I read so many great books this year. But when it comes to writing a best of year-end list, I had to consider what fiction I recommended most often, as well as what resonated with me.
I'm calling this a "favorite" list because many of the books didn't come out this year but it is when I happened to read them. I also didn't include any books that are part of series (looking at you Days of Blood & Starlight and Allegiant) because truly, you need to read the books leading up to those to appreciate them.
To see the other novels meriting a 4 or 5 star review from me, head over to my Pinterest board.
The Paris Wife- Paula McLain
I love when we can peel back the curtain from The Greats and get a more holistic view of they were: deeply flawed, deeply creative individuals who loved and lost and made mistakes and still gave us amazing work in spite of or because of it all. McLain does excellent work in depicting Hemgingway's marriage with his first wife. If I could have smacked him, I would. I appreciated the insights into his writing, as well as his demons. I didn't understand all of Hadley's choices (especially toward the end) but I rooted for her nonetheless.
Me Before You- Jojo Moyes
I could not put this book down. This isn't a spoiler but I did sob partway through. You probably will, too. Lou was a little show on the uptake in a few parts but overall a likable character. This story is going to stick with me for a long time.
Loving Frank- Nancy Horan
It started out slow but the story kept its hooks in me. Mamah is not a sympathetic character, nor is Frank Lloyd Wright, but that may be part of the appeal. In our quest to understand their actions and the way their selfishness impacted their respective families and ultimately themselves, we can't help but read on. The ending shocked me. Like, SHOCKED.
What Alice Forgot- Liane Moriarty
Reading about Alice's plight led to quite a few reflections. What would my 10 year ago self make of my life today? At times, Alice irritated me and there was a part toward the end that didn't make sense in light of the plot and character development. Overall, I enjoyed it and I couldn't stop thinking about the premise.
The Cuckoo's Calling- Robert Galbraith
JK Rowling's pseudonymous book did not disappoint. The main characters are deftly nuanced and the plot kept me guessing. While I'm usually skeptical of murder mysteries, I'm glad I gave it a chance. I've heard this is the first in what will be a series. I hope that's true.
The Eyre Affair- Jasper Fforde
An inventive plot written by a lover of literature. Even if you're not familiar with Jane Eyre, you'll appreciate a detective who deals with books and their characters- especially when those characters go missing or the endings change.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane- Nail Gaiman
Eerie and captivating, The Ocean at the End of the Lane was my first Neil Gaiman but certainly won't be my last. I'll be mulling over the twists and turns for quite awhile.
The Rosie Project-Graeme Simsion
Genetics professor Don is not your average narrator. Is he extremely socially awkward or does he have undiagnosed Aspergers? While I wish Simsion had fleshed out this aspect of the story more fully, he created a fascinating character and premise. Watching Don's constructed reality come apart as he begins to engage with a woman- whom he deems an unsuitable marriage partner, no less- is equal parts funny and poignant.
Silver Linings Playbook- Matthew Quick
I watched Silver Linings Playbook several months ago. Last night I finished reading the book. It was so interesting to see the movie first, then read the book and see what changed. The movie kept the heart of the story but did a lot of rearranging, going so far as to add a character and decrease other characters' involvement. I had way less ethical concerns about the therapist in the book compared to the movie. (There's still the issue of boundaries should a therapist interact with a patient outside of therapy and I'm not convinced his licensure board would understand tailgating together. But the movie features a pretty flagrant ethical breach compared to the book.) The book allows you to see the nuances of mental illness, whereas the movie brought those concerns front and center. Both are a must-see and must-read.
Bel Canto- Ann Patchett
I was fully captivated by the story. Patchett's characterization and pacing let the plot unfurl in a languorous way that only added to its depth. I learned so much about opera in the process and the role of music in our lives. It also had me examining the roles of captor/captive in a new light. I cannot wait to see how it translates as an opera.
What are your favorite fiction reads of 2013?
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