We're officially half-way through 2014! Woo-hoo! Around this time, I always love seeing what the round-up is of some of the best books readers have discovered. Usually, I find that it's a challenge for me to reciprocate but--and I don't know if I'm just being unusually picky this year--but I only have twelve favorite novels so far (and this is out of the 195 books I've read so far this year!) so I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to share them with you all. As always, pictures link to GoodReads and titles link to my reviews. :)
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A Storm of Swords is easily the best, most jaw-dropping and brilliant political fantasy novel ever. I still can't think of very many more words to describe it as, months later, I'm still speechless and reeling from the aftermath of this novel. So, so good.
House of Sand and Secrets was a pleasant surprise, admittedly. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but I fell hard. Eagerly looking forward to anything this author decides to publish next (including her grocery lists--gimme!).
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Forsyth's The Wild Girl is still the only novel I've read of hers but this story is so very compelling and mesmerized me from the first page. I loooove it.
Troubled Waters I read before Mystic & Rider and while our love story wasn't nearly so immediate, the pay off was worth it. Despite a few lagging areas, I devoured this story and the complex characterization still keeps me awake, just analyzing it.
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The Caged Graves is one of the few YA historical fiction titles I've read this year, but it truly impressed. It made me a fan for sure, at any rate.
The Laurentine Spy is a novel I've had sitting on my review-to-come shelf for aaaaaaaages! I loved it so much, readers, and I can't articulate that into words. It had its flaws, I'll be the first to admit, but a tale of spies, fantasy, magic, and forbidden love? It was practically written for me. I've read it twice this year and each time was better than the last. I just can't get enough of it. Ugh, so much love.
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A Clash of Kings is nowhere near as good as A Storm of Swords but it's still a paragon of near-perfection and, compared to the other titles I've picked up this year, a distinct favorite.
Nearly a Lady might be one of the first historical romance titles to reach my favorites shelf but, seriously, I had a love affair with this book. It's so different from your typical historical romance tale and the sheer joy of reading this made me sink into my chair and never want to stop flipping these pages. It's romantic, of course, but more than that it's sweet and deep and lovely. Just look past the purple cover and give it a try--you'll fall in love.
Of course, I've been reading plenty of fantastic novels this year, having discovered Courtney Milan and sped through Jenn Bennett's work and relying on previously discovered authors such as Kristan Higgins, Ruthie Knox, Sherry Thomas, Anne Bishop, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sarah Addison Allen, Mary Ann Rivers, Laini Taylor, Karina Halle, Jaclyn Moriarty and Laura Florand to keep me satisfied in the book department, but these are truly the best of what I've been reading this past year.
What are some of your favorite reads of the year so far? Or, better yet, what are some books you're hoping to get to in the latter half of the year?
What are some of your favorite reads of the year so far? Or, better yet, what are some books you're hoping to get to in the latter half of the year?
Ooh, I will have to bookmark this post so I can get back to these awesome titles for later referencing. I love it when bloggers post their favorites of the year (so far)! Makes me see what I've been missing and what I should check out.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I agree so much with Dangerous Girls. That one seriously set the bar high for psychological thrillers.
Faye at The Social Potato
You've read 195 books so far.
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ZOMG THAT'S A LOT OF BOOKS FOR SIX MONTHS AND SIMPLY AMAZING KEERTANA. My expression when I read it is totally gif-worthy haha. It's nearly impossible to put only twelve books into the-best list. :D
Unfortunately I haven't read any of the book you mentioned! *sad face* I'm very excited for What I Thought Was True and More Like Her though - they sound amazing! I can't wait to watch them. Gee, I really need to read a book from George R. R. Martin! I'll make sure to get a copy ASAP! x)
Awesome list, hun! :)
You've read 195 books? Wow. I haven't started with A Song of Ice and Fire series yet, but I'm a huge fan of the TV adaptation. One of the biggest reasons why I haven't started yet (although the series is currently collecting dusts on my shelves) is I want the element of surprise while watching. :D
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I haven't really read any books on your list so I can't fangirl with you, but I'm definitely looking forward to getting a copy of all of them in the near future.
Awesome :D
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to try Shinn one day
I'm sad to say that I haven't read any. Yep that's true, but I have a Sharon Shinn somewhere, I should try!
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out some of the titles that you've mentioned on Goodreads as I've never heard of them. I haven't read What I Thought Was True yet, but since you thought it was better than My Life Next Door (which I loved), I'm going to bump it up in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteSome books I've really enjoyed this year include Cress, Dreams of Gods and Monsters, Since You've Been Gone. I also loved Free to Fall and Liesl & Po, books I've read recently. As for something I'm really looking forward to off the top of my head, that would be Mortal Heart.
Yes Dangerous Girls! That book was absolutely amazing and I adored every second of it. The ending...just MIND BLOWNNN.
ReplyDeleteLovely list there! <33
OMG. I HATED Dangerous Girls! (Don't you just love when books garner varied passionate responses?) But I'm in love with George R.R. Martin's series. That man needs to get a move on with the rest of those books.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a few other bloggers put a list together as well and I love seeing what has made it on their lists. Looks like some of these I need to try!
ReplyDeleteI have already added The Wild Girl and Troubled Waters on my to-read list after your reviews so I'll just go and add Dangerous Girls too :) I'm so glad you enjoyed What I Though Was True, as I couldn't enjoy it at all. Great post, Keertana :)
ReplyDeleteThe only book I've read on this list is Dangerous Girls...which was absolutely FANTASTIC! So glad to hear you liked it too! <3 I'll definitely have to give some of these a try because we usually have similar tastes in books, and if you absolutely loved these, there's probably a good chance I will as well! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! <3
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
195 books...my mind is blown. I cannot imagine reading that many books in the course of a single year, much less in half a year's time. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad to see some love for Mystic and Rider and the ASOIAF series. Most of your other picks I'm definitely planning on reading soon, especially more Shinn and Palmer and Dangerous Girls and The Caged Graves.
I definitely enjoy reading these sorts of posts...I'll have to keep this in mind for next year. :)
Woah, you've read so many books already!!! I really loved Dangerous Girls too. I can't wait to see what Dangerous Boys is all about.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I had to bookmark this and come back -- I also tabbed my library site and tried to reserve a bunch (most I have not read) but they only had a few (hate that!)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you mentioned that about the huntley fitzpatrick because i didnt really like the first and therefore was completely uninterested in the 2nd -- but now I've reserved it and am looking forward to it :)
I have More Like Her on my kindle but didn't love another of Liza Palmers (that was appearing on all the best-of-2013 lists -- so I've been unmotivated to try -- but it's now bumped up t my def will read (as opposed to site there for a couple of years, haha)
I've not had many standout reads myself this year (sadly) -- even the books I've marked as faves so far on my GR shelf are not in the all-time faves category. I am hanging out for finding some absolute fave reads in the end half of the year.
but my fave so far is the 2nd book in jaclyn moriarty's colours of Madeleine series. i love her <3
Thank you for this post! I love seeing your favorites. I don't think anything could induce me to read Game of Thrones. Though it does seem to be completely addicting, I need more redeemable characters who stay a live. I completely agree about House of Sand and Secrets, and I need to get a hold of that Sharon Shinn book. A book you fell hard for is one I musth check out. I have Dangerous Girls on my list and I will read The Wild Girl when I get my hands on it eventually. You need to review The Laurentine Spy so I can know all about it!!
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