then grab Amaranth for free today and give the series a try. Want to win a signed paperback set of the trilogy, signed bookmarks, and signed poster? Enter below! Unearthed Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords Apple Kobo *WARNING* This is a short novella intended to be read after The Tragedy of Knowledge. It takes place after the events of The Resistance Trilogy. For Gavin and Camille, the Amaranthian war is over. But they’ve evolved since then, and so has the realm they’ve come to know as home. Now comfortable and happy in their new life, they soon discover that some...

My Nerd Wishes for 2014

I had a lot of fun putting my list together last year , and a lot of them actually came true! Or at least half true- S.H.I.E.L.D. was picked up, but is neither awesome nor Whedony, at least not yet, and while Community did return, it was a soulless mockery of itself. But that's ok because! 10) Dan Harmon's return will put an end to the Darkest Timeline. This is not so much a wish as it is a dearly held belief. 9) S.H.I.E.L.D. to get better. There's so much potential, but so far it's lacking that essential spark and I just don't care about anyone other than Coulson most of the time. 8) The chance to go back to NYCC. I went this year and it was amazing and even better than last time ( Sleepy Hollow cast! Spirited feminist debates! Hugs and love from John Barrowman!). Here's hoping the third time is the best so far. 7) To not say appallingly stupid things to the Supernatural cast at the con I'm going to in September. Or to swoon during my photo op with ...

Top Ten Teen Books of 2013

It's that time of year again! Time to agonize over picking my ten favorite books this year, and then find ways to cheat slightly to include a few more. ;-) Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion Actually, I had a bit of trouble putting together this list because so many of my favorite books this year were firmly in the Adult category. Still, plenty, like this one, have broader appeal. While the movie is fun, and it's great to have an addition to the ZomRomCom genre, the book outstrips it by a mile. Contemplative, horrifying, and emotionally resonant for a generation, Warm Bodies should definitely claw its way onto your reading list. I mentioned the cheating, right? Here's a big one- the ninth spot on my list belongs to the collections of critical essays based around popular TV shows that I've read this year. It's been a big year for fandoms, and what better way to celebrate than by delving deeper into the history, psychology, and cultural relevance of your favorite Time Lor...

Night of Cake and Puppets

Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him. -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads I haven't ...

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines‏

Summary from Goodreads My future was about to be completely thrown off track because Della Sloane was under my skin, and I had to have her. I couldn't ignore it anymore. . . . I'd gotten close enough to her to see deeper. Della Sloane is not your average girl. Yearning to break free of her dark and sheltered past, Della plans a solo road trip to experience real life on her own terms. But the trip is nearly cut short in the little beach town of Rosemary when she realizes she can't even pump her own gas-until Woods Kerrington shows up, more than willing to help out a pretty girl in need. Woods's family wants him to settle down with a wealthy woman in pearls, but he can't resist this carefree girl in cutoffs passing through town. A one-night stand should have been enough, but months later, Woods can't get the irresistible Della out of his head. When a twist of fate brings Della back to Woods, all signs point to trouble if they don't keep their di...

Untold

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan It’s time to choose sides… On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways. But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be? -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads There's so much to love in these books. I've already raved about Kami's family and friends, and how competent and fun she is as a protagonist (parallels may have been made to Veronica Mars). This sequel offers more of...

Beauty by Sarah Pinborough‏

Summary from Goodreads Beauty is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story which takes all the elements of the classic fairytale that we love (the handsome prince, the ancient curse, the sleeping girl and, of course, the haunting castle) and puts a modern spin on the characters, their motives and their desires. It's fun, contemporary, sexy, and perfect for fans of ONCE UPON A TIME, GRIMM, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN and more Hardcover , 208 pages Published October 17th 2013 by Gollancz My Review Beauty is a kick-ass story. Oh how I wish Sarah Pinborough's gorgeously wicked fairytale re-tellings could go on forever - they are so moreish. This instalment is a Sleeping Beauty re-telling, but you will be delighted to know that Beauty isn't the only familiar face you will stumble upon - Sarah has expertly woven quite a few little bits and pieces in here, which makes it a bit of a mayhem mash up of awesomeness! Turns out B...

The Witching Pen gets a new look‏ (Dianna Hardy)

Two and a half years ago, The Witching Pen series was born. This month, it gets a brand new look! Combining the elements of dark and light, the new covers are designed to embody the spirit of the series as a whole, rather than each individual book, as none of the books are really standalones. Fans of the series will understand the symbolism of the butterfly on the cover of the first book, The Witching Pen , and how it ties into the last book, The Last Dragon . The Canary Wharf skyline is visible in the background on all the new covers, bringing the London location of the books to the forefront. In essence, the new covers mark the very end of the series and, I feel, completes it in a way it deserves. As well as the new dark covers that now adorn the eBooks (and also coming to paperback by the end of December), a 'light cover edition' will also be available in paperback from January, 2014. So, the reader can now mix and match their covers for each of the four books i...

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano‏

Summary from Goodreads On the floating city of Internment, you can be anything you dream, unless you approach the edge. Morgan Stockhour knows getting too close can lead to madness, like her older brother Len, a Jumper. She takes solace in her best friend Pen, and in Basil, the boy she’s engaged to marry. When she investigates the first murder in a generation, she meets Judas. The suspect was betrothed to the victim, but Morgan believes he is innocent. Nothing can prepare Morgan for the secrets she will find – or whom she will lose. Paperback , 352 pages Published October 3rd 2013 by HarperVoyager (first published October 1st 2013) My Review Lauren DeStefano never ceases to amaze me with her wickedly imaginative mind! Perfect Ruin in my opinion tops her Chemical Garden Trilogy, which is actually one of my favourite trilogies - so you can imagine ho w much I adored loosing myself to this! The writing is exqu...

Waiting on Wednesday #53

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi Summary from Goodreads The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com). Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world. The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique...

A Dance of Cloaks by David Dalglish‏

Summary from Goodreads Thren Felhorn is the greatest assassin of his time. Marshalling the thieves’ guilds under his control, he declares war against the Trifect, an allegiance of wealthy and powerful nobles. Aaron Felhorn has been groomed since birth to be Thren’s heir. Sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. In doing so, he glimpses a world beyond poison, daggers, and the iron control of his father. Guilds twist and turn, trading allegiances for survival. The Trifect weakens, its reputation broken, its money dwindling. The players take sides as the war nears its end, and Thren puts in motion a plan to execute hundreds. Only Aaron can stop the massacre and protect those he loves… Assassin or protector; every choice has its consequences. Paperback , 448 pages Published October 8th 2013 by Orbit (first published August 16th 2010) My Review ...

All the Truth That's In Me

All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last. -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads I can't believe that I gave a book...