Love to read? Here's our list of top 20 books of 2013

STILL stuck for the perfect gift for a loved one this festive season? Read our guide to the top 20 books of 2013 and share the gift of the written word this year.

Read out top 20 books of 2013.

STILL stuck for the perfect gift for a loved one this festive season?

Weekend reviewed nearly 500 books this year and we've selected our favourite ones in 20 categories as a guide for your Christmas shopping.

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The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton

LITERATURE

THE LUMINARIES

Eleanor Catton

Allen & Unwin, RRP $30

Winner of the Man Booker Prize, this is a clever and joyous piece of storytelling. Set in the New Zealand gold town of Hokitika in the 1860s, Catton never loses control of 20 major characters and an intricate plot that involves a dead hermit, a missing wealthy man and a collapsed prostitute.

We also loved: The Round House by Louise Erdich, The Last Days of the National Costume by Anne Kennedy, and His Story: A Novel Memoir by Nigel Grey.

The Gallery of Vanished Husbands

CHICK-LIT

THE GALLERY OF VANISHED HUSBANDS

Natasha Solomons

SCEPTRE, RRP $30

In 1958, on her 30th birthday, mother of two Juliet Montague is taking her carefully saved 21 guineas to town to buy a fridge. Her husband has done a runner and the rabbis in her Jewish community in London say she must live chastely as a widow. But her decision to buy a portrait of herself kickstarts a new life that shocks her family and neighbours. A joy to read.

We also loved: Lifesaving for Beginners by Ciara Geraghty.

LIFE AFTER LIFE, BY KATE ATKINSON

HISTORICAL FICTION

LIFE AFTER LIFE

Kate Atkinson

RANDOM HOUSE, RRP $32.95

It is 1930 and a woman points a gun at Adolf Hitler. Next it is 1910 and Sylvie Todd's third baby is stillborn in a snowstorm. And then, it is 1910 again, and Sylvie's baby is coming, but this time the doctor beats the snowstorm and saves Ursula, whose life becomes a constant deja vu during World War II. Great characters, brilliant evocation of London in the Blitz, and breathtaking skill in bringing it all together.

We also loved: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Infamy by Lenny Bartulin.

Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin

CRIME

SAINTS OF THE SHADOW BIBLE

Ian Rankin

ORION, RRP $33

John Rebus is suspected of doing dirty deeds with dirty coppers. These are the Saints of the Shadow Bible, and it all happened 30 years ago. Witnesses are thin above the ground - and so are friends. Ahead lies yet another acid test of one of crime fiction's greatest and most enduring detectives. Each of Rankin's 20 novels can stand alone. Together they are unbeatable.

We also loved: Getting Warmer by Alan Carter, The Ghost Riders of Ordebec by Fred Vargas, The Holiday Murders by Robert Gott.

Young Desire It by Kenneth Mackenzie

CLASSIC LITERATURE

THE YOUNG DESIRE IT

Kenneth Mackenzie

TEXT, RRP $24.95

This beautifully realised novel, part of the Text classics series, deserves a new audience. Though written in 1937, the story is still an acute psychological portrait of a young man, the unforgettable 15-year-old Charles Fox, and his loss of innocence as he faces bullying, loneliness and the intense attention of one of his masters at a WA boarding school.

We also loved: Clean Straw for Nothing and Cartload of Clay by George Johnston.

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

THRILLER

I AM PILGRIM

Terry Hayes

BANTAM PRESS, RRP $24.95

A stunning tale devoid of the annoying cliches that hamper so many thrillers. Sure, the hero is handsome, brilliant and indispensable, and he does have the task of saving the world from destruction, but it is all plausible and complex enough to keep you turning those pages.

We also loved: Masters of War by Chris Ryan, A Delicate Truth by John Le Carre and The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane (psychological thriller).

Coal Creek by Alex Miller

AUSTRALIAN FICTION

COAL CREEK

Alex Miller

ALLEN & UNWIN, RRP $30

Brought up in remote Mount Hay, Bobby Blue knows how to read the Australian bush, but when he becomes assistant to the new constable, their combined ignorance and innocence leads to tragedy. Miller's 11th novel deserves a place in the national psyche alongside Picnic at Hanging Rock

We also loved: The Narrow Road to the Far North by Richard Flanagan, Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas, Holy Bible by Vanessa Russell and Cairo by Chris Womersley.

FORTY-ONE FALSE STARTS JANET MALCOLM TEXT, RRP $33

ESSAYS/LETTERS

FORTY-ONE FALSE STARTS

Janet Malcolm

TEXT, RRP $33

US journalist Janet Malcolm's essays on writers and artists are so fat with ideas and insights that they reward close reading. There's a fascinating piece on German photographer Thomas Struth and how he works, and what makes a great photograph. As well, a profile of artist David Salle, written in 41 False Starts, is like a work of art.

We also loved: Letters of Note, edited by Shaun Usher.

First Victory by Mike Carlton

MILITARY HISTORY

FIRST VICTORY

Mike Carlton

WILLIAM HEINEMANN, RRP $45

This is the World War I story of the German raider Emden, its daring commander Karl von Muller, and its battle with the HMAS Sydney, which was escorting the first Anzac convoy, near the Cocos Islands. Carlton's love of all things naval comes through in the detail, and the story steams along at a steady 20 knots to its exciting climax.

We also loved: Lancaster Men by Peter Rees.

THE CROSSROAD, MARK DONALDSON

MEMOIR

THE CROSSROAD

Mark Donaldson

MACMILLAN, RRP $40

Donaldson is a serving member of Australia's army unit, the Special Air Service (SAS). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving an interpreter in Afghanistan, which made him the first Australian to get the highest military award for bravery in more than 40 years. A compelling look at his upbringing and army life.

We also loved: A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett.

The Trip to Echo Spring by Olivia Laing

THE TRIP TO ECHO SPRING

OLIVIA LAING

CANONGATE, RRP $35

How is it that some writers can produce magnificent works while drinking prodigious amounts of alcohol? This book is so absorbing it hardly matters that the question isn't really answered. It is as much about Laing's journey by road, rail and a plane as it is about F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Raymond Carver, John Berryman and John Cheever.

We also loved: Murder in Mississippi by John Safran, Forgotten War by Henry Reynolds, The Future by Al Gore.

At The Close of Play by Ricky Ponting

SPORT

AT THE CLOSE OF PLAY

Ricky Ponting

HARPER COLLINS, RRP $50

This autobiography covers Ponting's childhood, the highs and lows of his international cricket career and retirement. Test captain of Australia from 2004-2011, he is the highest Australian run-scorer of all time in Tests and one-day international cricket, second only to India's Sachin Tendulkar among world batsmen. This enlightening read reveals Ponting's insights as a cricketer and as a man.

We also loved: Life is Worth Swimming by Murray Rose.

COOKED, BY MICHAEL POLLAN

FOOD

COOKED

Michael Pollan

ALLEN LANE, RRP $30

Pollan is an eloquent and enthusiastic writer and the journey he takes the reader on in pursuit of health and wellbeing is fascinating. He divides cooking into four areas: fire (barbecuing), water (braising/stews and soups), air (brewing and baking) and earth (fermenting/bacteria). In each case he apprentices himself to a master or two and then he unleashes his new skills on his family and friends.

We also loved: Asian After Work by Adam Liaw (cookbook).

ONE LAST THING BEFORE I GO, BY JONATHAN TROPPER

HUMOUR

ONE LAST THING BEFORE I GO

Jonathan Tropper

ORION, RRP $30

Rock star drummer Silver's mega-hit was decades ago, the ex-wife he still loves is about to marry another, and he's been a hopeless dad. When Silver discovers he needs heart surgery, everyone assumes the decision is obvious. But Silver has his own plan. A warm, wise and funny romp through teen pregnancy, medical conditions, sperm donation, cheating, visitation rights and political incorrectness.

We also loved: Girt by David Hunt and Let Me Off at the Top by Ron Burgundy.

Johnny Cash by Robert Hilburn

MUSIC

JOHNNY CASH: THE LIFE

Robert Hilburn

WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON, RRP $33

A wild, good-looking rockabilly hick with a booming baritone in his youth, Cash's career was resurrected in his haggard, dying days with a series of records that reminded everybody just how damn good he was. Hilburn's book unfolds with the solemnity, reverence and passion of a Bible gospel. It reveals the good, the bad and the ugly of this country music legend.

We also loved: Autobiography by Morrissey and Me by Ricky Martin.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods

YOUNG ADULT

THE UNIVERSE VERSUS ALEX WOODS

Gavin Extence

HACHETTE, RRP $20

Seventeen-year-old Alex Woods - born to a clairvoyant mum and a phantom dad, victim of a childhood accident and a target of bullies - is stopped at Customs in possession of marijuana and the ashes of his best friend. A celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology.

We also loved: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg and The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee (adult crossover).

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

TEEN FANTASY

THE SCREAMING STAIRCASE

Jonathan Stroud

DOUBLEDAY, RRP $24.95

Lucy Carlyle, 15, is making her way as a psychic investigator when she joins Lockwood & Co, ghostbusters in an England where hauntings are common and various types of ghostly phenomena are lethal. They're all young - they have to be, since adults lose the ability to see and connect with ghosts. Well written, with strong characters and some great, scary thrills.

We also loved: The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina.

Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron

TWEENS

MAN MADE BOY

Jon Skovron

ALLEN & UNWIN, RRP $20

Boy is Frankenstein's son and the bride out of body parts. Boy lives with his parents and many other monsters in a theatre. His only connection to the human world is as a hacker extraordinaire. After living in the theatre for 17 years, Boy is getting restless. He decides to leave home and live with the humans - with monstrous results. A great read for 11 to 14-year-olds.

We also loved: One Day in Oradour by Helen Watts and Bad Grammar by Nathan Luff.

The Year My Life Broke by John Marsden

JUNIOR CHAPTER

THE YEAR MY LIFE BROKE

John Marsden

MACMILLAN, RRP $13

Tarrawagga is a hole. It's the hole that other holes fall into and Grade 6 student Josh is furious that financial problems have forced his family to move there. He becomes an outsider when he turns his back on his one strength - sport, but there's a twist. There are many funny chapter books for 8 to 12-year-olds, but Marsden is a master of comic timing and understanding pre-teen angst.

We also loved: Weirdo by Anh Do and Jules Faber, and The 39-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

Kissed by the Moon by Alison Lester

PICTURE BOOKS

KISSED BY THE MOON

Alison Lester

VIKING, RRP $19.95

Twenty-eight years of producing children's books and Lester hits the mark yet again with this celebration of love, life and nature. Prayer-like in its repetition and sentiment, the text is enhanced by adorable illustrations. The mother and baby's journey is accompanied by a mood-changing palette, from the pinks of dawn to the greens and oranges of a sunlit garden, and the yellow and blue hues of the beach.

We also loved: I Am Blop! by Herve Tullet (toddlers), Time for Bed, Fred, by Yasmeen Ismail (preschoolers) and Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan (all ages).

Reviewed by: Corinna Hente, Barry Reynolds, Blanche Clark, Jeff Maynard, Baz Blakeney, Clare Kennedy, Hilary Harper, Stephen Marsland, Steve Perkin, and Matilda, George, Albert and Theodore Murriphy.