The Young Folks’ Best Books of 2013

TYF Staff

10 years ago

The Young Folks team has come together to list the very best in entertainment and pop culture for the year 2013!

From Eleanor and Park to the Bloodlines series, our tastes in books may slightly differ, but there’s no doubt that 2013 gave us a great amount of the best and most thought-provoking novels. Click through the slideshow to see each writer’s list, and sound off in the comments with your favorite books of 2013!

[tps_title]Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 10 Books of 2013[/tps_title]

This year I set a whole new personal record on books read. At 116, I can’t imagine ever reading this many books in one year, which makes me kind of sad. Anyway, a great majority of those 116 were new 2013 releases. Obviously, it was very hard narrowing the list down to a measly ten. But I did it! Also, I noticed that a great majority of the books I read and loved this year were contemporary fiction, a genre I’ve avoided a bit in previous years.

1. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – What can I say that I already haven’t said? This book is perfect. These characters and their love story are so precious, unique and moving. This book is already a classic.

2. Just One Day & Just One Year by Gayle Forman – I love Forman’s If I Stay and Where She Went, so I was looking forward to her next two companion novels. I don’t think I’m cheating by putting these two books together as one entry. You can’t fully experience this story without reading both. These two books, Just One Day in particular, spoke to me so completely. I read them at a time in my life where I was having similar feelings as these characters. Their journeys offered me so much invaluable insight. They’re lovingly written and solidified Gayle Forman as one of my favorite authors ever.

3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz; Read by Lin-Manuel Miranda – The audiobook wasn’t released until 2013, so this SO counts! This book is the definition of beautiful. Full of life, truth and love, this book makes you feel it all and then some. Another classic YA book that will stand the test of time.

4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – This book was very unexpected. On the surface, it seems like a parody of the life of a fangirl. In reality, it goes deep, exploring the nature of being a dedicated fan and how immersed one can be in a fictional world. It’s a wonderful coming of age story that is truly touching and relatable. It’s the most NOW book on this list. If you haven’t read this book yet, I will need to call an emergency Kanye West dance party.

5. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan – Exquisite, gut-wrenching and powerful. David Levithan once again delivers a poignant masterpiece that will resonate in readers’ hearts for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years afterward.

6. The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey – I listed ten reasons why you should read this scary alien invasion thriller here.

7. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Read by Daniel Sharman – I have a love/hate relationship with Cassandra Clare’s books. But if there’s one thing I have to admit is that she knows how to eloquently end and wrap up a series. Clockwork Princess is an excellent book that makes the previous two books in The Infernal Devices even better. Also, the audiobook is pretty damn good as well.

8. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson – Another ending to a series, which ended spectacularly. Rae Carson gives us a fearless and real protagonist in The Fire and Thorns Trilogy and to see it all end in an action-packed and moving finale was amazing.

9. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle, Read by the author – This is the only non-YA book on the list. I don’t read Middle Grade novels often enough, but this one is just so uplifting and wonderful. If you’re a fan of musicals and Broadway, this is YOUR book. I should note it’s more than just musicals, but about believing in yourself, taking chances and not letting anyone stop you from your dream. This book reminded me why I do what I do here at The Young Folks and to not ever give up.

10. The Fiery Heart and The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead – I say it all the time, but if you haven’t read Richelle Mead’s Bloodlines series, or Vampire Academy novels already, I don’t know what to say to you besides: GET ON THAT. Mead has taken the Bloodlines characters and really made them into something phenomenal. Sydney and Adrian make such a captivating pair. Their forbidden romance is written with so much respect and realness that it’s impossible to not be invested in this duo. I honestly think that Bloodlines is going to end up being better than Vampire Academy.

Honorable Mentions: Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood, The Humans by Matt Haig, Parallel by Lauren Miller, The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

[tps_title]Michaela Nardo’s Top 10 Books of 2013[/tps_title]

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Rainbow Rowell is a master of her craft, as you will see when I dub another one of her YA novels ‘The Best of 2013’. The break-out author spins stories so true and honest you can feel the awkward, teenager-y pain with every page. Fangirl is a true masterpiece, one of the first ever books dubbed “New Adult” to gain exposure for the genre, Fangirl follows the new life of a college-freshmen through her trials and tribulations, learning to fit in and do what she loves.

2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – Neil Gaiman is definitely one of the best weaver-of words. His books and speeches reach multitudes of audiences and his creepy and beautifully written novels are some of the best contemporary works to date. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is no different and might even be called “a must read.”

3. The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey – I LOVE THIS BOOK. It’s one of those can’t put it down, heart-racing, page-flipping, reads where you never know what is going to happen and can’t wait for it to come. Plus, it’s an incredible sci-fi YA novel, which are two of my favorite things. Another must-read.

4. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – Here she is again, Rainbow Rowell’s first YA novel of the year is a hard and true love story of two unlikely kids who face the harsh realities of a high school where they don’t fit the “cool kid” mold. It’s pretty perfect.

5. Allegiant by Veronica Roth – The shocking finale to Roth’s debut trio ignited the feels of teens and YA readers everywhere. Can’t wait for those movies… L

6. I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb – An inspiring and awesome read, Malala knows women deserve education equality and is not afraid to put up a fight for her rights.

7. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini – Hosseini is another contemporary author who is rearing to enter the classics canon.

8. The Cuckoo’s Calling by J. K. Rowling (Robert Galbraith) – It’s J.K. Rowling, case closed.

9. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra – A debut novel that seems anything but, this novel is a happy-sad that you wish would never end. Like the rest of the novels on this list, it is a great and beautifully crafted read.

10. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan – If Every Day would have came out in 2013, it would have found its way on this list, too. Levithan proves, yet again, that he is a poignant and ground-breaking YA author.

[tps_title]Maxwell Haddad’s Top 10 Books of 2013[/tps_title]

My love for reading wavered a bit in 2013 as film and television took precedence. That being said, I still read quite a few novels that I enjoyed very much and this lists represents that well.

10. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey – Thoughtful survival storytelling for young adults with a strong lead character.

9. Cabinet of Curiosities by Guillermo Del Toro – A coffee table style glossy art book featuring sketches and ideas from the mind of the great Guillermo Del Toro. A must for any fan, this brings great insight into his creative process.

8. The Circle by Dave Eggers – A scary, witty, and thrilling book set in and around the world of a future social networking style company. Insightful and prescient, this is a book for the now.

7. Night Film by Marisha Pessl – Evocative imagery and a gripping mystery.

6. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – All fangirls (and fanboys!) must read this beautiful coming of age novel that could not be more timely.

5. Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman – Ron Swanson himself penned this hilarious memoir filled with personal anecdotes.

4. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson – Think of it as a literary Groundhog Day. Endless surprises abound in this life affirming book that features the best prose I have read all year.

3. The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz – Another coffee table style book, the amazing film/tv critic Seitz has crafted this detailed, gorgeous book that pays great respect to one of our best current filmmakers. A must for fans.

2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neal Gaiman – Mr. Gaiman gets better and better with each book. This is gorgeous, mysterious, nostalgic fantasy. Simply amazing.

1. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – This novel broke me. Rowell has an uncanny understanding of what it means to be an outcast in this modern age. Astute, witty, searing. Read it, cry, and then read it again.

[tps_title]Bri Lockhart’s Top 10 Books of 2013[/tps_title]

1. September Girls by Bennett Madison