Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Favourite Books of 2013


Since Another Look Book Reviews focuses on taking another look at previously published books, there aren't all that many books I read in 2013 that were brand new releases.

I still like to do an annual “Favourites" list but you will notice that my winning selections are on what I read this year; not on what was newly released.

If you want to see the covers of all 80 books I did read and what I choose from for this list, just follow this link, Books I Read in 2013
Of course each and every review can be found in my Reviews tab at the top. 

Favourite Re-Read
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon



You know a book is good when you opt to do a re-read instead of picking up a new book to start for the first time. Re-reading the Outlander series went hand in hand with my dream to Scotland this past July 13. If you want to see some of my Scotland trip, here is the link from my blog Scotland Trip







Favourtie Bad Ass - Male
Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan


didn't even hesitate to name Deuce from Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable series. Deuce is a character that I absolutely LOVE but under no circumstances would I ever in a million years want for myself. I could never get tired reading about Deuce.








Favourite Bad Ass – Heroine
Fifth Grave Past the Light  by Darynda Jones


Oh Charley Davidson I adore you. This was the only series this year that I bought where the ebook was way over my usual $$ limit. I had to read it. I needed to own it. Charley is everything I love about a heroine. She is funny, sexy, smart, and fiercely loyal and is still learning the extent of her extremely powerful abilities. Fifth Grave Past the Light, a serious favourite!






Favourite Emotional Read
The Edge of Courage by Elaine Levine


Edge of Courage is dark and moving and touching and edgy and suspenseful and steamy and sad and and and…well I guess you see why I have it as my most emotional read. Also if you follow the Edge of Courage link, it is FREE on Amazon. 








Biggest Disappointment
Fantasy Lover & Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon
These books are so highly rated in reviews and there are so many books in the series that I had slowly built up and bought them all. I had a plan to sit down and read them all one by one, back to back. I read the first book and didn't like it but I went ahead and read the second book hoping it was a fluke. It wasn't and I really disliked it. I guess I will just sell the series at a garage sale this summer. 




Favourite Cover
Cheapskates in Love by Evelyn Jules



Not only is this cover totally adorable but the novella written inside was one of my favourites of 2013. Cheapskates in Love is an excellent little romantic comedy that put a big smile on my face.








Favourite Couple
Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh


Wow this was a really tough category to choose from because there are some awesome couples to choose in the world of romance. However Raphael and Elena just rocked my world in Archangel's Legion. I just adore this couple and I hope that there are lots and lots more books to come.








Favourite New Series
Hot Nights in St Blaise by Maggie Wells


The series is based around a sexy calendar where the staff from St. Blaise Hospital poses in their birthday suit for each of the months. Each month's story is represented by that month's calendar pin up. I was provided an ARC for the first release and then ended up looking forward and buying the following months. The beauty is that each of the books could be stand alones. 






Favourite "New to Me" Author
Marie Force


This category was another super hard selection to choose from because I read a lot of "New to Me" Authors in 2013. It was my last year's New Years Resolution to read a "New To Me" Author once a month. I was really pulled to this series and the writing was excellent. Fatal Affair was just the beginning for me. 








I wanted to pick a favourite book of the year but I can't. I just can't do it. I was so fortunate to read some amazing 5 star books this year. I finally read Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniel series, I read the most highly anticipated Karen Marie Moning's Iced, continued on with Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series and I even read one of my very first YA book series - The Hunger Games. I discovered some awesome "New to Me" authors and I hope to do so again this year in 2014. 




If you have popped in over the past year and read a review or two, thank you. Hopefully you some one of my favourites to one of yours. 

Here's to some amazing new reads in 2014!










5 comments:

Julie said...

What a fabulous list! Thank you so much for a year full of wonderful reviews and recommendations, Michelle!

Maggie said...

Wonderful list! Thank you!

Julie said...

I like how you did your list :) I am sorry you didn't click with the Dark Hunter books but it looks like you found plenty of others to enjoy :) I have added a couple from your list to my 'to check out' list as I had not heard of them. Thanks for that! :)

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

Ooo quite a few on my tbr list! Hopefully I'll get to them this year. Loved Undeniable. And aws sorry that the Dark Hunters didn't work for ya. It's one that seems to be the case. You love it or it just doesn't work.

Happy reading in 2014!

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by. If you have a Best Of list, share your link. I'd love to see other lists.