My overall total number of books read in 2013 was down considerably this year. I spent 2013 reading a lot about technology and web development, most of which didn’t come in between two covers. I managed 38 books this year and it was totally the year of the series. Almost everything I read was part of a series of books, some of which I only read because I felt committed to following through with the storyline. (I should revisit that policy in 2014.) I also re-read some favorites (shout out Harry Potter) and I’m leaving those books off this year’s list. I think this is the first time the Not Best books have outnumbered the Best books. I just wasn’t very impressed this year. As always, my list is completely subjective and in no particular order.

Best Books of 2013

Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell
Flight Behavior – Barbara Kingsolver
The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1) – Rick Riordan
Broken – Daniel Clay
Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green
The Round House – Louise Erdrich
Looking for Alaska – John Green
What We Talk about When We Talk about God – Rob Bell
The Kill Order (Maze Runner, #0.5) – James Dashner
Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son – Lori Duron
Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint – Nadia Bolz-Weber
Ordinary Grace – William Krueger
The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Neil Gaiman
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2) – Rick Riordan

Not Best Books of 2013

I am Number Four – Pittacus Lore
World War Z – Max Brooks
First Shift – Legacy – Hugh Howey
Second Shift – Order – Hugh Howey
The Fallen Legacies – Pittacus Lore
The Boy in the Suitcase (Nina Borg, #1) – Lene Kaaberbøl
Matched (Matched, #1) – Ally Condie
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Crossed (Matched, #2) – Ally Condie
Reached (Matched, #3) – Ally Condie
Wintergirls – Laurie Halse Anderson
Swan Song – Robert R. McCammon
Never Wipe Your Ass with a Squirrel: A Trail and Ultramarathon Running Guide for Weird Folks – Jason Robillard
The Raven’s Gift – Don Rearden
Blood Red Road (Dust Lands, #1) – Moira Young
Before I Fall – Lauren Oliver
Third Shift: Pact (Wool, #8) – Hugh Howey
Allegiant (Divergent, #3) – Veronica Roth