2013 Booklist

This year was my first year taking English Major classes. As I listened to what my professors had to say about these literary works, I found myself falling in love with literature even more. This has been one of my favorite years for reading, and I hope my reviews will make you want to read some of these yourself. I have found that reading, to me, is about more than just enjoying a story for a singular point in time. With the right story, it can do so much more. It stretches my mind. It opens my eyes to a Story much bigger than myself. It is a philosophical process that compels me to think about what is important in life.





So here it is. My 2013 book list, in the order that I read them.

1.      Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

 

This book needs no review. Read it. Love it. Read it again.

 

2.      Traveling Light by Max Lucado

 

A comforting book about letting go of baggage and moving closer to God. I would recommend anything by Max Lucado.

3.      The Shack by William Young

 

While I understand the hype about this book, and the message was hopeful and moving, I personally was not intrigued by the bold characterizations of God.  

4.      Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

 

Jane Eyre is a character anyone would fall in love with. Bronte tends to write without a direction--there is no absolute plotline in her stories--but this novel is well worth reading.

 

5.      Candide by Voltaire

 

I was overall bored with this story because of the matter-of-fact writing, but by the end Voltaire slapped me in the face with a very profound conclusion in response to the various philosophies of his time. The ending was worth the read.

6.      The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

 

This short novel delves into the psychology of a dying man, and has a thought-provoking message about what is important in life.

 

7.      Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

 

      While I don't agree with all of Miller's theological conclusions, his questions, though-processes, and experiences are presented with an honesty and vulnerability that caused me to question the same things and move toward my own conclusions. Overall very enjoyable to read. It made me laugh and then would hit me with something to think about for the next few days--maybe even the rest of my life.

8.      Hedda Gabler by Ibsen

 

A story about the most unlikable woman of all time. I can't say that I was ever bored, by I also can't necessarily say I liked it all that much.

9.      The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov

 

An interesting story to study in a class, but not my favorite. This novel portrays a rich family going bankrupt and witnessing the working class's move to wealth.

10.  Things Fall Apart by Achebe

 

Very good. This story shows the negative effects of "missionaries" in African tribes.  

11.  My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

 

Potok is a wonderful writer. Every artists should read this story about a young Jew torn between his religion and his art.

12.  Crazy Love by Francis Chan

 

Everything I expected of Francis Chan--thought-provoking, inspiring, and moving.

13.  Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

 

I had to read this before I saw the movie! Very fun read for a Science Fiction fan like myself.

14.  Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

 

My first book of Steinbeck's since The Pearl, this was funny, sad, and heartwarming all at once.I highly enjoyed Steinbeck's realistic and endearing (while ignorantly destructive) characters.

15.  Walden by Henry David Thoreau

 

I soaked up this book while on vacation in the mountains. I underlined half of the book. It made me want to live more simply. It's a book everyone should read at some point in their lives, maybe even several times, as it is a wonderful reminder about what is important in life.
 

16.  Les Miserable by Victor Hugo

 

I absolutely loved this book. It took me a long time to get through it--even though I listened to it on audio-book--but I loved Hugo's writing and characters. Hugo allows the story to revolve around his characters instead of vise versa. I bought the print version just so I could underline all of his beautifully-written insights about God and redemption.  

17.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

 

I hated the characters, but I enjoyed the book. Emily is more plot-driven than her sister, and it didn't take me long to get into this story. Frustrating as it is, it is a beautiful story.

 

18 Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

 

Sad. Just--sad. Though wordy, I love Hardy's writing. His novel is a strong criticism of the Victorian church and sexism. Tess is a lovable character who represents the downtrodden women of the time. It is a very moving--if highly depressing--story.

 

19. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

 

This is my new favorite Dickens novel. I couldn't put it down by the end, and it left me in sort of euphoria for the rest of the day. It is a story of redemption, of light, and of life. I highly recommend it.

 

20. Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

 

Very unique. It is dense with philosophy and metaphor. I can't say I like it, but it is an interesting read.

 

21. Boewulf by Unknown

 

I liked it better the third time through. If you're a Tolkien fan, you'll enjoy reading the story that influenced him.

 

22. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown

 

Again, Tolkien fans may appreciate it, but it is not as enjoyable as Beowulf.

 

23. Silas Marner by George Eliot

 

This book is a response to Dickens' A Christmas Carol, so of course I didn't really like it. While I always enjoy my Victorian novels and this one had a good story, the cynicism was a little much for me. Eliot's writing is also very difficult to get through. However, I don't regret reading it.

 

24. A Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius

 

A lover of philosophy, I really enjoyed this book. It's the kind of book one should read slowly and possibly more than once. The philosopher Boethius was imprisoned and put to death. This book contains his musings before his execution.
 

25.  Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Pretty good. I like Hardy's writing--maybe because I like metaphors. Outwardly, it's a story about a shepherd, and I enjoyed reading about the simplistic life of the farmers.

 

26. Flatland by Edwin Abbot

This book is one long metaphor, so of course I enjoyed it. Abbot uses the idea of a two-dimensional object meeting a three-dimensional object to represent the way humans relate to God in His supernatural dimension. (Or at least that's how I read it.).

 

27. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

A beautiful story about a man who decides to play the cello in the place where his friends and family were killed by a bomb, but also about life, the reason for living, and hope.
 

28. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A classic everyone should read.
 

29. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Probably the saddest book I have ever read, but I loved every word. The unique style of writing is whimsical and poetic. I have not seen the movie yet, but I recommend reading the book first to get a firm grasp of what the story is really about. Behind the sadness is hope. Reading The Book Thief was the kind of experience I look for in reading literature.


Overall, it was a great year for reading. I hope 2014 will be even better!

Happy New Year!