I can’t say goodbye to 2013 without casting one last, lingering look behind. It was a year filled with some beautiful stories and wonderful reads, and I am thankful for each that fell into my eager hands. Here are my faves, in the chronological order in which I reviewed them:

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. I remember reading this one while sitting on chilly bleachers during hockey practice–hardly noticing the cold because I was so warmed by the power of this story. It’s a debut novel marvelously paced, sensitively drawn, masterfully executed. The double narratives are crafted with equal care and attention to detail. The prose flows effortlessly, un-selfconsciously, drawing readers to the hope-filled center of a heartrending story.

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards. The only one on this list that was not published in 2013. (It came out in 2011.) It’s also one of the very few books I reviewed this year that I did not have to but absolutely wanted to. There’s delicious tension on every page: in every beat of every scene, some small mystery or unresolved conflict to keep the pages turning. The characters are deeply complex and the plot unpredictable. I also loved the biblical references laced throughout. This is a mainstream novel in every way, yet it portrays Bible stories as relevant and real. A luminous and lovely read.

The River Witch by Kimberly Brock (audio book). I didn’t get to read this book but I did listen to it, and the story absolutely swept me away. Its prose flows like warm honey, and its examination of the human heart sometimes stole my breath. I fell in love with the mystical setting and magnetic characters, who drew me deeper and deeper into their story of sorrow and hope intertwined. Altogether a bewitching tale from a mesmerizing Southern voice.

The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman. I wasn’t prepared to fall in love with this sweet, simple romance, but I did. I spent many lovely hours curled in my favorite reading chair immersed in this delightful story. Though the plot is straightforward, the characters quickly endeared themselves to me with their warm humanity, making me care what happened to them. Gentle humor sparked like summer fireflies, and a nicely woven mystery and an occasional surprising plot twist kept those pages turning.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. A fascinating glimpse into a little-known period of American history. It is a poignant story of cultural identity, family history, identifying the things we value enough to take with us, and fate. The author’s language is flowing and evocative without being flowery–and very powerful. At times I found myself clenching my fists, enduring a swelling rage at her gripping portrayals of injustice, abuse and degradation–circumstances that often resulted from the well-intentioned but completely inept decisions of supposedly good people.

Afloat by Erin Healy. One reason Erin Healy tops my list of favorite authors is her portrayal of thin places: those times when, in her words, “the veil between physical and spiritual realities is so delicate that a person can see through it.” In this novel, Healy once again demonstrates her spot-on ability to write superbly crafted thrillers featuring real, complex, believable characters and wonderfully original, twisty plots.

Sober Mercies: How Love Caught Up With a Christian Drunk by Heather Kopp. The only non-fiction title to make my short list. Kopp’s brave, honest and wise memoir offers hope to Christians who discover that faith alone isn’t always enough to save them from unhealthy habits. “Where do you turn for hope,” she writes, “when you already have the answer, but it isn’t working?” With startling honesty, she dives courageously into this highly charged question and delivers the answers she’s discovered.

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley. I read this for review in early summer, but if I’d had a choice, I’d had saved it for January, when I could cozy up to it with a cup of tea before the fire. The Firebird is a two-in-one tale that weaves together a pair of distinct stories. Kearsley writes in lovely, lilting prose, her characters are attractively drawn, her plot tightly woven. I enjoyed immersing myself in a mystical novel that requires a suspension of disbelief. From first page to last, The Firebird is a sensual, richly imagined tale.

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim. Okay, if you’ve been following my blog for any time at all, you knew this one would make the cut. From its opening lines, The Outcast wowed me in every way. Petersheim has a rare gift for storytelling, stringing along conflict and surprise revelations from first page to last. Billed as a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter, I found The Outcast riveting, its themes universal…transcendent. It’s about the value of purity, the consequences of pride and the power of forgiveness.  Not your typical Christian fiction: its spiritual elements are so intrinsically woven into the story that they become absolutely organic. Perfectly paced, beautifully written, flawlessly executed, I could not put this book down.

The Language of Sparrows by Rachel Pfifer. I appreciated this novel for its winsome company during a long, transatlantic flight home this summer. Though the story lifts off gradually, it didn’t take me long to get pulled into the characters’ lives, and soon I was completely absorbed in this lovely, insightful novel. And bonus! The publisher decided to give the book another print run with a new-and-improved cover that better reflects the beautiful nuances of the tale.

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate. Every page of this novel amazed and moved me, often also prompting just a wee bit of envy that so much talent should reside in one single writer. I loved the sweetly developing relationship between two of the main characters as well as the heroine’s love-hate relationship with a cat. I also appreciated the subtle faith message and how deftly Wingate wove it into the story. The final twist brought the heroine’s journey to a full, satisfying conclusion. The Prayer Box is Lisa Wingate at her finest.

The Husband’s Secret by Lianne Moriarty. Q: Is it Aussie Lit or Women’s Fiction? A: It’s a perfect blend of both. This is one of those novels that pairs a unique voice with a riveting story that grabs you by the throat and won’t let go. Even if you can’t relate to the characters themselves, you will relate to the depth of their emotions as they journey across the pages…soaring and despairing and rising again. The author sketches exquisite, soul-touching moments of pain and loss–and then delivers a heart-wrenching twist by placing these alongside an equally splendid moment of beauty and grace. The result is an utterly engrossing read from first page to last. Not a happy story, but hope fills its crevices, right down to the bittersweet end.

Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish. A compelling story with themes of mental illness and adoption, this novel is also a beautiful education on the making and baking of bread. At times raw, always revealing, the characters are earthy and occasionally painfully human; deeply original yet universally relate-able. I savored every page of this rich and beautifully layered novel about what it means to love and be loved.

You can read my full reviews by clicking the title for each book. And I’d love to hear from you! What books made it onto your favorites list this year? What do you look forward to reading in 2014? (Me: While Beauty Slept, Elizabeth Blackwell’s debut novel, a retelling of the classic fairy tale.)

And while we’re in the business of looking back and looking forward…if you are a blogger, or thinking about blogging, or wanting to improve your social media presence, you’ll want to check out Blogging Bistro’s Top Stories of 2013 (which includes a guest post by me), and blogger Tamara Welch’s nostalgic review, What I’ve Learned (and loved) About Blogging in 2013. 

Happy New Year, friends. Looking forward to more bookish conversation with you all in 2014!