2013 YEAR-END REVIEW: Ami
FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz –
This book is simply a beauty, a precious gem. It is the kind of book that opens my mind, expands my heart, and enriches my soul. The kind of book that lingers days after I finish reading.
4.5 & 5 STAR BOOKS OF 2013:
Overhyped book of the year
(What’s all the fuss about?):
“Glitterland” by Alexis Hall: I like it but it’s also just an ‘okay’ read. The Essex phonetic writing kills my brain (I think it leaks out of my ears) and other parts felt pretentious. I always prefer the more restrained kind of writing anyway. Too many can be, well, too much. Yes, it’s classic opposites attract story, yes, at times I enjoy it, but still I totally have no idea what the squeeing is all about *shrugs*
Underhyped book of the year
(Why haven’t more people read this?):
Anything by Cornelia Grey is underhyped but since she only released one story this year, I will say “Devil at the Crossroads“. Cornelia Grey writes beautifully and SENSUALLY without bordering too dirty erotica. As a short story, this one still captivated me and my, oh, my, Farfarello was one HOT SEXY devil!
Best surprise of the year
(didn’t know what to expect or the story caught you off guard or anything that just…surprised you…):
I have to choose two books for this:
“His Roommate’s Pleasure” by Lana McGregor. I am not a big BDSM or D/s book in general – simply because I find it difficult to find a story with ‘balanced’ D/s that I can consider romance (porn, on the other hand …). This one surprised me because it was sexy and tender, and uhm, ADORABLE. Definitely caught me off guard.
“Provoked” by Joanna Chambers. I don’t like the historical genre in general, and I only picked this up as part of my personal challenge in November. At first, I was already ready to dislike it because of the sense of ‘older’ English (I’m not an English native speaker and ‘older’ English makes it difficult for me to enjoy stories) but as the story moved, I was hypnotized with the story and characters. SO much that I think this (and the sequel) is one of my favorite series of 2013.
Auto-buy authors
(I’d buy anything these authors write, without a doubt):
Kaje Harper
Sarah Black
K.J. Charles
Chris Scully
My reading experience in 2013:
I have to say that my reading experience of 2013 brought me to fanfiction – hugs Merlin/Arthur, my favorite fanfiction couple EVER – personal historical MM challenge in November AND well, being part of this amazing team of reviewers on the blog. Oh, and I also learned that I could actually delete the word “baby” (an endearment I despised!) from books I read (thanks Tailtiu) so I can enjoy the stories better (yay!). It was an interesting year, that’s for sure.
What I’m hoping for/looking forward to in my 2014 reading journey?
Exploring new fandom in fan-fiction (because there are SO MANY of them for me to explore!), dipping my toes a little deeper in historical MM romance, because I seriously, most definitely, have missed some of the good stories there, and also wishing for MM authors to surprise me with fresh stories.
Great wrap-up, Ami! I hope you find some more good historicals next year. :-D
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Thanks, Tracy. I am looking forward to another historical journey :-)
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Here’s to wonderful surprises to come!
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To you as well!
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I wish you much success in your hunt for great surprises. Good luck with your toe dipping, I shall watch you from dry land. :p
Happy new year my friend!
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After 5 years of majorly reading MM, I am going to NEED surprises :-). Happy 2014 to you as well and I cannot wait to read your choices
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Very curious about your choice of the year! I hadn’t even heard from it before.
Cheers Ami!<3
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Well, my choice is LGBT YA fiction, of course it flew under the radar of MM romance readers.
Cheers to you as well, Tinka!
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YES! I want to read this too! Someone else picked it in the readers choice. I’m curious to see what the buzz is all about!
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I think it is up your alley, Susan… I would love to know what you thought of this :)
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It’s YA….I see, I see. Boldly added it anyway, based on your love for it.
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I loved Aristotle and Dante too – a sweet, lyrical and subtle coming of age story.
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Actually almost all of my LGBT-fiction this year related to Young / New Adult somehow — and I ended up loving them. I mean, Will Grayson Will Grayson and Openly Straight were also LGBT YA fiction and they were on my list too. Maybe I should read more for next year :)
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I love this peek into your book experiences from this past year. I see several that I loved too, but there are a few more that I need to check out. Thanks!
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Thanks, Sophia … I hope you like what you check out later :)
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