Yesterday I posted my complete reading list from last year. Of all 100 titles, here are the books and series that stand out the most in my memory as truly exceptional reads.
TOP 10 BOOKS / SERIES I READ IN 2014
In alphabetical order by author.
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Books read in 2014: Ruin and Rising
Could there possibly have been a more satisfying end to one of my most beloved fantasy series of all time?? Leigh Bardugo NAILED this series conclusion. It is epic, resonant, heartwrenching, fulfilling, exciting… everything you could possibly want in a finale! Plus, you know, we got to see more Sturmhond. Any book with Sturmhond has my heart. I cannot wait to read what Leigh comes up with next!!
The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Rosemary Clement-Moore has become one of my top favorite authors, so I spent 2014 catching up on all of her backlist titles that I hadn’t yet read—and The Splendor Falls did not disappoint! This book has a wonderful southern gothic atmospheric quality, with plenty of haunts and spooks, and a little bit of romance to round it out.
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
This was the first book that I read last year, and the second I finished it I had an inkling that it would end up on this list. Twelve whole months later and this one still clings to me—the world-building, the drama, the star-crossed romance . . . though I would have loved to follow the characters on a series-long adventure, this one makes for a wonderfully epic stand-alone.
Firebug, by Lish McBride
First of a two-book series, Firebug introduced us to one of my favorite heroines of the year and two of my favorite male leads (though in this example, two hot guys does not a love triangle make). Firebug may be packed full of Lish McBride’s signature wit and hilarity, but it’s never lacking in thrills and suspense. I’m super excited to get Part 2 in my greedy little hands!
Isla and the Happily Ever After, by Stephanie Perkins
The swooooooonnnnnss in Stephanie’s third contemporary romance absolutely equal (or in my opinion, surpass) those in Lola and Anna. Though I’ve loved each book in the collection, Isla was my favorite, with a quirky, adorable protagonist and a surprisingly realistic portrayal of young love.
The Under the Never Sky Series by Veronica Rossi
Books read in 2014: All three of them!
This is one of those series that I’d been hearing buzz about for three years (Veronica Rossi and I shared a release date back in 2012!), but for whatever reason I never got around to picking it up. Well, when I finally cracked open Under the Never Sky, it was all over—I marathoned the entire trilogy in under a week. Great romance, great adventure, great world-building, and I think very fitting for Lunar Chronicles fans.
The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
Books read in 2014: The Winner’s Curse and The Winner’s Crime
I just think about these books and I start to hyperventilate all over again! This is easily the series I recommended the most this year—I have forced it into the hands of every fantasy / romance / adventure / YA fan I know. Seriously, just go read them. Well, read the first one, and then wait breathlessly with the rest of us for the rest of the series to come out! (Lucky me, I got an advance copy of Book 2. Yay job perks!)
Vicious by Victoria Schwab
Though I at first thought this was a stand-alone title (and it certainly works as one), I was so happy to hear that Victoria Schwab is working on a follow-up. The characters are phenomenal and the entire concept revolving around superheroes, villainy, and right v. wrong was seamless. I’m fairly certain that Victoria is an evil genius.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor
Books read in 2014: Days of Blood and Starlight and Dreams of Gods and Monsters
One of the smartest decisions I’ve made in the last couple of years was waiting for both of these books to come out before reading them, because this is definitely a series that you’ll want to lose yourself in and not come out of until you’re finished. Laini Taylor has such a powerful imagination and these books are full of stunning imagery and emotions that tear at you—in the best possible way!
Storm Siren by Mary Weber
The first book in a new trilogy, Storm Siren pulls together some of my most beloved fantasy tropes (a female protagonist unearthing her own magical power; an oppressive society on the brink of revolution, and a breathless romance that has every possible odd stacked against it). But Mary Weber manages to put her own unique spin on this classic genre, with beautiful imagery, feisty dialogue, and ohmygod the worst cliffhanger ending in the whole entire world. (Seriously, you guys thought Cinder was bad?!) I am so looking forward to the next installment!
TOP 10 BOOKS I WANT TO READ IN 2015
A few of the above titles have follow-ups coming out in 2015 that I will be eagerly snatching up, but for this list I’m focusing on books that are already out. Some are 2014 releases that I was sad I couldn’t get to, and others have been on my TBR list for ages. Some are YA classics, and some are recent popular titles for which I’m curious what all the buzz is about!
In no particular order, the Top 10 books I want to prioritize in 2015 are:
1. The Curse Workers Series by Holly Black
2. Alanna by Tamora Pierce
3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
4. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
5. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
6. City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
7. Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck
8. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman
9. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
10. Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers