Off The Shelf

   Over the course of 2013, I read a total of 25 books, or 8,108 pages. Of those 25, I gained several new favorites, including The Great Gatsby , and Between Shades of Gray - novels that I feel have made an important impact on my life.   Several books were also made into movies during 2013, including Gatsby, Catching Fire , The Host, and Safe Haven . The film industry has seem to found a new jackpot in YA novels! 2014 promises to be a year of more books-turned movies as well. I am looking forward to Divergent in March, The Fault in Our Stars in June, and Mockingjay Part 1 in November!   Not only was 2013 a year of great books, but a year of some of my best accomplishments. I  was published in my school's literary arts magazine and became Literary Editor of the magazine for the 2013-14 school year a few days later. My travels took me to  Cape Cod , Sugarbush, VT ,  Columbia University , and Strand Books.   I do not plan ...

As 2013 comes to a close, I have complied my lists to create The Best of 2013 . I will be posting lists of memoirs, historical fiction, and finally, the best of the best in fiction! Just as a reminder, unlike many other "Best of" lists around the Internet, the books included in my lists are not centered entirely on novels published in 2013, they are just books I read in 2013. Books listed here that were published in 2013 are entirely coincidental. Top Memoirs of 2013: 2. Night , Elie Wiesel 1. The Glass Castle , Jeannette Walls I read The Glass Castle as part my Honors English curriculum last spring, and it was a very eye-opening novel. Jeannette Walls writes about growing up with neglectful and unemployed parents, and her struggle for a bright future. Walls tells her story in a way that is raw and inspiring. Top Historical Fiction Novels of 2013: 3. In the Time of the Butterflies , Julia Alvarez 2. Between Shades of Gray , Ruta Sepetys ...

With 2013 quickly coming to a close, it is time for bloggers and readers alike to reflect on their reading over the course of the year. Back in January, I had joined two reading challenges hosted by very successful book blogs. Below you can find the books I read for each category, and links to the reviews I posted for each. I am currently scoping out what challenges will be available for 2014, and I will post here at the beginning of January with my findings! 2013 Women Challenge I read a lot of books written by women, but this year I had hoped to focus on the original, classic, women in literature: the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, etc. For this challenge I signed up for the "Super Girl" category (11-15 books written by women authors) and it was hosted by the blog  Peek-a-Book! The titles I read this year (15 read of 15 book goal - 100%): 1.  Divergent , Veronica Roth 2.  Insurgent, Veronica Roth 3.  Allegiant , Veronica Roth 4.  Between Shades of Gra...

Allegiant  Veronica Roth 526 pages   “There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater."  - page 509 It is very, very hard to write about this book without giving away spoilers from Divergent  and Insurgent, but I will try my best. Please stay away if you have not read the aforementioned titles...   The faction-based society of Chicago that Tris Prior and Tobias Eaton had once called home is now completely shattered. War, unjust power, and betrayal has interrupted their world indefinitely. When they are given the chance to escape the city and go beyond the fence, there is no way they can refuse. What they find there is not at all the quiet, safe, life together they had imagined. Tris and Tobias are sudd...