I’ve been a member of Goodreads for a while. Readers (all 3 of you) will recognize the module on my site that logs the books that I read. Every year I tell myself I’ll write a post about my favorite reads for the year. I never get around to it, until now! Here are the top five books, in no particular order. These are the ones that stuck with me or that I’ve recommended to friends. I’m noticing some patterns here … Seattle connections … sports … memoirs … and some guilty pleasures that I deserve. I’m worth it!
Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (2013) Read in June. For those who have read Laura Hildebrandt’s Unbroken, this has a similar feel (though, I feel Hildebrandt’s writing is better and Zamperini’s story just incredible). As a (former) Seattle rower, this is a great tale about Seattle rowing, Stan and George Pocock, and the memorable crew that travelled to Germany in 1936 to compete and win at the Olympics (it’s history, people, I’m not spoiling anything here).
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews (2013) Read in August. Of all of the supernatural creatures out there, the werewolf/were-animal is my favorite. Of all the alpha leaders in all of the fantasy books I’ve read, Curran is the leader of the, um, pack. This is the 6th book in of one of the best urban fantasy / paranormal romance series out there. It’s the “European vacation” installment. Vicious fights, surprising deaths, jealousy, it’s all in there. My only issue with this series (seriously, the ONLY issue), is the writers (a husband/wife writing team) have titled all the books so similarly, I have a hard time talking about them by title, so I end up saying, “the one with…” For example. My prior favorite was the one with The Midnight Games but my new favorite is the one with the European Packs. Whatever, start with the first one (Magic Bites, I looked it up for you). And even if it seems slow or odd, just keep with it. It is worth it.
Open by Andre Agassi (2009) Read in June. This is the only one on the list not written in 2013, and I acutally had borrowed this from the library when it came out but never got a chance to read it. Boy did I miss out. It floated up again when my tennis-playing friend recommended it. I don’t play tennis, but I followed his career a little bit when I was much younger, and you couldn’t avoid the Barbra Streisand and Brooke Shields headlines. I am always looking for a good sports memoir, and this one doesn’t disappoint. What really helps this along is Agassi’s ghostwriter, who created a frenetic voice and told Agassi’s story like a popcorn/top 40 novel.
Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox (2013) Read in July. Another Seattle connection. I only lightly followed this news story as it was happening. Going through the honest retelling of a young and naive co-ed’s story, the shocking injustice thrown to her, and her perseverance to survive through it. Wow. And omg I am NOT going to let my kiddo go abroad for school. Just will not let my baby go.
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins (2013) Read in April. Here’s the dark horse. And by that, I mean a lighthearted rom-com. Did I read better, more entertaining, more meaty, worthy books than this one? Probably. But I also gave this 4 Goodreads stars, which is what I gave Amanda Knox and Andre Agassi (Boys and Magic received 5 stars, the only two that did last year). This is some classic rom-com, and late in the year I decided, should I ever take up writing or self-publishing, which I might, rom-com should be my genre. This storyline is not surprising … the typical gorgeous, caring Sheriff, the pretty but flawed woman who almost married Sheriff’s best friend who returns to the small town. The HEA ending (happily ever after, for those non-romance readers out there). My only complaint is, what I’m guessing is pressure from editors or someone to include sexy scenes. Unnecessary to me.
Do I have some runner-ups? The only other theme I can think of is I had the opportunity to support and read books written and self-published by a few friends and acquaintances. Support your friends.