top ten books i've read (so far) in 2014

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 |
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we all get to exercise our OCD tendencies and come up with bookish lists.  If you’d like to play along, check out this post.

top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday list prompts do me the favor of making me dive back into books I’ve read in past months and reevaluate whether I really like them as much now, at a distance, as I did when I first finished them and wrote up my reviews.  List posts also bring me a decent amount of blog traffic, but that’s a discussion for another time.  So, today: the top ten books I’ve read so far in 2014, regardless of publication year (and in no particular order).  I looked up how many stars I gave each of these on Goodreads, and we’re talking 4- and 5-star range exclusively. I’m sure several of these picks will make my ‘Best of 2014’ post at the end of the year, too!

Top Ten Books I've Read (so far) in 2014


1. The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker – Adult fantasy with a literary grounding is my cup of tea any day, but add in a heroine who questions the patriarchal standards of the world she’s thrown into, and you have a book that not only delighted, but stretched my senses.

2. Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley – What would life be like for a modern day Oracle?  That’s the question that Kimberly Pauley answers in Aria’s story.  The fact that the book is also a young adult thriller?  Bonus.

3. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake – You know how I love my mythology and fairy tales.  Well, this one is Greek gods and legends and all around awesome (if you like that sort of thing).

4. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson – I actually read this one last year, but the review went up in January, so I’m counting it.  Most unique magical system and world-building that I’ve read in a long time?  Check.  I want to go back to school and learn how to stage a magical chalk battle!

5. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke – Science fiction graphic novel for the younger set, with adorable/brave heroine.  Need I say more?


6. The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt – Another book that I read at the end of last year but reviewed in 2014, and a real winner.  Animal fantasies are not my thing, usually.  This one claimed my heart with its delightful characters, setting, and pitch-perfect dialogue.

7. Black Dog by Rachel Neumeier – This one was a dark werewolf fantasy with unique mythology and diverse characters… and therefore AWESOME.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.

8. Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci – One of the best young adult science fiction novels I’ve ever read, period.  Castellucci explores the effects of isolation inherent in space station life, and what it means to be human.

9. Cruel Beauty and Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge – Fairy tale and mythology mix together in retellings with dark, vicious twists.  Both the novel and novella have compelling romances, too (that doesn’t hurt at all).

10. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – This is totally cheating, because Black’s modern fairy tale doesn’t come out until January of NEXT year.  BUT.  I’ve read it already and, okay, it’s just that good.

What books would make your list at this point of the year?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm very excited that some of the books that are high up on my to read list made it to your best so far list! Can't wait to read Tin Star!

My Thoughts.... Literally! said...

I'm so glad that you loved The Darkest Part of the Forest. I'm so excited to read that one! Great list!
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally

carol said...

Darnnit, now I have to add more books to my to-read list. Or maybe I can buy them for my daughter and then borrow them. That's not cheating, right?

Liviania said...

I am so jealous that you've read The Darkest Part of the Forest!

danya said...

Some of these are new to me, including Ask Me, which I've added to my Goodreads list. Thanks for putting these on my radar, Cecelia!

Wendi Lee said...

I love your list. Zita the Spacegirl looks adorable, and I can't wait to read Cruel Beauty.

My TTT:
http://wendimlee.blogspot.com/2014/06/top-ten-ya-books-i-read-this-year.html

Brandy said...

Very jealous of you getting to read The Darkest Part of the Forest!

Black Dog and Cruel Beauty made my list too. I still need to read Gilded Ashes. I tend to forget about e-novellas. I bought it, but still haven't read it.

Tales of Whimsy said...

I gotta try Antigoddess.

Leslie @ This is the Refrain said...

Ooh you definitely got me excited for The Darkest Part of the Forest!

Newer Posts Older Posts Home