Smugglivus 2013 Guest Author: V. E. Schwab

Welcome to Smugglivus 2013! Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2013, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2014.

Who: V E Schwab, writer of this year’s excellent Vicious (which Thea raved about here). She also writes YA Fantasy – like The Near Witch and The Archived – under the name Victoria Schwab.

Please give it up for Victoria, everyone!

My Top Books of 2013!

Hello, lovelies! Victoria here.

I’m so honored to be a part of the marvelous Smugglivus!

While I didn’t get to read nearly as MANY books this year as I’d like (curse you, deadlines), I was lucky enough to read some REALLY, REALLY good ones! So I’m here to tell you about the books that should be on your shopping lists this holiday season.

First up, WINGER by Andrew Smith.

By turns brutal and hilarious, and at all times incredibly authentic, this was just a complete powerhouse of a book. It follows Ryan Dean West, a 14-year-old junior at a boarding school, for the highs and lows of his year. It’s an emotional roller coaster, but a great one.

Next up, COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN by Holly Black.

Holly Black exists in a league all her own when it comes to worldbuilding, character, and craft, and COLDEST is no exception. I fully admit to having a preexisting weak spot for vampires, but predispositions aside, I devoured this. And considering how cluttered that shelf of the store is, this stands out as unique while still hitting the right vein. Add in a boy to die for (I am seriously full of the puns today) and it’s a delicious book.

Also, ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell.

I’m willing to bet this will show up on a bunch of lists (it already has) but I just found this to be delightful. It’s definitely a character-centric read, as opposed to a plot-centric one, but I hope you enjoy getting to know these two as much as I did.

And finally, LIFE AFTER LIFE by Kate Atkinson.

This one’s adult, and a bit hefty, but it’s brilliant in a quiet, persistent way. It follows Ursula Todd as she lives and dies and lives again. Every time she makes the wrong (and fatal) choice and her timeline ends, she starts over and makes a different decision, her cycle of reincarnation bringing her closer and closer to her goal of killing Hitler. Strange and magical.

And finally, looking forward! There are towers of books in my bedroom (in addition to four full bookshelves) but here’s one I cannot wait to sink my teeth into:

SEKRET by Lindsay Smith

You guys. Psychic spies in KGB Russia. NEED I SAY MORE?

And there you have it, a few more gems to add to what I’m sure is an already towering stack.

Happy holidays!

Cheers, Victoria!