My Favourite Books of 2014

2014 has been somewhat of a mixed reading year for me.  I've come across some absolutely wonderful books but at the same time I've read quite a few which really didn't blow me away.  Still, there were quite a few titles that were automatic inclusions on my favourite books of the year list and I have high hopes for 2015 which already has me pretty excited.    

Here's my 2014 top ten list.  These are in no particular order and have not necessarily been published this year.

1. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury

 

This is one of my favourite series of the last few years.  I think that Sarah J. Maas's writing is incredible and her stories are mind-blowing.  I'm totally captivated by Celaena's adventure, am in love with Chaol, Captain of the Guards and can't wait to see what happens in the next book (which yes, I haven't read yet!).   

 

2. Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Published by Indigo

 

I said -  "'Far From You' was a real treat to read.  It shows the unquenchable desire of first love as well as presenting an intriguing mystery with lots of twists and turns.  It's one of those books which is sure to cement itself into the hearts of readers everywhere."   

 

 

 3. Cress by Marissa Meyer

Published by Puffin

 

I said - "'Cress' weaves fantasy together with adventure and romance to create a thrilling story which gripped me from start to finish.  I thought the book was absolutely amazing and brilliantly constructed and I loved every second of it."

 

 

 4. Bad For You by Abbi Glines

Published by Simon and Schuster

 

I said - "I never want to leave Sea Breeze - I adore the characters and their stories and I could go on reading about them forever!  Abbi Glines never disappoints me with her truly fantastic books and 'Bad For You' has shot right to the top of my best reads of 2014." 

 

 

 5. Love, Lies and Lemon Pies by Katy Cannon

Published by Stripes

 

I said - "Like Lottie and co, when I'm baking, I forget about everything else that I have to do and just focus on the mixing, beating, measuring and stirring.  This is captured perfectly in the pages of the story and was something I loved about the overall book which was truly as sweet and delicious as a cupcake!"

 

 

 6. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published by Entangled

 

I can't believe it took me so long to get around to reading this series.  As soon as I did I was utterly hooked.  Kat and Daemon are one of my favourite book couples and although I've included the first book in the series in my top ten, I'm going to cheat a little and say that I'd really include all of them!

 

 

 7. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Published by Harper Collins

 

I said - "Fans of Oz MUST get their hands on this book.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  The writing is lush and original and the narrative just carried me away.  I now have a desire to dye my hair pink and get a plucky rat sidekick.  Sheer brilliance in a book!"

 

 

 8. Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington

Published by Orchard Books

 

I said - "I loved this book!  It's hands down the best thing I've ever read by Jessica Shirvington.  Gut wrenchingly emotional, packed full of suspense and heartbreaking to the extreme, I devoured every single word of it and can't wait to go back and read it all over again."   

 

 

 9. Searching For Someday by Jennifer Probst

Published by Pocket Books

 

I said - "'Searching for Someday' is a sparkling romance with a slight touch of the paranormal.  I absolutely loved it and it made for the perfect weekend read.  It's the first in a new series which I will definitely be following."

 

 

 10. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Published by Abacus

 

This isn't a Young Adult book but I'm including it because my top ten favourite books of the year list definitely would not be complete without it.  I was blown away by 'The Goldfinch' which reminded me of Charles Dickens's 'Great Expectations' in it's sheer scope and the way that it follows the main character Theo from childhood to adulthood; his whole life being influenced by an event which was outside of his control.  It's over 800 pages long, so it's a whopper of a book but it's also one that I loved and will be recommending to everyone.   

 

 

Comment and let me know if you've read any of these and what your personal favourites of 2014 were.