A few of my favourite reads of 2013

I’ve only had my book blog for a few months but I’ve really enjoyed spending time on it and being part of the fabulous blogging community.  To all you very kind people who have helped and supported a newbie blogger – a huge thank you.  I’m still finding my feet in the world of blogging but am so looking forward to 2014 and all the enticing books I have on my shelf to be read and those that I have yet to hear about.  My wishlist continues to get longer thanks to all your irresistible reviews and recommendations –  I only wish there were more hours in the day to read all the books I want to.  

I’ve read so many great books this year and it was so difficult to choose just a few – my list could have been much longer!

Here are just 10 of my favourite reads this year, in no particular order:

  I love Jodi’s books and always eagerly await the next one.   I’ve been lucky enough to see her a few times now in London when she does her annual book tour.  She always comes across as being such a nice, genuine person and is so interesting to listen to.  Even though it had me in tears, The Storyteller is probably my favourite JP book to date.

I am always pulled towards dual time frame stories and this was one of the best that I’ve read.  It had a very dramatic start and I was gripped from the very first page.  With strong characters and a very well researched storyline, this is a definite ‘must read’  Reviewed here.

This was the first book I have read by Tamar Cohen and it definitely won’t be the last.  I loved the style of writing and was hooked from the first page.  The main characters are so different but superbly written.  Reviewed here. 

  This was an excellent debut novel about a difficult subject but which is done with such care.  An incredibly moving and poignant read.

  I’m a fairly recent convert to Lisa Jewell books.  Ever since I read The Truth about Melody Browne in 2010, I’ve loved her style of writing and each book gets better.   She is now firmly established as a favourite author. 

Diane Chamberlain is another who writes about difficult and controversial subjects with such ease and finesse.  This storyline of this book was particularly hard hitting and thought provoking.  Reviewed here.

  This book hasn’t yet been released (27 Feb 2014) but I loved it so much I couldn’t leave it out of the list.  This is Hannah’s debut novel and what a wonderful start to a writing career.  Reviewed here.

I’ve enjoyed most of Tasmina’s books but unlike her usual style of writing about glitzy and glamorous personalities this one took quite a different direction and it absolutely worked.  I really hope she writes more like this.   Reviewed here.

It took me a while to come to this book but I am so glad I did otherwise I would have missed a real gem.  The story was based around a true event of 1900 and the landscape and lives of the characters were so vividly described.  An incredibly powerful and moving story.   Reviewed here.

and finally, I could not list a year of favourite books and not include Jojo Moyes.  I’ve now read 6 of her novels and every one has been a 5* read.   This is another that hasn’t yet been released (27 Feb 2014) but it is just a wonderful story with characters that you will make you laugh and cry.   Reviewed here.

I would just like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a healthy and happy 2014.  May your bookshelves forever be overflowing!

Karen x