Machel Shull
  • Day Yoga Writer’s Retreat
  • Home
  • About
    • Press
  • Books
  • Yoga
  • Blog
    • Travel
    • Adopt a Pet
  • Contact
Follow Me
Instagram 0 Followers
Twitter 0 Followers
Facebook 1K Likes
Pinterest 1K Followers
Instagram
Machel Shull

Writing books to Inspire the Soul

Machel Shull
  • Day Yoga Writer’s Retreat
  • Home
  • About
    • Press
  • Books
  • Yoga
  • Blog
    • Travel
    • Adopt a Pet
  • Contact

Best Books in 2013

  • January 1, 2014
  • 3 minute read

2013 had to be the best year ever for reading books. From discovering new authors and to losing my fear of reading Stephen King, I made great strides in my love for reading.  I meant to write this last week or the week before. But today is quiet enough where I am able to think about all of those wonderful books I unearthed in 2013.

I hate to list which one was my favorite. But it’s relatively simple. My two favorite books of 2013 are by my two favorite authors: Luanne Rice and Kate Kerrigan (Morag Prunty) –THE LEMON ORCHARD by Luanne and LAND OF DREAMS by Kate. These two books I had eagerly awaited with much anticipation and was not disappointed by either. After reading THE LEMON ORCHARD, I felt deeply moved by this story of love and loss and reconnecting with the past and what we lose sometimes is what does matter the most. I don’t want to reveal the plot too much here because you must, must read it for yourself. This book is also encompasses the power of love, hope and how the human spirit can always rebuild again.

LAND OF DREAMS by Kate Kerrigan just simply rocked for me. Maybe it’s the fact that I already loved Ellie from ELLIS ISLAND and CITY OF HOPE or it could even be the fact I love old Hollywood and the stories that unraveled there for Ellie and her family. Either way, I just loved it to pieces and felt a bit of sadness to think I would not be reading Ellie’s next journey again…unless there is a fourth installment?~! That would make my 2014 seem absolutely delightful!
If you didn’t have a chance to read THE LEMON ORCHARD or LAND OF DREAMS, I suggest adding these to your reading list for 2014. (Do read ELLIS ISLAND and CITY OF HOPE first, since they are in a trilogy set.)

Two new authors that I discovered and will now be a devoted fan always:

Who are these authors? Beth Hoffman, author of SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT and LOOKING FOR ME & Phyllis Theroux, author of THE JOURNAL KEEPER.

These three books are also at the top of my list for 2013. Phyllis Theroux’s THE JOURNAL KEEPER is definitely one you do not want to miss. Especially if you are a writer. Phyllis also lists numerous books that she suggests reading in the back of this fascinating book.

CeeCee and LOOKING FOR ME struck a deep chord within and I felt myself buried amongst the pages without wanting any disruption from my reading. I hate to compare and choose which one between these two, which I don’t think I will…read both.

Phyllis and Beth have now been added to my must read authors that I will follow down any dark corridor in order to read what they write next.

And Stephen King??

Wow~ ! That’s what I have to say after reading 10 of his novels in 2013. I had been too frightened I thought to read his work. But after reading Phyllis Theroux’s reading recommendations, I soon found myself reading his book ON WRITING, which is half memoir/half craft. I soon realized I would just have to bite that fear and read one of his books…which I did. I remember specifically reading MISERY in one sitting with much glee. I had so much fun reading that book, I literally ran between my husband’s office and our bedroom with updates of what was happening next. (Yes, I saw the movie, but the book had so much MORE to it and there was so much more to love about the suspense in this book!)

Some other favorites of the year:

LOVE AND THE GODDESS by Mary E. Coen

SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS by Elizabeth Gilbert

LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel

BEATRICE and VIRGIL by Yann Martel

WHERE LIFE TAKES YOU by Claudia Y. Burgoa

LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleave

THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain

OLIVE KITTERIDGE  by Elizabeth Stout

MARGARET FROM MAINE by Joseph Monninger

THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK by Matthew Quick

My favorite memoirs were by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, AGAINST WIND AND TIDE and Pearl S. Buck’s MY SEVERAL WORLDS.

I look forward to the New Year of 2014 with much excitement to read more this year and to find books that can show and reveal to me a world I could not access here but only in my imagination. Keep reading and most of all, keep buying books. Happy New Year!

Share
Tweet
Pin it
Related Topics
  • best books to read
  • Best fiction 2013
Previous Article

Love And The Goddess by Mary E. Coen~A must Read!

  • August 23, 2013
View Post
Next Article

Beth Hoffman ~Remembering the Women in Our Lives

  • May 15, 2014
View Post
You May Also Like
Machel Shull, Yoga Teacher, Author
View Post

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

  • January 5, 2023
View Post

Writing

  • September 18, 2022
View Post

The Inspired Mind Podcast & YogaSkip YouTube

  • February 17, 2022
Machel Shull, Yoga Teacher, Author
View Post

Fortune Favors the Bold

  • January 31, 2022
View Post

The Game of Life and to How to Play It

  • February 12, 2020
View Post

Happy New Year 2020

  • January 14, 2020
View Post

Cattle Dog in San Diego: Adopt

  • September 11, 2019
View Post

3 Joyful Moments

  • May 3, 2019
Follow Me
Instagram Followers
Twitter Followers
Facebook Likes
Pinterest Followers
Machel Shull
Writing books to Inspire the Soul

Input your search keywords and press Enter.