2014 Top Ten Favorite Reads

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Happy New Year's Eve! 

Wow! Where has this year gone? It flew by way too fast.

What an incredibly awesome year it's been. There are so many wonderful things I was able to do this year. Some of my highlights from this year include moderating various author signings, interviewing many amazing authors, being quoted / acknowledged in books, meeting new blogger friends, going to BEA, and being able to continue to do what I love, which is being cheerleader for books. 

This year was a huge year for books. 

There were a ton of awesome releases this year. A lot of my favorite series came to an end *sniffles*. Some of which I still haven't read the last book in, because if I don't read the last book in the series, that means the series doesn't end. At least in my mind it works that way.... With the end of some series, there were beginnings for others. Authors blew me away this year with their stories, and the characters I got to know. This year I also found myself falling in love with some incredibly written debut books. 

With all the books I loved reading, there are so many books I didn't get to read in 2014. I just need one more week this year so I can catch up. Out of all the years I've been blogging, (almost 6), this is first year I almost didn't hit my reading challenge. It's also the lowest amount of books I've read in long time. Just over 150. Life got crazy this year, which I won't go into details here with why or anything, but life got in the way of my reading. HAHA. It's embarrassing to look at the amount of books I didn't get to read. There are so many books I wanted to read this year, both YA and MG. That just means I've got a ton of books to read them in 2015. 

Speaking of 2015, have you seen all the awesome books scheduled to hit shelves in the new year? There are a ton. I can not wait for all the new releases. Before I get overly excited for those new books, I'd love to share which books made our top ten list this year. If you've followed Mundie Moms for awhile now, you know we do a top ten list at the end of each year, but I can't ever do a top ten list, so here's my top 14 list. 

These were the books that made us sigh, laugh, fall in love, fan our selves, took on us adventures, made us wish we were teens again (okay maybe for just a moment), and constantly reminded us why we love reading and promoting books. These books made us wish we could crawl inside of them, and that the characters we were reading about were real. Each author's book made us fall in love with reading all over again. 

My (Katie's) Top 14 Favorite Reads of 2014

I'm going to admit something I'm seriously embarrassed to admit. City of Heavenly Fire is not on my list, because I have failed as a TMI fan, and still have not finished it. I started it, but like I do with all my favorite series that come to an end, I wait to read the last book, because if I don't read the last book, then the series doesn't end. I didn't finish in time for the end of this year, but it will be read and featured on the blog within the next few days. 

1) Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes
1) Heir of Fire by Sara J. Maas

I don't even know what to say about these two books, other than they are EPIC!!! I absolutely loved these two books, and it's no surprise they both tied for my all time favorite reads of 2014. I can not get enough of their of these series. 

2) White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
 Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I have a weakness, and it's Jennifer Armentrout's books. Who would have though gargoyles and demons could be so hot?! I know, silly me. Jennifer can make anything hot. Look at how hot she made aliens... just saying. She could write about anything, and I'd read it. Both White Hot Kiss and Stone Cold Touch tied for second place. 

3) The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson 

This debut was so beautifully written. If you're fantasy reader, this one is one you'll want to pick up. I loved it.  I'm looking forward to reading it's sequel in 2015. 

4) Illusions of Fate by Kirsten White

I think this might be Kirsten's best book yet. It's definitely my favorite of hers. It was so well written. I want to frame the book's cover in my library. 

5) Talon by Julie Kagawa

Hello Dragons! I loved Julie's Fae world, but I think when it comes to writing dragons, Julie and dragons are a match made in YA heaven. I can not wait to get my hands on this sequel in 2015. 

6) Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Two words - IGNITE. ME. Okay, wait, I need to add in one more word, WARNER. That's all I need to say about this book.

7) Isla and The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Stephanie Perkins made me love contemporary books. The word contemporary used to be a word that  I would run from, but not after reading Stephanie Perkins books. This one is one of my favorite Stephanie Perkins books. Who am I kidding, I love all her books.

8) On The Fence by Kasie West 

I know, two contemps are on my list! It's shocking. I'm not a huge contempt fan, but I've started reading more contemps, and surprisingly I've liked a lot of them. But this is one I loved. Holy awesomeness, I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved it! Romance, sports, and the boy next door. This was my kind of book. I'm looking forward to reading more of Kasie's books in 2015. 

9) Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

This book is such a beautiful debut! I could not get enough of it. Thankfully there is a sequel coming out in 2015 that I've already pre-ordered, because this book was that good! Yes, you have to read it!

10) Compulsion by Martina Boone

This is another awesome debut book that left me in awe after reading it. I am going to be shocked if this book doesn't win some kind of award or nominee. If Martina Boone isn't already on your book radar, she needs to be. I can't wait for this sequel to hit shelves. 

11) Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

This is one of the series that I'm sad had to come to an end. This is such a great series with some wonderful characters I've loved getting to know. I'm looking forward to reading Robin's next YA book. 

12) Defy by Sara B. Larson / Ignite by Sara B. Larson 

I think debut authors are taking over my list, as this is another awesome debut author, who's two books are ones I'd definitely recommend picking up. The third book will be released this next year. I can't wait to see how this series will end.

13) Death Sworn by Leah Cypess

If you can't tell, Fantasy has ruled my list this year. This book is great. Leah was one of the first YA fantasy authors I read that really hooked me back when I first started blogging. I love her books. 

14) The Young Elites by Marie Lu
This dark, fabulously written book kicks off Marie's new series. It's so good! I was a little worried I wouldn't like it as much as her others books, but I did. It's sequel will be out in 2015.  

Sophie's Top 10

1) Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins 
Isla and Josh. Crush-worthy characters plus Paris. Oh, Paris.

2) Sublime by Christina Lauren
Such a perfectly bittersweet love story in a gorgeously written haunted world.

3) We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Everything about this story -- pitch perfect, story-telling perfection.

4) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
It answered the question what if all your past crushes realized you had a crush on them. And it answered it in lovely layers of sisterly responsibility and family love.

5) The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Such a gorgeously written high fantasy. For those of you who are like me and love a well written love triangle, boyohboy, wait until you read this one.

6) Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
The tense paranormal plot, the humor and that over-achieving Harper Price. I loved it all!

7) Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
The perfect ending for Aria, Perry and Roar.

8) Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
 I have to throw in an NA story on this list. Mia and Ansel have one of the sweetest stories filled with misunderstandings and true laugh out loud moments.

9) Scintillate by Tracy Clark
The characters, setting and most of all the unexpected twist make it a perfect post-holiday read. It's a satisfying, page-turner of a story.

10) City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Cassie gave us everything we wanted and then some in this last TMI installment. There is no question left unanswered and for that, I am so grateful


What were some of your favorite reads from 2014?