Top Ten (er, 23?) Books I Read in 2014

6:30 AM Serena 4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The year is coming to a close, so I guess it's time for me to round up my favorite reads of the year! Top ten seemed too little, so there will probably be a few honorable mentions too. I also decided to do two top ten lists: top books I read in 2014 that weren't published this year and top books I read in 2014 that were published in 2014. Here they are!

In no particular order because that would be WAY too difficult for me:

TOP TEN BOOKS PUBLISHED IN 2014:

1. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas: I started the Throne of Glass series this year, and while I didn't think the first one was amazing (you can read my review of Throne of Glass here), Heir of Fire blew me away.

2. Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler: I loved everything about this book. Everything. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned so hard over Liam. I need book two now.

3. Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White: This book was so much fun. I loved the banter between Jessamin and Finn (also just Finn), and the plot was basically perfect. The world needs more fantasy standalones like this one.

4. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: This is such a wonderful conclusion to an even more wonderful series. The cameos from the couples from the previous books made my life.

5. Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross: Jason Brody made my list of favorite book boyfriends to ever exist. My review can be found here.

6. Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander: Everything about this book worked for me. It's definitely one that made me feel all the feels. My review can be found here.

7. Boomerang by Noelle August: Lots of swoony good times to be had here. Also, two totally awesome narrators.

8. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare: Such a good ending to the series! The tears were flowing.

9. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley: I can practically see the lack of surprise on your face. Of course this book made my top ten. Duh. It was amazing and beautiful and so powerful. Definitely a book I think everyone should read.

10. Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour: This was another extremely beautiful book, both story wise and writing wise. I want to read it over and over again.

Honorable mention (because picking ten was HARD):

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth: Even though this isn't an official part of the series, this is my favorite in the series.

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel: This book set the scene for what I'm sure is going to be an amazing dystopian trilogy. Read my full review here.

On the Fence by Kasie West: I love love love this book. The romance was on point, I loved Charlie and her family, and just GAH. Everything was good.

TOP TEN BOOKS NOT PUBLISHED IN 2014
1. Just One Day by Gayle Forman: Gayle Forman solidified her name on my insta-buy list with this one. I loved that even though romance played a big part, the book was more about Allyson trying to figure herself out.

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I wish I had read this book before the beginning of this year because I feel like I needed this book. Everything about Fangirl felt real to me, and I loved it. This book means so much to me, and I love it times infinity.

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I was put off by the cheesy looking original cover for a very long time, but I am so glad I finally picked this one up. This was magical.

4. Splintered by A.G. Howard: This may be the coolest Alice retelling in history. I can't wait until I have time to read the second book.

5. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken: I was a little scared to pick this up because there was so much hype built around it and I didn't know if it would live up to the standard. But it did. It was thoroughly engaging and awesome.

6. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. So much. It was quirky and cute and fun, but it was really emotional and raw at the same time. I love the prose snuck in there, and there were some lines about losing someone that have really stuck with me. This is such a beautiful book.

7. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen: For me, Sarah Dessen's books are really eh or really AHHH. This one was the latter.

8. Dare You To by Katie McGarry: I don't think I would have loved this book as much as I do if Ryan wasn't Ryan. But he is, and he's wonderful. He made the book amazing for me.

9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This is probably my Most Favorite historical fiction that I've ever read. The writing was a little bit dense for me at times, but the book as a whole was magical.

10. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West: I was absolutely delighted reading this. Yes, delighted is the right word. Delighted and squealy.

What were some of your favorite reads this year? Are any of mine on your list? Comment below or tweet me @herondaleish. I'd love to talk faves with you!