Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Top Ten Books I've Read So Far in 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish


It's been a while since I've done one of these, but I remember at the end of last year it was helpful to have a mid-year list of favorite books from a TTT, so I'm jumping onto the feature this week. Maybe this will jumpstart me into participating more regularly again. 

Top Ten (plus) Books I've read so far this year:


 I've been on a big historical and historical fantasy kick this year:

1) Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen - This is a sequel that far out shined the first book for me. LOVE this new perspective on Robin Hood. 

2) Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blakeman - Seeing Hitler's rise to power in the early 1930s completely freaked me out. This is historical fiction so well done it was frightening. 

3) Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick - Adding a fantasy element to the story of the Bolshevik revolution and end of Tsarist Russia somehow combined to create a story that was riveting and breathtaking. 


 Books I loved with contemporary settings:

4) Something Real by Heather Demetrios - I almost passed this book by because of the wacky reality show description, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts. And Patrick Sheldon! 

5) Rites of Passage by Joy Hensley - This is one of the only books I've read in a while that truly had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I was completely riveted to Sam's story and what it was like for a girl to enter a prestigious military academy. The author does not disappoint on the gory details. 


Favorite fantasy/dystopian/sci-fi books:

6) The Unbound by Victoria Schwab - I loved this sequel to The Archived. Mac grows up so much and Wesley stole me heart again. Plus Schwab's prose and imagery continue to blow me away. 

7) Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini - Sci-fi + Fantasy, witches in an alternate Salem, somehow worked great for me. This book hooked me from start to finish and I'm still thinking about the characters and world, some of which made me uncomfortable or still don't understand fully. It isn't a perfect story, but it's a book that is sticking with me weeks after I read it, which is always a sign of success for me. I cannot wait for more of this series to come. 

8) The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa - I've read several disappointing series conclusions this year, but this wasn't one of them. I love how Kagawa wraps up Ali's story. 


Non YA books that I've read and loved this year:

9) Archetype and Prototype by M.D. Waters - This series is extremely readable addicting, and makes you want to keep going so you can find out what is happening. If you haven't started it yet, wait until the second book releases next month so you can read them together. This is one that it's hard to discuss ahead of time, and it definitely surprised me in places. 

10) All Lined Up by Cora Carmack - This is best New Adult book I've read in a while. I dislike the cover, but I loved Dallas and Carson's story. 

11) The Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand - Chocolate, romance and Paris are a decadent combination. I'm glad I finally read this book. 


 I read four of my favorite 2014 books in 2013:

1) Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

2) Cress by Marissa Meyer

3) The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

4) Infinite by Jodi Meadows

I've actually felt like I've been in a bit of a reading rut this spring, so I'm hoping that I experience many 2014 favorites in the second half of the year!  After BEA I have a lot of promising choices. 

Tell me some of your favorite 2014 reads!

23 comments:

  1. Oh I am excited to see Something Real on your list! I also nearly dropped it - but then I'm so excited to have read it! I still can't wait to read Trial By Fire, but it's a good song it's on your list.

    I loved and adored " All Lined Up"! I liked her books before, but I think this one is even better!

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  2. Ohh. So many amazing books :D Sigh. I hope you will continue to read amazing books for the rest of this year. <3 I also really loved The Forever Song :D So good. Amazing list sweetie. <3 Thank you for sharing :) And ohh! Trial By Fire. Sniffs. I'm so excited to read it :) It makes me happy that you loved it. <3

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  3. Rites of Passage and Murder of Crows have to be my favorite titles fr this list that I've read this year. I have Archetype, Something Real, Tsarina, and Prisoner of Night and Fog on my list, so I should get to those soon, and I'm so glad you enjoyed Trial By Fire as it seems to be quite good. Most of my own Top Ten Books of the Year are older titles -- Storm of Swords, House of Sand and Secrets, etc. -- but the one book that released this year and I absolutely loved was What I Thought Was True. I have a feeling a lot of the truly amazing titles have yet to come -- Ruin & Rising, Isla, Blue Lily Lily Blue -- so the second half of this year promises to be even better than the first, I think. :)

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  4. I really want to read Something Real! The Winner's Curse I still have, but haven't read yet. Such a great list! :)

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  5. Speaking of historical fiction have you read In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters yet? If not, you need to ASAP and then we can discuss!

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  6. Loved Cinder and PoNaF! Looking forward to read the conclusion of both. Glad you enjoyed Trial by Fire, wasn't too sure about it as her other series didn't work for me. Will pick it up for sure now!

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  7. There are a few books on your list that were also favorites of mine, Lauren. I loved Prisoner of Night and Fog, Something Real, The Forever Song and Cress. I agree with your statement about series endings. Most of them have been rather disappointing this year, but Julie Kagawa knew how to wrap everything up so nicely.
    I'm excited to read Trial by Fire and yay for loving All Lined Up. I don't think I've seen you review many NA titles on your blog before. :)
    Thanks for sharing! Hopefully, you got some books at BEA that will also make your favorites list.

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  8. I loved Lady Thief, Something Real, and The Unbound (I really hope there end up being more in this series but it's probably not going to happen). My book club read Archetype and we really enjoyed it, it definitely gave us a lot to talk about. I'm definitely planning on reading Prototype. Great list! ~Pam

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  9. Lady Thief almost made my list, and The Unbound would have, had I actually read it in 2014. Seeing Trial By Fire on your list has me super-excited for that one...I'll have to move it up the pile some. :)

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  10. I've only read 1 book out of your incredible list, and thanks to you, it's CRESS! WOO!!! I adored it! Thanks a million, Lauren. <3

    I'm so glad you hold The Archived and the Blood of Eden series in such high regard, because those are series I'm hoping to start sometime later this year -- or knowing me, sometime next year (lol!). I'll definitely be reading The Winner's Curse this summer though! I have my copy and it's sitting here, just waiting for me! I never really considered Something Real before, but you, Jen, and Danielle stand behind it and picked it as one your faves this year, so, I think I HAVE to check it out!

    Oh and if I had to pick a few favorites of mine this year, out of the 16 I've read, it be: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe, The Bitter Kingdom, Cress, and Fangirl! :)

    Marlene @ The Flyleaf Review

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    1. Oh my gosh, I butchered the title. It's Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe!*

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  11. Ooh, Trial By Fire is that good?!? YAY! Now I can't wait to read it. I've read some great books in 2014 but, like you, A couple of my favorite-favorites were read in 2013 (but pubbed in 2014). A couple more books on this list I need to be on the lookout for!

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  12. I'm glad to hear you liked Trial by Fire! I've been curious about it, though didn't want to request it too soon. And I'm glad to see some of my own favourites here - The Winner's Curse, Something Real, PoNaF and Lady Thief. Great list, Lauren! :)

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  13. I love how you separated the books by category! Lots of great ones up there - Prisoner of Night and Fog, Cress, All Lined Up, Something Real, Written in Red. I'm super excited for Rites of Passage, and I promise to read The Winner's Curse SOON. :) I actually bought a physical copy of it yesterday, so it's currently sitting on my nightstand staring at me.

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  14. Definitely, definitely agree with Something Real! Prisoner of Night and Fog is going to be my next read, I think, so I'm excited to hear you really enjoyed that one! I'm planning on starting Schwab's Archived series and Kagawa's Immortal Rules series very soon as well. Glad you've had so many books you've enjoyed so far this year, Lauren!

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  15. This is basically a list of all the books I haven't read yet but need to read asap.

    I am so glad to see that Trial by Fire made it to this list though because it's definitely one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it's really encouraging to see that you enjoyed it soo much!

    Definitely excited to see Archetype and Prototype as well! I only heard about this series recently but I so want to get my grabby hands on it because it sounds like something I would love.

    I also need to read Written in Red and The Winners Curse but I have copies of both of them so that's a step forward right???

    Great List, Lauren!!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  16. Yay for Archetype, Prototype and The Chocolate Thief!! You know how much I loved those books, Lauren! :)

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  17. Can you believe I have't read any of these on your list!?? I am really looking forward to Archetype, Prototype, Cress and The Winner's Curse and Prisoner of Night and Fog. Hopefully, I'll enjoy them as much as you did! Fabulous list, Lauren! :D

    New Follower!

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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  18. SO EXCITED FOR TRIAL BY FIRE!!!!! I adore Josie's books and I cannot wait to dive into this new series. I picked up Rites of Passage at BEA this year and am so glad to know you loved it. It's definitely on my list to read soon. I still need to read Something Real, both you and Danny have raved about that one so I know I'm going to be a fan. And I must meet Patrick!

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  19. The Winner's Curse is at the top of mine. Murder of Crows is a very close second. I loved All Lined Up and anything Laura Florand writes - happy to see her on your list!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  20. Great list! It has definitely been a reading-rut-prone spring. I'm still playing catch-up on my Goodreads challenge. And gah! I need to read Murder of Crows now!

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  21. Ooo, you listed TRIAL BY FIRE! That makes me even more excited to start that one soon. Plus ARCHETYPE, too, I was just saying on another blog that I don't think I've seen a single negative review for the at book. Great picks, Lauren--hopefully the rest of the year is just as great!

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  22. Okay, I have to read SOMETHING REAL. I've been slacking. I got a finished copy the other week, sent along an ARC I never got to, and ahh! I'm doing it. I promise. I swear. :) I love how eclectic your list is here!

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