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.
Speaking of late to the Cinder party – I’ve only just started reading it! I hope I enjoy it as much as everyone else… there’s a lot of pressure!
I hope you enjoy it! For you, not for the crowds. I was reluctant to start with because I didn’t think I’d get on with a cyborg lead character for some reason, but I just found the whole idea so clever.
Great list. I love Neil Gaiman and I especially love his Sleeper and the Spindle. Really looking froward to reading Snow like Ashes and Stolen Songbird. Cruel Beauty is also on my TBR for early 2015. Going to follow you on Bloglovin and Twitter.
Thanks! I must admit though, that I have only read Sleeper and the Spindle and half of American Gods :S I got so confused, but I will try again soon, I hope. Would you recommend any of his other books? Something a little easier than American Gods?
The only Neil Gaiman I’ve read is stardust, but I hope that you enjoy the other books, I loved all three! Thank you for the follows ( :