Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish
This week’s topic: Top Ten Favorite Books of 2014
I decided to break up my lists because choosing 10 out of all the books I’ve read is SO HARD. For this one I chose my favorite 2014 releases (non-debuts) because I shared my top debut novels of 2014 so you should check that out. That being said Falling Into Place, Open Road Summer, Rites of Passage, and Even In Paradise SO would be on this list had I not broken it up in this way because they were DEFINITELY in my top reads of the year!
AHHH and I’m a dummy and I realized that even though I read these two books before 2014 they are two 2014 releases that should be on this list: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski: If you like fantasy, get this. If you don’t like fantasy, get this. It’s a really good series for people who aren’t really into magic-y kind of stuff. AND THE ROMANCE. THE WORDS. YOU GUYS. (and the sequel is soooo good).
I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson: If I were forced to pick ONE favorite of all the books of 2014 it might be this one. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it would be.
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson: Another major WIN for me with Morgan Matson. If you like contemporary YA (think: Sarah Dessen) and like reading about friendships and finding yourself, GET ON THIS.
Life By Committee by Corey Ann Haydu: Definitely the most underrated on my list! It was so thought-provoking and challenged me as a reader. Loved the plot, loved the main character (even when she was hard to like!).
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I want to give this to all my married friends basically! And everyone really. It personally made me think SOOOO much about my own marriage.
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: Was so worth the wait but I’m sad to see this particular companion series be over. Excited for what Steph will do next though!
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas: This is a third book in a series so if you haven’t read the first (Throne of Glass) make that your 2015 New Years Resolution. THIS BOOK. THIS SERIES. It’s an all time favorite.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell: Rainbow’s books just work for me so much! This also made me think a lot about my marriage and relationships. I read this before I read After I Do but they had very similar kind of themes.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: If you don’t like typical dystopian /post apocalyptic books, this is for you. It’s very realistic but goes back and forth between the before/during the flu outbreak/twenty years with those who had survived. IT WAS AMAZING. Easily top 3 of the year for me!
The Young Elites by Marie Lu: I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. Marie Lu has created an amazing start to a new fantasy series and I want to cry about the wait until next year for book 2.
Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour: This is another one that didn’t get a lot of spotlight this year but is soooo deserving of it!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: I loved this book so much. If you are into lighter contemporary YA and love sister relationships being explored in your books, get on it. It’s a duology and you have no idea how bad I need book 2.
<< Check out my FAVORITE DEBUTS OF 2014 — some of which were my ALL TIME FAVORITE books of this year!!>>
So tell me…what were you favorite books of 2014??
Dahlia Adler says
Yessssss LIFE BY COMMITTEE, EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU, and I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN <3<3<3 So much love.
Angie says
I agree with so much of this list. I loved The Winner’s Curse, Since You’ve Been Gone, Isla and The Young Elites so much.
I’ll Give you the Sun was hands down my favorite book of the year with Heir of Fire coming in a close second.
Ooooooh YOU’VE READ STATION ELEVEN? It’s our book club book for February and I hadn’t even heard of it or knew of anybody whose read it. I’m nervous because I’m not a dystopian person (unless it’s TV) but this sounds different. I’m glad to see that you liked it, I’m excited now.
Rachel Patrick says
The only book I’ve read from this list is HEIR OF FIRE…But I really want to read SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE. And I have two copies of ISLA and haven’t read it yet which is horrible. I own THE WINNER’S CURSE, too. And a big huge yes yes yesss to THE IMPOSSIBLE KNIFE OF MEMORY.
Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
Alysia says
Heir of Fire. Ugh. I feel like i’m constantly gushing over/mentioning that book but I read it just last month so it’s still so fresh in my head!! Isla, I’ll Give You The Sun, and Since You’ve Been Gone were such good YA Contemporaries as well!! The twins in Nelsons book were so so interesting to read about, especially the way their lives intertwined with the others. And I just bought To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before so I’m super excited to start that one. :3 I’ll definitely have to try the others as soon as I can.
Danica says
All of these books sound awesome! I will definitely be looking them up on goodreads and will be adding all (if not, most) of these books to my already ridiculously long list. Your excitement and love of books is seriously contagious! haha. 🙂
Amber @ Books of Amber says
Morgan Matson is flawless, and I’m SO glad you have Heir of Fire on this list. CELAENA AND ROWAN.
Milka says
I have probably read half of these, and the rest are on my TBR.
I am super excited for Jandy Nelson’s book because it has made an appearance on several of these lists. I loved Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere, so my expectations are pretty high 🙂
Thanks for sharing these and have a good Tuesday!
Chrissi Reads says
I can’t wait to read I’ll Give You The Sun. I adored The Sky is Everywhere and can’t wait to read more from Jandy Nelson. I’m currently reading Heir of Fire after devouring Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight! You’ve read some great books this year Jamie! 🙂
Anne @ booksbakingandblogging says
So many of these are on my TBR! Now I want to read them even more… 🙂
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
I’m so happy to see The Young Elites on your list!! I haven’t read it yet, but I am DYING to get my hands on it. I love Marie Lu’s writing! Winner’s Curse made my list too! And I just bought LBC for my mom for Christmas. She teaches 7th and 8th grade so wants books that she can either use in her classroom or just add to her classroom library. I felt like it was such a good book and at that age, the kids could learn a lot from it.
Samantha says
I just reread Landline over the weekend. I remember loving it when I read it, but all the not so positive reviews got me thinking otherwise. I still loved it though! Like you said, there’s something about Rowell’s books that just work.
Rachel says
OMG I KNEW I FORGOT A BOOK ON MY LIST…. I wish it was 11 books! I’ll Give You The Sun was one of my top books of 2014/ever and I completely forgot it! Great list, Jamie!
Rebecca says
I suck. I’ve only read one book off this list. Granted, it was amaze balls (TATBILB), but still. Kinda pathetic. I’ve great some great books this year, just…not a lot. Lots of things been going on! I do look forward to getting to a lot of these soon though! Esp. Isla, Sun, SYBG (which I own!), LBC (library!). Fab list 🙂
Allie says
A lot of these are on my to-read list!
Jennifer @ YA Book Nerd says
Great list – many of these I read and Loved too!
Fida says
Heir of Fire and more! My TTT: http://fidaislaih.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-books-i-read-in-2014.html
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Shelves says
Station Eleven was on my list as well – and I’m definitely one of those people who don’t typically like post apocalyptic fiction! I also have I’ll Give You the Sun on my TBR list.
Jacque says
Great list!! Isla made my top ten this week as well. I also wanted to include Landline, but I ran out of spots. I picked up the first book in the Throne of Glass series and plan on starting that series as soon as I finish the last Mara Dyer book over the holidays.
Here is my TTT: http://www.jacquesbooknook.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-books-i-read-in.html
Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net says
Great list! Yay for To All the Boys I Loved Before and Landline (which also made my list this week). Oh, and I was gifted a copy of Station Eleven so I’m definitely looking forward to reading it!
My TTT
Critica says
I definitely want to start Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series in 2015. I’ve heard so many fabulous things about it! 😀
Karsyn @ KaKiJoKoJa says
I haven’t read any on your list, though Station Eleven is on my TBR. I really do need to get to it soon! Thanks for sharing! Here’s my Favorite Books of 2014.
Donna @ OnDBookshelf says
I’ve either read them, or have these on my tbr. I recently saw Stephanie Perkins at a book event, and she described her next book as a horror novel with lots and lots of blood……..ummm ok? Don’t know about that 🙂
Jess @ Gone with the Words says
I’ve only read The Winner’s Curse and The Young Elites from your list so far!!! But the others are in my TBR. I feel like I’m missing out on so much!! 2015 will be full of awesomeness for me. 🙂
Elizabeth says
I also loved After I Do– thanks for reviewing it, as I think that’s how I heard about it in the first place! I have just started the Throne of Glass series and am not so sure about it yet… starts off kind of slow and clunky for me, but is getting better. And I have heard only good things about Station Eleven– may have to try it out.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages says
Isla, I’ll Give You the Sun, Everything Leads to You, Since You’ve Been Gone, and Landline. All books I have not got to, but I really want to read.
Trina says
OMG, that collage of book covers is such EYE CANDY! I read 8 of those, and totally agree that they are way up there in the best of 2014. I’m not making my list yet because I’m still reading (got that end of year deadline looming over me!). But YES YES, so many great ones on your list!
The 4 on your list that I haven’t read are Everything Leads to You, After I Do, Life By Committee, and Station Eleven. Can I ask you again to pick one of those out for me to read??? 😀
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) says
Landline is on my list! (I kept my list to adult fic today)
Luna's Little Library says
I keep hearing amazing things about Station Eleven, really must get round to reading it 🙂
Maggie @ macarons & paperbacks says
I love Rainbow Rowell’s books for the same reason: they make me reflect on my own marriage and friendships. I can’t wait for her future books 🙂
LisaILJ says
We have the same taste in books. If I had gotten around to reading Since You’ve Been Gone or I’ll Give You the Sun, I’m sure that they would have ended up on my list. I am not familiar at all with the adult books you mentioned, but I may have to check them out. Maybe they will make me a better wife 🙂
My TTT
LisaILJ @ I’ll Tumble for YA
Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books says
I had a post running today, so I’m going to post my TTT tomorrow (I know, I’m a rebel) and it’s going to be SO HARD to pick. I can’t…. I’m so impressed that you managed to cut it down to 12 books! *claps* The Winner’s Curse and Heir of Fire were perfect. I still need to read those other ones, specifically The Young Elites and Since You’ve Been Gone. Nice picks <33
Michelle @ Michelles Minion says
The way you talk about Station Eleven really makes me think I need to get it tomorrow when I get to work! If it’s not busy tomorrow night, I’ll start reading it. Since You’ve Been Gone is one I’ve really wanted to read. Most of these are still hanging out in my tbr pil, unfortunately. I’ll get to them. I wish I had more time! I was looking forward to your list 🙂 Here’s mine
Michelle @ Michelle’s Minions
Emily says
Ah yes, Sarah J Maas kind of owned my life the last couple of months. Definitely among my favorites for this year as is The Young Elites. I liked Landline, a lot. But somehow, it didn’t make it. I fell in LOVE with her book Attachments (and if you haven’t read it you definitely should). That book left me with the best/worst book hangover EVER and it kind of overshadowed Landline (even though I loved it). It just stuck with me. I don’t know what it is. Rainbow Rowell just makes sense. Other than that you have some that I definitely need to read. Or have been waiting for, but have been putting off with Christmas just days away… Here’s to hoping I get some good books!
My top ten is at http://lostinbookss.blogspot.com/
Rissi says
Ugh. You’re reminding me of ALL the books I did NOT read in 2014, Jamie. Jenny’s, Sarah J. Maas’, Stephanie’s… Morgan’s and probably plenty more. 😉
Paige G says
I finished “The Young Elites” last night and, wow! I was blown away with all of the feelings I think I’ve ever had were just pulled on in that book. It was so well done and I can’t believe I have to wait until next October for Book 2!
“The Winner’s Curse” was also AMAZING! I checked it out from the library I work at, but I definitely feel like I need to own it. Plus, the cover is just soooo pretty.
“The Kiss of Deception” was another stellar 2014 read for me and if you haven’t read it, you should definitely check it out!
Kayla (The Bookish Owl) says
The Winner’s Curse, Isla and the Happily Ever After, and The Young Elites were my top 2014 reads too. Great list! 🙂
Melissa @ Bookmark Dragon says
I’ve read four of these books, and loved each of them as much as you did! After I Do is maybe my #1 book of the year. Really, really, really good. I want to reread it already. 🙂
Nicole @ Nicole's Novel Reads says
Awesome list! I’ve read 4 on the list. I want to read I’ll Give You the Sun and Isla and the Happily Ever After. Both sound amazing!
Ashley @The Quiet Concert says
LOVED Landline and The Winner’s Curse! Cannot wait for The WInner’s Crime 🙂 I still have to read some of the other books you listed though!