Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten (Or Twenty) Books Read in 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. Feel free to join in.

This week's topic is one that I usually do on New Year's Eve. But it works for this week. This week, the topic is the top 10 books I've read in 2014. This is probably one of the hardest posts I've written. I mean, how can I narrow my list down to just 10?! I've read so many books this year that it was so hard to decide. My initial list contained over 50 titles.

So after cutting some out, here is what I came up with though.... Each title links to the review on my blog and purchase links are listed too.

Beginning with the Women's Fiction/Contemporary Category

1. Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers - this is probably the BEST book I've read this year. It was simply amazing. Buy it here.


2. The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate - Another amazing book. Buy it here.

Now for the WWII books....

3. In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin - By far, my favorite of the series. I couldn't get enough of Kay & Roger. Buy it here.

4. Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohkle - I was impressed with her book Promise Me This a couple years ago. This one was just as impressive. Buy it here.

5. For Such a Time by Kate Breslin - A beautiful retelling of Esther set against Nazi Germany. I need a copy of this! Buy it here.

Moving on to the general historical...

6. Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz - This family saga is amazing! Most of these are amazing. But I'm serious, this book, and the others in the series are well worth the time and money on these. Buy it here.



7. Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund - Probably my favorite of Jody's books. Such a gripping story. Buy it here.

8. Pelican Bride by Beth White - This was a surprise for me. I don't usually read early American history, but I really loved this book. Buy it here.

Now to the romance (both contemporary and historical)...

9. Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade - I adored this book. Absolutely adored it! I loved everything about it - the cover, the characters, the story - everything. Buy it here.

10. When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren - It's the Christiansen Family. Need I say more? I"m so excited to read the next one (soon). Buy it here.

11. A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert - I've come to expect quality from Katie. And I was not disappointed. Such a beautiful story of discovering true beauty. Buy it here.

12. Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg - Melissa's books always make me giggle. This was no exception. Buy it here.

13. Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck - I love princesses, fairy tales, happy endings. Pure fluff. Buy it here.

14. Tried & True by Mary Connealy - Probably my favorite of hers so far. I laughed all the way through it. Buy it here.

Finally, the Young Adult & Suspense books.

15. Silenced by Dani Pettery - Book 4 in the Alaskan Courage Series, Kayden finally gets her turn. And this McKenna's sister's story of love is filled with danger. But she and Jake figure it all out. Buy it here.

16. Deceived by Irene Hannon - My favorite in the series and favorite by Irene. Can Connor be any more dreamy? Buy it here.

17. The Lunar Chronicles of Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress  by Marissa Meyer - Should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Especially lately. I've pretty much been gushing about them.  Buy them here.

 


18. Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson - Laura's debut reminded me a lot of the Christy Miller books. Buy it here.

and speaking of the Christy Miller Books,

19. Forever With You by Robin Jones Gunn - I literally squealed when I learned that Robin was writing a series about Christy & Todd and their married life. Literally squealed. Buy it here.

and finally,

20. The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson - a young adult retelling of Snow White. I still have to wonder how I missed her all this time. Buy it here.

So I couldn't cut my list to just ten. Though I did try. I left off wonderful ones of Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman, In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews, With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Stuck Together by Mary Connealy, Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan, Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan, Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer, and March Bride by Rachel Hauck. Seriously, there were so many delightful ones I read this year, that I couldn't list them all.

So how did you come out? What books were your favorites this year? Maybe you have a hidden gem I need to discover. Tell me in the comments.



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22 comments:

  1. MichelleDecember 16, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Great list. : ) It's so hard to narrow it down!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KaKiJoKoJaDecember 16, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    Cress just fell out of my top 10. If I had done a top 20, it would have been there. I just recently read the description of the Alaskan series and plan to give those a try. Thanks for sharing!! Here's my Best books of 2014.

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 16, 2014 at 10:09 AM

      Definitely read the Alaskan ones in order. They stand alone, but spoilers in the later books for what happens in the early ones.

      Delete
  3. Sarah SundinDecember 16, 2014 at 11:14 AM

    Thank you so much, Dawn! I'm honored to see In Perfect Time on your list among so many of MY favorite books of the year!

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 16, 2014 at 11:49 AM

      Sarah, In Perfect Time was my favorite of the series, and of the three of yours I've read, my overall favorite. I'd love to see your list of favorites too.

      Delete
  4. Melanie DickersonDecember 16, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Thanks so much including The Fairest Beauty, Dawn! I hope you get a chance to read the others. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 17, 2014 at 7:25 AM

      Oh Melanie, I have read the others. All of them. I own them all too. But Fairest Beauty was the first of yours I'd read.

      Delete
  5. Melanie DickersonDecember 16, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    The other fairy tale retellings in my series, that is. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Becky WadeDecember 16, 2014 at 5:04 PM

    Dawn, I'm so encouraged and honored to see Meant to Be Mine on your list! Thank you. I had fun reading through your post. It's wonderful to see books from so many genres included and to see several of my author friends recognized. I really appreciate your support!

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 17, 2014 at 7:26 AM

      Thank you Becky! I'm a bit of an eclectic reader.

      Delete
  7. Mary ConnealyDecember 16, 2014 at 7:35 PM

    Dawn, you sweet thing. Thanks for including me in such a fun list! I'm honored.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownDecember 16, 2014 at 7:37 PM

    Thanks! It's an honor to be on the same list with some of my favorite authors. :)

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 17, 2014 at 7:27 AM

      Did you ever think you'd see that day? That you'd be on a list with your favorite authors?

      Delete
  9. RissiDecember 16, 2014 at 10:31 PM

    Pretty sure that contemporary romance section will ALL find a place on my favorites of 2014 too. So good. Loved this, Dawn.

    Plus, Dani's! Yay.

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  10. Dawn JanisDecember 17, 2014 at 7:24 AM

    Your list had some intriguing titles on it. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Irene HannonDecember 17, 2014 at 8:54 AM

    Thank you for including me with so many great authors, Dawn. I'm honored!

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    Replies
    1. Dawn JanisDecember 17, 2014 at 8:59 AM

      I really did love Deceived. Connor is my favorite character in the series.

      Delete
  12. Cathy GohlkeDecember 17, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    Thank you so much, Dawn, for including "Saving Amelie" among your favorites for the year--I'm truly honored. It's wonderful to be in such great book company!!! May you find wonderful new reads in 2015! God's rich blessings for your Christmas Season and new year!

    ReplyDelete

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