Best Books of 2013

Another good reading year - I didn't quite make my target of 100 books over on Goodreads - but 91 is a respectable tally I think (My stats on Goodreads tells me this was 32045 pages!) I follow a few book blogs and they seem to be posting their top 10 reads of 2013 which made me look back through the books I have read this year.

Out of these 91 books I gave 5 stars to 24 of them (I love Goodreads for being able to keep track of my books and my thoughts on them.) Looking back on those 5 star reads a few of my favourite authors have popped up more than one. There were 3 by Carole Matthews (With Love at Christmas, Cottage by the Sea and Calling Mrs Christmas), 2 by Lisa Jewell (The House We Grew Up in and Before I Met You) and 2 novels and 2 short stories by Veronica Henry (The Long Weekend, Night on the Orient Express, The Beach Hut, A Sea Change and Christmas at the Crescent. One of the most enjoyable books for me this year and a complete surprise was A Streetcat Named Bob by James Bowen. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did - a fabulous heartwarming tale.

Here is my top ten reads of 2013 - in no particular order:

Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Matthews

A Night on the Orient Express by Veronica Henry

Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements

The Hidden Cottage by Erica James

An Enormously English Monsoon Wedding by Christina Jones

The Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson

Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

So now I am thinking about my reading challenges for 2014 - found plenty on this site. Even though I didn't manage my 100 books in 2013 I think I will have another bash at it. I spotted this Scottish reading challenge which I will incorporate into my 100 books (especially as I want to read the Peter May Chessmen trilogy.)

And finally over on The Book Journey we have been asked what our first book on 2014 is going to be - I have chosen I Am Malala : The Girl Who Stood Up For Education And Was Shot By The Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. I think this might be a very interesting and thought provoking read.