I’ll just say it: I’m not much for New Year’s Resolutions. I understand their appeal in the abstract, but when I want to change something about myself or my life, I’m not likely to wait around for January 1st to do it, and when I’m already doing the best I can or want to, I can’t be bothered to pretend I’m going to change something for a couple of weeks because everyone else is. I take advantage of all the low calorie food people briefly bring out to lose those few holiday-induced pounds, and that’s about it for me.
What I do like about New Year’s, however, is the chance to look back on a whole year in its impressive entirety and try to imagine what a review of the next year will look like. So in honor of this still shiny new year, here’s a recap of the five book releases of 2013 that left the deepest impression on me, and my book-loving forecast of likely 2014 highlights.
2013 Favorites
What I do like about New Year’s, however, is the chance to look back on a whole year in its impressive entirety and try to imagine what a review of the next year will look like. So in honor of this still shiny new year, here’s a recap of the five book releases of 2013 that left the deepest impression on me, and my book-loving forecast of likely 2014 highlights.
2013 Favorites
5: The New Hunger, by Isaac Marion
(You can read my full review here)
No, it’s not as great as Warm Bodies, but then, what could be? It was still a haunting glimpse into the Warm Bodies universe, right when the excellent movie adaptation left me hungry for any piece of it to have at home.
(You can read my full review here)
No, it’s not as great as Warm Bodies, but then, what could be? It was still a haunting glimpse into the Warm Bodies universe, right when the excellent movie adaptation left me hungry for any piece of it to have at home.
4: Fairy Godmothers INC., by Jenniffer Wardell
(You can read my full review here)
My favorite comedy of the year in novel form. It’s a Cinderella retelling with love, workplace shenanigans, and just the right dose of creepiness.
(You can read my full review here)
My favorite comedy of the year in novel form. It’s a Cinderella retelling with love, workplace shenanigans, and just the right dose of creepiness.
3: Beatrysel, by Johnny Worthen
(You can read my full review here)
Now this was a Halloween treat, and that’s coming from a self-proclaimed Halloween connoisseur (okay, fine, Halloween snob). A new favorite paranormal thriller.
(You can read my full review here)
Now this was a Halloween treat, and that’s coming from a self-proclaimed Halloween connoisseur (okay, fine, Halloween snob). A new favorite paranormal thriller.
2: Requiem, by Lauren Oliver
(You can read my full review here)
I don’t care what anyone says, the Delirium trilogy ended exactly as it should have, and I loved every moment of it.
(You can read my full review here)
I don’t care what anyone says, the Delirium trilogy ended exactly as it should have, and I loved every moment of it.
1: Nobody But Us, by Kristin Halbrook
(You can read my full review here)
This was a surprise winner from a debut author I knew nothing about before stumbling on a giveaway. It’s a contemporary YA love story, none of my usual monsters or magic at all, but it made me cry like a baby and is now firmly ensconced in my favorites shelf.
2014 Forecast
Naturally, since past experience is one of the most useful indicators of future outcomes, 2013’s list of highlights has a lot to do with my 2014 hopes.
(You can read my full review here)
This was a surprise winner from a debut author I knew nothing about before stumbling on a giveaway. It’s a contemporary YA love story, none of my usual monsters or magic at all, but it made me cry like a baby and is now firmly ensconced in my favorites shelf.
2014 Forecast
Naturally, since past experience is one of the most useful indicators of future outcomes, 2013’s list of highlights has a lot to do with my 2014 hopes.
5: Eleanor, by Johnny Worthen
July 1st, 2014
(You can read the blurb here)
I’ll admit, that vague teaser might not draw me in cold, but if the guy who wrote Beatrysel is now writing speculative YA, how can it not be the best thing ever? I’m in.
July 1st, 2014
(You can read the blurb here)
I’ll admit, that vague teaser might not draw me in cold, but if the guy who wrote Beatrysel is now writing speculative YA, how can it not be the best thing ever? I’m in.
4: Untitled Warm Bodies Sequel, by Isaac Marion
Release date unknown.
(You can read what little is known here)
Yeah, Marion likes to play things close to the chest. Most likely he’ll surprise us with an unannounced release sometime this year, and I will be among those dropping everything to read it.
Release date unknown.
(You can read what little is known here)
Yeah, Marion likes to play things close to the chest. Most likely he’ll surprise us with an unannounced release sometime this year, and I will be among those dropping everything to read it.
3: Panic, by Lauren Oliver
March 4th, 2014
(You can read the blurb here)
At least, I hope it’s March 4th. This one’s been pushed back multiple times with blatant disregard for my severe Oliver withdrawal symptoms. This is another blurb I’d probably skip right on by as an uninformed book browser, but I’ll forever be first in line to splay open my ribcage for this woman to strum my heartstrings.
March 4th, 2014
(You can read the blurb here)
At least, I hope it’s March 4th. This one’s been pushed back multiple times with blatant disregard for my severe Oliver withdrawal symptoms. This is another blurb I’d probably skip right on by as an uninformed book browser, but I’ll forever be first in line to splay open my ribcage for this woman to strum my heartstrings.
2: Mockingjay Part 1
November 21st, 2014
Oh yes, I’m including a movie adaptation on this list. It’s easy to list the best books you’ve already read, too easy to leave any room for movies there (not that Catching Fire wasn't phenomenal), but while I'm speculating on possible gems and and waiting for those amazing books I don't yet know I'm looking forward to, I can't resist gushing a bit about this effectively sure thing. So far, the Hunger Games movies are some of the best book-to-movie adaptations I’ve ever seen AND happen to be based on one of my favorite series of books ever written, and that makes me annual highlight levels of happy.
November 21st, 2014
Oh yes, I’m including a movie adaptation on this list. It’s easy to list the best books you’ve already read, too easy to leave any room for movies there (not that Catching Fire wasn't phenomenal), but while I'm speculating on possible gems and and waiting for those amazing books I don't yet know I'm looking forward to, I can't resist gushing a bit about this effectively sure thing. So far, the Hunger Games movies are some of the best book-to-movie adaptations I’ve ever seen AND happen to be based on one of my favorite series of books ever written, and that makes me annual highlight levels of happy.
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1: Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know of), by me, and Splinters, by Matt and me!
May 6th, 2014, and tentative fall of 2014.
(You can read the blurbs for both of them here)
Hey, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t the top thing I’m looking forward to in 2014! I’ll at least condense them into one entry to leave room for the rest. 2014 is the year I become a published novelist twice over and finally get to share my YA Horror-Comedy, Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know of), and the first installment Matt’s and my YA Horror/Sci-Fi series, The Prospero Chronicles, and I’m quite regularly jumping up and down with excitement and terror over how close around the corner this is now!
What are you counting down to in 2014? What touched you in 2013? Comments are always welcome! Or keep up with my fictional musings by joining me on Facebook, on Twitter, or by signing up for email updates in the panel on the right!
May 6th, 2014, and tentative fall of 2014.
(You can read the blurbs for both of them here)
Hey, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t the top thing I’m looking forward to in 2014! I’ll at least condense them into one entry to leave room for the rest. 2014 is the year I become a published novelist twice over and finally get to share my YA Horror-Comedy, Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know of), and the first installment Matt’s and my YA Horror/Sci-Fi series, The Prospero Chronicles, and I’m quite regularly jumping up and down with excitement and terror over how close around the corner this is now!
What are you counting down to in 2014? What touched you in 2013? Comments are always welcome! Or keep up with my fictional musings by joining me on Facebook, on Twitter, or by signing up for email updates in the panel on the right!
