The New Year is upon us, which means that it is time to take a look back at all of the things I read in 2014 (I read 100 things, holy balls!) I read quite a few awesome things, but I also read a lot of meh things. However, this was the year that I discovered the wonderful writing of Brandon Sanderson and Nora Roberts, both of which have works on this list :) This list going to contain 10-ish things, all series, if mentioned, are going to be counted for one single spot, and I am including graphics novels/comics. So let's get crackin'!
*As always, if you want to find out more on any of these books, just click the image to be taken to the Goodreads page :)*
The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts
If at the end of 2013 someone had told me that I would be reading and loving Nora Roberts books in 2014, I would have thought they were lying. I have never been a fan of romance novels, and my only exposure to them for the longest time has been the silly Harlequin novels with Fabio on the cover. Now, Nora Roberts may write romance, but damn, she does it well, and I think this trilogy is so far her best of what I've read. The romances for all of the characters is wonderful, but also the plot of the keys and the friendship between these three women is just wonderfully done. I was thoroughly surprised!
Fables by Bill Willingham
There isn't much to say about this one. I've read the first 10 volumes and am incredibly invested, simply because, I LOVE fairy-tales and retellings. So it's a given that I love this series!
Watchmen by Alan Moore
The thing about this graphic novel is that I don't particularly like the plot all that much, and I dislike practically all of the characters. But the messages it portrays and the way the art is constructed just blew me away. There were moments in this graphic novel where I felt like I was watching a film with masterful cinematography, and I have to say that a graphic novel or comic is truly impressive if it can achieve that.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
This was hands down the great graphic novel I read all year. I didn't really know much about it when I picked it up other than that it tells three separate stories that all come together in the end, and oh boy! do they ever! I love the way that these stories were weaved together and how they weren't actually as separate as the reader originally believes. I also think this book gave me a look at a perspective I'd never seen from before, and I am definitely excited to pick up more things from Gene Luen Yang.
Ready Player One By Ernest Cline
You can read my review of this book here. But if you don't want to read my full review, then just now that this book is full of gaming and 80's pop culture references and it is perfection. And also a fresh new take on dystopians!
Cress by Marissa Meyer
This is by far the best book so far in The Lunar Chronicles, and the book that really made me realize how utterly obsessed I was with this series. The books just continually get better, and I cannot wait for Fairest and Winter!
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
Read my gushy review here. Mistborn was my introduction to Brandon Sanderson, But I didn't fall in love with his story telling until I read Elantris, and I now firmly believe that this book is the best place to start with his writing. It is not by any means his best work, but it will always hold a special place in my heart and I enjoyed it immensely.
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
Again, my review can be found here. A fairy-tale book that doesn't really retell any one fairy-tale, but rather has that Grimm feel about it, along with taking small things from different Grimm tales, with the added bonus of a story about loss, grief, and the overall story of a boy growing up. Just beautiful.
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
I absolutely adored this book, and it would definitely be in the number one spot if not for the brilliant mind of Brandon Sanderson. This was my first Julier Marillier book and it will most certainly not be my last (I am actually currently in the middle of Daughter of the Forest). I loved everything about this book, the characters, the plot, the setting, Oh, the setting! How could anything feel more magical than 16th century Transylvania?! But I digress, this is a tale on it's own, and though it is definitely inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses as well as The Frog Prince, I feel that this is truly Marillier's own.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
I have no eloquent way of describing why or how this book series is so beautiful, so please just read it. It's the greatest thing I've ever read.
This is by far the best book so far in The Lunar Chronicles, and the book that really made me realize how utterly obsessed I was with this series. The books just continually get better, and I cannot wait for Fairest and Winter!
Read my gushy review here. Mistborn was my introduction to Brandon Sanderson, But I didn't fall in love with his story telling until I read Elantris, and I now firmly believe that this book is the best place to start with his writing. It is not by any means his best work, but it will always hold a special place in my heart and I enjoyed it immensely.
Again, my review can be found here. A fairy-tale book that doesn't really retell any one fairy-tale, but rather has that Grimm feel about it, along with taking small things from different Grimm tales, with the added bonus of a story about loss, grief, and the overall story of a boy growing up. Just beautiful.
I absolutely adored this book, and it would definitely be in the number one spot if not for the brilliant mind of Brandon Sanderson. This was my first Julier Marillier book and it will most certainly not be my last (I am actually currently in the middle of Daughter of the Forest). I loved everything about this book, the characters, the plot, the setting, Oh, the setting! How could anything feel more magical than 16th century Transylvania?! But I digress, this is a tale on it's own, and though it is definitely inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses as well as The Frog Prince, I feel that this is truly Marillier's own.
I have no eloquent way of describing why or how this book series is so beautiful, so please just read it. It's the greatest thing I've ever read.
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