Kathy Hamilton 
Happy New Year!
First of all I can’t believe it’s already 2014! The new year sort of snuck up on me a bit as 2013 was a bit of a slow starter for me and I felt like it only really got going in the last couple of months. Even so, now I’m looking back at it I feel like I did so much more than I thought. This time last year I had just graduated and was looking for something new to do, I moved back home after four years in Belfast and was surprised by how much I missed, and still miss, the city. Then I moved house, which was probably the biggest change in 2013, we still haven’t finished unpacking but I finally found my stash of favourite books so am eagerly looking forward to re-reading them…look out for reviews soon! And finally, 2013 was the year I began The Female Scriblerian so as a “Happy Anniversary” of sorts and a Great Big Thank You to everyone who’s been reading this past year I thought it would be fun to do a run down of the top 10 most popular reviews of 2013. I love reading these on other blogs and after looking through my stats I was pleasantly surprised with the variety of books that turned up in the top 10! Anyway, enough rambling and on to the books!
10. Sleigh Bells In The Snow: Sarah Morgan.
This is the most recent review to make the top ten and, quite honestly, I’m not so surprised! Sleigh Bells In The Snow encompasses two of the most popular themes, Christmas and Romance, so I think it was always destined to be a popular choice. Nothing prepared me for how quickly it sky-rocketed into tenth place though but it was my favourite Christmas book this year so I’m really pleased it did.
You can read the original review here.
9. The Trouble With Valentines: Kelly Hunter.
This was my first attempt at reviewing a Mills & Boon way back in February. I really loved this book and was excited to see how well received it was by everyone. Kelly Hunter’s style is witty, romantic and fun with just the right amount of implausibility that make books like The Trouble With Valentines really work in my opinion! I was interested to see that she has started writing for the Mills & Boon Modern Tempted which I have been thoroughly enjoying, so I’ll definitely be making sure I look out for more books.
You can read the original review here.
8. A Little Love Song: Michelle Magorian.
I’m so pleased one of my all time favourite books made it into the top ten. I was hesitant about reviewing A Little Love Song, because strictly speaking it’s children’s fiction. I decided to look beyond that factor thought because it’s also a really sweet and funny romance that I think everyone can relate with. It’s the book that first got me interested in reading romantic fiction, so in a funny way, I wouldn’t be writing The Female Scriblerian without it!
You can read the original review here.
7. Mary Barton: Elizabeth Gaskell.
I’ll be honest and say that I was really surprised to see Mary Barton place so high! Not because I don’t think it deserves the place but because I didn’t realise so many other people would think the same. This review has been the one that consistently got views, in a slow and steady wins the race kind of way, and I’m really thrilled that it’s one of the few ‘Classics’ that made the list. Elizabeth Gaskell is a really great writer, and as I said in the review, Mary Barton is one my favourite books by her!
You can read the original review here.
6. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit: Judith Kerr.
This was an impulsive review on my part. The topic “The Book That Made Me” was trending on twitter at the time and it really caught my interest. I loved the idea of how influential books can be and I immediately tried to think of the book which, above others, had made an impact on me. After intially trying to come up with something profound and deeply meaningful like War & Peace I realised it was Judith Kerr’s semi-autobiographical novel which truly deserved this honour.
You can read the original review to find out why.
5. The Night Circus: Erin Morgenstern
I guess it’s funny that a book I didn’t even finish made it into such a high place in the top ten. I really did get frustrated with The Night Circus, I felt like it offered so much and then delivered so little. For a book of it’s size I was a disappointed to find out that so much of it felt like fillers which dragged out the real plot and distracted me from it. I’m still open to persuasion though, if you’ve read this book and loved it I’d really like to hear about what you thought about it!
You can read the original review here.
4. Where’d You Go Bernadette?: Maria Semple.
I found this book when I was looking for something different to read. I don’t usually go for comic fiction but I’m so glad I gave Maria Semple’s novel a try. I loved this format of this book and really enjoyed to way the plot unravelled slowly and from all directions. It was really fresh and I enjoyed taking a deviation from my usual choices although be warned, it’s much more of a black comedy than I first expected!
You can read the original review here.
3. The Great Gatsby Book vs. Film.
My first foray into book vs. film territory ended up taking the bronze medal for most popular review I’m especially glad this made third place because I was really nervous about writing it. The Great Gatsby has such a proud place in literary history I didn’t want to offend anyone. Despite this, I had fun writing this review because I think the book to film transitions are always awaited with trepidation from all book fans like me and it was a great challenge. It did so well I’m going to try and do some more similar reviews in the coming year.
You can read the original review here.
2. Evelina: Frances Burney.
Like with Mary Barton, I was pleasantly surprised by just how well Evelina did! I love this book, and quite often find myself re-reading it on holidays or long journeys where the epistolary style really suits being picked up and put down in fits and starts. When I first read this book it was hardly available anywhere but now, a few years later, it’s even made it onto the Penguin English Library range which proves just how much Frances Burney’s reputation has improved…and rightly so!
You can read the original review here.
1. An Abundance of Katherines: John Green.
By far and away the most popular post of the past year! From the moment I posted my review of An Abundance of Katherines it was a one of my most popular posts. It seems John Green can do no wrong, especially when it comes to choosing excellent girl’s names! I really enjoyed An Abundance of Katherines and the only thing I’m not surprised about is that it hasn’t been made into a film yet, this book has “Teen Coming Of Age Movie” written all over it, I mean, come on it even has a road trip in it!
You can read the original review here.
So there it is, the Top 10 most popular reviews on The Female Scriblerian in 2013. Did you favourite book make the list? I’m so excited to start reviewing new books in 2014 and can’t wait to see which books make the list next year!
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