My Reading Year in Review - Top 14 of 2014 + Honorable Mentions

An abridged version of this post originally appeared on Examiner.com

 

I spent my year navigating other people’s heartbreak, falling in love for the first time, discovering new worlds, figuring out superpowers, but mostly I spent it with my face in a book, sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee and a cozy blanket.  Saying that 2014 was a great reading year for me would be an understatement; finishing the year with 127 books read it is my best reading year to date and included a varied mix of Adult Fiction, Children’s Literature, Comedy Memoirs, Graphic Novels and the staple in my reading list Young Adult Fiction.  Instead of going the traditional reading route this year for some books I decided that listening to an audiobook would be preferable, and for me it really worked.  It allowed me to enjoy “reading” while I worked, drove and on rare occasions, cleaned.   

The most important thing I took away from my grand reading adventure was this: Happiness for me is directly related to how much time I make for reading.  The more time I allow for reading, the more content I am, and the more I dedicate myself to everything else in my life.  So for 2015 I plan to read, read some more and then read until I can’t see straight.  Before we ring in the New Year I wanted to share my Top 14 Books of 2014 with superlatives and a few honorable mentions.  Let me know what your thoughts are on my choices and what your Top 14 reads of the year are.  

#14: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Martin Selznick

Superlative – Most Unique Read

A magical adventure told through stunningly simple drawings and minimal words, The Invention of Hugo Cabret takes you on a journey of discovery.  I was unsure what to expect from this one, and I was absolutely enchanted by the illustrations and simplicity of this “mystery” as it is unwound before your eyes.  It was made into a movie a while back and I have heard wonderful things about it. I am really curious to see how the movie will compare to this imaginative book.

#13: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Superlative – Most Likely to Give You Nightmares

Haunting, disturbing and downright creepy; the biggest compliment I can give to this stunning graphic novel is it reminded me of reading Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories.   I picked this one up on a whim at the bookstore and was immediately drawn in by the stark swaths of color and dramatic illustrations.   A slow build of scary with every turn of the page, it also makes a beautiful addition to your library.   

#12: Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves

Superlative – Most Memorable Plot

Having previously read Ms. Garvis Graves On the Island I knew that she was a master at delayed gratification.  Building up so much tension between her characters that you, as the reader, literally start sweating; she is that good at conveying chemistry through words.  Even so, I never expected what was waiting for me when I cracked open Covet.  She perfectly captures the need and want of a woman to feel appreciated and wanted by her partner.  The utter longing of the characters drip from the pages and the tension builds until the very end in this “will they – won’t they” story.  It left such an impact I read it twice.  

Find my mini video review of Covet here

#11: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Superlative – Most Likely to Revive a Genre

This is technically a cheat, as this was the last book I read in 2013, but I couldn’t leave it out when I was compiling my list.  This book breathed new life into a genre that I had completely abandoned: Vampire Fiction.  Holly Black turns the traditional story of vampires on its head by infusing it with a zombie apocalypse vibe and stripping it down to a gritty story of survival.  No glitter, no werewolves, just an old-fashioned vampire story.   This was the book I recommended and loaned out the most in 2014 and I received rave reviews from everyone who read it.  

#10: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Superlative – Best Retelling

Full disclosure:  I love retellings.  I especially love Beauty and the Beast retellings.  But, it’s rare that the author does something new with the story.  Rosamund Hodge managed to create the most unique version of the Beauty and the Beast story I have ever encountered.  Reminiscent of Greek Mythology but with a twist of Shakespearean Tragedy, Cruel Beauty was a stunning blend of the familiar and the new.

Find my mini video review for Cruel Beauty here

 #9: Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Superlative – Most Surprising Reading Experience

I had been hearing about this series for years.  How could I not? It was all over Goodreads and I recall seeing the cover image of Juliette in her white dress surrounded by shattered glass and thinking…”that just looks dumb.”  I am the poster child for judging a book by its cover, despite that; I managed to pick up Shatter Me in the spring.  At first, I thought all my preconceived ideas of the book were right.  I hated the main character Juliette, as a matter of fact; I have never hated a main character as much as I did Juliette.  But, the writing was so stunningly haunting, beautiful, and poetic that I could not stop reading.  Tahereh Mafi is a gifted author; an author who manages to create an utterly loathsome heroine, but who has such a way with words that the reader looks past it.  Once I did I couldn’t get enough.  The Shatter Me Series is completely stolen by Warner and Kenji and that’s perfectly fine by me (and I would guess most readers).  Through three novels and two novellas Taherah Mafi takes the reader on a fun dystopian journey of self-discovery for her heroine and heroes and someone manages to do the unthinkable by the end of book three, Ignite Me: she teaches the reader to appreciate and like Juliette and understand her choices.   

 #8: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Superlative – Cutest Couple

Stephanie Perkins is the uncrowned queen of YA Contemporary Fiction.  She manages to infuse all her stories and characters with a sweetness and warmth that makes for the best kind of escapist literature.  I read all three of her books this year and while they all made me smile I couldn’t help but feel a special attachment to Lola and Cricket.  I know Anna and the French Kiss started it all, and while many swoon for St. Clair’s French charm it was Cricket’s nerdy idiosyncrasies that really hooked me.  Her ability to consistently provide her readers with an uncomplicated and enjoyable story every time is an incredibly special ability, and will keep this reader loyal. 

#7: Saga Volumes 1-3 by Fiona Staples and Matthew Vaughn Not for children under 17

Superlative – Best Graphic Novel
Saga is the graphic novel series that everyone was talking about this year.  A gorgeous take on the classic star-crossed lovers’ tale, except in this story our hero and heroine happen to come from different worlds and those worlds are enmeshed in a bitter war.  World building at a level that is uncommon in a graphic novel, Saga introduces its readers to new worlds, monarchies, hierarchy’s and species.  It does an excellent job of living up to its name.  Volume 4 was released on Christmas Eve and I immediately scooped it up (technically as a present for my husband, but not really) eager to see how the next chapter in this epic romance will unfold. 

Find my video review for the Saga Series here

#6: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Superlative – Most Likely to Make You Regret not Reading it in School

I don’t know why it took me so long to pick up The Giver. It is teeny tiny, generally considered a modern classic, and beloved the world over.  Somehow, none of that information persuaded me over the past 20+ years of reading to actually crack it open and see what all the fuss was about.  I can’t tell you what inspired me to do so this year, but I can tell you, I regret that I didn’t do it 20 years ago.  It is a brilliant little bit of Young Adult literature masquerading as a Utopian cautionary tale.  Jonas, the hero, is the narrator and the readers guide into this perfect world. Somehow, Lois Lowry does in 179 pages what many authors fail to do in 400. She makes you associate with Jonas in a way that makes you feel like he is your proxy living for you and struggling but surviving in this idyllic world.  By the time the story ends in its non-committal infuriating way you can’t believe how much story was told in so few words. 

#5: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Superlative – Heroine Most Likely to Remind You of You

This was the year I read everything of Rainbow Rowell’s I could get my hands on.  Attachments, Fangirl and Landline, each a great book with relatable characters and a great story, but Fangirl stood out.  With her heroine Cath, Rainbow Rowell introduces a fan girl to idolize to a generation of fangirls (myself included).  Her obsession with Simon Snow the Harry Potter like character and the slash fan fiction she spends hours writing reminded me of the year I spent plunged into the abyss of Twilight and Harry Potter fanfic and what sweet torture it was waiting for the next chapter to go live.  It may just be that the story brought back so many enjoyable memories for me, but I absolutely fell in love with Cath, Levi and their awkward stumbles into falling in love. 

#4: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Superlative – Most Likely to Give You Heart Palpitations and Make You Want to Vomit

Oh Outlander, the effect you have had on a generation of readers is something special.  At over 800 pages you are definitely not an easy book to commit to, but once you do the payoff is spectacular.  A singular reading experience and one that has since gone unmatched, Outlander is truly unlike anything I have ever read.  Incredibly detailed world building, historical accuracy, intricate plots, a heart stopping love story, adventure with every page turn and some truly traumatic moments await you as a reader of this epic tale of time travel.  To categorize Outlander as a romance would be a disservice to this masterwork of storytelling, but it has to be said that the Jaime, Claire and Frank love triangle is pitch perfect.  Outlander was such an immersive experience for me that I needed a break upon finishing book one. At times the story can be too graphic, and some scenes especially during the last third of the book made me feel physically ill, but I understand Diana Gabaldon’s reasons for including them.   Somewhere along the way I decided that I would do one Outlander book a year until I finish the series, it definitely helps that the Starz show is brilliantly made and here to fill the Jaime and Claire void. 

Find my video review for Outlander here 

 

#3: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Superlative – Most Beautiful Book You Will Ever Read

I never expected a coming of age story about to friends in their early teens to be so hauntingly beautiful.  Every sentence felt like a love letter from the author to the reader.  Simple, emotive and beautiful, reading Aristotle and Dante felt like reading a book length poem.  No superfluous words, every line counted and made its intended impact on the reader. It may be cliché to say it but, I laughed, I cried and felt completely satisfied with this gem of a book.

Find my video review for Aristotle and Dante here

#2: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Superlative – Most Nostalgic Read

There is something so special about books like Ready Player One.  Ernest Cline has lovingly crafted a completely unique story while making it entirely relatable to the reader by utilizing 80’s pop culture.  This book was an absolute joy to read from the first page.  The narrator, a teenage boy, is your guide through this marvelous world filled with pop culture and video game references.  From the first chapter you are completely transported and you don’t want to put down this cyber-punk adventure until you know how it will end.  For those of you so inclined, I recommend doing an audiobook – traditional book combo read.  The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton (of Stark Trek, Wesley Crusher fame) brilliantly, he infuses it with such nerdy glee you can’t help but get sucked in.  If you love video games, 80’s nostalgia, pop culture, or just an amazingly fun and well told story Ready Player One is a must read.  

Find my video review for Ready Player One here

#1: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Superlative – Best Love Letter to Book Lovers

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a book to be savored.  I knew going in that this was going to be a story that I would treasure.  It is not a particularly long book, so before I even cracked the spine I decided that I would take it slow, read only a chapter or two a day. Author Gabrielle Zevin, known for writing insightful and touching Young Adult Fiction has taken what on the surface appears to be the mundane life of an older set in his way bookstore owner and turned it into a fairy tale.  She manages to turn A.J.’s solitude and loneliness into something thoughtful rather than sad.  And when A.J.’s life is completely turned upside down by an unexpected surprise you go right along this new, exciting and slightly scary journey with him.  Gabrielle Zevin carefully chooses the characters for her story, their importance in A.J.’s life and really makes them part of it.  You never feel as they are there as filler, but rather important parts of the story that you as the reader grow to love.  At times funny, sad, bittersweet and wistful, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a gorgeously written love letter to a life filled with love and books and it was the absolute highlight of my 2014 reading journey. 

 Find my video review for The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry here

Honorable Mention

Georgia Nicholson Series by Louise Rennison

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Alienated by Melissa Landers

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 

Invisibility by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman  

Throne of Glass  by Sarah J. Maas.

A pictorial guide to my year in books

Why We Broke Up: A Bittersweet Tale

My full review is up...here is an excerpt. 

"The biggest draw for me was the realism. The pangs of first love you could clearly hear in Min's retelling of their relationship and the demise of what was such a delicate thing to begin with. It reminded me of being young and in love. Of how it felt when that boy that wasn't supposed to like you because you belonged to different worlds kept furtively looking your way until one day he finally made a move."

To read the full review go to Examiner.com. 

March Wrap-Up

March was nothing short of a fantastic reading month.  I had been in an epic slump since 2014 began.  I don't know if something in the Spring air(or forever summer, I live in Miami afterall) made me devour books at the rate I did.  But I can honestly say, I am never happier than when I read a great book and this month was FULL of great books.  In total I read 17 books: 3 Children's Books, 2 Novella's, 1 Adult Contemporary re-read, 8 YA books, 1 Lady Porn,  and 1 Middle Grade.

 

All ratings can be found on my Goodreads profile.

 



 

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

 

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Story by Emily Winfield Martin

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The Dark by Lemony Snickett

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery and a Very Strange Adventure by Lissa Evans

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberh

Adorkable by Sara Manning

Better of Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

The Fault in our Stars...an incredibly late review.

via redbubble

This review originally appeared on Examiner.com 

As an avid reader, I have often been told to read John Green. As a Young Adult reader, I have been shamed multiple times for not being a fan. I tried once, in my eyes reading 70 pages of An Abundance of Katherines, was more than enough time to decide wether or not I liked his work. I'm sure it's quite obvious that I did not, in fact, enjoy An Abundance of Katherines (AAoK). For the next few years, anytime someone would mention John Green to me I would rage at them that I really didn't get what the fuss was all about. I would explain how I not only found AAoK uninteresting but just plain boring. I would always end the conversation the way I do when I discuss authors that don't interest me, "They aren't for me."

I have never been happier to be wrong. After dragging my feet for almost a year, I sat down late this summer to read The Fault in our Stars (TFioS). I knew the premise of the book going into it, honestly, a story about a teenager fighting cancer did not seem like something I wanted to subject myself to. But for some strange reason, I decided to read it on my birthday of all days. Aside from it being a hugely busy day for me, and one that would not allow for a ton of free time, I thought that being so overwhelmed with plans would prevent me from getting overwhelmed by the emotion of the book. And I was right. Thank the lord. 

I cannot imagine how incredibly sad I would have been had I sat down to read TFioS in one sitting. The story itself is not, in my opinion, meant to be sad. The tone of the story is more hopeful than doom and gloom. Hazel and Gus are full of life and love despite the harshness of the reality they live with. And somehow, despite how sad the story actually is, it leaves you feeling optimistic and in my case raring to take on the world. I think that with TFioS, John Green did the impossible, he wrote a cancer book that isn't actually about cancer, but about the joys of living your life despite it. A book, that I thoroughly recommend to all readers, not just the YA fans. And even though I am sure it goes without saying, I'm going to anyway: I am a John Green fan. DFTBA.

Contemporary Romance Overkill - Rapid Fire Reviews

Sometime I read books that are great bits of fluff but that I don't really feel the need to write a review for.  I usually just rate them on my Goodreads shelf and move on.  But I decided that even they deserve a little bot of time in the limelight so here is a hodgepodge of some of my romance reads with a succinct one line review.

A Touch of Greek, Out of Olympus Book 1

Surprisingly sweet and steamy romance based on a lesser known Greek god. 

Worth the Weight, Worth Series Book 1

I definitely empathized with Lizzie's body issues and felt like the story had a believable progression.

A Will and A Way

I was amazed I finished it.  The main character was obnoxious and annoyed me. 

Unfinished Business

Predictable and sweet.  Typical Nora Roberts.  

When We Touch

I really enjoyed this one, I thought it was adorable. 

Waking Up Married

Appropriately steamy and unrealistic.  Just what a Harlequin book should be.  

One Night with her Best Friend

The best thing about this book was the adorably sexy/nerdy best friend.  Yes please. 

One Night in the Ice Storm

Meh.  It was ok.  My least favorite of the One Night books. 

One Night with her Bodyguard

For some reason Michael reminded me of Dimitri Belikov from the VA Series.  Enough said. 

The Teacher's Billionaire

It was good, but not good enough to make me want to read the rest of the series. 

Wallbanger a witty bit of lady porn

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

I have long been a proud reader of "Lady Porn" the oh so delicate title my sister and I gave to romance novels almost a decade ago.  Unlike many ladies of my acquaintance who would rather die than admit to picking one up from time to time, I wave it loud and proud, I am a voracious lady porn reader.  In all honesty I would have to say for every one Young Adult  or Fiction book I read I read two Romance novels.  And I am okay with that.

Being such an aficionado of the genre, I definitely have my preferences.  For instance, I am not ok with cowboy stories.  I don't know why, I just have no interest.  And my mother has often tried to convince me to pick one up.  Never gonna happen.  As many of my friends did when I heard the hype behind Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James I immediately downloaded them.  The first book was enjoyable, the second a bit tedious, and honestly I never even read book three.  It seems even I have standards when it comes to what I will and won't read.  Who knew.

I think because of the Fifty Shades of Grey nonsense when the steady buzz started surrounding Wallbanger written by Alice Clayton, I just wasn't having it.  I don't know what made me do it, but one day I just gave in.  I had read that it was funny, actually the exact words used were laugh out loud funny, I didn't buy it.

I quickly, and I mean within the first few chapters quickly, changed my mind.  The book was hilarious. Witty, charming, had a steamy slow burn between the main characters the aforementioned Wallbanger and his love interest, Pink Nightie Girl.  PNG's cat, Clive, was a revelation.  Having a sister who is thoroughly obsessed with her cat it was so familiar to read about a main character who acted the same way with hers.  I think my favorite thing about the Clive-PNG relationship was how she would call him an a-hole every time he did something that merited the title.  Because let's be real, cats can be a-holes.

Alice Clayton does a great job of making her characters realistic, funny and relatable.  And of course the piece de resistance, the sex scenes do not disappoint   If you are an instant gratification kind of reader who wants the story to start with a quick roll in the hay, this is not your book.  But if you are willing to let the tension and story build the payout is definitely worth it.

Some late input on The Mortal Instruments

I have a bit of a secret to tell. Several years ago, on the recommendation of some friends, I picked up City of Bones, the first book in what was then The Mortal Instruments trilogy. To be frank, I hated it. But, the aforementioned friends convinced me that I should put my overwhelming feeling of queasy unease aside and finish reading the series.

It took me much longer than I had expected but after a couple of months I could finally say that I had given it a legit chance and move on with my life. I left the books behind me with a tepid opinion of them.

Then the buzz started because this much beloved series was not only getting a spin off series (prequel to be exact) but several more books were going to be added to the original three, and a movie had been optioned. I didn't get it.

As much as I thought the story was well written, because it is. Much more so than so many other hard to put down YA series, ahem Twilight. I just couldn't understand Jace's appeal and don't even get me started on the creep factor I felt stemming from the love triangle. So, I proceeded to forget about it. My friends got excited about the movie and I ignored it. And then this summer, suddenly finding myself with an incredible amount of free time on my hands I decided to revisit the series I just didn't get, despite an overwhelming stack of to-read books on my shelf and Nook.

My thoughts on the original three books have significantly improved. Do I still feel a bit off about the love triangle, of course, I don't know any one who is reading the series that wouldn't. But I learned to appreciate the nuances in the story, the layered characters, how incredibly developed and rich this world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that Cassandra Clare created for her readers. I genuinely enjoyed reading it the second time around, and to my surprise found that I didn't remember large chunks of the book, so it was at some points like reading it for the first time.

I have since moved onto books 4 and 5, and I am finding much like the first three I am not in love with them the first time around. I honestly think that, maybe just maybe, the Mortal Instruments Series gets better with age, but I will wait to give a better review upon finishing the remainder of the books.

I can say now that the first movie is in production and I have found a new found love for Jace, Clary, Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magus I am counting down the days along with my friends.

This article was originally published on:  Examiner.com 

Weekend Roundup

Its very easy for me to hole up in my bedroom with my one click book shopping on my Nook and plow through books.  Thats exactly what I did yesterday and today.  So here's my first weekend roundup:


The Earl and the Governess by Sarah Elliott

Hmmm, where to begin with William and Isabelle.  To be honest I almost didn't pick it up because of the hero's name, sore spot.  The story started much like you would come to expect. He sees her on the street and decides that he can be of use to the beautiful and helpless creature standing in the middle of such a dangerous neighborhood.

I didn't love that she was so unable to do anything for herself, and found myself thinking that everything bad that happened to her was for a reason.  Words Isabelle tells William at the end of the book.  I laughed out loud at that.

Overall it wasn't a bad read, I found myself really enjoying it towards the end when they went to the cottage in the country.  I find I grow tired of stories that center around London and the ridiculousness that was society at that time.  But at the same time I love it and find myself drawn over and over again to stories that center around a debutantes debut in London.  I picked up The Earl and the Governess because it was different.  I would recommend it as a light snack.  Nothing to really sink your teeth into but good enough when something more appetizing isn't available.

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Trev and Callista.  I can honestly say that I really really enjoyed this book.  It had bits of the ridiculous in the story but I can't help but be a complete sucker for stories where the hero has long standing feelings for the heroine.

From the moment they start waltzing in the first chapter I was a goner.  A cattle farming heroine a booky hero and quite the insane turn of events lead to a really charming story.  I loved the ease of their rapport, the back story of their teen years was so sweet and sad.  It had the oddest array of characters I have found in a story and at times found that their were bits that weren't explained enough for my liking but overall it was a great read.

I would highly recommend this romance to anyone in the mood for a bit of fun.

To Good to be True by Kristan Higgins

As I said I've been on a historical romance kick so it felt rather odd to pick up this contemporary romance.  I wanted a brief vacation from all the ballrooms and debutantes and I definitely got it with this one.

As contemporary romances go it was cute.  It took the oh so handsome Callahan and slightly grating Grace a lot longer to get together than one would think and it was all because of a pretty major plot point that to be honest annoyed me to death.

Aside from that I enjoyed the story and the side stories of her two sisters and parents love lives as well.  I was instantly all about Cal as soon as they introduced him breaking into the house next door.  I loved Angus possible because he reminded me so much of my own ball of fur, I couldn't help smiling every time Angus did something mischievous.  If I had one general critique about contemporary romances its this:  Please do not create a reason for the hero/heroine argue and separate.  Its not necessary, every single couple doesn't break up, they work through the problems and that is just so unrealistic and annoying.  Other than that it was a cute story mostly fluff but good fluff you know.

The Earl's Forbidden Ward by Bronwyn Scott

I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about this book.  I picked it up a bit creeped out by the idea of the Earl ending up with his ward Tessa.  It was a bit too pedophilic (if thats even a word) for my tastes but once the story began and I realized that he wasn't really what he appeared to be I got more comfortable with it and settled in for a good and quick read.

She was headstrong as most regency romance heroine's tend to be but she didn't rub me the wrong way.  I've been on a romance kick lately so this fit the bill nicely.  Just enough smut to keep me happy without making me flip the pages because I'm disgusted with the crazy amount of sex in it.

Overall a good read.  I found myself wanting to stay with the characters and am happy to discover that Ms. Scott (a pen name by the way) will be continuing the story with the Earl's younger brother Paine and one of Tessa's younger sisters.