Top Ten Tuesday | Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Bookish. Lists galore, I can think of nothing better!

This week's theme is Top Ten Books I Read In 2014 and with 2014 being the year I really got into reading, I have read the most books this year that I ever have. Since I read so many great books, I have included series as one book.

1. The Anna and the French Kiss series by Stephanie Perkins

  

Isla and the Happily Ever After is a contender for my favourite book I read in 2014, which tells you quite how much I loved it. In case that doesn't, my review (coming this week) includes the word 'perfect' 9 times! I absolutely loved this series and I can't wait to read more from Stephanie Perkins. You can check out my reviews from Anna and Lola to find out my thoughts on the books individually.

2. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

I picked up Dark Places after Gone Girl had ended disappointed me so badly with it's ending and I needed to read something to redeem Gillian Flynn. I absolutely loved this book, despite how insanely messed up it was. I spent the whole book hoping that the ending was good so that I could say I loved it most definitely did not disappoint this time. I even want to read Sharp Objects now.

3. Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern

This book is up there with Isla as a contender for favourite book of 2014. I absolutely loved this book. It is one of those books that I just can't express my thoughts about it because I loved it so much. However, I do have a review if you would like a more structured, informative account of my thoughts on Where Rainbows End.

4. The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E Smith

I wanted to read this book for so long and when I eventually got around to it I was worried that I would have hyped it up so much in my head that I wouldn't like it. Thankfully, that did not happen and I really enjoyed this book. I loved the setting, anything that takes place in airports or on planes I really like so that aspect was perfect for me. The romance didn't disappoint either.

5. The Katie Parker Productions series by Jenny B Jones

  

This series was both my introduction to Jenny B Jones and my first venture into the world of Christian fiction. I was a bit worried about reading this series as although I am a Christian, I do not appreciate religion being shoved down a person's throat. I had my doubts that these types of novels were a bit like that but I was very pleasantly surprised. I loved this series and I appreciated the 'Christian' aspect of the novel being more subtle than I expected it to be. I am definitely interested in reading some more Christian fiction in future.

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I finally gave into the hype and picked up Divergent this year and I absolutely loved it. I would say this is another possibility for my favourite book of the year. I devoured this book and loved every second of it. I can't quite say the same for Insurgent but the first in the series is definitely a favourite of mine. I have a full review of this book here.

7. We Were Liars by E Lockhart

I was not expecting great things from this book but the vague synopsis intrigued me so I decided to give it a go. For the first half of the book I still wasn't sure but suddenly I fell in love and this book became really great. It was not at all what I expected it to be but I will agree with John Green when he describes this book as "unforgettable". I have a full review of We Were Liars here.

8. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Speaking of John Green, I was one of the many who read The Fault In Our Stars in 2014. I feel like it is not even necessary to say anything about this book as everyone knows about it. I, along with the majority of people, loved it.

9. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

I am probably the last one on this bandwagon but I finally started the Harry Potter series this year. Technically, my mum read the first two books to me as a child but this is the first time I have read it myself. It didn't quite have the impact I expected as I have seen the movie so many times that I knew what was happening but I still really enjoyed it.

10. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

This was technically a reread but I felt the need to include this in my top 10 as the second time reading this was the first time I really appreciated it for what it was. On the first read, I think I read it too fast and was too young to fully understand the important war aspects of the book and Katniss' struggle with PTSD. Reading it for the second time meant I could fully understand and appreciate what was happening and really loved it.

Those are my top ten books I read this year. What were your favourite books of 2014? What books would you suggest I pick up in 2015?

Sophie :)