Same procedure like every year. Those were the books I read in 2013. The list starts with my personal number one and ends with a book that was just not my cup of tea:
1. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson
l guess at least five people told me that I absolutely HAVE to read this book before I really did it. The story simply didn’t sound like I would be very interested in it: A Hundred-Year-Old-Man climbs out of a window of an old people’s home and starts an adventure of his own, thereby recalling the story of his life. But hey… that was a life worth living! He met them all: Stalin, Einstein’s brother, Mao… As if this wouldn’t be enough, he also had something to do with nearly all big world events within the last century, including the development of the atomic bomb. Admittingly this book was phenomenal. It made me laugh out loud, but also think about history …and life. Chapeau!
2. Salmon Fishing In The Yemen – Paul Torday
I was at a friend’s flat, this book lay on her table. She said: „Franzi, this book is so funny. You will love it.“ I thought:“ Salmon fishing in the Yemen? Sounds crazy. Not my cup of book.“ Her phone rang and she started a long conversation. I started to read … and loved this crazy book, which is a parable of life and dreams. Sometimes the impossible is suddenly possible. One just needs to believe it. P.S. I also loved the film!
3. The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin
To be happy was a big topic in my life this year. So, I was fascinated by Gretchen Rubin’s happiness project: She dedicated one whole year to obtain happiness. Her story was funny and insightful. A must-read for everyone who is interested in a happier self 🙂
Read my detailed review HERE.
4. Pretty Little Things – Jilliane Hoffman
This thriller really surprised me. I bought it as a distraction for one of my countless train rides and it really gripped me. Breath-taking!
Read my detailed review HERE.
5. Me Before You – Jojo Mojes
One funny anecdote: I sat in the train, reading this book, hiding the cover with my hand because I didn’t want to make the other passengers think that I am into chicklit (which I am). After 20 minutes of unrelaxed reading I glimpsed a men, reading this book, hiding nothing at all. He was so much cooler than me.
Read my detailed review HERE.
6. The Bone Bed – Patricia Cornwell
Another book I bought at a train station, another surprisingly good thriller. I wasn’t able to put this one down.
Read my detailed review HERE.
7. The Edge Of Nowhere – Elizabeth George
I am a big fan of Elizabeth George and her Inspector Lynley crime novels. This book from her is the first of a new series for the so-called „young adults“. I may not fit into this category anymore, but I couldn’t resist to read it nonetheless. The main figure of this book is Bella, who has the gift of hearing other people’s thoughts as whispers. That’s how she finds out about the criminal activities of her stepfather. She runs away from him and hides on Whidbey Island, where she finds new friends but also new mysteries, always aware of the risk to be found by her stepfather. The story may not be a real competitor against the Inspector Lynley novels but it was entertaining and I will surely read the follow-up books.
8. Death And The Oxford Box – Veronica Stallwood
There were two reasons I bought this book in the first place: First, I was in Oxford and wanted to read a story that was set there. The second reason was that I stood in Blackwell’s for the very first time and I was not able to form any decisions, but to buy the first book I laid my hands onto 😉 The story of the book was fine: A writer turns detective and tries to fiend out who was responsible for a murder in her neighborhood. It was a perfect holiday read and when I think about Oxford these days, I always have to think a bit about this book and its characters, as well.
9. Wieviel ist Genug? / How Much is Enough? – Robert Skidelsky & Edward Skidelsky
That’s one book we read this year in our literature club. It’s about our capitalistic society and its obstacles. It’s a bit too philosophic for my taste, but it gave us a lot of stuff to discuss about …which is the reason we have this club for 🙂
Read my detailed review HERE.
10. Forbidden – Tabitha Suzuma
A family with a lot of problems… no dad, the mother is an alcoholic and neglects her kids for every new man in her life. The two oldest siblings take care of the younger ones, always cautious to stay away from the radar of the youth welfare service. Until this point the book is quite okay, not too simply written, but entertaining. Then the two oldest fall in love with each other. For me, the story gets thinner and thinner from this point on. The conflict is there, yes indeed. And as a „young-adult“ I believe I would have found the book phenomenal (At this age there’s nothing more thrilling than a forbidden love, isn’t there?). So, maybe I am too old for the book, or it’s just not my cup of literature anymore…
I wish you a wonderful weekend (which hopefully includes a good book)!
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