Bests of 2013

My top ten reads for 2013 (and the reason/s why I swoon over it.) in at-the-top-of-my-head order:

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Way to end 2013. This book is a work of genius. Well for those who writes, fangirls over anything/someone and/or struggles in college.This made me revert to Rainbow Rowell works.
2. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Ahhh, the feels. First love and all. Yes, I did say that I was fairly disappointed (note: never over-expect a book. or in anything for that matter) but I also did enjoy it (thanks to cute ol' Park,hihi). Really. Definitely not your conventional YA novel.
3. If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern. Ahern is one of the few authors whose works I indulge this year. This particular story is for both the kids and kids at heart. I could still remember how much I cried over this book. With a touch of romance and a slice of life, this is a good read for those who wants an affirmation of one's existence.
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Optimism is all over it. Surprisingly, my floodgates didn't open because of this. But I love how the author plays the story. This is more than a drama book. 
5. If I Stay & Where She Went by Gayle Forman. The best two-books series I read this year. You can't read the second book without spoiling the first one. I think, this is the reason why I didn't (and couldn't) stop reading YA novel from then on. I love how the author can connect to every characters (and not just the MC and LI).
6. Just One Day by Gayle Forman. Take me to Europe now! Jeez, this made me think (more) that Europe is really my future destination. I'll definitely read the second installment (Just One Year) and find out why (why???) the LI did that (surprising ending, yup).
7. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen. This is actually a middle-grade book. I know I shouldn't have read this (i.e. inappropriate for my age huhu) but I had to! The books is just irresistible. An ode to young (like young) love.
8. A Walk to Remember and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Yes, I just read those this year. Bests of Sparks. Need I say more?
9. Room by Emma Donoghue. A suspense-thriller story of a boy trapped in a room with her mother all throughout his life. There is something refreshing with a five-year old boy way of looking at the two different worlds he has lived through. The book was a complete page-turner especially at the second-half.
10. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. Sarah is one of my best author discoveries this year. And this book is (so far) my favorite read from her. Makes me feel young from all her characters. Yes, there's a Sarah-Dessen pattern but her books make me feel like indulging to my comfort foods.