BookishThoughts' Top 13 Books of 2013

TL;DR

Top 13 book recommendations from 2013, including "Room" by Emma Donahue and "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman.

Transcript

so it's a new year why don't we try some new things firstly standing up in videos Happy 2014 everyone I hope you all had a lovely hogman I am here today to share with you my top 13 books of 2013 to begin with one that I finished recently and haven't had a chance to yet talk about on my channel and it's room by Emma Donahue I think it was Ariel bass... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 "Room" by Emma Donahue offers an emotional and disturbing perspective by narrating the story through the eyes of a 5-year-old boy.
• 🐲 "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman brings a unique twist to dragon literature by depicting dragons disguised as humans.
• 🍰 John Wyndham's "Chocky" explores science fiction themes in a short and gripping story.
• 🫒 Shirley Jackson's "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" delves into the dark effects of mob culture and gossip.
• 🇦🇨 "The Madman's Daughter" by Megan Shephard combines creepy madness and romance in a YA novel inspired by "The Island of Dr. Moreau."
• 🎥 "The Lord of the Rings" series by J.R.R. Tolkien offers a deeper and more intricate story than the films.
• 👶 Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series is a complex and engaging children's book series.
• 👪 "Fortunately, the Milk" by Neil Gaiman is a well-written and witty children's book that can be enjoyed by both kids and parents.
• 💯 "The Unwritten" graphic novel series is perfect for book lovers, with a story that intertwines real-life and fictional elements.
• ✍️ "Gus's History of Persia: Tales of the Orient" provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient Persia through the writings of Ctesias.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the premise of "Room" by Emma Donahue?

"Room" is a emotionally disturbing story narrated by a 5-year-old boy who has spent his whole life in a single room with his mother, unable to leave due to being held captive.

Q: How are the dragons depicted in "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman different from other dragon literature?

In "Seraphina," the dragons are disguised as humans and must live as humans in order to maintain peace with humans. This unique twist adds depth and complexity to the story.

Q: What is the main concept explored in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson?

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a psychological thriller that explores the effects of mob culture, gossip, and rumors on a community and individuals.

Q: What makes "The Madman's Daughter" by Megan Shephard stand out in the YA genre?

"The Madman's Daughter" is a YA novel that combines romance, creepy madness, and inspiration from "The Island of Dr. Moreau," making it a captivating and unique read.

Q: Can the Lord of the Rings series be enjoyed by someone who has only watched the films?

Absolutely! The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien offers a deeper and more intricate story than the films, making it a must-read for fans of the films.

Q: Is "Fortunately, the Milk" by Neil Gaiman suitable for young children?

Yes, "Fortunately, the Milk" is a children's book perfect for children under 10. It is well-written, funny, and witty, making it enjoyable for both children and parents.

Q: What is the premise of "The Unwritten" graphic novel series?

"The Unwritten" follows Tommy Taylor, whose father wrote a popular book series about a boy wizard named Tommy Taylor. The story explores the mysteries surrounding his father's disappearance.

Q: What is the focus of "Gus's History of Persia: Tales of the Orient"?

"Gus's History of Persia" is a non-fiction book written by Ctesias, an ancient Greek historian, and provides a fascinating insight into Persia and its history, particularly after the Persian Wars.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Room" by Emma Donahue is a disturbing and emotional story narrated by a 5-year-old boy who has spent his entire life in a single room.

• "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman is a fantasy novel about dragons who live as humans, with an interesting twist on dragon literature.

• "Chocky" by John Wyndham is a short science fiction book about a young boy who becomes a host to an alien life form.

• "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson is a psychological thriller exploring mob culture and gossip in a community.

• "Ethiop or An Ethiopian Romance" by Heliodorus is a suspenseful ancient Greek novel.

• "The Madman's Daughter" by Megan Shephard is a YA novel based on "The Island of Dr. Moreau" and features creepy madness and romance.

• "The Lord of the Rings" series by J.R.R. Tolkien is a must-read for fans of the films, offering a deeper and more intricate story.

• "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman is a complex and engaging children's book series, starting with "Northern Lights" or "The Golden Compass."

• "Fortunately, the Milk" by Neil Gaiman is a perfect children's book with humor and wit that can be enjoyed by both kids and parents.

• "The Unwritten" by Mike Carey and Peter Gross is a graphic novel series for book lovers, following a boy named Tommy Taylor and the mysteries surrounding his father's disappearance.

• "Gus's History of Persia: Tales of the Orient" is a fascinating piece of ancient non-fiction about Persia written by Ctesias.

• The final book in "Fruits Basket" manga series is a phenomenal series mixing contemporary real-life and magic realism.