Top 10 of '14

Whoa! 2014 is almost over. This has been a crazy year for me and it's gone by super fast. Ups and downs, I still think it's been a good year. But, we're focusing on my FAVORITE books this year aren't we? Well, let me start by saying this, I read 50 books in 2014. Some people may think that's not a whole lot, but that's a little under a book a week. I'm very happy about that. So without further a due, here are my top ten favorite books of this year. Keep in mind I'm saying these are my favorite books I've read this year. That doesn't mean they were all published this year.

#10: Cress by Marissa Meyer 
This book was so good you guys. This entire series is so good. I read them all this year but this was probably my favorite. I thought I wouldn't like the whole cyborg thing because I just don't read that much sci-fi, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of this series. I love that characters and the way they interact with each other. It's really just great. The fairy tale aspect was awesome. I love the futuristic twist that was put on it. Everyone would enjoy this series. Seriously. Go read it. Now.

#9: If I Should Die by Amy Plum
So this is the conclusion to the Revenants series, the first book being Die For Me which I have reviewed. Now obviously, I can't say too much about this book without spoiling anything, but I will say it was my favorite out of the series, which again, I started this year. It features a whole new paranormal creature that I find super interesting. It's an addictive series. I finished each book within two days. Another book you guys should go read.

#8: The Fault in Out Stars by John Green
I know, I know! Why is it only number eight? Well, let me start off by saying I did enjoy this book. I found it to be thought provoking and insightful, but I guess it just didn't click with me the way it did with most other people. Nevertheless, it is amazing and everyone should read it. Everyone has read it. I think that's one reason it isn't higher up. When the movie came out this year, it was EVERYWHERE. I loved the book but that doesn't mean I want to see the trailer everyday, five times a day, or that I want to hear about it at school, or see it quoted on everyone's Instagram. Mini rant over, moving on.

#7: The Giver by Louis Lowry
This book was absolutely amazing. I loved everything about it and thought it was pure genius. I took the disadvantages of being a book and turned it into a strength. I truly felt the way the characters did in every scene. I felt curiosity, fear, worry, and betrayal. It is a dystopian book but it by far the most original and unique dystopian book I've read. It was really short, but all of the meaning was still there. It was just an amazing well written book that everyone should read.

#6: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
This is probably the most entertaining book I've read in a long time. I adored so much about this book, most notably the characters and their relationships with each other. It is a little darker than what I'm used to but if you go into it knowing that it's kind of dark but absolutely hilarious, I think you will really like this book. The paranormal aspects of it weren't over done or anything and even the paranormal creatures were very human-like, which I always appreciate.

#5: A Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel
This book was really meaningful to me. It's very unique and stands out to me for a couple of reasons. One being that it's super short but super impactful. I was not expecting this book to have such a strong effect on me. Another thing is that it isn't told in a traditional way. It's told excursively through notes, e-mails, diary entries, etc. It's not well known but it should be. This book was amazing and full of insight. I loved it.

#4: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
This is officially my favorite book of all time. Just everything about it was perfect. The writing, the plot, the meaning, everything. I read this book while I was studying World War II in history so it was the best time to read it because I already knew the background and had a better understanding of the time period. It made me feel everything, happy, sad, hopeful, lost, you name it, I felt it. So beautiful.

#3: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
So you may be wondering why The Book Thief isn't higher up on my list if it's my favorite book of all time. The answer is that it's my favorite stand alone book. When people ask what's my favorite book, I don't think of series. But in my top 10 of 14 count down, I do. I've been reading this series for years and this was such an amazing ending to it. The things we learn were just mind blowing and it absolutely left me thinking for days. Even now, I think what if...? It's great but also mind wracking.

#2: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I know! Why am I just now reading it and why is it not number one? Well, I'll explain why I didn't read it until now on the About Me tab so you can go check that out, but there was something more sentimental in the number one spot. That aside, this book was mind blowing. We finally get all the answers and the truth. And death. Don't forget about death. But, ugh, everything about this book was perfect. I'm so sad the series is over but it is possibly the best ending for a series I've read. I could go on for hours about this book but I won't. All you need to know is that it was perfect and mind blowing.

Honorable Mentions
There are just a few books that didn't make this list but I had to include them some where. One being Divergent by Veronica Roth. I did read the entire series this year, but I think the first was my favorite. I also have to mention Champion by Marie Lu which was another impressive ending to another series. It wasn't perfect, but I still enjoyed it.

#1: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
I know some people may not agree with me but the two Percy Jackson based series are my favorite of all time because I've been reading them the longest. And seeing these characters that I've loved for so long come to their own was so emotional. I did not want this series to end. It really hit me hard letting go of these characters but I thought it was an amazing book. Yes, I do think that the ending could have had more detail, but it is still a great ending to my favorite series. I completely agree with all of the decisions that Riordan made in this book and loved every bit of it.