This has been a great year for geek culture, especially as a female reader or viewer. So to honor this excellent year, the staff here at GIC has prepared a list of the best stuff we read and watched in 2013.

Without further ado, I present the editor’s picks in the GIC Best of 2013 series.

Adult Speculative: ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie

One of the most fascinating sci-fi releases this year, ANCILLARY JUSTICE is the first book in the Imperial Radcht series by Ann Leckie, who visited GIC in October. This volume follows Breq, formerly the AI of a spaceship called Justice of Toren. While much of the story is a great action-adventure, it’s the worldbuilding that makes the novel really stand out, touching on topics such as colonialism, imperialism, gender constructs, and an internal conflict using the most literal interpretation of “divisive” possible. A fascinating dive into a new universe, ANCILLARY JUSTICE is an excellent thought-provoking read.

Young Adult Speculative: CHAMPION by Marie Lu

Speculative YA is a pretty huge deal for me, but the conclusion to Marie Lu’s LEGEND series, following the exploits of criminal Day Wing and detective June Iparis in a post-apocalyptic and dystopian setting, was a satisfying conclusion to an exciting series. After the Day-centric LEGEND and June-centric PRODIGY, CHAMPION opens with the pair divided and unable to tell one another the truth, and as the story progresses, the tension between Day and June – and within the country they’re trying to save – grows stronger and stronger until it bursts.

Young Adult Contemporary: FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

What can I not say about FANGIRL? Protagonist Cath enters college as her path is diverging from that of her twin sister, but she doesn’t want to make new friends and meet new people: she just wants to write slashfic about Simon Snow, her favorite book character. Rainbow Rowell’s third novel is an oasis for YA readers with series fatigue and presents one of the most relatable college coming-of-age stories I’ve read. (It’s also an incredibly meta read for any fangirl who ever wrote fan fiction.) Even if you’re not Cath (and most of us are, or were, at least a little bit,) you’ll relate to her or one of the beautifully-written, fully fleshed-out characters. If you choose only one contemporary YA novel from 2013, FANGIRL is the one. 

Television Series: SLEEPY HOLLOW

There’s not much I can’t say about SLEEPY HOLLOW, either. This breakout series from Fox features a fantastic WOC lead, one Lt. Abbie Mills, who discovers Icabod Crane after he awakes from a centuries-old slumber only to run into some supernatural shenanigans of Biblical proportions. Infused with very dry time-related humor from Mr. Alive-During-The-Revolutionary-War Crane and monsters both scary and disgusting, SLEEPY HOLLOW is a fun adventure with a touch of creepy that’s great to watch with friends – as long as you’re not eating anything…

Anime: ATTACK ON TITAN/SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN

If you ever touch the Internet (and we’re guessing you do if you’re reading this,) you might be aware of the cult phenomenon that is SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN, released in English as ATTACK ON TITAN. But I would admit that this show is probably the most thought-provoking anime since FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD. The story follows Eren, a boy who lost his mother during an attack from the giant and mysterious creatures outside the human civilization’s walls, and his path as he aims to make the world a better and safer place. As a fan of Lemony Snicket’s SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS as a kid, I can appreciate the darkness of ATTACK ON TITAN and the creator’s definite lack of happy endings. While the heavy topics – including active war duty, fear, suicide, and human trafficking – can make ATTACK ON TITAN a difficult and emotional watch, the overarching message of hope in darkness is an important one.

What was your favorite book or TV series this year? What do you think should have been a contender on this list? (But don’t get too up in arms – you may find that title on another Best of list before the end of the year…)

Feliza Casano is the founder and editor in chief of Girls in Capes and writes for all sections of the web magazine. Follow her on Twitter @FelizaCasano.