Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books in 2014

By Rachel
Top Ten Tuesday Best Books in 2014 so far

Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far in 2014

It’s June! It’s Summer (in the Northern hemisphere)! It’s the mid-point of the year!! Really, why is time going by SO quickly?! According to my Goodreads I’ve read 30 books so far in 2014 including rereads (not too shabby), so below I give you my Top Ten from these 30 in the order I read them, with a favourite quote (or two).

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth:

Divergent Cover“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” 

“I might be in love with you.” He smiles a little. “I’m waiting until I’m sure to tell you, though.”

Why I loved it: A dystopian novel, action-packed and suspenseful with great world-building. Includes friendships, betrayal and a fascinating government and society, with a good old romance thrown in for good measure.

2. Room by Emma Donoghue:

Room Cover“In the world I notice persons are nearly always stressed and have no time… I don’t know how persons with jobs do the jobs and all the living as well… I guess the time gets spread very thin like butter all over the world, the roads and houses and playgrounds and stores, so there’s only a little smear of time on each place, then everyone has to hurry on to the next bit.”

Why I loved it: An intriguing story based on real-life events and narrated in a very unique way. A suspenseful contemporary crime/issues novel. You can read my full review here.

3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green:

TFIOS Cover“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”

“You are so busy being YOU that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are.”

Why I loved it: Brilliant characters going through very tough issues with humour and romance. A contemporary novel that seems very “real”, an emotional read. You can check out my full review here.

4. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion:

The Rosie Project Cover“But I’m not good at understanding what other people want.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ said Rosie for no obvious reason.
I quickly searched my mind for an interesting fact.
‘Ahhh… The testicles of drone bees and wasp spiders explode during sex.”

Why I loved it: A contemporary romance, very humorous and sweet. It’s both a positive and a negative that Don reminds me so much of Sheldon Cooper, you can read my full review here.

5. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman: 

Noughts and Crosses Cover“I pulled him closer to me, wrapping my arms around him, kissing him just as desperately as he was kissing me. Like if we could just love long enough and hard enough and deep enough, then the world outside would never, could never hurt us.”

“Noughts… Even the word was negative. Nothing. Nil. Zero. Nonentities. It wasn’t a name we’d chosen for ourselves. It was a name we’d been given.”

Why I loved it: A dystopian novel that is thought-provoking and emotional to read. A romance with a strong story and excellent world-building. An issues book that looks at society and stereotyping critically. Not to be missed. You can read my series overview here.

6. Boys Like You by Julianna Stone:

Boys Like You Cover“That was before I learned that my charmed life could bleed. That pain could become an everyday kind of thing, and that the thought of happiness was just a word that didn’t mean anything.”

“I’ve learned in my sixteen and a half years that there are things that will surprise you because you don’t see them coming. They can be hard, painful things, and it’s those ones that will live with you forever, bound to your soul in layers that grow thicker each year. Hopefully those layers will eventually dull the pain.”

Why I loved it: A contemporary romance that features some serious issues and character development through struggle. Sweet and swoony with just the right amount of steam for the summer. A meaningful read that gave me all the feels. Read my full 5/5 review here.

7. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire:

Beautiful Disaster Cover“To douchebags!” he said, gesturing to Brad. “And to girls that break your heart,” he bowed his head to me. His eyes lost focus. “And to the absolute fucking horror of losing your best friend because you were stupid enough to fall in love with her.” 

“I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about you at all. It was just you.”

Why I loved it: A contemporary and steamy whirlwind and often slightly crazy romance. A New Adult read about relationships, friendships and dealing with your past. You can check out my review here.

8. Minutes Before Sunset by Shannon A Thompson:

Minutes Before Sunset Cover“I was falling in love with her, and she was falling in love with me. It was fated, decided before any of us were born, and I hated it as much as I loved it. I could barely stand it.”

“Everything seemed so unreal—so supernatural—and I had to remind myself that is was. We weren’t human. We never were.”

Why I loved it: A very different paranormal/fantasy read where the Light are the bad guys and the Dark are the good guys. Fate, prophecy and secrets play a major role in this read, along with a good dose of action and romance. You can read my full review here, and my interview with the author here. Really looking forward to reading the next installment in the series!

9. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover:

Maybe Someday Cover“However, I’ve learned that the heart can’t be told when and who and how it should love. The heart does whatever the hell it wants to do. The only thing we can control is whether we give our lives and our minds the chance to catch up to our hearts.” 

“I failed miserably at trying not to fall in love with you… 

– I failed first.”

Why I loved it: A New Adult contemporary romance, with a few surprises and unexpected twists and turns. A mixed-media masterpiece with a bespoke soundtrack that takes the book to the next level. Inspires all the feels. Check out my full review here.

10. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare:

TMI City of Bones Cover“Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?’
-“Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself.”
“At least,” she said, “you don’t have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland.”
-“Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”

“Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds?”
“If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked.”

Why I loved it: The Shadowhunter world-building is phenomenal, the range of key characters are fantastic. Possibly my first Urban Fantasy. A reread in 2014 to prepare for Book 6 in the series. A paranormal and supernatural story featuring love, friendship, heartbreak, prejudice, action, fight-scenes, LGBT…

Do you agree with any of my choices (or strongly disagree)? What are your Top Reads of 2014 so far? Let me know in the comments!

About Rachel

Avid reader & #bookblogger. Lover of all things business. A fan of drinks & dancing. Ever optimistic. Feminist.

57 Responses

    1. Rachel

      I’ve already read the first five, but so much happens in them that I decided to reread before reading CoHF. It’s taking a while!! 🙂 When I’m done with them I’m going to get the infernal devices, the bane chronicles and apparently there is a new series that will follow on from TMI?? I can’t get enough of the Shadowhunter world and there’s plenty out there to read on it.

      Thanks for commenting 🙂 R x

      Like

    1. Rachel

      Hi Brandie. Definitely read Divergent and TFioS before seeing the movies!! I loved the Divergent series and TFioS was very good but the hype ruined it a little for me. R x

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      1. Brandie

        I totally get that. Hype surrounding a certain book always makes me hesitant to read it because I worry it’ll just be disappointing. I like to wait awhile until it all dies down. 🙂

        Like

  5. Brona

    There’s a lot of love out there for The Rosie Project 🙂
    Room was pretty amazing wasn’t? Such a roller-coaster ride!

    Like

    1. Rachel

      There is a lot of love for it! I’ve seen it mentioned quite a lot today. It was a good read, really enjoyable, but I really couldn’t get Mr Cooper from The Big Bang Theory out of my head while reading it. Room took me a little while to get into, it’s not often I have to try and follow a 5 year old’s logic – but it was such a good read! Thanks for commenting! 🙂

      Like

  9. Sophia

    I loved The Rosie Project so much! I think it’ll make a great film. Noughts and Crosses was one of my favourites when I was at school – I definitely need to re-read the series. I liked Divergent a lot but wasn’t keen on the follow ups.

    Like

    1. Rachel

      No not yet!!! And I really, really want to. Think I’ll maybe do a double session at the cinema this weekend, though with Divergent I’ve probably left it a little too long!! Thanks for commenting 🙂

      Like

    1. Rachel

      Hi Susan. Yes, I went through a slump and then realised I was being distracted from great books by mediocre books, so I try to choose a little more carefully to enjoy the reads as there’s so little time to read everything! The Noughts and Crosses series is brilliant, and you can pick up all 4 books and both novellas for around £20. R x

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  12. Elen @ A World of Reviews

    Huge yes to Noughts and Crosses – it’s an amazing book. I also totally agree with Divergent and The Fault in our Stars. Great list. 🙂

    Like

  13. Holly U

    Maybe Someday was SO GOOD! It almost made My TTT this week. Also, I approve of Divergent and Beautiful Disaster being on this list. Oh, and I must read Boys Like You sometime soon (I think it may even be at my local library). Great list, and thanks for stopping by my blog!! 🙂

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    1. Rachel

      Hi, thanks for commenting 🙂 Another Beautiful Disaster fan! I got my hands on Walking Disaster last month, the same story from Travis’ point of view and I’m excited to read it soon. Boys Like You was really good!! Let me know what you think if you read it! R x

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    1. Rachel

      Thanks for commenting! 🙂 Let me know what you think of the Noughts and Crosses series! They’re a personal favourite! The Rosie Project would make a great summer read – or I guess it could be read for MHAM?? R x

      Like

  15. Reviews from a Bookworm

    Brilliant list. Maybe Someday made my list too, such an amazing book and the soundtrack added so much to the reading experience. Divergent, TFIOS and Noughts & Crosses are three books I absolutely loved when I read them too. Some of the others are on my TBR list so happy to see them on here 🙂

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    1. Rachel

      Thanks, Charnell! Which ones are you planning on reading?? I’m about to start Heart Shaped Rock, another book with a soundtrack but a female lead. I was dubious because I’m pretty sure I’ll judge it against Maybe Someday, which I don’t know if it’s the original book to do mixed media in this way or not, but it’t the first one I’ve read. But I’m going to try it and see if it stands up! R x

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      2. Rachel

        I haven’t even looked at it yet! I don’t mind some country music though, so it could be interesting! I’m interested in a female perspective and trying more mixed media, I’ll have a review up by the end of the month 🙂

        Like

    1. Rachel

      I really enjoyed Divergent and I read them initially before all the opinions started so I wasn’t biased and try to remember that now. I would say book 1 is brilliant, book 2 is still good but is a bit more of a filler book and although there is a lot of mixed opinion on book 3 Allegiant, I have to say I really enjoyed it and its controversial twist!

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    1. Rachel

      I have an eARC of it that I was approved for on NetGalley. I’m going to ask the thing you’re not supposed to ask, but can you share eARCs the same way we can and do share physical ARCs??? Did you not think Don was Sheldon though? He’s SO Sheldon! 🙂

      Like

      2. Rachel

        Have you read the rest of the Divergent and TMI series?? Depending on what you thought of those books – I’d say you’d enjoy Noughts and Crosses, Minutes Before Sunset and Maybe Someday. The other books on the list are pretty non-offensive, they’re all enjoyable and I’ve yet to hear from someone who didn’t like them, maybe they didn’t LOVE them, but they liked them 🙂

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      3. bornbookish

        I finished the Divergent trilogy and really enjoyed them but haven’t read anymore of TMI. I’ll look more into Noughts and Crosses and Minutes Before Sunset 🙂 I’m not a NA fan so I doubt I’d read Maybe Someday.

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      4. Rachel

        TMI is soooo good. I’m in the middle of book 2, doing a reread before I finish the series. Noughts and Crosses is a brilliant read, dystopian but not at all supernatural or anything, it’s very realistic actually. Minutes Before Sunset was really enjoyable, and it’s a pretty quick read too. If you aren’t into NA because for a while it was all pretty much erotica I definitely understand, but Maybe Someday definitely changed my opinion of NA when it’s done well. Colleen Hoover is a certified genius – the soundtrack, the twists and surprises… if you ever decide to give NA a go Maybe Someday is a safe bet. It’s basically as very smart contemporary romance that would be YA only the protagonist it college aged – hence the NA genre label. I’ll shut up now, I’m book-pushing I know, I just loved it so much I’m pushing it on everyone! R x

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    1. Rachel

      Hi Christina, thanks for commenting 🙂 I definitely prefer book 1 over the rest of the series, but enjoyed them all. I’m on a dystopian binge at the minute!

      Like

  23. Raised A Reader

    I’ve read about half of the books on this list, and they were all wonderful, obsession making books. I’m going to take that to mean we have similar taste, and read the rest of the books on here!

    Like

    1. Rachel

      Sounds like a plan! I love finding bloggers with similar tastes so I can take recommendations from them and grow my ginormous TBR! I think it helps reduce DNFs and makes for more efficient reading time as you know someone has liked it or raved about it! R x

      Like

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