2014 Wrap

The new year is finally here! I decided the best way to kick off the blog would be to wrap up 2014's (loose) top ten favorites reads and some book awards, so here they are.

Favorite Books of 2014

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

I read this book in English class last year in the spring. It was short, but beautifully written through short vignettes. It was one of my favorite books I read for school last year--which is a weighted statement because I read so many great books in ninth grade.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

In some ways, 2014 was a year of marathoning series. I got through the first five books in The Mortal Instruments in a shameful amount of time. I'd caught up in time for City of Heavenly Fire, which wasn't a disappointment. I loved how fast paced the book was. My brother and I agree that there were no slow parts, and that all of the sub plots were interesting.

Raging Star by Moira Young

A stunning conclusion to my favorite YA dystopian series. The Dust Lands Trilogy will always have a special place in my heart, especially after the (somewhat shocking) ending of this book. I read it too fast to remember what all happened (oops), but I know I must have enjoyed it.

We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

This book. THIS BOOK. It gets to me. It gets to me in ways books should not get to people. Read this book. Get your friends to read this book. Get your pets to read this book.

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Foreman

I enjoyed both books immensely, but remember liking the second one a bit better. I think it was because of the Shooting Star lyrics at every chapter, and seeing things through Adam's point of view. Bonus points: the movie was spectacular.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

These books, I've decided, were my all-time favorite books of 2014. This was another series I marathonned, though there were only three books out at the time I started them. Favorite aspect: characters. No wait, plot. Or world building. Favorite character: Rowan Whitethorn (but I bet you already knew that).

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Unfortunately, I felt obligated to include this book. By the end, I had lost a lot of respect for Riordan. I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book, but I had trouble accepting the ending. Maybe I'll get over myself once his Magnus Chase series comes out next fall.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

As every minute goes by, I feel myself shaking until I get another fix of Stephanie Perkins. These books are like crack. I'm so glad Anna and Étienne were the way that they were. It was all just so lovely.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I have such mixed feelings about Ari and Dante. On one hand, it made me sad. On the other hand, I like books that make me sad, because they make me feel something (and if not to feel, then what else is the purpose of a book?). On my other third--and nonexistent--hand (I just need it to prove my point), I found myself unsatisfied with the characters and the wrap up. Still, I'm inexplicably drawn to the story in a way I can't begin to describe.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The only classic making it onto the list, I adored this book. I finished it on the last day of the year. It's a book for school, but the most enjoyable one (so far) of tenth grade. Huck is such a likable character, and his childlike humor makes the book entertaining and enjoyable.

2014 Book Awards

Best Female--Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series (Sarah J. Maas)

She kicked butt more than any other female I encountered this year. With each book in the series, her emotions and motives became more and more layered. Celaena was unbelievably well written and I can't remember ever getting sick of her. 

Best Male--Rowan Whitethorn from Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas)

I really loved these books, if you can't tell. Finally a wonderfully written male who didn't become the female protagonist's love interest! By the end of  Heir of Fire, I think 90% of my tears and emotions were directed towards him. Thanks, Rowan--I'll love you forever.

Best Plot Twist/Twist Ending--We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

I'm afraid I'll say too much for those who haven't read it. I don't want it spoiled for you. Just gonna leave this here...

Best Book to Movie Adaptation--The Fault in Our Stars (John Green) and If I Stay (Gayle Foreman)

What can I say? I loved them both dearly. I reread TFIOS before the movie came out so it was fresh, and because it turned out so well, I'm even more excited for Paper Towns. If I Stay was so lovely, and now I should probably do some research to see if they're making a Where She Went movie. 

Best Antagonist--Sebastian from City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare)

HE WAS SO EVIL. I loved how he was kinda/sorta good in the end? Not really. I mean, not at all. But when he died, he kind of made you wish he wasn't dying.

Best Supporting Characters--Meredith, Rashmi, and Josh from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I was rooting for them the whole time. The dynamic of the group suffered when just one of them was missing, and the book would have lost a lot of its magical quality if they hadn't been there.

Best Friendship--the 7 demigods (+ Nico and Reyna) from The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

True friendship can save the day, yadda yadda yadda. I love every single one of them, but especially the underdogs who aren't as loved. Reyna, Jason, Piper, I'm looking at you. Besides, Percy and Annabeth will always have a special place in my heart. Maybe if they were in the book more...

Best Couple--Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I can't, with these two. It was the cutest, fluffiest book I read this year. I just want more Stephanie Perkins. I'm on withdrawal right now.

Best Setting--Beechwood Island from We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

The mysteriousness. The nooks and crannies. The...incident.

Oh darn, I think I've said too much.

Best Ending--Raging Star (The Dust Lands Trilogy by Moira Young)

There was something so simple and unexpected about how the series wrapped up. It wasn't too fluffy or too sad. Just the right amount of realism to keep me guessing and thinking.

Book That You Threw Across the Room the Hardest--The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

Was that ending even real? It was so bad. So so bad. Everything neatly wrapped up in little boxes. And the last chapter killed me inside, not in the good way. Why did it have to end like this?

Overall, I had an amazing year of reading. My original goal was 25 books, which I surpassed. In all, I read 35 books, over 400 pages of my AP U.S. History textbook, and a whole lot of fanfiction.