If every child in the world could carry a library in his pocket, that would be a revolution. Pratham books under a Creative Commons Licence

Your favourite articles reflected some of the hot global issues in 2013. In March, our longtime Indian blogger Mari Marcel Thekaekara reflected on the international outcry after the Delhi rape and murder; sexual violence was never far from the headlines and featured in many of our most-read articles. Our most popular blog written by Didem Tali suggests that the thirst for books is still going strong and bets on technology as a way to get words to the masses – happy reading!

The past year has been an exciting one for newint.org. Other highlights include our exclusive series on the Kenyan elections back in March 2013 in association with On our Radar. We also celebrated entering our 40th year with The Internationalists blogging series that invited thinkers to explore ideas around solidarity and development.

1. Ending the book hunger
If every child in the world could carry a library in his pocket, that would be a revolution said Didem Tali in faraway the most popular blog of the year.

2. India, porn and sexual violence
In July Mari Marcel Thekaekara blogged about a subject that stirred international debate in 2013; one that looks set to continue.

3. Photo essay: for Eritrean migrants, there is more dignity in death
Isabelle Merminod and Tim Baster’s poignant photos captured the grief of the survivors of October’s Lampedusa boat tragedy and the relatives of the Eritrean migrants who drowned trying to reach Europe. Continuing the theme into the New Year, New Internationalist’s January-February issue will explore the detention of migrants worldwide.

4. Can dark tourism ever be a good thing?
In January, Ruth Stokes explored the controversial issue of holidaying in war and disaster zones and asked whether ‘extreme tourism’ can ever be justified.

5. Which is the world’s worst company?
Competition was fierce when Amy Hall gave a low-down on the companies to vote for in Public Eye’s annual ‘who’s who’ of shame. Awards for 2014 are now in the offing.

6. Mexico resists Monsanto corn
Jen Wilton reported on Mexicans’ challenge to the GM giant in the crop’s historic birthplace, ahead of May’s global March Against Monsanto action.

7. Haiti’s struggling healthcare system
Regular blogger Sokari Ekine shed light on the cholera crisis in Haiti and the difficulties of providing healthcare without enough staff or proper facilities.

8. Praying for a new dawn after Delhi rape
Mari Marcel Thekaekara shared this reflection in the midst of India’s – and the world’s – outpouring of grief and anger following the brutal gang rape and murder of a young woman in late 2012.

9. Kenya votes: Risk of election violence ‘unacceptably high’
In the run-up to the polls in March, Kenyan journalist Moses Wasamu examined the potential implications of a fiercely contested vote as part of a New Internationalist series on Kenya’s elections.

10. Why are we so afraid of chemical weapons?
MG Zimeta asked why chemical weapons cross an ethical red line just weeks before the Assad regime used them against the people of Syria.

Social media pick

The pain of blows 

We asked our facebook, twitter and google+ followers what articles grabbed their attention this year. Among those nominated was New Internationalist co-editor Vanessa Baird's account of her attack in Uruguay that vividly brought home the profound effects of health inequality.