TOP TEN BOOKS OF 2014

Seeing as I'm terrible with introductions, I figured that a list of my favorite books of 2014 would be a great way to get to know me as well as the type of books I enjoy the most. Although it would be wonderful to be able to do this in a certain order, I just can't choose the right book for the number one spot. Without further ado, here is the list of books that made 2014 such an awesome year. 

1.  I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by JANDY NELSON

I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did if I was not a big fan of art, but it is still a heart-wrenching story that is worth a read. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and the way they expressed their feelings through different forms of art. The different array of emotions I felt while reading this book was kind of crazy - I sometimes had to stop reading to digest what had happened. Any book that makes me feel all the feels deserves a spot on this list. 

2. THE CUCKOO'S CALLING by Robert Galbraith

Ah, the lovely J. K. Rowling does it again. Although I was a bit skeptical about reading this book because I'm not used to reading full-on mystery and detective novels, I had to read it for a book club. It's not like I didn't enjoy it - I definitely did. I fell in love with Cormoran Strike and Robin and with trying to find out who had committed the crime. Even though I also read the second one this year, I still liked this one better. Still, I'm excited to read more about Strike and the plot twists Rowling comes up with. 

3. ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Stephanie Perkins

I feel like I've been waiting my entire life for this book, but if Stephanie Perkins is writing it? I'm willing to do a whole lot of waiting. Although this book received mixed reviews, I absolutely adored it. I feel like Isla is the character I could relate to the most and I liked that it was a bit different from the Lola and Anna format. Plus, I would give this book a five star rating just for that part with Anna and St. Clair. I CRIED TEARS OF JOY. 

 4. READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline

Video games and 80's references? Count me in! Even if I'm not an expert on either of those subjects, I still enjoyed this book a lot. I'm just obsessed with the idea of a completely immersive gaming experience, but I'm still aware that nothing compares to real life. I don't have much to say about this book other than it was so much fun. It is one that I recommend to the geeky people in my life. I feel like my dad would love this book, too bad he is not much of a reader. 

5. NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro 

Although this is one of those rare cases in which I watched the movie before reading the book, it did not take away from the experience. I loved every second I spent with this book. I can't find the words to describe what it made me feel. It left me empty and absolutely frustrated, but I loved it so much. I'm hoping to read another book by Ishiguro this year, because he definitely knows how to write a good book. 

 6. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte
I was expecting to enjoy this book, but I was not expecting to fall completely in love with it. Just ask the people around me - I couldn't stop raving about this book while I was reading it. I even made my boyfriend listen to the entire story of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester because I could not stop thinking about it. Jane Eyre is definitely one of my favorite literary female characters ever. It does not hurt that she reminds me a lot of my best friend.

7. THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO by Junot Díaz
I debated whether or not I should include this book on my list because I had originally given it four stars, but I realized that it definitely left an impact on me and the rest of the people in my English Honors class. I fell in love with the brutal honesty and rawness of the story and with Díaz' writing. He truly is a genius and this book completely deserves the Pulitzer award it won. I was so obsessed with this book, I even learned a few quotes from it by heart.

 8. ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

I read this book at the right time, because I could relate to everything Eleanor was feeling, from her insecurities to the scary thing that is falling for someone. I found myself re-reading certain passages of the book and even took pictures to send to one of my friends just to have someone to share my love for this book with. I read Fangirl this year too and I adored it, but I had to give this spot to Eleanor & Park. 

9. ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. To be honest, I'm a sucker for books with cool character names on the title and that is what first caught my eye. I wasn't even completely sure if the story had a romantic aspect to it, but I'm so glad it did. The book was much more than that, but I love the interactions between Dante and Aristotle and fell in love with them both. The way Sáenz manages to capture the emotion with such a simple writing style is truly admirable. 

10. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde
I almost forgot to include this book because I read it in January of 2014, but I loved it so much. Although I knew the basics of the story, I wasn't expecting to encounter such interesting characters and brilliant quotes. I never know what to say about classics because I feel like it has all been said before, but I just know this is a book I will be re-reading in the future. Preferably in the Penguin Clothbound Classics edition.






That's it for this list! Until next time,

x, Loony.