Summary: A look back at 2013, our reading goals and our favorite books of the year. Reminder: The Books on the Nightstand 2013 Holiday Gift Guides (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html) are available for download here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/the-2013-holiday-gift-guides-are-here.html). We really do think there's a gift for everyone on your list so please spread the word and share the link! Our Year in Reading In addition to Project Short Story, Ann committed to reading 52 books this year. With only 2 to go, she's confident she'll meet her goal. She also started a printed reading journal, noting everything she read, whether she finished or not. My only goal was to try to read 78 books this year (13 more than last year), but one thing that has changed is that I've started reading many comics digitally, an experience I'm enjoying, but will still collect physical graphic novels of some of my favorites. Many comic publishers have their own apps. Comixology (http://www.comixology.com/) is an app and website that will allow to purchase digital comics from Until August, Ann succeeded in reading a short story every day. It was an illuminating experience that taught her much about short stories. She explored more through the book Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose. She even took several writing classes at Grub Street (http://www.grubstreet.org/) in Boston. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (15:29) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tiny-beautiful.jpg) Tiny Beautiful Things (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/tiny-beautiful-things/135062) by Cheryl Strayed, narrated by the author, is Ann's pick for this week's Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. Special thanks to Audiobooks.com for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) Our Favorite Books of 2013 (17:55) Michael's Two Cheat books, read this year, but published long ago The Stand by Stephen King (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/11/botns-255-peter-heller-jill-mccorkle-and-bill-roorbach-live-from-booktopia-mi.html)) 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff Ann's Favorite Short Story of the Year "Anything Helps" by Jess Walter (from the collection We Live in Water) Ann's Top 5 (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/marker.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/claire.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/goldf.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/woman.jpg) (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/trees.jpg) A Marker to Measure Drift (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16156289-a-marker-to-measure-drift?from_search=true) by Alexander Maksik (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/07/botns-240-does-the-name-on-the-jacket-matter.html)) Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/09/botns-246-what-we-read-on-our-summer-vacation.html)) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/09/botns-246-what-we-read-on-our-summer-vacation.html)) The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/05/botns-229-books-into-movies-movies-on-to-books.html)) The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagahara (originally discussed here (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2013/05/botns-229-books-into-movies-movies-on-to-books.html)) bonus,
