Of course I'm starting with books!

Books...everyone knows they're my drug of choice. Nothing makes my day better than just being surrounded by them. The library and my local bookstore are two of my favorite places to be. Books calm me when nothing else can. Books make me happy when all else fails. I constantly have at least one book with me at all times. They are in stacks in every room of my house. Even my roommate's have to share space with my books as they are also residing in their bedrooms. A crazy concept to a lot of people, but books are my friends. So it shouldn't be a shock that my first top 5 list is all about books. I'm hoping to keep this one list, but who knows...the one list just might spawn sublists. I'm keeping the option open.


So without further ado...my Top 5 favorite reads of 2013 (in a completely random order because I couldn't actually rank them):

1. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - Wow...this book is beautiful. It is by no means perfect. I've yet to read a book that is. But the world Morgenstern created was one I wanted very much to be part of. I love books dealing with circuses...both real and fantastical. This one lands in the more fantastical realm, but if only it were real! The characters aren't necessarily as interesting and colorful as you'd find in a lot of circus stories, but the magical elements involved with this circus makes it easy to excuse the lack of typical circus 'freaks'. At it's heard, the book is about love. Not just romantic love...though there is definitely plenty of that. But also love of games, love of magic, love of beauty and most of all love of competition. It isn't a book for everyone, but I'd still recommend everyone at least try it. You might find you'll be surprised.

 
2. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach - Yet another book that you think is about one thing, but is really about something quiet different. As with Night Circus, this book isn't about baseball (just as Night Circus isn't really about circuses...it's just set in one), but about choices and consequences and how people deal with them. The main character is a top notch college baseball player who is working towards matching and beating a long standing record. That is by far, the least interesting thing that happens in the book (if it actually happens). By far more interesting is how he influences the lives of those around them. This book is a great look at realistic characters, making realistic choices and dealing with the consequences the best they can. It is filled with flawed people who do stupid things, but love, support and respect each other. Forget that you think it's about baseball and read it anyway. I don't think you'll regret it.

 
3. How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - I don't read much nonfiction. When I do it tends to lean towards humor or food. I picked this book up because the woman on the front (the author) looked like someone I would like to know. And when I put the book down after an afternoon marathon read, I had decided she just might be the smartest (and funniest) woman on the planet. I didn't always agree with what she had to say, but she made me think about why I didn't. I love when someone makes me question my beliefs and laugh at the same time. And boy is she funny!! Now I suppose there are some out there that would find this book uncomfortable to read...she's not shy about talking about vaginas (should they be hairy?) and other things that make a lot of women cringe, but after reading the book, don't try telling me that she says anything that ALL women haven't at least thought about once in their life. I'd be willing to go out on a ledge and say all women should be required to read this book. This book show perfectly how to be a feminist without being a femi-nazi. Read it!! You too, boys!

 
4. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - I don't think Gaiman can do wrong. His writing is always spot on entertaining. And this book is seriously amazing. It's short, sweet and full of heart. 

 
5. Night Film by Marisha Pessl - I am rarely frightened by a book. Something needs to be visual and/or auditory to be truly frightening to me. This book scared me....in the best possible way. I seriously had to remind myself to relax and release all the tension in my muscles. I'd find myself holding my breath or tightening my shoulders. And that was just the written portion of this book. On top of the written story, there is an interactive portion that requires downloading a free app to experience. You get addition bits of case files or clips of music or movie that goes along with the story. It really is an immersing experience that I loved.

Honorable mention goes to Ian Fleming's James Bond books (or at least the ones I've managed to read), especially Live and Let Die. If you're a fan of the Bond movies or you just love a good spy novel, you have to read these books. They are incredibly well written, superbly crafted and highly entertaining. No movie Bond has every truly done the book version justice and once you read the books you'll understand why. And Live and Let Die (a movie I really enjoy) is twice as good as a book. While all the books are less than 300 pages, Fleming crammed so much great story into that one book it is hard to believe Hollywood wanted to change a second of it. But honestly, don't try to compare the books to the movies. Some of the movies are so far removed from the book that the only thing they have in common is the name and the main character.