59 Books in 2013

I'm continuing to challenge myself to read 50 books a year. In 2013, I either did awesome (59 books!) or I cheated (based on the number of books that are children's books or graphic novels).

As part of my challenge, I pick an author to read in-depth. Last year was Margaret Atwood. This year, I chose Ian McEwan based solely on the fact that I adored Atonement. After reading five more of his books, I've got to say that for me, he's a one hit wonder. Fabulous prose, yes. Boring stories? Also yes.

• On Chesil Beach: ***
• Enduring Love: ****
• Saturday:*
• Sweet Tooth: ***
• Solar: ***

I read Melina Marcheta's Printz Award-winning novel Jellicoe Road in January and then devoured every other book of hers that my library has. Then I read Jellicoe Road a second time.

• Jellicoe Road: ****1/2
• Saving Francesca: ****1/2
• The Piper's Son: ***
• Finnikin of the Rock: ***
• Froi of the Exiles: *****
• Quintana of Charyn: ****1/2

This book I adored: Okay for Now: *****

So I read these other books by the same author (Gary D. Schmidt):

• First Boy: ***
• What Came from the Stars: ****

This book I HATED:  Gone Girl: **

This book made me think more than any other book I read this year, so I wish I could change it to a higher rating, but there were also many, many parts that I want to erase from my brain: A Visit from the Goon Squad: ***

Two series:

• The Scorch Trials: ****
• The Death Cure: **

• The Nine Pound Hammer: ****
• The Wolf Tree: ****
• The White City: ***

Some non-fiction:

• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion: ***
• The Happiness Project: ***
• Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity: ***
• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: ****
• five books about teaching English to teenagers....

I read a few graphic novel-esque books:

• Wonderstruck: *****
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret: ***
• Hyperbole and a Half: ****
• American Born Chinese: **1/2
• The Odyssey: ****

And the rest:

• Ella Minnow Pea: *****
• The Night Circus: ****
• Moon Over Manifest: ****
• Fantastic Mr. Fox: ****
• The Age of Miracles: ****
• Chime: ****
• The Higher Power of Lucky: ****
• The Tiger Rising: ****
• Gossamer: ****
• Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: ****
• Where Things Come Back: ****
• A Single Shard: ***
• The True Meaning of Smekday: ***
• Dead End in Norvelt: ***
• Kira Kira: ***
• Criss Cross: ***
• Matched: ***
• Great House: ***
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: ***
• The Cross of Lead: ***
• The White Darkness: ***
• When You Reach Me: ***
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: ***
• Looking for Alaska: **1/2