Tuesday 16 December 2014

Top 10 Books I Read in 2014



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme run by The Broke and the Bookish.


When I saw the topic for this week, I originally planned to choose from my 5 and 5+ star ratings and go from there. But I changed my mind at the last minute, as I usually do! I grabbed a pen and paper and I sat down far away from the computer (and Goodreads), and scribbled down the books I remembered loving this year. Some ended up being from the same series, and I ended up going with it. I thought of combining each series together so I could cover more books, but nope, I’m going to let each book have its own little mini-moment :) Being honest, in every series I read I end up loving some books more than others!

I have listed these in reverse numerical order, but in honesty, depending on my mood these books will continually move up and down the list! They are in no way set in stone, and I’ve already switched the order dozens of times just creating this post!


10 - Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers


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Grave Mercy started off a bit slow, but once the plot picked up pace, I was hooked! I’m a little hit or miss with historically themed books in general, so for a historical book to make a lasting positive impression on me is a rare occurrence!


9 - The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan


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This was my first Jenny Colgan book and I read it way back in January! The story has stuck with me ever since, as it had so much more depth to it that I initially expected. I clicked with Jenny’s writing style very quickly, and I ended up trying (and loving) Little Beach Street Bakery later on in the year as well! I know she has lots more books previously released, and I’d love to get the chance to read them all in the New Year.


8 - Nevermore by Kelly Creagh


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One word: VAREN! I swear, 2014 has been the year I’ve become obsessed over so many fictional characters! Nevermore surprised me on so many levels and it’s easily one of the best atmospheric books I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s a densely detailed and descriptive book, and I know this might put some readers off, but for me, it worked so well!


7 - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer


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I loved this book! I loved seeing all the original characters we met in Cinder grow, and I loved seeing how the new characters blended in with the story. Plus, Scarlet and Wolf! I love those two :)


6 - Splintered by A.G Howard


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I completely fell in love with the world building in Splintered! (Ok, and with Morpheus.) I LOVE this darker version of Wonderland, and if you haven’t read this trilogy yet, please, please, please give it a go! I don't think you'll regret it!


5 - Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas


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Argh, this ranking think is so complicated! I think Heir of Fire deserves to be higher up than this, but we’ll have to go along with it. I LOVE all the characters in this series! Each one is distinct, unique and completely captivating, and while I’m still holding out hope for my Chaolaena, I’ll be happy if all the characters make it out from this series ALIVE!


4 - Love, In English by Karina Halle


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This was my most emotional and tear-filled book of the year. I literally SOBBED so much I had to stop reading until I calmed down (and I could actually see my iPad again!) I don’t know how Karina manages it, but she is in full control of my tear ducts!


3 - Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas


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Humm, now that I think about it, Crown of Midnight and Love, In English are tied for the most emotional and tear-filled books of the year! My gosh, Crown of Midnight dragged my emotions through heaven, then hell and left them there to be tortured repeatedly. Holy crap, it was phenomenal! The first half of the book was pure bliss, and I didn’t think I could possibly get any happier. Then my poor heart was shattered into a zillion tiny pieces, and I don’t think I’ve fully recovered since!


2 - Unhinged by A.G Howard


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I LOVED this book so much! I am officially obsessed with the Splintered series, and it’s all Unhinged’s fault! Or, more accurately, it’s all because of Morpheus! As long as my Morpheus gets his happily ever after in Ensnared, I shall be one happy little reader! *Nudges Alyssa* Go on Alyssa, you KNOW it’s the right choice!


1 - Resistance by C.J. Daugherty


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This book! Holy crap, this book! I’m still freaking out about that ending, *sobs!* Carter, Carter, Carter!! How the heck am I supposed to wait until the summer to find out what happens *sobs even harder* Resistance is the only book that rendered me speechless and incoherent of any thoughts this year. Once I read the last page, I sat there in stunned silence for at least ten minutes, with my jaw on the floor. This never happens to me! So by default, it has to be my favourite book of 2014!


So, that's my top 10 books of 2014! Wow, seriously though, I can't believe this year is almost over. Thank goodness they're so many more awesome books on the way in 2015! Let the countdowns begin!

Did you read any of the books on my list this year? What did you think of them? Share a link to your TTT post if you like, or tell us in the comments!

Happy Reading!



26 comments:

  1. all good picks. 2014 has truly been a good year

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    1. Thanks Ailyn! 2014 really was a fab reading year :)

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  2. I need Love in English, I love books that break my heart! And the Night School series too, I don't know how I missed out on this one up to now as I adore boarding school books but the first I heard of it was in one of your recent posts.
    Looks you had a great year of books :)

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    1. Ooh I really hope you enjoy Love in English! Karina Halle manages to pluck every emotion out of me - I have no idea how she manages it, but she consistently does it.

      And NIGHT SCHOOL! Ooh my gosh, I LOVE that series so much! I really hope it gets lots more love in the future - and the web series as well :) I really hope you like it if you try it, Trish. It's so awesome to find a series set closer to home that I can love =)

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  3. Crown of Midnight was seriously phenomenal!! I can't believe I haven't read Heir of Fire yet but I'm hoping to soon~ I also really loveeee Grave Mercy! You must read Dark Triumph and Mortal Heart!

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    1. Yes, yes, yes! CoM was AMAZING! It's definitely my favourite in the series so far, with HoF a very close second. I'm saving up The Assassin's Blade for as long as I can - I'll see how long I can resist the temptation! And I definitely need to read Dark Triumph ASAP! Glad you loved both books :D

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  4. I just got GRAVE MERCY and can't wait to start! I've heard nothing but great things about it.

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    1. Ooh, YAY! I really hope you love it! I did find the first hundred pages or so a bit slow... but once things kicked off, it was amazing :D

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  5. Oohh nice! I still need to read Splintered myself! Seeing it around more and more lately!! And ooh Scarlet! I did enjoy that one this year myself too!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I LOVED Scarlet so much! I really enjoyed Cinder, but I definitely would prefer Scarlet out of the two. I need to read Cress as soon as I can. With Winter such a long time away, there really isn't much or a rush. Plus, with Fairest almost here, there's lots to break up the wait-time with :D

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  6. Chaol and Celaena are one of those ships that I am prepared to defend physically, so you are not alone.

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    1. YES! I <3 those two so much. There are NO other options! Dorian grew on me in HoF, though... but not in a Celaena/Dorian way... just in a he's a pretty decent character way, :D

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  7. You have so many I'm anxious to read! I did read Scarlet though and thoroughly enjoyed it :D Have you read Cress?

    ​​​Sparrow's Best of 2014

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    1. I haven't read Cress yet! I really need to get my hands on it really quickly - I was putting off reading it for a while as there's such a long wait until Winter... don't know how long I'll be able to put it off :D

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  8. I'm really happy you have Unhinged on your top ten list, Alma, as I plan to read it very soon. I loved Splintered, too, so I have no idea why it's taken me so long.
    Several other of your favourites are on my TBR... One day ;)
    Happy reading!

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. I really hope you love Unhinged, Lexxie! It's become one of my favourite trilogies right now, and I cannot WAIT for Ensnared :D

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  9. Nevermore has been on my list forever! Maybe I should pick it up soon... You know I'm totally on the same page when it comes to Splintered and Unhinged! Fantastic series!!

    Tracy @ Cornerfolds

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    1. Yeesss! We both have perfect taste when it comes to the Splintered series, especially regarding Morpheus, teehee :D It really is such an awesome series, and I REALLY hope the series ends the way we want it too... And Nevermore was so good! It is pretty densely detailed, and it isn't the fastest paced book in the world, but I absolutely loved the relationship between Isabel and Varen. It's very slow moving, but oh so awesome =)

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  10. I love Grave Mercy! And Crown of Midnight and Scarlet too. They are all fantastic! I really need to read Splintered and Heir of Fire though. I see so many bloggers/readers loving these books but I haven't picked them up yet.

    Great list!
    Jolien @ The Fictional Reader

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    1. Yay, so glad you loved Grave Mercy, CoM and Scarlet as well! Heir of Fire is another rollercoaster book, and all the new characters that's introduceed are awesome =) (Even though the original characters will always have my heard :)) And YES you need to try Splintered! Thanks for stopping by, Jolien!

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  11. Yaaaay SPLINTERED AND UNHINGED. AJDFKLSA I LOVE THEM BOTH SO MUCH. Also anything by Sarah J Maas, I just HAD to list every book she wrote because oh. my. gawwwsh. I think it was a year of MAAS tears. lol I am so lame. *cries with laughter at incredibly lame joke*
    AHEM.
    So yes. I love Scarlet too, probably the most in the series, but I did read it last year. SO EXCITED FOR WINTER!
    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

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    1. Hahaha, Sarah J. Maas really is a master of emotional reads! And with ACOTAR out before ToG#4, 2015 will be another year of awesomeness :D

      I LOVE THE SPLINTERED TRILOGY SO MUCH!! But, ooh my gosh, Cait, I'm kinda scared to read Ensnared though... I think we both want a certain ending to happen... but I'm terrified it'll go the other (*cough* wrong/Jeb *cough*) way...

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  12. Greta picks. I haven't read many of these myself, but a few are on my TBR. I did read the Throne of Glass series this year though and I am OBSESSED!!! :) I can't wait for next year because we get two books from Maas, it's going to be awesome.

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    1. Ooh I LOVE the ToG series! I cannot wait for the rest of the series, but to think we'll have to wait another two or three years to find out the ending... it's painful! Thank goodness she has ACOTAR on the way - it'll help with the ToG withdrawal symptoms :D

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  13. I HAVE NOT READ ANY OF THE BOOKS ON YOUR LIST :( SAD LIFE I HAVE. Though I am starting the Throne of Glass series so hopefully I get hooked on them!

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    1. YOU NEED TO READ THEM, VAL! Ooh Throne of Glass is a phenomenal series, I really, really hope you love it :D

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