Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that other bloggers are welcome to join in, to create Top Ten lists on varying topics. Today it’s top Ten Books of 2014

Paein

I’ve actually not read as many new releases as I’d thought. I’ve tried to pick books I’ve not continuously banged on about, but when a book is one your favourites, it’s going to crop up in all your top ten lists.

1 Nearly Gone

by Elle Cosimano

This one is a little out of the usual genres I read but I loved it. A YA mystery, it was certainly a page turner. And to be honest I don’t remember whodunnit so I can read it again!

2 Snow Like Ashes

by Sara Raasch

I really enjoyed this one and I’m really interested in seeing where it goes next. It fits in nicely with my favourite genre but it was different enough not to be boring. I hope it continues in the same vein and doesn’t skip over to stereotypical themes.

3 Cruel Beauty

by Rosamund Hodge

Seems like I read this years ago now! But considering it wasn’t published to the start of this one, I’m clearly wrong. I found this a thoroughly interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast story and I can’t tell you why without giving it away. She’s not your typical ‘beauty’ but it’s not cheesy, or over done. She’s frank and in touch with who she is and it’s perfect.

4 The Shadow Throne

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This was the epic conclusion of one of my all time favourite series. I delayed reading it because I didnt want it to be over and because I was convinced it couldnt be as good as the first. While the first will always be the best, it certainly lived up to the rest of the series and I look forward to reading it again some time.

5 Cress

by Marissa Meyer

I came late to the Cinder party, but boy was I glad I joined in! I read this pretty quickly. I never thought I’d like a book about a cyborg, but I did. I love how it’s all one story, but at the same time it’s got the sub story lines going on too and I can’t wait for the next one!

 

Ms4Tune

6  Dreams of Gods and Monsters

by Laini Taylor

I love Laini Taylor’s writing and I adored this series. I was really happy with the conclusion even though we did lose some amazing characters on the way. I would definitely recommend them.

7 Stolen Songbird

by Danielle L Jensen

This was a page-turner of a fantasy. I couldn’t put it down and so it definitely deserves its place on this top ten list of books of 2014.

8 Every Ugly Word

by Aimee Salter

Such a beautiful, heartbreaking tale of bullying. It had me crying, and seething, and cheering all the way through. Although technically released at the end of 2013 I read it this year and want to broadcast this amazing-ness everywhere!

9 Of Metal and Wishes

by Sarah Fine

I love a good retelling and I must say I have never read a retelling of the Phantom of the Opera. I have to say this was brilliant, it was poignant and wistful and so eerily beautiful. Sarah Fine has excelled herself here.

10 The Sleeper and the Spindle

by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell

 

  Neil Gaiman has the most amazing style of writing and when applied to fairytales you have to admit, the guy is a genius! This was the best version of sleeping beauty I’ve read in ages. It was dark and sinister, just like the Grimm fairytales and held no reminisce of the gooey lovey-dovey disney version. I also liked the twists he had added to make it unique. All of this was accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by Chris Riddell.