Books Read in 2013

Each January for the past few years (2010, 2011, and 2012) I have posted a complete listing of all the books I had read with a brief comment about each book including whether or not I recommend it. However for 2013 I am doing something different. Last year I participated in something through twitter called the 50 Book Pledge (#50bookpledge). It is a really cool online bookshelf where you can keep track of what you have read, rate each book, and provide a brief comment. You can then share your bookshelf via twitter (or facebook). I tweeted almost every time I posted a new book to my shelf. You can view my 2013 bookshelf here, where you can click on each book cover and my rating and brief review will pop up (note: I know there are other sites where you can do something similar but I like this one so much better!).

I really liked participating in #50bookpledge. It was a great way to connect with other readers, discuss books read, find new books to read that came highly recommended, enter contests, and even connect with authors. I loved chatting with the "host" of #50bookpledge The Savvy Reader (@SavvyReader). And I've already created my shelf for this year!

Last year I read 84 books. My goal for this year is 100 but I think hitting around 80 again is more realistic. I need to spend more time writing this year than reading but my book pile is already growing rapidly plus we have some excellent books slated for our 2014 book club.  If you'd like to follow my 2014 progress you can do so here. As always I'll continue to post reviews of our book club selections each month.

However, for those of you interested (and who don't want to go through the entire shelf), here are my top reads from 2013 in no particular order:
- Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. For those of you have read my previous lists, you won't be surprised that King is on this one. I loved this sequel to The Shining. All I can say is that this is classic King!
- Who Could That Be at This Hour? (All the Wrong Things Volume 1) AND When Did You See Her Last (All the Wrong Things Volume 2) by Lemony Snicket. This is a fantastic series and a great counterpart to his A Series of Unfortunate Events, which I adore. I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) this year as part of Edmonton Public Library's centennial celebrations, which only increased my love for his writing.
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - enchanting, haunting, and bittersweet. A must read and contender for the best book I read in 2013.
- The Sandman by Neil Gaiman - an incredible comic series that I started just after Christmas (so I'm squeaking it in). I've read the first five volumes and just love the complex world that Gaiman has created. The artwork is fantastic. I read a ton of Gaiman in 2013 and he has quickly become one of my favourite authors and yes I know I am late to the game on this.
- Ru by Kim Thuy - a lovely and poetic book. Each "chapter" takes up only a single page but there is so much stated in such an elegantly "simple" way. Another must read and contender for the best book I read in 2013!
- In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner. Just excellent. I cried my way through this book. It was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. I've told others when asked that it is the best book I read in 2013 and think I'll stick with that assessment.

So 2013 was a year filled with great reads and I'm looking forward to tackling the pile of books on my shelf and all those gems waiting to find their way there.

Biittner's Book Review: Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America by Robert Charles Wilson

Our 2014 book club is off to an excellent start! I really enjoyed our first book - an interesting science fiction piece with a historic/western/biographical feel. It is the account of the best friend of the President of the United States in the 22nd century outlining his perspective on the President's rise to power and position. North America has essentially reverted back to the days of the wild west/colonization and war is ongoing with a form of unified Europe. The government is essentially a monarchy, which lends to an interesting rebuilding scenario post-collapse or post-post-apocalypse. There is the expected commentary on social hierarchies and class structures with some neat digs at the separation (or lack there of) between church and state and approved religious practices. I think one could read much more into some of the political, social, and religious commentary that is dominant throughout the first half of the book but I just enjoyed reading it without analyzing it. The plot really isn't that complicated or innovative (that's not to say it isn't interesting because it does capture and hold attention) but rather it is how the story is told that makes it so engaging, that keeps you reading to see how everything will unfold. The main character is naive but that is why telling the story from his perspective works, and some of the best parts of the story are when his naivety is clearly pointed out by one of the other characters while he remains oblivious. I loved the nods to Darwin and Darwinian evolution (to say any more would not spoil anything other than some of the charm of the post-collapse setting). I'd highly recommend this book, especially to a sci-fi fan, as it was an enjoyable read. 

A Poem for #YEGlongnight

Between the ages of 11 and 19 I wrote a lot of "poetry". I was so excited to submit a portfolio for, and to get into, Write 393 during my undergrad. That course killed any passion I had for writing. I haven't written anything resembling poetry since - well maybe a random haiku but that is just because they are fun.

So it is with great hesitation that I post this for you, a "poem" inspired by #YEGlongnight - you can read more about the project celebrating the longest night of the year here.

A Poem for #YEGlongnight
My baby calls out
I go to her
Nurse her in the dark of the early morn
Normally the weight of today
This longest, darkest day
Would be too much
It would keep me in bed
Buried under covers
But not today
Today the warmth of my nursing babe
Her sweet milk drunk smile
Her bright shining eyes
Are light
She pushes back the shadows
As we wait for the sun
This day of the longest night

Biittner's Book Review: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Our book club tries to select a memoir every year. I had no idea what to expect with "Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir" by The Blogess Jenny Lawson but heard it was "funny". It was! I made the mistake of bringing this book along when I was invigilating the final exam (three hours!) for my summer session course. It was a mistake because I actually laughed out loud at one of the stories and got the nastiest look from my students who were trying so hard to focus on the task at hand. So the book is a collection of stories, "mostly true ones", about her life; some are downright bizarre (her dad is one kooky character), while others deal with some very real and tough situations. I probably laughed the hardest at the "diaper at the swimming pool incident" and the story of what she got her husband for their anniversary. I really connected with her awkwardness in social settings, especially with other women and in party scenarios (I swear I have similar odd/inappropriate dialogues run through my head but luckily I have a strong filter in place that has mostly kept the more ridiculous comments from spilling out my mouth). She does love to swear and I quickly got tired of it (but get that it is just part of who she is). It's a great pick up and put down book to have on hand. It is not something I'd re-read (the shock of the punchlines is part of the fun), but is something I'd recommend.

We'll pick our selections for next year at our next book club meeting. Can't wait to see what we come up with.

Biittner's Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Our October book club selection was one of my picks: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I selected it as it was listed by Veronica Roth (the author of the wonderful YA Divergent series) as something she had read that she really enjoyed. I agree with her assessment that the writing and the characters were "TO.DIE.FOR". Well maybe not "to die for" but they were exceptional. In particular, I really appreciated the adults in this book. Too often YA writers (not necessarily the good ones) tend to write their adult characters as if all adults are total idiots who have no idea what is going on around them or are so concerned with being the compassionate and caring adult in the life of a troubled youth that they are incapable of functioning as a normal human being *end rant* Actually all the characters are well written; I liked the dynamics that were set up between them. The plot is really solid and engaging; my only critique is that it felt like the first book in a series - many story arcs were established and you could tell very quickly that few would come to conclusion by the end of this book. I would highly recommend this book, and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. 

Biittner's Book Review: The New York Trilogy by Paul Aster

Our September book club selection was from our 501 Must Read Books list: The New York Trilogy by Paul Aster. It is a collection of three short stories - "City of Glass", "Ghosts", and "The Locked Room". I did not know much about these stories other than they loosely fell into the detective genre. I'm not sure how exactly to describe them - a post-modern blend of science fiction and detective with a twist of satire/black comedy/the absurd - but I can say that I really enjoyed them. Because they are short stories I do not want to go too much into the plots of each one to avoid spoilers, so will instead describe them fairly broadly and vaguely. "City of Glass" is the closest to a detective story but has a strange bent to it with a really neat connection to Don Quixote. "Ghosts" was my favourite by far. It has a really neat premise and quickly takes a dark turn. "The Locked Room" is really "meta" as it almost has a story within the story. I'd highly recommend reading all three stories back-to-back as it is the best way to see why the three stories have been published as a trilogy. The Trilogy was an excellent read. I really enjoyed the quirky, dark themes in all three stories and how they fit together. It is easy to read and I think most readers would appreciate it. I highly and readily recommend it.

Biittner's Book Review: An Assortment of Young Adult Fiction

Our book club took the month of August off so I do not have a book review for you. To make up for it I thought I'd make a few comments about some of the fantastic Young Adult (YA) fiction I've read. I've started with the ones I've read most recently and then ended with a few classics that I always mention when asked for some recommendation for young but eager readers. I won't really address plot or content, rather just provide some overall thoughts on each.

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins
This five book series was written by Collins pre-The Hunger Games. I picked it up for a steal figuring that I enjoyed The Hunger Games so much that it was worth the risk and it most certainly was. The series covers the incredible adventures of Gregor, a young boy who finds himself in the Underland after following his sister through a grate in their laundry room. I really don't want to give too much away other than he encounters an amazing world of bats, bugs, and other beings who live below the surface of our world and gets wrapped up in some prophecies that seem to foretell of his arrival there. The characters are all really well written; Gregor is so likeable and Collins captures the essence of all two year olds in his sister "Boots". I actually laughed out loud at some of the adorable things Boots does and says. Collins does not shy away from some pretty intense situations though and she does a great job of creating some high paced action sequences. I would highly recommend these books, especially for the 9-12 set, as the themes of family, perseverance, and keeping your head up in times of struggle will resonate with anyone.

Also you should read The Hunger Games trilogy if you haven't already. The film adaptation of the first book (The Hunger Games) is actually pretty decent (plus has Lenny Kravitz as Cinna *heart flutters at his gorgeousness*), and Catching Fire looks like it is going to step it up quite a bit.

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
I have just started the fourth book in this series and am hooked. I picked up the first four books again for a steal mostly because the film adaptation of the first book just came out and Lena Headey is in it (I love her!). This is a series for the slightly older crowd (13-17) but, again, is worth a read by anyone. There are some "typical" YA themes (girl caught in the middle of two boys, girl struggling to find out who she is, etc.) but with some really neat interpretations of the supernatural world. So yes there are angels, demons, werewolves, vampires, and fairies but Clare has created a refreshing take on them and their interactions; her secret/invisible world hidden in ours is cleverly done. I actually really liked the characters; much of the teenage angsty parts really spoke to thirteen year old me. It is part of a larger collection of series called The Shadowhunter Chronicles. I am definitely going to check out the "prequel" series to The Mortal Instruments, called The Infernal Devices, as it is steampunk (or at least steampunk inspired) and sounds pretty cool!

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
The third book in this series Allegiant will be published shortly - to say that this makes me very, very excited/giddy would be a huge understatement and never mind that the movie for the first book Divergent will hit theatres next year! *squeeeeeeee*. I love this dystopian series. The momentum that Roth builds with each books is heart pounding. I love the whole concept of the factions devoted to particular virtues and how they are each identified in terms of manner and dress. The characters are solid and interesting.

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
My husband bought this series for me as he knows I love YA fiction and ancient Egypt. What I really appreciated about this series is the amount of research Riordan did into ancient Egypt. This is not your typical pop culture interpretation of ancient Egypt - Riordan draws from solid archaeological evidence; he actually mentions the Narmer Palette! Of course it is a YA fiction series so there is a whole lot of fantasy going on in the books (the character of Horus drove me crazy).

I've recently picked up his Percy Jackson series but haven't had read it yet. If Riordan has drawn from the archaeological/historical evidence for this series as much as he did for the Kane Chronicles I do not think I'll be disappointed. I also want to note that I really dig Riordan's website; it has some great "Explore Mythology" and "Resource for Students and Teachers" resources.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
This is a YA series tailored for adults. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed out loud at some of the wickedly clever things in these books. So much of the book drips in condensation and sarcasm. Kids will love them because of how silly they are at times and for some of the incredible situations the Baudelaire siblings get (or are forced) into. Adults will love the wry sense of humor and the whole backstory of the "author" himself. I really haven't read anything quite like them before. There is an element of the absurd similar to that in the works of Roald Dahl in them but they really are unique. There are 13 books in the series; all of which the author will encourage you to not read.

The Redwall Adventures by Brian Jacques
I have been reading the Redwall books since I received the first three on my 18th birthday but need to pick them up again as I've fallen behind. Jacques has written almost one book a year for this series since 1986. I love so many things about the adventures of the animal residents of the Redwall Abby: the detailed and delicious descriptions of the feasts, the wonderful poems and songs, the brave and heroic deeds of the smallest mice to the largest badgers, the fearsomeness and horrific deeds of the weasels and stoats. A warning: Jacques does not shy away from dark themes and events in these books. I was surprised at how quickly a lovely little picnic with mice and rabbits can be destroyed by death and fire.

Finally I'll wrap things up with a list of must reads that many people will already be familiar with:
- the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (I'd be shocked if you haven't read them; if you are holding out only because you don't believe the hype then just get over yourself as they are as wonderful as you have heard over and over again).
- His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (Man I love this trilogy. It almost serves as the antithesis to C.K. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia).
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.K. Lewis (I'll never forget bawling my eyes out in the wee hours of the morning when I read the final book - devastating!).
- The Chronicle of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander (forget the horrible Disney adaptation of The Black Cauldron and read the whole series instead).
- The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper.
- The Time Quintet by Madeleine L'Engle.

I'd even venture that The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit can be undertaken at a relatively young age if you have a really keen reader; I think I first picked them up around 11 or 12 and was read The Hobbit by my fifth grade teacher (last thing every Friday - he did voices for all of the characters!). Even A Song of Fire and Ice (a.k.a. The Game of Thrones series) could be picked up by a mature YA; I was reading Stephen King and Anne Rice at 11 and they both include a lot of sex and violence (to say the least) so it depends on your kid. Otherwise I'd, of course, highly recommend these even if they don't quite fit the YA category.

I cannot wait to share these books with my daughter as she grows so I can experience these wonderful tales again through her.

Let me know in the comments if I missed any!