Thursday, December 19, 2013

My 2013 Favorites: Fiction

Late December is, without a doubt, my favorite time of the blogging year. I love year-end lists... both reading yours and compiling my own. Typically, I wait until after Christmas to post my lists but, in anticipation of a short blogging break, I'm trying to wrap things up a little early. Here is my favorite fiction of 2013, listed in the order read. Click on the title for my review.

by Hilary Jordan
…my book club loved it, too


by Elizabeth Strout
…a favorite author tackles sibling relationships


by Khaled Hosseini
…another winner from one of today's best storytellers


by Thomas Hardy
…redefined my idea of a tragedy



by Claire Messud
…readers seem to either love or hate this one


by Beatriz Williams
…an utterly perfect summer read and my favorite cover of the year


by Edith Wharton
…the last chapter turns this really good novel into a great one


by John Williams
…my favorite book read in 2013


by Carol Rifka Brunt
…hard to believe this is a debut novel

I will post my favorite audiobook fiction tomorrow, and will turn the focus to nonfiction on Sunday. Stay tuned...
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41 comments:

  1. bermudaonionDecember 19, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    I love these lists too, but my list becomes enormous after I read them. I've only read 1 book on your list and it will be on my best of list too.

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  2. LisaDecember 19, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    I love seeing the lists as well - and yes, they usually add to my reading stacks! I'm mulling over mine, and now you've given me an idea about breaking it down. I'm looking forward to parts 2 & 3.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:11 PM

      Lisa - I usually end up making a list from all the lists! I'll be on the lookout for yours :)

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  3. UnknownDecember 19, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    Thanks for your list. I've only read one book on your list, A Hundred Summers and enjoyed it as well. I will keep the others in mind.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:12 PM

      Pat - I really enjoyed your wrap-up post today, too. Have added quite a few of your choices to my wish list!

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  4. The Relentless ReaderDecember 19, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    Hooray for BEST OF lists. I adore them as well :) We don't have any fiction overlap (my list comes out tomorrow) but I really enjoyed Mudbound!

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  5. UnknownDecember 19, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    I loved Mudbound, Tell the Wolves I'm Home and The Woman Upstairs, but I'm afraid I wasn't a fan of And the Mountains Echoed. I haven't read the others, but keep thinking I should try Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Great list! Thanks for writing such a great blog :-)

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      Jackie - I just saw your post mentioned And the Mountains Echoed and know several readers echoed your complaint. Tess was sooo tragic, but so wonderful!

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  6. HelenDecember 19, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    I love seeing these lists, though I haven't had time to compile my own for this year yet. I'm pleased to see Tess of the d'Urbervilles and And the Mountains Echoed on your list as I loved both of those too. The Age of Innocence is on my Classics Club list and I'm hoping to read it next year!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:15 PM

      Helen - You have a treat ahead in The Age of Innocence. I really liked the book, but was simply blown away by the impact of the last chapter.

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  7. VasillyDecember 19, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    I love this time of the year for the exact same reasons! I haven't read anything on your list yet but I do have a copy of The Woman Upstairs.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:16 PM

      Vasilly - It will be interesting to see if your on the love or hate side with The Woman Upstairs… seems to be no middle ground.

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  8. rhapsodyinbooksDecember 19, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    Stoner is at the top of my wish list!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:16 PM

      Jill - Cant wait to hear what you think. BTW, I'm glad your review convinced me to read Tell the Wolves I'm Home… wow!

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  9. AndiDecember 19, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    I'm salivating over your faves. You know I LOVED Mudbound (might be my fave read of 2013). I totally want to read Stoner, and I'm intrigued by your comments about Tess redefining your idea of tragedy. I have it on my list for 2014 and I can't wait now!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 19, 2013 at 6:18 PM

      Andi - Mudbound was my #1 until Stoner came along. Mudbound has the more compelling story but the writing in Stoner is just so gorgeous… almost achingly so.

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  10. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaDecember 19, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I read 4 of your favorites and also enjoyed them.

    Love the header and the changes over the lake.

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  11. AnbolynDecember 19, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    I am on the love side for The Woman Upstairs. It might make my own list, though I am having trouble narrowing it down. I am so glad that you chose Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Age of Innocence for your favorites - I love both of these quite fiercely.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 23, 2013 at 1:31 PM

      Anbolyn - I was actually on the fence about reading The Woman Upstairs, but your review convinced me to give it a try. Thanks!

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  12. AnonymousDecember 20, 2013 at 2:14 AM

    Thanks for sharing the post!!

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  13. Sandy NawrotDecember 20, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    I suck at the classics...one day I'm going to come to you and maybe Melissa Avid Reader and get a list to start on. I loved Wolves, but The Woman Upstairs was probably one of my most hated books and was disappointed with Hosseini. I mean, Hosseini was good but didn't live up to his other books which is I guess a testament to him. I can't wait to see your audiobook list!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 23, 2013 at 1:35 PM

      Sandy - I know you hated The Woman Upstairs… just no middle ground with that one, lol! Seems like reactions were a little mixed with Hosseini's new book, too, but I love the way he tells a story.

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  14. skiourophileDecember 20, 2013 at 11:37 PM

    That's a nice mix of classic and contemporary - I really must read Stoner (I may already be the last person in the world not to!)

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    1. JoAnnDecember 23, 2013 at 1:35 PM

      Vicki - I think you would really like Stoner.

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  15. AnonymousDecember 21, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    I love reading everyone's lists too. The only one I've read is Tess and you're right about tragedy.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 23, 2013 at 1:35 PM

      Stacybuckeye - Tess has got to be the most tragic book ever!

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  16. MelindaDecember 23, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    And the Mountains Echoed and The Age of Innocence is high on my list of books to read.

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  17. Karen K.December 23, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    I keep hearing such great things about Stoner -- I've had a copy for a couple of years now. I think I really have to read it in 2014!

    I'm a big fan of Wharton but The Age of Innocence didn't do much for me. It was my first Wharton, maybe I should read it again.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 23, 2013 at 1:37 PM

      Karen K. - I was enjoying The Age of Innocence, but the last chapter just blew me away… so effective! Hope you get to read Stoner next year,

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  18. LindsayDecember 24, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Hi JoAnn, I'm really enjoying reading your favourites posts! I loved Tell the Wolves, Mudbound, and am a big Hardy fan, so I'm really pleased you liked these books too. And the Mountains Echoed, and Stoner, and on my to read pile. And there's some others here for me to investigate further. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :) Lindsay x

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  19. JoAnnDecember 24, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Linsday - I'm glad you enjoyed my lists. They're so much fun to put together. You've got some great reading ahead with Stoner and And the Mountains Echoed. Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  20. LisaDecember 26, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    I'm not sure I would ever have thought to pick up "Stoner" if it weren't for your review. Now it's a must-read!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 27, 2013 at 7:53 AM

      Lisa - Be sure to choose the right moment for Stoner. It's a very quiet, contemplative book… and the writing is beautiful. Almost achingly so, at times.

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  21. Beth FDecember 28, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    There are a couple on here I know I would love, but I just never got to them. :(

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  22. Trish @ Love, Laughter, InsanityDecember 29, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Mudbound was one of my favorites of the year, too...and my book club loved it as well! I've passed up Tell the Wolves I'm Home so many times and now I'm kicking myself!! I hope that 2014 is a wonderful reading year for you.

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  23. Melissa (Avid Reader)December 30, 2013 at 10:16 PM

    Tell the Wolves was so good! I need to read Tess, Hardy always breaks my heart.

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