Ten on Tuesday | My 2014 Book Report.
…today’s topic is about books. Carole’s asked us to share our ten favorites from 2014. But first, I want to talk a little about what my reading year was like overall because it was a great one!
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| snagged from Goodreads – you can see all the details (including bigger book covers!) here |
Not only in terms of quantity – I read more books in 2014 than in the previous two years combined. It helps being in two bookclubs (eight books – actually it surprised me the number wasn’t higher, but a few of the selections were ones I’d already read and I didn’t re-read them) and joining Books on the Nightstand Summer Bingo (24 books read from Memorial Day to Labor Day, including three for bookclub). I think the Book Bingo really got me excited about reading. I certainly didn’t keep up the pace for the rest of the year, but I did continue to read two books at once. And I explored genres I wasn’t even familiar with (fantasy?) before the summer.
But also quality. In addition to new genres, I seemed to read better books. Or at least I thought they were. I had a record twelve 5-star books and a whole lot that earned four stars (with only one, my most recent finish getting only two stars).
This morning I tackled “favorites”. I’m glad I got to choose ten – I don’t think I could’ve come up with a shorter list!
I added them to a new shelf – and through the magic of Goodreads can share them here interactively (I only wish my html skills were this good… and note I cannot figure out how to get my entire review to show up here – if you’re interested, you can click through to read the rest.) Note that these are sorted in date read, from first to last. Interesting that only one preceded Book Bingo, but four followed it. Maybe we always tend to have more recent books as “favorites”?
Mary’s bookshelf: 2014-favorites
I’m hoping to continue the reading momentum into 2015. I’ve joined another challenge, Bookriot’s ReadHarder. This one is also 24 books, and the topics are going to broaden my horizons even more. You can see more about the challenge here, and the books I’m planning to read here (note that I still have to decide on a graphic novel and a guilty pleasure… I’ve got plenty of time for both!) I’m looking forward to trying new authors and genres. I’ve talked a few friends into joining me and I’d love more company; I don’t think you have to “do” anything official to join…just start reading!
I can’t wait to see what books everyone shares today. These topics always add at least a few books to my queue!
8 Comments
Wendy Klik
I have not read any of these selections but I find several of them intriguing.
Lydia
I'm sure I'll be snagging a few of yours for 2015.
margene
We've read many of the same books, but we already knew that. The Sparrow is one that's been recommended so many times I think I need to add it to my list.
Kym
We don't have any overlapping books for THIS year . . . but I've read (and loved!) many of the books on your list in past years! The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Life After Life, Garden of the Evening Mists (a Truly Great Book!), and Rebecca (although I don't share the Rebecca-love so many other readers have. . .) are all books I've read in recent years. Like Margene, I've heard about The Sparrow so many times . . . but haven't read it yet.
Paula Kaye
I haven't read any of these books but The Rosie Project is on my list TBR.
Bonny
I couldn't wait to see your list, along with your thoughtful reading commentary! I'm also looking forward to your 2015 reads. I'm still thinking about the ReadHarder challenge, but I'm hesitant to commit to something I'm not sure I can follow through on. I am going to do BotN Book Bingo again this summer because I read so many wonderful books through that and I have you to thank! How I wish we lived closer; I really disliked The Rosie Project (but loved Curious Incident) and I'm sure I'd learn some things if I was able to talk about Rosie with a book group to better understand why I didn't like it. Based on your recommendation, I have to give The Sparrow a try this year. Sorry for the long comment and thank you for a great book post!
alexa
Oh, Rebecca is one of my all time favourites … I am bookmarking your great reviews for future reference!
Carole Julius
I read more books than ever this year, too, and I owe it to you and your recommendation of Books on the Nightstand! My to-read list just grew a bit longer after reading yours!