Top 10 Books of 2013! (In no particular order)

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

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Khaled Hosseini, famed author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, returns to Afghanistan once again to tell the story of two siblings separated during their childhood and the the drastically different paths their lives take. Spanning years and set against the backdrop of the history and hauntingly beautiful scenery of rural and urban Afghanistan, this book isn’t one to miss. – Jeremy Dawson

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

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Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers, The Tipping Point, and Blink has proven he is a master at taking research from psychology and sociology and presenting them in a way that is both informative and interesting and impossible to put down. In David and Goliath he spans millenia, from Lawrence of Arabia to Richard Branson, to look at what he calls ‘desirable difficulties’ and change the way we think about the underdog and the power of perseverance. He’s truly solidified himself as one of the best and brightest pop science writers of our age. - Jeremy Dawson

Donnybrook by Frank Bill

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Criminals, fighters, meth-heads and more gather each year for an illegal, bare-knuckles fight to the finish. Author Frank Bill plops readers in the middle of the violence, and it’s a testament to his gifts as a story-teller that we don’t immediately want to jump right back out of it. -Kevin Hall

Fantasy Life by Matthew Berry

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Devoted followers of The Talented Mr. Roto knew Matthew Berry could write, but with Fantasy Life, the fantasy sports guru went even deeper than expected. So many sections of the book had me laughing and crying almost simultaneously. It’s great to have a book to point to when people ask why I love fantasy sports. -Kevin Hall

Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities

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Guillermo del Toro is a nerd amongst nerds. His unique vision has given way to some of the most unique and visually stunning stories of any filmmaker. This collection brings together his sketches, handwritten, notes, and offers fascinating insight into this creative process as well as details on some unfinished works including sketches and concepts for his adaptation of The Mountains of Madness for all you Cthulhu loving Lovecraftians out there. – Jeremy Dawson

Joyland by Stephen King

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Stephen King’s other novel of 2013, Dr. Sleep, got more pub, but this pulpy novel told a better story. Set in a small amusement park in 1973, King spins a classic ghost story while also providing one of the better romances of the year. -Kevin Hall

Supervillainous by Mike Leon

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Mike Leon’s Supervillainous is a satirical look at the world of heroes and villains as well as an interesting examination of good and evil. The book follows Hammerspace, a tier 2 level supervillain, as he tries to break into the Global Crime League. The book uses the normal superhero/evil villain to tell a story that is on it’s surface an enjoyable and funny story.  Lurking below the surface of the humorous tale is a compelling social satire. – Nathan Gifford

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

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Donna Tartt’s third novel will top many (if not most) year-end lists. It deserves every accolade, if only for these sentences: “The light of long ago is different from the light of today and yet here, in this house, I’m reminded of the past at every turn. But when I think of you, it’s as if you’ve gone away to sea on a ship – out in a foreign brightness where there are no paths, only stars and sky.” -Kevin Hall

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

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Originally conceived as a short story, Neil Gaiman instead released his first adult novel in 8 years this June and it was well worth the wait. Written entirely from the perspective of a seven year old boy who discovers the supernatural secret of a neighboring family and unleashes a terrible secret. Along the way he learns of childhood innocence, the true power of friendship, and experiences the unique blend of fantasy, horror, and heart that Gaiman is known for. Don’t miss out on this book. – Jeremy Dawson

White Fire by Preston and Child

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This newest novel in the 13-book-thriller-series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is just as enthralling as the rest of the series. Generally a book in such a large series such as this wouldn’t make a top ten list, because it’s not technically a stand alone story. Each and every one of the books in the Agent Pendergast series is a great work on its own, even if it is connected to a larger story. Being connected to that larger story and the continued successful development of the characters from earlier books are two of the things that make this book great. That and, of course, the suspenseful, thrilling story. – Brittany DeSalvo

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