Top Ten Books I Read in 2013

I haven't done Top Ten Tuesday in a while, mainly because I have been slacking at reading books. But as the year comes to an end, their last topic is Top Ten Books I read in 2013. So I decided to write down mine. Here they are:

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:

This books is just amazing. I had no idea what the book was about but it ended up becoming one of my all time favourites. Its narrated by death, set in Nazi Germany and it includes books as the title suggests. This book made me truly appreciate good writing and my love for words grew. Its just so beautiful that one had to read it oneself.

2. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak:

When I read an awesome book, I tend to read all the books by the same author. So I picked this one with not much hope. I don't even know what to say. Its equally beautiful. The story is worlds apart. The concept of the book is so simple and that is where its beauty lies. The love one feels after doing simple tasks for someone else and becoming selfless for a single second.

3. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult:

I had to include a Jodi Picoult in the top ten. Its one of JP's best works that I have read. I read it just after finishing high school. So the impact was far more intense on me. Because the story is based on bullying and I had seen it firsthand in my school. I love how JP makes a victim into a hero and a hero into a victim. At the end, there is no one hero or one victim. Everyone is half half in their life. And I cannot express enough love for the way she writes and her similes.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green:

Yes. I am sure that this book is on everyone's top ten list. I loved it to bits. It was just one of those heart breaking books that you don't forget as time passes by. The story was so well written. The characters were perfect. I started crying from the part where Augustus tells Hazel about his cancer. And I didn't stop till the end.

5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:

This was one of the most different books I have ever read. But because I love thrillers and suspense, I loved it. It was creepy, horrifying, completely different from what you would expect from a story revolving around a married couple. I loved how intricate the story was with all the tiny details tied together with threads. It reminded me of how J.K.Rowling has linked everything together in HP.

6. Arabian Nights:

It was one of the very few classics I read this year. And it was really good. The book jumps from one story to another than goes into another like Inception. Its pretty cool. I literally had to go back a couple of time to make sure that I am not losing track of the story. I have read a lot about that Arab era and I myself live in an Arab country.

7. The Running Man by Stephen King:

Its no secret that I am not a horror fan meaning a Stephen King fan. But I read this book on the insisting of a friend. And its brilliant. Its a dystopian novel. King wrote in 1982 when the term "dystopian" didn't even exist. It just shows how brilliant of a mind he has. The story is simple with not a lot of complicating characters. Its raw and you realize that today, society is not much different than the one told in the book.

8. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay: 

This was again a recommendation by a friend. I loved all of the characters in it. I was so happy to read about their different hobbies because I grew up with a lot of hobbies. But sadly, the idea is dead these days where people mention watching movies as their hobby. She has written a brilliant book on teenage struggles and the life that we lead.

9. The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger:

Whenever I mention this book, I am reminded of the story associated with it. Lets just say that a friend of mine was caught reading it in class. The book was taken away from her. And we stole it back from the Vice Principal's office. It was a hysterical drama which lasted a week or so. But it came my favourite the minute I read it. Its the perfect love story I have ever read. I am amazed at Niffenegger, at how she took such a difficult concept and executed it perfectly.

10. Against Medical Advice:

I had read so many heart breaking books the past summer that I opened this book with the intention of a light murder read. Because that is what James Patterson does. Instead I found myself reading about the struggles of a young boy who has no control over his mind and thus his body. I found myself feeling helpless and crying for him. And the fact that its a true story made me see the strength that we as youngsters have in ourselves. I loved how he made sure to emerge as a winner.

So this is my top ten books I read in 2013 list. I hope that you had an amazing year. And that your list is great.

Adieu !

S

......

Book Review: The Sea Of Tranquility by Katja Millay

From Goodreads:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.


Published: November 2012
Author: Katja Millay
Pages: 448
My Rating: 4/5
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 

I have been reading about damaged and broken teenagers with life threatening diseases this year and every time I start by expecting just a light hearted everyday story. But that does not happen. Not that I am complaining.

First of all, I loved this book because of all the sarcasm in it. That edgy sarcastic, fun teenager vibe which I really liked. It made me miss my friends so much more because the one thing I love about them is awesome come backs and all those inside jokes. And I am already missing the fact that that will be hard to accomplish now. 

Millay started the story with Nastiya (which I kept pronouncing N-aas-tiya reminding me of 'nasty') starting her life all over again. Instead of hiding herself in oversized sweats and geeky glasses, she does the opposite which I found a little different. And for the first time I read about a popular high school boy having real life issues in his own image instead of just being perfect. So I have to say that the characters were pretty perfect. 

I really liked how the story was not just about two teenagers but in fact three of them. I loved all the Sunday dinners at Drew's house, Nastiya's baking, Josh's wood work and Drew's debating. The concept of hobbies is dying these days making people think that watching movies and listening to songs is a hobby which it really is not. So I loved that some real hobbies were incorporated in this book. 

Although I did get a little sick of all the high school drama going on in the middle of the book. But the ending did not disappoint me at all. Especially the answer to Josh's question. It was a great book.

...SAP...

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

From Goodreads:

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

Published: May, 2012
Author: Gillian Flyn
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime
Pages: 395

My Review:

The story starts with Amy, Nick's wife gone missing. At first, we look at their picture perfect marriage but then little by little, when all the layers are peeled back, you get to see the real scenario. It goes from East to West in a single page. At one point Nick is the victim and Amy is to blame but than its vice versa. So you have no idea who is at fault because both of them clearly have made mistakes of their own, you just have to analyze and decide whose mistake is the biggest.

I loved the battle between the good and bad. It is totally up to the reader to decide who is guilty, Amy or Nick. Who is the bigger jack ass ? And for me, both of them were guilty but Amy was down right vicious. She was insane. She should have been in a mental hospital or something. She plans her own murder. Her whole life is about planning and avenging for things like not paying enough attention to her. This was her game. This was the way she lived her life because she had nothing better to do.

It is the creepiest and the most horrific story I have ever read. It is better than a Stephen King horror story. Its so brilliant. I have no words. I was literally shivering and had goosebumps reading this book. It is one of those books which has a lot of intricate details, twists and turns, so everything needs to be perfect for the book to be good. It was more than perfect.

In the starting, I did not think that I would feel sorry for Nick but I did. He constantly battles with himself, to not be his father but be a better person. And thing is you can pretend for so long. The walls you create around yourself, creating a persona that never existed, it all comes crashing down someday.

I do not know if people like Nick and Amy exist in this world. I hope they don't. But if they do, than this world is much more horrifying than we all think. And God have mercy on anyone who ends up with a Nick or an Amy. 

...SAP...

Book Review: The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald

Nick Carraway narrates the story, he meets the rich and scandalous Gatsby who throws lavish parties in his huge and beautiful mansion on the East Coast but very little is actually known about him. But that was not the case, always. Five years ago, he was nothing but a poor lad in the army who made the mistake of falling in love with the rich and beautiful Daisy. Unfortunately life did not side with them. They meet in the present, Daisy a married woman, with a daughter and an adulterous husband. Gatsby, a very rich man, still in love and waiting for Daisy. What measures will Gatsby take to get his love back ? How will Daisy react knowing her lost love is back ?

Published: 1952
Author: F.Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Fiction, Classic

Goodread's Review: The Great Gatsby

Amazon: The Great Gatsby

I had been wanting to read this classic for a long time and obviously had high expectations. But when I finally picked it up, lets just say that I wanted to punch Gatsby, Daisy, her stupid husband Tom, his mistress, Scott, pretty much everyone in the book.

Lets start with the adultery in the book. Daisy's husband is in love with a wife of a garage owner who fixes his car. Seriously ? Could not you have a little better taste ? At least have the decency to not fall of your standards. And Daisy knows about it. Yet she does nothing about it. Why ? Why would you let your husband do that to you ? That implies you are not interested in him anymore. Get a divorce for Gods sake and stop the drama. Then her husband is mad when she does the exact same thing he does to her. Something that is right for you becomes wrong for your wife in a second. Shoe salute !

And Gatsby. Lets just say that he is one of the most stupidest and ambitious man I have ever read about. He made Daisy the sole purpose of his existence which is saying something considering he is rich, handsome, has a huge library and a great car. I loved him and hated him. Loved for the hard work he does and the pain he goes to, to get Daisy back. His life was all about Daisy but somehow, he even made his end about her. Which deserves some respect, a lot actually. But it also deserves a hard reality slap to make him realize the obvious that Daisy does not stand up for her own self, let alone for anyone else.

Daisy, I hate her. I never really understood her character or why she does, what she did in the ending. Does not someone who died for your mistake deserves an attendance to his funeral ? I am pretty sure that even the most cold hearted person would have been blown away. So I am assuming that she never had a heart.

I hated the book in some ways and loved it in others. Nick was the only sensible one in the story. His character was brilliant especially his decision at the end. But I found the third wheeling a little creepy. Never have I ever respected a fictional character more. He literally brought sanity to the story. I hope the movie is better than the book because Leonardo DaVinci is in it. I hated the characters but somehow loved the story. Because it was very real. We only see one side of the society, fact is that the other side exists and it still is pretty much how Scott described it. All in all, I kind of had a love/hate relationship with this book.

One of the quotes I loved from the book:

“I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” 

...SAP...

Book Review: The Running Man by Stephen King

Ben Richards signs up for The Running Man. What is The Running Man ? For some, it is an entertainment series and a brutal way of getting rid of the poor population. Or it is a way of earning money and feeding their family for others. But nonetheless, it is a very dangerous game in which you are on the run from the government and you get paid for every hour that you do not get caught. Unfortunately for Ben Richards, he falls in the latter category. He has a 18 month old sick daughter and a wife but no job to support this family. Now the question is, will he survive the games ? More like, how long will he last in them ? 

Published: January, 1982
Author: Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction

Goodreads Review: The Running Man

Amazon: The Running Man

I am not a fan of Stephen King, mainly because I do not enjoy horror . But a friend forced me to read this and I loved it. It is a dystopian novel set in the future. And the way he has written the story is worth a standing ovation. Some authors portray something through meaningful quotes but I felt everything through the story itself.

Ben Richards is just another victim of the government now being used as an entertainment. The guy goes against his beliefs for his family and his whole world shatters in the end. I knew from the start what will happen to him but any other thing I really did not expect. There were so many twists and turns being thrown at me that I was processing the previous shock when I started reading another one.

The story itself is so honest portraying the life of an everyday simple man. And how poverty is really the worse things you can imagine. It is one thing to go hungry yourself but it is entirely another to see your kid starve and wait for death to knock at your door.

I salute Ben Richards courage and guts. Being a very bold girl myself, I loved that he did not give a damn shit about what others think or do, about him. He did what he had to and stuck to it, till the end. It was not a matter of his survival. It was a matter of survival of his only kid and wife.

I have to say, I had no idea how all the action was going on because for one second he is in a car, driving, the next he is threatening to blow the whole place up with a bomb, playing a buff and hijacking a plane. It was that fast but I loved it. I think Stephen King really did justice to this book.

...SAP...