Friday, December 13, 2013

Top 5 Books I Didn't Read in 2013

I've had a pretty good reading year this year. At the time of writing this post I've read 209 books. That's not bad. And at the same time, I've never had a year like 2013 in which I've been so constantly and consistently in the middle of a reading slump. I've barely read a quarter of what I'd normally read in the past two months. And there are definitely big blockbustery type books that I've managed to not read at all.  And now that we're coming to the end of the year and we're all thinking about the books we loved the most I feel like this is the time of year that I feel a little left out.  Because I have no idea yet of what I've missed out on by not reading the following books... 


Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Yes! I still have not read this book. I downloaded it onto my Kindle a week after publication because I thought that spoilers were inevitable. I still remain spoiler-free however. And while I did start reading this book, I only got about 5% in before I felt my concentration wandering.  There's something a bit off about this book. Perhaps the format or the perspective? But I just wasn't initially connecting to the story and couldn't force myself to continue reading when I wasn't enjoying. I still want to know what happens and find out what's got everyone acting crazy. Just not this year, possibly.


The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Wow, did this book have heaps of hype surrounding it! I bought this book on a whim shortly after it was published and since then the book has remained untouched on my TBR shelves. I just cannot bring myself to read a book when I have such high expectations of it. I just can't imagine loving any book or story as much as I think I should after everything I've heard about this one. Maybe it'll surprise me when I do get around to it, but I figure I'll need plenty of time to forget how much everyone raved about this one.


All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

I started this book awhile back and it took my breath away. I was very wrapped up in and everything about it was moreish. I wanted to know more about the characters and their relationships. It was all very addictive and I can fully understand the wonderful things I've read about this book. I get why it is so loved. But because of personal reasons, I had to put this book down and I haven't yet returned to it. I hope that when I do, I'll still love it as much as I was the first time around.


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Gah! It feels like everyone I know has read and raved about this book already. It's not even published in the UK as yet (ebook aside!). Because of peer pressure, I couldn't wait for the UK publication and I downloaded this book onto my Kindle. I can't quite bring myself to read it as yet though. I know that it'll be like when I read Eleanor and Park - I'll think to myself 'I can't possibly love this as much as everyone says I will' ... and then I read it and I did. Still, I'm saving this one for a special occasion. Sometime when I really need cheering up and only Rainbow Rowell's amazing voice and characters will be able to do the trick.



 More Than This by Patrick Ness

Why haven't I read this book? I don't really understand. I love Patrick Ness. I love the cover. And I love the premise of this book. I really want to know what the whole mystery of it is about! What is it about? I have book an ebook and a hardcover of this book ... and yet I still haven't yet read either. Somebody be very convincing and maybe I'll read this by the end of the year.



Other titles that probably should have been added to this list? The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, Scarlett by Marissa Meyer, Requiem by Lauren Oliver and The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa.

Are there any big titles that you missed out on reading this year?


22 comments:

  1. I enjoyed ALL OUR YESTERDAYS though I didn't understand the mechanics of the end.

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    1. I'll keep that in mind for when I do get back to reading it! :)

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  2. Allegiant, The 5th Wave & Fangirl are amazing. I didn't think I would like The 5th Wave as much as I did but I thought it was brilliant and really looking forward to the next one. Allegiant was a good end to the series, not as strong as the other two maybe but a good end.

    Fangirl.... well there's nothing I can say about that the book that more than likely hasn't already been said, but I'm currently reading Eleanor and Park and as good as it is, Fangirl was just so much better in my eyes :).

    (Just thought I would tell you what I think seen as 3 of the top 5 books you mentioned have been some of my favorites this year haha
    I also read Requiem by Lauren Oliver, and yet again it wasn't as strong as the other two in my eyes but a good end to the series)

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    1. No, I'm definitely glad to hear that these 5 books are being talked about for good reason. Really glad you enjoyed those three :)

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  3. I've only read All Our Yesterdays and Allegiant, both of which were good, AOY more so. I've pre-ordered the paperback of Fangirl which is arriving in January, then I finally will have joined the club!

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me who has missed out on the Fangirl raving so far :)

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  4. I've heard so much about Fangirl that I'm going to have to grab a copy if physical copy is published (I really don't get on with my Kindle so ebooks are out) and I almost picked up a copy of More Than This the other day.

    I loved The 5th Wave (which quite surprised me) and All Our Yesterdays - not so much Allegiant though!

    Some fab books to look forward to :)

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    1. Yes, definitely! I am really looking forward to when I will be able to read all of these books and then I can nod knowingly and say 'aha, now I get it.'

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  5. 209 books- whoa! Congrats! :D I'm at about 180 as I was in such a reading slump for most of November :(
    I'm completely the same on Fangirl- I've only ever heard good things! It's out in physical copy in January (I think!) though, so I'll read it then. I've read all four other books listed- I really loved them all (Allegiant I'm mixed on, though!) Convincing you here: More Than This has been my FAVORITE book of the year and it was amazing and it blows your mind into tiny smithereens and it messes with your head and the ending is just ARRRGGHGHHHHHH!!! (It it an amazing book. Patrick Ness is amazing. Read itttt :D)
    Hope you enjoy these books should you pick them up soon! Thanks for the blog comment by the way :)

    -Georgia

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    1. Thank you so much for that. I shall be picking up More Than This very soon :)

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  6. I also missed out on More Than This this year even though I love Patrick Ness and the sound of this book! Maybe I'll get around to it before the year ends? I did very nearly pick it up the other day!

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    1. I nearly started it the other day as well. I can't remember why I chose a different book instead? SOON!! I want to get to it soon.

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  7. I have to say that your first three choices all disappointed me - there was so much hpe and none of them lived up to it. Then Fangirl happened and I fell in love. As for More Than This, well, I really need to read something by Patrick Ness...

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    1. Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that all three of us those didn't live up to expectations :( And oh, Sophie! You really, really DO need to read something by Patrick Ness. Why don't you start with A Monster Calls? It's very short but emotional!

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  8. I have never read any of these either, but I really want to get to Fangirl in 2014. Not to mention read Divergent to see what the fuss is about.

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    1. You've not read Divergent as yet? Ooh, you have such awesome in your future :) I hope you love it.

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  9. You are really lucky you didn't get Allegiant spoilers - they are EVERYWHERE! I haven't read Fangirl yet either, so you're not alone! I really enjoyed All Our Yesterdays.

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    1. I'm HUGELY surprised that I haven't read any Allegiant spoilers as yet. I'm so lucky :)

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  10. Almost exactly the same 5 for me, but I'd probably swap out All Our Yesterdays (though I've not read it either) for The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

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  11. 209 books is amazing, well done! I'm only at 120, nowhere near my goal for this year. I loved AOY but can understand your reasons for putting it down. Seriousy, read Fangirl. You won't regret it!

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    1. Yes. I should just drop everything and read it immediately ... and yet I just can't :( Soon, I'm sure!

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