Hello everyone! As it's the start of a new year I thought I'd look back on the books I read in 2014 and choose my favourite top ten. These books weren't necessarily released in 2014, but I did read them in 2014. I was lucky enough to read some fantastic books last year and these are ones I would definitely recommend.
10. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Actually just the whole Vampire Academy series in general! I marathoned this series straight after finishing university and it was just what I needed. I really needed a light read after having to finish complicated texts and writing dissertations, and that's just what I found. The concept of vampires in this series was so unique and different and the storyline was incredibly addictive. It took me about five days to get through the whole series and I really loved it. The characters were well developed and the twists kept me reading. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to read a pretty unique set of vampire books.
9. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
Again, I'd love to say the Game of Thrones series as a whole since I read them all this year, but this book definitely stood out. So many plot twists and such an intricate storyline. Martin knows how to write an amazing high fantasy novel with such incredible characters. I don't know how much more I can say about how good these books are. Just read them. Really, they're amazing. If you watch the TV show then you need to read the books. Don't be intimidated by their size, despite being very long novels they're really easy to read and very captivating.
Again, I'd love to say the Game of Thrones series as a whole since I read them all this year, but this book definitely stood out. So many plot twists and such an intricate storyline. Martin knows how to write an amazing high fantasy novel with such incredible characters. I don't know how much more I can say about how good these books are. Just read them. Really, they're amazing. If you watch the TV show then you need to read the books. Don't be intimidated by their size, despite being very long novels they're really easy to read and very captivating.
8. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
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This is a fantasy like no other I've read before, and I've read a lot of fantasy. It is an extremely meta book which parodies fantasy without making fun of it. It's incredibly witty with the most well developed characters I think I've ever read. The novels follow the life of a young man named Kvothe, who tells his life story to the Chronicler, starting from his childhood and up to his adult life. It's full of mystery, action and adventure and I'd recommend this to absolutely anyone who enjoys fantasy novels.
7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
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I have never read such a hauntingly beautiful tale than when I read this book. The story takes place in a mysterious circus which turns out to be the playing field for a competition between two magicians. The writing in this novel was incredibly beautiful and it painted such a vivid picture in the mind that there was no doubt as to what Erin Morgenstern was describing. The Victorian undertones suited this book so perfectly, as do the simple colours which say everything. I won't say any more but this beautiful book is something I would recommend to absolutely anyone.
I have never read such a hauntingly beautiful tale than when I read this book. The story takes place in a mysterious circus which turns out to be the playing field for a competition between two magicians. The writing in this novel was incredibly beautiful and it painted such a vivid picture in the mind that there was no doubt as to what Erin Morgenstern was describing. The Victorian undertones suited this book so perfectly, as do the simple colours which say everything. I won't say any more but this beautiful book is something I would recommend to absolutely anyone.
6. The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
The Assassin's Blade is a set of prequel novellas to the Throne of Glass series. The Throne of Glass series in itself is such an incredible set of fantasy books but I'll talk about them in a bit. The reason this set of novellas is on my list is because I've never ever been so affected by short prequel stories in my life before this. Even though I knew for certain what would happen in these books, having been made aware in the Throne of Glass books, I was still in shock at the end of the book. This genuinely left me a weeping mess as I felt so emotionally connected to characters I barely knew. This book and her ability to write such characters filled with depth shows how amazing a writer Sarah J. Maas is. I would suggest reading the Throne of Glass series for this book alone.
5. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
...Aaand here we are on The Throne of Glass series. This book is the third and most recent in the series and, in my opinion, the best yet. I won't say too much as it is in the middle of the series and I don't want to spoil anything. The character development in this book is immense and it introduces new characters which I absolutely adore. It also introduces new elements which weren't in the other books which I love so much. I won't say much else but this series is incredible.
4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
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Fangirl is an amazing contemporary novel which exhibits so many of the issues young adults have to go through. Not only does it explore these issues so thoroughly but it is also an incredibly geeky and fun book to read. I won't go into too much detail as I already have a written review on this which I'll leave a link to here if you want to read it!
Fangirl is an amazing contemporary novel which exhibits so many of the issues young adults have to go through. Not only does it explore these issues so thoroughly but it is also an incredibly geeky and fun book to read. I won't go into too much detail as I already have a written review on this which I'll leave a link to here if you want to read it!
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This book follows a young girl in Nazi Germany during the Second World War and her story. I have never before read a novel with so much power, often using only a few words. Zusak’s perfect use of language can only be described as musical. His words are beautifully interwoven with the pages leaving a lasting effect on any reader.
The novel has a beautiful array of characters and imagery and it becomes so easy to believe you are right there. The perspective of death is so unique and means the reader is able to see the human race and the war in a different perspective. Hans Hubermann is such a lovely kind human being and I grew to love him as he was such a loyal character. Flawed but kind and loving. There is so much fear, trauma and hardship, yet impenetrable friendships and connections remain throughout the book. The ending of the book is heartbreaking and draining but beautiful and true. I have to say I was unable to read anything for several days after I read this because it was so powerful and stayed with me for so long.
The novel has a beautiful array of characters and imagery and it becomes so easy to believe you are right there. The perspective of death is so unique and means the reader is able to see the human race and the war in a different perspective. Hans Hubermann is such a lovely kind human being and I grew to love him as he was such a loyal character. Flawed but kind and loving. There is so much fear, trauma and hardship, yet impenetrable friendships and connections remain throughout the book. The ending of the book is heartbreaking and draining but beautiful and true. I have to say I was unable to read anything for several days after I read this because it was so powerful and stayed with me for so long.
2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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Ahhh. This book. This book. This book is just full of nostalgia. It is chock full of 80s references, in particular video games. If you're into video games and/or grew up in the 80s and/or any type of geek, you will adore this book as much as I did. This science fiction book is set only a few decades in the future, in a pretty much dystopian world where people escape reality through a virtual console called Oasis. People go to school through it, socialise on it and game on it. The creator of Oasis left easter eggs throughout this virtual world and, if found, they lead straight to his fortune. The story follows a young boy who is hooked on finding these easter eggs and studies 80s culture in order to do so. This book is just incredibly clever, witty and full of likeable characters. It's the most incredible science fiction book I've ever read. I can't explain how much I love this book. I read it in a single day and it's just so addictive. Just read it. Everyone should read it. Immediately after finishing this book I wanted to pick it up again, it is spectacular.
1. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
I'm not sure I can even explain how much this book affected me. I had to study this book for university and I had been recommended it previously. This is probably the best book I ever studied. I don't want to describe the plot too much as it would spoil the book but I will say that it should probably only be read by mature readers as it contains heavy violence and mature topics.
It debates the main question of nature v. nurture and it follows the story of a child who does something atrocious. It explored so many themes associated with violence in America and it was incredibly powerful. I was stunned by the writing in this book and the psychological questions it raised. This book stuck to me so much and I couldn't think about anything else for days. I don't think I can explain this fully without giving away the plot and I would just suggest reading it. There is also a film of this book and its lack of dialogue probably makes it one of the most powerful film adaptations I've ever seen; it portrays the book extremely well in this way.
It debates the main question of nature v. nurture and it follows the story of a child who does something atrocious. It explored so many themes associated with violence in America and it was incredibly powerful. I was stunned by the writing in this book and the psychological questions it raised. This book stuck to me so much and I couldn't think about anything else for days. I don't think I can explain this fully without giving away the plot and I would just suggest reading it. There is also a film of this book and its lack of dialogue probably makes it one of the most powerful film adaptations I've ever seen; it portrays the book extremely well in this way.
Reading Goals 2015
This year I'm hoping to read at least 100 books and I also want to do the 2015 Reading Challenge which is going around. You may have seen it already but I've posted it below if you haven't. The original link is here: http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2015-36071458
It sounds really fun and interesting; adding a bit more of a challenge to my TBR this year! I'm very excited for this year!
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