So I’ve already shared my favorite 2014 releases (non-debuts) and my seven favorite debut novels of YA! Today I want to talk about all the pre-2014 books I read this year! So I’m defining BACKLIST, for this purpose, as anything that was published pre-2014. It’s important to me as a reader/blogger to not forget about older stuff…plus I always miss SO many things.
So here are my 10 favorite backlist books I read this year!
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch (published 2013) : Oh man this book really got to me! Definitely an underrated one! The sisters in this story just will haunt me — everything they went through. But oh my heart had warm and fuzzies by the end of this!
If I Lie by Corrinne Jackson (2012): SERIOUSLY SUCH AN UNDERRATED BOOK! This one made me sob! It was short and I read it all in one day!
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (2011): This was one of the books on my Halloween reading list. It was not scary to me as the cover made me think it might be (creepy kids!!) BUT all of the supernatural/magic stuff was awesome and it was brilliantly written! Cannot wait to read more of this series!
Saving Francesca/The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta (2006 & 2010): I’m putting these together for one because The Piper’s Son is a companion to Saving Francesca (though it can totally be read by itself though you won’t feel as if you are visiting old friends like you do if you read Saving Francesca first). Marchetta is a genius and I’m glad now I’ve read more of her than just Jellicoe Road (which I super loved). I loved both the perspectives of Francesca and then of Thomas Mackee. HIS STORY HURT ME SQUARE IN THE FEELS.
Throne of Glass/Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (2012 & 2013) : I’m SO happy I finally jumped on this bandwagon because it’s given me this appetite for fantasy now! Heir of Fire (book 3) made my best of 2014 releases list and these books were VERY high on my list this year of books I’ve read. OH MY GOODNESS. They just keep getting better and better.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (2013): This was definitely one of the best adult fiction books I read this year! SO FUNNY and sweet and I just couldn’t put it down!
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas (2013): WOW. If you like thriller/mystery kinds of books, this one was just so twisty and awesome. Took a ripped from the headlines story and just kept me guessing until the final page.
How To Love by Katie Cotugno (2013): This book was incredible! I tend to steer away from teen pregnancy books just because a lot of them don’t seem like my thing but this book just captivated me! Love me some complicated, messy relationships!
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (2012): Hands down one of the most all-consuming reading experiences I had this year! This book is beautiful and sad and tragic and hopeful and OMG MY EMOTIONS.
How To Say Goodbye In Robot by Natalie Standiford (2009): THIS BOOK is such an underrated gem! Friendship! Finding oneself! If you like quirky characters and stories, check this one out!
Tell me which backlist books you read and LOVED this year! I’m always wanting to make sure I don’t skip excellent books from years past!
Megan C. Stroup says
I think all my favorite books from this year were backlist haha. I just posted my 10 Top for your Broke & Bookish linkup on Tuesday! 🙂
http://megancstroup.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-best-of-2014-read.html
Jamie says
Ooh will have to check yours out later! I decided this year to break it down differently so I can feature a lot more books because I HAVE THE WORST TIME CHOOSING. For TTT I did 2014 releases! But I love me the backlist books!
Rebecca says
Love Saving Francesca! Definitely a favourite. If I Lie, Robot, How to Love and Dangerous Girl are all on shelf and I can’t wait to read them. I also can’t wait to get to If You Find Me – I don’t think I’ve yet come across a bad review for that one. Where She Went, Six Impossible Things and This Song Will Save Your Life were some of my non-2014 faves!
Jamie says
I loooove WSW (obvi) and This Song!! I cannot wait until Six Impossible Things comes out here in the US (I’m still confused why they released Wildlife first but WHATEVER)
Jen says
WOO I love backlist titles too, so important to highlight them! I remember reading and LOOVING How to Love and the Throne of Glass series. However, I have yet to read a few from your list, such as DANGEROUS GIRLS and MISS PEREGRINE’S. My favorite backlist titles from this year are WINGER and The Infernal Devices trilogy. Thanks for sharing, Jamie!!
Jamie says
I agree! I personally would go crazy if I only read new releases! I think that’s why I also have such great reading years because I’m picking tried and true picks from people I trust from the backlist! So many times I’m reading 2014 releases decently early so all my go-to people haven’t read them!
I still need to read Winger!!
Sarah's Book Shelves says
My sister in law has been telling me I have to read Miss Perergrine’s…I’m always hesitant to get into new series b/c I feel like I’m committing to more than 1 book! But, I’ll have to give this a try at some point!
Jamie says
I’m the same way re: series. I have so many in limbo here and I am so sick of starting new ones. I’ve heard great things about book 2 of this series but still haven’t read it myself!
Anne @ booksbakingandblogging says
I read The Rosie Project this year as well, and LOVED it! It’s so hilarious, and wonderful, and emotional… 🙂 I’ve read many backlist books this year, since I didn’t really keep up with the newly published ones, and there are SO many older books I still want to read. I want to try and keep up with the newer books more next year, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to. Oh well, as long as I’m having fun! 🙂
Bekka says
I love seeing Dangerous Girls on here! That book has been way underrated and looked over for too long. It’s one of my all-time favorite thrillers – and thrillers are my JAM.
I was never a big fan of fantasy until I read Graceling, which kind of opened the door for me. But then I read Throne of Glass and my appetite for fantasy skyrocketed. I’m so happy you’re loving this series! Seriously, I NEED ToG #4 right now. Or at least a title!
Ashley @The Quiet Concert says
I just got Dangerous Girls, I cannot wit to start it! I still have yet to read Throne of Glass, I am so worried that I will some black sheep and not like it for some reason hah ridiculous I know.
Amber says
I haven’t read any of the books on your list. 🙁 Though I’ve started three in the past! Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, Dangerous Girls and Throne of Glass. I definitely intend on getting back into all three.
I’ve been weary of How To Love. I thought it sounded interesting, but read a couple reviews that didn’t like it very much. Maybe I’ll give it a try though. I just love The Sea of Tranquility cover and summary. I’m really interested in that one. Beautiful, sad, tragic and hopeful sound promising. 🙂 I really want to read The Rosie Project too.
I read and loved A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger, Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. They both made this past week’s TTT. 🙂
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter) says
LOVED The Sea of Tranquility!!! And The Rosie Project!! Both are amazing. 🙂 And I’ve heard so many good things about Throne of Glass …. I think I’ve been putting it off since it’s a series, but I really should read it.
Ashley says
I don’t know how I have both The Sea of Tranquility and The Rosie Project sitting in my house unread. I WANT to read them, but somehow always forget about them when it’s time to pick up a new book!
Cynthia says
Sea of Tranquility was on my list of best books I have read this year! Such an amazing book. I have had Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on my TBR for a while. I am hoping to read it in the next year.
Jade @ Bits & Bobs says
I picked Dangerous Girls up from my library after reading your review this year and was so glad I did, so thanks for sharing your thought on that one – it also ended up making my list of favourite books of the year.
🙂
Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder says
Oooh… Lovely choices! I haven’t read Miss Peregrine and Dangerous Girls but I know that they received a lot of great reviews so I’m looking forward to reading them. 🙂
Cassie (Happy Book Lovers) says
YAY HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT!
I recommended it to a co-worker a few days ago and she’s already read it and loved it. And asked me why more people don’t know about this book. My response? I DON’T KNOW! It’s so wonderful and weird and I love it!
Jen says
I read and enjoyed The Rosie Project and Sea of Tranquility this year too.
Ella says
Loved Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children! It was recommended to me by my librarian two years ago. It wasn’t what I expected when I first picked it up but I was pleasantly surprised. Great list 🙂