Top 14 Books of 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2014 was a pretty great year for books for me. Even though I ended up in quite a few reading slumps throughout the year, I still managed to read 167 books. Picking a top 14 was actually pretty easy for me. I read quite a lot of 5* books in 2014, but there were only a few that really stood out when I was making this list. So, without further ado, here are my top 14 favourite books of 2014.

14. Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

As you guys probably know, I really wasn't a fan of Victoria's debut novel. But when I heard about Fire & Flood, I knew I was going to love it - and I wasn't wrong. There was just something so unique about the world - especially the Pandoras. 

13. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

I discovered Colleen Hoover's book in 2014, but Maybe Someday was by far my favourite. The main thing that made this book better than her others was the twist with Ridge. It just added so much more to the book, and also caused me to cry a lot more.

12. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Of course the final book in the Mara Dyer trilogy had to be on this list. I'd been waiting a year and a half for this finale, and it lived up to everything I was expecting - and more. It was even crazier than the previous books (and a lot creepier!). It was such a fantastic end to the series.

11. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I was late to the game with the Shatter Me series, but it very quickly became one of my favourites. Ignite Me was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it completely blew my mind. Tahereh Mafi outdid herself with this book. It was completely amazing.

10. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

A massive thank you to Brittany for introducing me to this series and making me obsessed with Jamie Fraser. I'd heard of this series before and I was constantly being recommended it, but it wasn't until Brittany sent me a copy that I finally decided to read it. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, so this book was a huge surprise for me. I fell in love with the characters, the world and the TV show (and Sam Heughan). I'm dying to read the rest of the series this year.

9. Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer has had quite a few books out this year, but Don't Look Back was definitely my favourite - I even had a giveaway for it because I loved it that much! Don't Look Back was Jennifer's first YA mystery, and it just shows how much of a fantastic writer she is. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through the book and I never saw that twist coming. A thrilling read.

8. The Jewel by Amy Ewing

I was in a huge dystopian slump this year, probably because of how many I read last year, but The Jewel was like a breath of fresh air. Even though it's been compared to The Selection, the only things they have in common are the pretty dresses and that fact it's a dystopian. That's where the similarities ended for me. Everything about The Jewel was fantastic - the storyline, the characters and the jaw dropping twist at the end.

7. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Open Road Summer was one of the best contemporaries I read this year - mainly because of the friendship between Reagan and Lilah. And also because of Matt Finch. OK, maybe it was mainly because of Matt Finch. I want a Matt Finch, please.

6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief destroyed me. It left me a sobbing mess. Yet again, The Book Thief was another book outside of my comfort zone, but it ended up being one of my favourites. Set during World War II, I knew there was going to be some heartbreak, but I wasn't prepared for how much I connected with these characters, so the heartbreak was a lot worse than I'd imagined. It's such a beautifully written novel that I don't think I'll be able to read again, but I'll always remember it.

5. The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

The Art of Lainey is by far my favourite YA contemporary of the year. It follows Lainey who's boyfriend has just dumped her, so her and her BFF decided to adapt The Art of War and use it to win him back. The Art of Lainey is a lot more than a love story, it's also about discovering yourself and discovering new ways of life. I loved this book.

4. You're the One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

I sobbed for hours after finishing this book - and that's not an exaggeration. You're the One That I Want is one of the most beautiful, heart-warming, soul destroying books ever. The relationship between Ben, Rob and Maddy was the main focus of the book, and the main source of my tears. It's a story of friendship, love and everything that comes with it.

3. Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Stolen Songbird was definitely my favourite debut of the year. Danielle L. Jensen completely blew every other debut out of the water with this book. The world of Trollus is one of my favourite fantasy worlds. It was so beautifully written and I could see the world in my head. The main thing I loved about Stolen Songbird was the back story of trolls - finding out what led to them being trapped underground and what they had to do to get out. It was fantastic.

2. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Obviously Heir of Fire had to be on my list since it basically destroyed my life and left me a sobbing mess. Celaena Sardothien is the most badass character ever, and she reached a new level in Heir of Fire. Everything about this book was a million times better than the previous book (which are also amazing) - the introduction of the new characters and finally getting to know Celaena's back story. Amazing.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire would have been number 1 if I hadn't received and ARC of A Court of Thorns and Roses. I was speechless when I finished it. Even now I'm still struggling to find the words to describe how amazing it was. The world that Maas created in this book was enchanting. I was desperate to know more about the faeries, the curse and Tamlin. It was such a captivating read that kept me up all night. Sarah J. Maas has definitely worked her magic again with this new series.

So that's my top 14 books of 2014! Let me know in the comments what your favourite books of 2014 were!