Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s theme is:
Top Ten Books I Read In 2014
I didn’t get through as many books as I would have liked this year. I only read about 50 (compared to last year where I read over 250). But you know what they say – its quality not quantity that truly matters. I read some really amazing books in 2014 and it was just as hard trying to narrow down the list as it was for me last year.
Here are my picks:
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater | Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes
I love the whole Raven Cycle series but to make sure my list isn’t completely dominated by the same series’, I have opted to pick from each (even though it was a bit like playing favourites with my children!). Blue Lily, Lily Blue was incredible – just… awe-inspiring. It is my favourite book in the series so far!
Gathering Darkness was the latest in the Falling Kingdoms series – and the best one so far! I liked the first book, thoroughly enjoyed the second book and adored the third book! The series just keeps going from strength to strength.
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson | How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis
I originally only gave Second Chance Summer a four star rating but I eventually bumped up my rating because I could not stop thinking about this damn book. The subject matter hit a little too close to home for me (painfully close, in fact) but it was a really powerful read – definitely worthy of top marks.
I loved, loved, loved How to Repair a Mechanical Heart! It was such a cute and adorably quirky read! The main characters were totally squishable (did I just make up a word there?) and endearingly awkward. A really awesome read.
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins | Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
Isla was finally released this year – and it was glorious! I think I related to Isla the most out of all the protagonists this series has had. I am rather painfully shy in real life so I totally could put myself in her shoes. Josh was a good character also (not quite as endearing as Cricket Bell but who is?) but I was a little disappointed by how little time was spent with Isla and Josh getting to know each other and as a couple. Still, it really was a delightful read and a perfect end to the trilogy.
Secret ended up being my favourite in the Elemental series. I adored Nick and Adam – and loved the fact that the author wasn’t afraid to make one of her main characters gay (spoiler alert – but it is pretty clear from the blurb!). This was another action packed entry in the series – Kemmerer even made me like Quinn which is something of a minor miracle in itself!
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer | Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb
I love the whole Lunar Chronicles series so far. Though I am more of a Thorne girl (swoon!) this book is my favourite so far. Scarlet and Wolf and just so awesome together and I liked how interwoven Cinder and the characters from the first book are in the plot.
My list is YA-heavy but Robin Hobb is my favourite author of all time so of course Fool’s Assassin, the long-awaited continuation of Fitz and my beloved Fool’s story, is going to be on this list. I adored this book. There are no other words except LOVE!
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens | Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Faking Normal was a sleeper hit for me. I bought it on a whim and became completely enthralled. It is not an easy read but it is an incredible story. If this book doesn’t break your heart… well, lets just say we will have to have words!!
This list wouldn’t be complete without the masterpiece that is Aristotle and Dante. If you follow my blog you will probably have noticed that I enjoyed this book (a massive understatement btw!). This book is perfection. ‘Nuff said! 😛
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE!! I am in love with this series! <3 😀
I have heard a lot of great things about some of the other books in our list and I am so excited to read them!
Great list!
~Fari @ My Little Corner For Books 0:)
It’s awesome but Maggie never disappoints! 😉
Some great books on your list too!!
“Only 50″… “Only 250″…. WHAT?! Maaaaaaaaaaan, stop your crazy reading antics. And I will just sit here and ponder why I have yet to read Ari/Dante despite always finding a way to put it into my list! Also, considering the lengths YA has come as a genre, I’m not surprised at all with many lists being dominated by YA-lit!
Cheers,
joey via. thoughts and afterthoughts
Lol – I usually do read more though! 😉 It is a bit ridiculous that I am stressing over it though. 😛
You need to read Ari and Dante – it’s so worth it! I think most lists I have seen are predominantly YA – my reading seems to have switched to reading less and less Adult novels over the last couple of years – I really need to do something about that.
I love the Elemental series! And it is quite a feat that you grew to like Quinn! I never could make myself care about her.
The Elemental series = <3 !! I warmed up to Quinn a lot more once I knew her more about her home life. She is still my least favourite character though. 😉
Great list! Scarlet was a series favorite for me too, but I felt that Cress overshadowed this one, have you read Cress? 🙂
Sparrow’s Best of 2014
I haven’t yet finished Cress (was in the middle of reading when I hit a bad reading slump) so I didn’t think I should feature it when I hadn’t finished it yet lol. I was really enjoying it though (and I love Carswell Thorne)!!
Awesome choices on your list – so many books I have loved!!
Stiefvater is probably another author I need to pick up at some point…
I do have Cinder and Scarlet and am hoping to get through them next year!
You definitely need to read her books – she is an amazing writer! <3 <3
Cinder and Scarlet are also wonderful reads – you're so lucky getting to read them for the first time (I do like to re-read books but the first time is always special). 🙂
I can’t believe I haven’t read Aristotle & Dante… yet!
Do it (you will not regret it!!) 😉
Very nice! I really need to read Isla and the Happily Ever After. I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about it.
It’s really good! 🙂