Well, another year has gone. It seems like it went by way too fast!
I decided to change the look of the blog in time to start the new year. I was sick of all of the black, and just wanted something clean and simple. I’m using the Tweak Me theme, so I’m sure I’ll play with it a lot. I also got the Ultimate Book Blogger Plugin, and am so happy with it. I know a lot of people praised it, but it wasn’t until I actually experienced did I realize how freakin’ great it is. Especially for lazy and/or busy bloggers like me.
I read the most books this year than I have in previous years. My goal was 85, but I read 95. Since I cut back on tours and similar type posts, I’ve had more time to read. Which is what I’d rather do. So now that the blog taking less of my time, I think I’m going to shoot for 100 books in 2014. *fingers crossed*
I read some great books in 2013. Some were the beginning of a series, some were the ending of a series, and some were somewhere in the middle. There were also instances where I read an entire series, at least up to the latest book. So I’m going to list some of my favorite reads of 2013.
The Summer Series by C.J. Duggan – I read the 3 available books in the series, and it became one of my favorites.
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The Hundred Oaks Series by Miranda Kenneally – Another series that became a favorite of mine in 2013. I believe I read all four within a 2 months.
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Parallel by Lauren Miller – This was such a great book that kept me on my toes.
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers – This is the 2nd book in the His Fair Assassin series and seriously rocked!
Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon – This was hilarious & sweet!
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Pivot Point by Kasie West – Loved it! And can’t wait for the 2nd book.
Fire & Ash by Jonathan Maberry – I was sad to see the Benny Imura series end, but it went out with a bang.
In the After by Demitria Lunetta – This was an impressive debut novel, and I look forward to the next book.
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The Weird Girls Series by Cecy Robson – I read book 2, 2.5, and 3 in 2013 and loved them all. This is another great series!
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I better stop there. Have you read any of these?
Hope you all have a Happy New Year!
Awesome list of favorites and some of these made my lists. Happy New Year my friend and good luck with your goal and congrats and surpassing this years!
Eeep! I really love the Hundred Oaks series as well. Catching Jordan is part of my best-of list this year. The other books weren’t as good, but I still really enjoyed them all.
Good luck with your 100-book goal in 2014! 😀
I agree with most of these (the ones that I have read) and want to read the others!
It was a great year for new releases and I am super excited about the sequels to most of them and all the new ones that I know will be out.
Great list Christy, Happy New Year!
Love the new theme!
And I can agree with so many of your choices: In the After, Parallel, Pivot Point, Dark Triumph…
Happy New Year, Christy 🙂
Jen @ YA Romantics
I’m so excited about Split Second! I hope it’s as good as Pivot Point, if not more. I’m really looking forward to starting the Weird Girls series next year. I’ve got the first few books ready to go. Stealing Parker is another one I’m planning to get around to in 2014. And also the rest of the Hundred Oaks series, as Catching Jordan was so fun. I’m glad it’s a favourite for you. 🙂 I hope you have a great 2014, Christy! Happy New Year!
Congratulations on your reads, girl! I haven’t read any of these but several are on my TBR. Hope you and your son have a fabulous 2014!! <3
Must Love Otters! That was on my favorites too! Yay for getting so much read this year! And I love the new look!
Your new look is great! Love it!
Congrats on your reading this year. Did very well. Good luck in 2014.
Happy New Year!
I like the new look. Good luck with your goal and Happy New Year!
Congrats on passing your reading goal! I love the new look. I am still trying to figure everything out that the UBB plugin does. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Good luck going for 100 books this year! I’ve only read two books on your list but I really liked them both, especially Dark Triumph. I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Awesome list!!! And congrats on all the books you read in 2013!!! Same as me 😀 I still need to read Kenneally’s series… you’ve got me intrigued if you liked it – you’re so dark sometimes, it kind of surprises me (dark in a good way, though!!! No flingin’ curses my way!!) BTW, where ever did you find your avatar on FB?! It’s hysterical!!!
I’m jealous of your usage of UBB!!! Your blog looks great!!! Your images in your posts look absolutely perfect!! I’m still learning all UBB does… I only use it for the Reviews page and the giveaways widget right now.
BTW, I bought Girls Guide almost a year ago (sometime in the Spring 2013) and I’m just now finding time to actually work through it. I’m so glad I bought it when I did b/c I paid so little for it (the prices has doubled or tripled since then) and I still get access to the updated material when it comes out shortly. Amanda @ On A Book Bender was doing it so I bought it right when she finished her course. She swears by it and I love it so far, too. You do have buy the Thesis theme, though and that’s an additional $80 or so.
Dark, indeed. 😉 Haha – my FB avatar is from that blipstrip app… or whatever it’s called.
I had to get Kimberly on the phone and help me with the UBB plugin. She held my hand and walked me through all of my never ending questions. lol.
Oooh … hmm… Well, I guess I’ll pass on the Girls Guide. For now. It isn’t something I feel I NEED. I’ll just get you to do stuff for me once you’re all CSS intelligent and shit. LOL.
I love your new look, Christy! AND THESE BOOKS. I so agree. Parallel, Dark Triumph, Pivot Point, Racing Savannah….all excellent reads. I’ll need to read the others you listed asap. Hope you have an amazing 2014!
wonderful pick for favorites! I really liked In the After as well! Need to read a bunch of others from the list!
[…] My Favorite Books of 2013 […]
Happy new year! Sorry this is belated, I’ve been MIA while traveling over the holidays. LOVE the new look for the blog! And this is probably the third or fourth time I’m seeing the Summer series on an end of year wrap up list. So of course, I’m kicking myself for not having read it. But 2014 is the year I’m hoping to catch up on all the series I’ve been behind in or missing out on. Hope your 2014 is full of happiness and amazing reads! 🙂