Some people celebrate the new year with parties, good food, and dancing. That’s fun, but I also like to look back at all the books I’ve read during the past year. Whoa, did I really read that many? (Sorry, I only posted reviews on the ones I enjoyed most.) 2014 has been a very good year for reading, with lots of amazing books by both new and established authors. I tried to pick just ten, but I couldn’t. Here are my top twenty favorites of 2014 (not in any particular order):
1. Mile 21 – Sarah Dunster (Women’s contemporary fiction)
2. Flora and Ulysses – Kate DiCamillo (Chrildren’s)
3. The Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo (Children’s)
4. The Alloy of Law – Brandon Sandersen (Fantasy)
5. Dogsbody – Diane Wynne Jones (YA Fantasy)
6. The Wee Free Men – Terry Pratchett (Middle Grade Fantasy)
7. Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy – L.A. Meyer (YA Adventure)
8. Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady – L.A. Meyer (YA Adventure)
9. Black Ice – Becca Fitzpatrick (Romantic Thriller)
10. Choices of the Heart – Laurie Alice Eakes (Historical Romance)
11. Eleanor – Johnny Worthen (YA Fantasy)
12. Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems – Cesar Millan (Nonfiction)
13. Cress – Marissa Meyer – (YA Fantasy)
14. The Humming Room – Ellen Potter – (Middle Grade Contemporary)
15. Drops of Gold – Sarah M. Eden – (Regency Romance)
16. The Rithmatist – Brandon Sandersen (YA Fantasy)
17. Shadows – Robin McKinley (YA Fantasy)
18. On the Fence – Kasie West (YA Contemporary Romance)
19. The Distance Between Us – Kasie West (YA Contemporary Romance)
20. A Hat Full of Sky – Terry Pratchett (Middle Grade Fantasy)
I recommend all these books, and I hope you enjoy them. Happy New Year. And now, Rocky wants a walk!
Carol Nicolas 