Grownup Fangirl's Best of: Best Books of 2013

    Since 2013 only lasted for just over 13 days, we wanted to present the book we enjoyed the most out of that time.
Here's each blogger's favorites with their reason's why!  Let us know in the comments what you enjoyed the most out of what you read this year!

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Carmen's Favorites:

1- Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare

     One of the best books I've ever had the chance to read! I couldn't have imagined a better way to end the Infernal Devices trilogy. The ending was absolutely perfect… even though I went through a whole box of tissues! The characters were absolutely beautiful!

2- Origin (The Lux Series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
     I love a book that can completely throw me off guard… and that's what this book did! The ending was completely unexpected. I loved how much action there too! The characters are so fearless and are willing to do anything for their loved ones. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

3- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
     For the bloggers, writers, fan-fic lovers, and 'Fangirls' out there, this book is for you! This book was an easy read! You can easily relate to the characters and you're basically getting two stories in one. Cath (the narrator) writes fan-fic, which you're able to read as well! This is definitely a great book to read after a book hangover!

Kameron's Favorites:

1) Paper Towns by John Green

     Myself and every stereotypical white girl is going to include one of John Green's books in their favorites lists.  But I legitimately am so in love with this book.  This one even more so than his others.  It really effected me.  I think I read it at a very important time for me, decision making wise.  Myself and the characters were both graduating, and I found myself feeling the same anxiety and questions that they were.

2) The Secret Star by KC Finn

     This was my first indie author book I'd ever read, and it opened up my eyes to a whole new community and a new collection of books I wouldn't have other wise known about.  Not to mention the story is amazing, unlike anything I'd ever read before.

3) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

     Once again with the stereotypical white girl list, but, honestly, this book was what made me feel interested in books.  The world is just so vast and complicated that I can't help myself but to learn everything I can about it.  The characters are all so amazing, and I love amazing people. 

Amber's Favorites:

1. Looking for Alaska by John Green. 
     This book changed my life. It probably saved my life. I've been struggling with the why's and how come's and looking for answers in a death I faced years ago, almost ten years ago. It wasn't until I read Looking For Alaska that I realized I didn't need them, and I'll never be able to thank John Green for that. 

2. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. 
     Tahereh is so amazing. Too amazing for words. This book had quotes in it that punched me in the gut and made me think. Quotes that made me go "PREACH IT!" It's just such a beautifully written book. I love it. Changed my feelings on the series and made me itch for more Warner. 

3. Allegiant by Veronica Roth. 

     I know a lot of you will disagree. A lot of people hated the ending. I was so sad, and I cried so much... but I'm so proud of VRoth for not falling into the YA sinkhole. I'm proud of her for going against the grain, for being BRAVE. I think Tris deserved such a strong, powerful ending - and she got it. Kudos to VRoth. She will forever be one of my faves. 

Ursula's Favorites:

#1 Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
     The Infernal Devices is my favorite series of all time and this was my most anticipated book of 2013. I discovered it when Clockwork Angel was first released back in 2010 so the conclusion to this story has been something I have been savoring for almost 3 years. Clockwork Princess was the one book I have read that shattered my soul, while filling my heart with love, it made me cry in pain, in laughter, grief, and joy, I had never experienced a rollercoaster such as this, the ending was everything I hoped for and it’s a book that will remain with me my whole life, besides of the fact that it brought to my life my one and ultimate book boyfriend, Will Herondale. 


#2 Unravel Me by Tehereh Mafi 
     This series snuck up on me, I loved Shatter Me it was different and intriguing, but Unravel Me, I should probably say Warner, swept me off my feet. The story again was captivating but it was Warner who changed everything for me, he is perfect, impossibly mind blowing, passionate, crazy in love…is he the perfect book boyfriend? Maybe not by all the standards one would consider, but that burning love and desire he feels for Juliette is something that I couldn’t keep myself from longing for. Warner definitely makes my legs shaky and Tahereh delivered one of the best sequels I have ever read in my life, grabbed you from page one and left you begging for more. 


#3 Champion by Marie Lu/Allegiant by Veronica Roth
     I couldn’t possible pick between these two, these two series are within my top 3 spots for favorite dystopian series ever, and both Veronica and Marie delivered with the last installment. Allegiant took me down a path I never thought it would go and made me feel pain I thought I would never feel, there is no other journey that compares to the one Four and Tris went on & as painful as it was I can’t imagine it ending any other way. Champion provided the perfect ending, bittersweet in many ways but also full of hope for the future, when I finished it I felt so connected to June and Day that to this day I still miss them.

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All in all, 2013 was a good year for readers; new releases and already-published books alike.  We've made great headway in self-discovery, humanity, and the general way we treat others.  All four of us here at Grownup Fangirl hope you've bettered yourself through your year's reading, too.  

This got too sappy, too fast.  I have to make it more grownup.  

 - Taxes - Mortgage - Health Insurance -

Much better.

Enjoy the rest of 2013, folks.

-Grownup Fangirl