52 Books in 52 Weeks: My Reading Year in Review.

Beginning in November 2013, I challenged myself to read 52 books in 52 weeks - a book a week for a whole year. I accomplished my goal and have had several requests to review what I read. Here's the list and my personal thoughts on each book.

1.     The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - ★★

The Secret Garden is a classic I read many years ago and I’ve always remembered the story. Rereading it, I found it a little slow, but still an interesting story. Not the quickest of reads and I did find it a little tedious to get through. I did still enjoy the storyline, though.

2.     My Notorious Life by Kate Manning - ★★★★★

I loved this book and have been recommending it to everyone. Extremely emotional and definitely has a consistent gloomy tone, but one of my all-time favorites. An amazing story with an important message and interesting bits of history incorporated into a really fascinating story. I look forward to reading other Kate Manning books.

3.     The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – ★★★

Another amazing story intertwined with interesting history. I loved the storyline, although it had pretty big lulls every now and then where I found it difficult to get through. Certain parts were page-turners and others seemed to move very slowly. Still, definitely a tear-jerker and a story I won’t forget. I enjoyed the movie, too.

4.     The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – ★★★★★

I read this before I had heard about the movie or any hype surrounding the book and I loved it. I cried like a baby but I loved the story. Most of all, however, I really liked Green’s writing style and the way he develops his characters. I was immediately hooked and wanted to read more John Green books. Loved this movie, too!

5.     Looking for Alaska by John Green - ★★★★★

After The Fault in Our Stars I wanted more John Green. This did not disappoint – I got that same amazing character development and I love the way he writes. I seem to fall in love with all his characters and he pulls me in by making one of the characters mysterious and difficult to understand. I think I may have liked this one better than the first.

6.     Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - ★★★★★

Major page-turner; I could not put this book down. I’m not usually into mysteries, but I loved this. The story keeps you guessing the whole time. I was flip-flopping all over the place trying to figure out what happened and who was guilty. In the end, I was surprised by a huge twist in the story. I can’t wait to see the movie.

7.     The Giver by Lois Lowry - ★★★★★

I loved this when I read it in middle school so I decided to reread it. There are always things you miss the first time around, especially when you’re much older than you were the first time you read it. A quick read but a really interesting and gripping story. Loved it again. Unfortunately, the movie was a huge disappointment - stick to the book.

8.     Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix - ★★★★

Another book I loved in middle school and will always remember. Really great storyline that’s surprising and suspenseful. Definitely meant for a younger audience (younger, I think, than The Giver), but still good as an adult. After reading, I watched the movie The Village, which is said to be loosely based on the Running Out of Time plot and I loved the movie. Definitely an adult adaptation of the book.

9.     A Million Little Pieces by James Frey - ★★★

I read this when it first came out, but I was around 13-14, so I wanted to reread, especially after all the Oprah controversy. A bit repetitive but that could have been intentional. I felt like Frey wanted to drill it into our heads how much of an addict he was. It felt a little like he was trying too hard to convince us. Parts definitely felt exaggerated but it was still a good story, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. The sequel, My Friend Leonard is much better, in my opinion.

10. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty - ★★★★★

Extreme page-turner. Do not start this book if you don’t have time to be sucked into it. Mysterious, thrilling, emotional. I loved the story line and the writing style and I instantly wanted more from Liane Moriarty.

11. Divergent by Veronica Roth - ★★★★

A good YA series suitable for adults, too. Interesting post-apocalyptic storyline with loveable characters. Thrilling and captivating, with a little romance. I finished the series very quickly as I could not put these books down. Similar elements to The Hunger Games but with a few unique aspects.

12. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - ★★★★

I liked this less than the first just because the plot started to change and things got “messy,” but still a great story and definitely a page-turner.

13. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - ★★★★

I was happy with how the series ended. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The end was sad and surprising, but it fit with the story and I felt like it ended appropriately.

14. Little Bee by Chris Cleave - ★★★★

This is one of those stories that has you questioning what happened the whole time. You get snippets here and there so you can piece together certain elements of the story, but you don’t get the full story from start to finish until the end. Then, you’re left shocked and emotional. A really good read, that keeps you intrigued and then exposes you to the harsh realities of Little Bee’s life as a Nigerian orphan and refugee.

15. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce - ★

This book was so slow and boring, but I was waiting for something big to happen. I was waiting for the climax, or a plot twist, or something, ANYTHING, to happen. I got nothing. I felt cheated when I got to the end. I was almost tricked into feeling a little emotional at the end of the story, but then remembered that nothing really significant had happened and I spent the whole time waiting for nothing. I was very disappointed and would not recommend this book.

16. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - ★★★★★

Another post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller. This is probably my favorite out of all the series I have read. I thought it was a little scary, but kept you looking for answers and was definitely a page-turner. I read this really quickly and blazed through the whole series. I found it different from any other series or post-apocalyptic YA series that I had read. For one, I definitely thought it was much more mature and not suitable for a younger audience, and also, the plot twist was really unique and when you finally start getting some answers, they’re very different from anything I have read or could have imagined. Very, very interesting and they did an excellent job on the movie.

17. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner - ★★★★★

This was my favorite book in the series. I thought it should definitely be considered sci-fi/horror/thriller and it did keep me up a few nights, but the story was so good I could not put it down. Can’t wait for the movie.

18.  The Death Cure by James Dashner - ★★★★★

This was the 3^rd book, but the last part of the story. This wrapped things up, answered all of my questions, and tied up any loose ends. I was happy with the ending and how everything was closed.

19. The Kill Order by James Dashner - ★★★★★

This was the final book in the series but is actually a prequel to The Maze Runner. This answered all my questions about how the boys got into the maze to begin with and what happened to the world and society. This explained any questions you had from the first book and brought the whole thing full circle.

20. The Road by Cormac McCarthy - ★★★★★

This is another post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller that I believe falls into the horror category again. Cormac McCarthy’s writing style is unlike anything else I’ve read – very poetic and songlike. The story is very deep and emotional and I kept turning the page to try to get my questions answered. Extremely unique and interesting story – something I think everyone should read once just for the unique experience. Unlike anything else. I finished this in one day – it’s a quick read but also a page-turner.

21. Sphere by Michael Crichton - ★★★★★

I saw this movie when I was much younger and it scared me to death but I loved the concept and it was my first sci-fi experience. I read the book in middle school and then read several other Michael Chrichton books and loved each of them. Sphere has always been my favorite and I have never forgotten the unique story. Chrichton uses a lot of scientific terms and jargon that I didn’t completely understand when I was younger so I wanted to read this again and pick up anything I had previously missed. Thrilling, scary, and captivating – again, I couldn’t put it down. After reading it, I rewatched the movie. I love both the book and the movie equally. A classic sci-fi horror story, in my opinion.

22. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - ★★★

I’ve read The Kite Runner by Hosseini so I knew this would be another sad one. I had my tissues ready but I was not at all ready for this book. Extremely emotional and one of the saddest books I have ever read. I had a really difficult time getting through it and found myself putting it off because it was so deeply saddening and depressing. It definitely opened my eyes to the harsh realities of war-time in other countries, the oppression of women, and the brutalities of the Taliban. After finishing it, I am glad I read it but I’m not sure if I would recommend it. I think I was deeply affected by what I read but I will not ever forget the violence and atrocities that I read about. I think it’s important to be aware of these things but it’s very, very difficult to read about. This is a book I will remember forever.

23. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn - ★★

Since I loved Gone Girl, I thought I would try another Flynn book. This was another thriller/mystery but it wasn’t as entertaining as Gone Girl. It could have been a good story but it was, indeed, very dark. Too dark for me, I guess. I was planning on reading Sharp Objects, but after this, I removed it from my list.

24. This is Where I leave You by Jonathan Tropper - 

This book had me laughing out loud. A little bit of a downer, but all the sadness and depression is sort of poked fun at and made to be funny. I got through it pretty quickly and would definitely recommend it. I’ve heard great things about the movie, as well, and can’t wait to watch.

25. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - ★★★

While reading this book I kept thinking it was boring and I kept saying to myself “I don’t get it.” I thought maybe I just didn’t “get” the author’s style. I kept reading, though, to sort through the puzzle and try to make sense of things. The plot twist gave me goosebumps and finally everything came crashing together. Not my favorite, but it’s unlike anything else I’ve read and it was an interesting plot.

26. Paper Towns by John Green - ★★★★

Another hit by John Green. More amazing characters that are mysterious yet loveable. Really entertaining and fun to read. The characters are interesting and different and it’s a fun read, but it has deeper aspects to it. John Green characters are some that you remember for a long time after reading.

27. Matched by Allie Condie - ★★★★

A good YA series. Another typical dystopian society story with a strong female character working to change the system. A good read and very entertaining. Not the absolute best in its category, but I enjoyed the books and would recommend them to young adults as well as the older audience.

28. Crossed by Allie Condie - ★★★★

Book two of the Matched series. The strong female character begins to break out of her shell and starts to realize her potential. A little cliché but I enjoyed the series nonetheless.

29.  Reached by Allie Condie - ★★★★

Not much to say about this series. I was entertained and I could definitely see similarities between this series and elements from Twilight, The Hunger Games, & Divergent.

30. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd - ★★★★★

Sue Monk Kidd is one of my favorite authors. This book was historical fiction with bits of real history woven into a fictional story. The story was heartbreaking but empowering and touched on the abolishment of slavery and the beginning of the women’s rights movement. I learned a lot from this story and remembered some history lessons as well and I was able to fit them into the storyline. I loved this book and would recommend it, especially for women and girls. As always, I was entertained, moved, and learned some great lessons.

31. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls - ★★

This was another story where I kept waiting for the climax. It was so sad and I was waiting for something good to happen or for a shift in the tone but it never came. It just beats you down with sadness and really put me into a depression. Towards the very end of the book, it seems like time all the sudden speeds up and the child protagonist grows into an adult in just a few pages. It seems like the childhood portion of the story is drawn out and too long, but then it speeds up and story is quickly and hastily wrapped up in a few chapters. I felt confused and a little cheated at the end. It didn’t seem believable and I wasn’t impressed overall. It had good potential but the ending just ruined it for me. It felt very rushed and not very well thought out.

32. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green- ★★★★

Short, sweet, and entertaining. On par with the other John Green books – the same great style, the same unique collection of characters, and a memorable storyline. Good YA and adult read.

33. In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Rutner - ★

I didn’t really understand this story when I first started it. As it progressed, I started to see the main idea and I understood that it was about the Cambodian genocide and the Khmer Rouge. Majorly depressing and extremely difficult to get through. A tedious read and while I learned quite a bit about the historical aspect of the Khmer Rouge and the genocide, the story was not entertaining and didn’t have any movement. It seemed to drag on and I couldn’t wait to just get through it and be done with it. I’m not majorly opposed to reading about horribly sad events and tragedies, but it helps if the plot has something to it to keep the reader going. It’s very difficult to get through this book – I would not recommend unless you have a very specific interest in the topic, and even then it wasn’t chalk-full of history.

34. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling - ★★★

I don’t often read memoirs or non-fiction, but I started this based on a recommendation. I’ve watched the office for some time now and I’m a fan of Mindy Kaling but this book really let me get to know her more. It was hilarious and interesting to hear her life story. I would definitely recommend for any Mindy Kaling fans or those who like to read memoirs.

35. Let’s Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson - ★★★

Laugh out loud funny. I was cracking up at some of her stories. She’s a blogger and I had never read her blog before and so I wasn’t particularly interested in her memoir or hearing about her life story. However, she made it extremely funny and I enjoyed her writing style and method of storytelling. It’s very easy to read and follow. Again, good for those who enjoy memoirs (especially funny ones).

36. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - ★

I really wanted to like this one. After two really funny books I wanted something heartfelt and more emotional. I thought it would be really moving but it wasn’t. I couldn’t really get into it and it wasn’t entertaining. I didn’t learn any major life lessons and I felt a little like I wasted my time. The title and concept seemed really promising but it failed to deliver, in my opinion.

37. Wild by Cheryl Strayed - ★★★★

I didn’t expect to like this. However, the story of Cheryl’s trek up the Pacific Crest Trail was extremely entertaining, funny at times, sad at times, and overall a really good heartwarming story. Surprisingly good. I’m looking forward to the movie.

38. If I Stay by Gayle Foreman - ★★★★

I wasn’t expecting this to be great. It got about half horrible reviews and half amazing ones. I was expecting it to be cliché and predictable (which it was), but I was surprised at how much I liked it. It’s a quick read and it’s definitely in the YA category, but I really enjoyed it. I was happy when I found out it had a sequel. I enjoyed the movie, too, but the book was better.

39. The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey - ★★★★★

I read this based on a recommendation and it’s another sci-fi/horror post-apocalyptic novel. This falls strongly into the horror category for me – I found it pretty scary and avoided reading too much before bed. However, I could not put it down. I finished it in just a couple days and needed a few days to recover afterwards. One of my favorite sci-fi novels. It takes place in England and deals with the popular plot concept of a disease that has wiped out a large portion of the population. It grabs you from the first chapter – maybe even from the first page. The excitement continues the entire way through and there is never a dull moment. I have been recommending this to everyone, whether you’re a sci-fi fan or not. I would love to see a movie based on this book.

40. Where She Went by Gayle Foreman - ★★★★

This is the sequel to If I Stay and I loved it. Similar style to the first book, a little cliché and predictable but a quick read and very entertaining. I thought it was a cute story – it wasn’t super deep or emotional but it was a good story with loveable characters and I was happy to see that Foreman continued the story from If I Stay.

41. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty - ★★★★★

I was really looking forward to this because I really enjoyed The Husband’s Secret. Moriarty has really figured out how to keep the reader captured and wanting more. Another page-turner with a mystery that you’re constantly trying to figure out and piece together. Really emotional and has tons of valuable lessons hidden in the story. The story is about a woman who bumps her head and wakes up having lost the last decade of her memory. She has no memory of her children and what her life has turned into. You follow Alice as she tries to regain her memories and mesh her old life with her new one.

42. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - ★★★★★

I always read reviews before I start reading anything and this book seemed to be really polarizing. The reviews were either really good or really bad. The bad reviews were mostly based on the protagonist - she’s spoiled, immature, and bratty, but that’s the whole point. She develops and grows as a character as the story progresses. I LOVED this book and was so sad when it ended. I would read this again and again and it’s a story I can’t forget. Very emotional and I got very attached to the characters. Classified as YA but I think it has some very mature concepts and I would recommend this to young and old alike.

43. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry - ★

After reading The Giver in middle school, rereading it this year, and then seeing the movie, I found out that it’s part of a series. I quickly found the other 3 books and started reading. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. This book seems to have nothing to do with The Giver – it has new characters, a totally new society, and I didn’t really enjoy the story until the end. It wasn’t horrible but it was definitely not on the same level as The Giver. There were tons of holes in the plot and the story seemed very immature and underdeveloped.

44. Messenger by Lois Lowry - ★

This is the 3^rd book in the series and again, started with new characters, a new society, etc. It did eventually begin to tie in with Gathering Blue but had the same plot holes and underdeveloped story.

45. Son by Lois Lowry – ★★

This was the final book in the series and was more on-par with The Giver. It was along the same dystopian lines as The Giver and had a more interesting story. All the books were finally connected and tied together. It was better than the previous two but I was pretty disappointed with these books, overall. You can definitely stick to just The Giver and finish feeling satisfied.

46. For One More Day by Mitch Albom - ★★

I have generally liked all of Mitch Albom’s books and they’re all pretty quick reads. This was my least favorite, but it was semi-entertaining and a decent story. I would probably recommend his other work before this one. Tuesdays with Morrie was my favorite.

47. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - ★★★★★

A very unique and interesting story. Several twists and it kept me in tears for the majority of the book. I loved the story and fell in love with the characters. I would definitely recommend this and I will be looking into other books my Moyes as I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. Get your tissues ready. I would love to see this as a movie, too.

48. A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass - ★★★★

This is a children’s book – probably suitable for middle school students. I read it based on a recommendation and got through it pretty quickly. It’s about a girl with synesthesia and how she comes to figure out what it is and deals with significant grief and loss. Another tear-jerker but a cute story I would recommend for kids and adults, too. Entertaining, fun, emotional, and family-friendly.

49. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai - ★★

Interesting story. I wanted to read about her experiences with the Taliban and the background to her story. It was a little slow and took me a while to get through but it was fairly interesting. If you’re into memoirs or particularly interested in the story, you might enjoy.

50.  The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - ★★★★★

I had read this a long time ago and I’ve seen the movie but wanted to reread. I was interested in biblical components that were tied into the novel. I was able to pick them up better as an adult than I could when I first read it. My favorite of the series – very entertaining and a nice story. I could read this and watch the movie over and over. A classic that I’m sure I’ll reread many times. Memorable story & characters.

51. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis - ★★★

Still entertaining but not as good as The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. I enjoyed the type of fantasy and the writing style that Lewis uses. In my opinion, nothing compares to the first book, but this was still very good.

52. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis - ★★★★

This was my second favorite, after The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. I loved the book and I loved the movie, too. I could reread this, as well.  (Note: I did read the rest of The Chronicles of Narnia books but didn’t enjoy them as much as I enjoyed the first 3.)

Next up on my list:

•        Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
•        Serena by Ron Rash
•        All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
•        The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
•        The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
•        Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
•        The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
•        The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen
•        Cutting Teeth by Julia Fierro
•        An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
•        Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
•        Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
•        The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
•        Defending Jacob by William Landay
•        The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisson
•        Therese Raquin by Emile Zola