2013 in Books!


In terms of reading, I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. Though the books I have read number few, they were all of great quality. When I thought back to all the books I read, I went over to my bookshelf to go look for them. That was when I realized that most of the books I read this year were read via the Kindle I bought in January. I love the feeling of cracking open a book and flipping through all of the pages, but I had good reasons to buy the reading device. First of all, it saves on book storage space. Instead of having to buy another bookshelf and figure out where to put it when I already have limited space, I don't even have to worry about it. It doesn't mean I won't buy books that I can hold in my hand from time to time, but at least I know the option is available.

I also started a lot of books that I haven't had a chance to finish. I started Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, American Gods, the graphic novels Transmetropolitan, and Billions & Billions.

So, here is a list of what I read this year!

1.) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
This was the first Neil Gaiman book that I ever read, after hearing so many good things about the author and his work. I really liked the movies that were made of his books, so I figured I would give one a try. I chose Neverwhere because it was already owned by my fiance, and he recommended it as well. I read through the entire thing in less than a week. I had a hard time putting it down! The characters are interesting, the story is intriguing and full of unexpected events, and it was written in a way that allowed my mind to easily paint a picture of what was happening. I definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking to get into Gaiman's books and see what they are all about.

2.) The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This was one of those instances in which I saw the movie first, and I was so moved by the movie that I just had to read the book. The setting is a familiar one; a coming of age story about a young teenager and his new experiences with high school. However, there were some very unique things about the story and the characters that rendered them unforgettable to me. It's a pretty short book (I read it in about four days), but it's well worth the read. If you aren't big on reading, I definitely recommend seeing the movie version, especially since the author of the book, Stephen Chbosky, wrote and directed it!

3.) Wasted by Marya Hornbacher (second read through)
This is a non-fictional book about Marya's life as a bulimic and anorexic. Written when she was 21 years old and still in recovery, she writes about her life in chapters that feel like fragments pulled straight from her mind. Marya Hornbacher is one of my absolute favorite writers! She writes so eloquently and in a way that really portrays the intensity of what she was going through. She is definitely an inspiration to me in terms of writing and building a stronger sense of self.

4.) Madness by Marya Hornbacher
This is Marya's book about her life after Wasted was published. She details the process of being diagnosed with Bipolar disorder on the rapid-cycling end of the spectrum, and her years of life in and out of mental health facilities. This brutally honest and thought provoking account made it difficult to put down. (On a side note, she's since written a recovery handbook for people who have have a mental illness or addiction. I have yet to read it, but it can be found here if you want to check it out.)

5.) Cosmos by Carl Sagan
No book has done the kind of things to my mind that Cosmos has. Carl Sagan is a wonderful writer, explaining complex concepts in way that can be understood by anyone who reads it. Although some of the science and information is outdated (the book was published in 1980), Sagan's unique voice and his persistent optimism kept me enthralled. I can't wait to read more of his books! (I hope to read them all!) I also highly recommend watching the show Cosmos as well.

Comments

  1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower resonates with me so much, but it's pretty painful to read.

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    1. I agree. It's a very emotional book, but it's very well-written.

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  2. I want to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I haven't even seen the movie yet.

    http://initialed.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. It's very good! I would definitely recommend it being part of your 2014 experience!

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  3. I love Neil Gaiman! And I have had Perks... for so long, yet I still keep "meaning to" read it.
    I will this year! Promise! ;)

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    1. For sure! My fiance bought me the first Sandman volume for Christmas so I am excited to get started on that as well! (Also... Perks is waiting for you) :)

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