I read 57 books in 2014 (excluding the three I decided not to finish) and am once again posting my favorites. (These are not all books that were released during 2014.) I enjoy good stories that pull me in, interesting characters, action, and author creativity. My preference is for the characters to go on some sort of adventure--either mentally or physically or both. I like to escape the real world when I read. This year, I read so many books that I loved, I've had a hard time narrowing it down. I did decide to list more than ten books since a few of the books listed below are sequels to books I've listed in prior years and I didn't want to leave out the new novels. It should also be noted that this is the first time my Top 5 does not include any from the young adult genre! (Although, the main characters are young adults in two of them.) It is also surprising that four of my Top 5 novels are historical fiction! My favorites, in order, this year were:
Here are some details about the books above (listed
alphabetically):
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – I read this
for Book Club. I found it to be fascinating. It tells the stories
of a young, blind French girl and young, tech-savvy German orphan as they
navigate life before, during, and after WWII. I always dread reading WWII
novels because I know they'll be depressing. This was a special one and
more eye-opening than depressing. The way the author crafted the story
was ingenious--beautifully done. I enjoyed watching the two separate
lives play out and intersect (in multiple ways). I could truly picture
the environments described. I knew the main characters intimately.
The writing was clear and purposeful. The story was surprising as it
unraveled. Even the secondary characters were wonderful. The theme
of the title rang throughout. I really enjoyed this one!
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – After reading Moriarty’s
The Husband’s Secret for Book Club (I gave it 4 stars but decided not to take
up two spots by the same author on this list and Big Little Lies was the better
of the two), I wanted to read this newer novel by the same author and I won an
Advanced Reader Copy in a giveaway! Both novels suck you in and give you
multiple female points of view about unusual family life in Australia. Big
Little Lies was very cleverly constructed and seamlessly woven together as you
are pulled into the mystery and the twists of someone’s (you don’t know whose)
murder and the community gossip surrounding the suspects. The quirky
characters are interesting and engaging (and remind you of people you know).
The storyline keeps a good pace. I also enjoyed the story resolutions.
The Fifth Wave (and its sequel the Infinite Sea) by Rick Yancey – This is currently being made into a movie starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Liev Schreiber. It was terrifying but excellent. I couldn’t put it down. This book takes you into survival mode when an intelligent, patient, evil, alien population has plans to cleanse Earth of humans in (at least) five phases of death. Even though the designs of the fifth wave were obvious to me (and should have been to the characters), I still enjoyed the suspense and action in this novel. It’s told from a few different points of view which is very effective. The writer really hits home with the characters’ thoughts and actions and allows you to visualize everything very clearly. His story is set in the present time which is the really terrifying part. I can’t wait for the next installment to be released.
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker – I adored this book. It tells the story of the Golem (a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic) and the Jinni (a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian desert who was trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago). I was charmed by the characters and the way the Golem and the Jinni were new immigrants of a sort themselves. The only part I didn't love was Joseph's "history" which is revealed near the end. (I can't say more without spoiling.) But, if I'm willing to accept the existence of the Golem and the Jinni, I most certainly have to accept his history as well. The pace was a little slow at times but never lost me. I enjoyed the adventures, the character interactions, and the author's descriptions of New York in the late 1800s. I also found the resolution satisfying.
Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi – This was a wonderful ending to a very fun trilogy which takes place in a future world devastated by atmospheric changes. While the third installment was exciting and satisfying, it was a little slower than the other books (until the last half). I still loved the characters and the series as a whole and will happily recommend it to everyone. It is full of adventures and tricky situations. The final showdown seemed a bit too easy, perhaps. But, it was fun! (The first two books in the series made my 2012 and 2013 lists.)
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen – This is the story of a recently widowed mother and her “escape” to a memorable childhood sanctuary. SAA is able to pull you into a place and time (actually, several places and times) with characters who are quirky, yet believable. I loved the main setting in southern Georgia with which she was able to warm me when I was actually experiencing frigid January weather. The warmth of the story somehow made the individual tragedies that unfolded seem more gentle. It was a light, breezy read. I love everything she has written.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - This was another book I read for Book Club and it had me in its grips from the beginning. What a story and what a cast of characters! A newly unemployed young woman takes a job, out of desperation, caring for an ornery, wealthy paraplegic man. Both people are changed by each other and the book takes you through a journey of feelings and opinions. Sometimes, admittedly, I did want to shake some sense in Louisa, but I suppose that was part of the point. This book is full of heart. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. And, I continued to think about it long after. The ending was perfect. Loved this one!
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline – This is the story of two very different women who build an unexpected friendship: a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to questions no one has ever thought to ask. I loved the story-telling from two different time periods. I found both stories engaging. The way the two stories crossed wasn't forced and seemed perfectly managed. (Although, I thought that Molly's crime was a bit silly--would that really result in the punishment she received? I accepted it and moved on.) The length was ideal, the pacing was just right, and I enjoyed the two main characters who were cut from the same cloth. It was simply a wonderful read.
Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera – If you love non-stop adventure, this series is for you. The same characters from Reboot have returned right where they left off in the future world where kids who get a virus are reborn with superpowers. The group of superhumans who survived the deadly virus are fighting for their lives against the system that has enslaved them and taken away their freedom. (The first book in the series made my 2013 list.)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - The novel was full of quirky characters and brimming with literary references--most of which went over my head since I'm not well read enough. It centers around a bookstore owner on a small island and how he navigates after his wife's death and several bizarre occurrences. I was very engaged with this silly bunch of folks and their tiny town and was touched by the goodness in the characters. I was happy watching the mild mysteries unravel.
The Winter King by C.L. Wilson – This is heavy on the romance and full of adventures and vivid details and enjoyable characters. It takes place in a fantasy world where regional leaders employ magical skills and control over the weather. I had a great time reading this novel and am impressed by Wilson's creativity with languages and cultures. Summer was a great time to read this novel set in such a frosty setting that it provided me with cooling thoughts.
Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey – Interesting. Intriguing. Exciting. Shocking. Outstanding. This is such a brutal, yet satisfying series of novellas. It takes place in an underground silo where a community lives out their lives--generation after generation--due to toxic conditions outside. It was a really gripping story full of twists and suspense with a lot of heart. It's definitely a difficult story at times, but it is so well-constructed and commands that you keep reading to find out what happens. I couldn't put it down.
Written in my Own Heart’s Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon - I think this was my favorite novel that Diana Gabaldon has written. I'm not completely positive that my state of bliss at the end of this novel wasn’t partially from being able to spend time with these characters again after such a long break. I love them so. But, since I have had a major gripe about every single novel DG has written, and really have no major gripes about this one--I enjoyed it thoroughly—it’s my favorite. It took DG a long time but she finally wrote a nearly perfect novel. I've always adored her characters, though, and they all returned and filled me up. Seeing all the cliffhangers from the last novel resolved was extremely satisfying. Not having ridiculous cliffhangers at the end of this one was extremely satisfying. She didn't bog us down with too much history. She didn't needlessly abuse lovable characters. She didn't include far-fetched segments. But, if you’ve read the first 7 in the series you probably don’t need me to convince you to read this one anyway.
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