Best Books of 2014

The image shows all of the books I read this school year (43 in total)--YA and adult. While it's difficult to pick favorites, I will do my best...although some of my favorites were books I read before starting this blog and I don't want to "blog backward," so to speak. Enjoy!

5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

4. Trafficked by Kim Purcell

3. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2. Split by Swati Avasthi

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia

What I liked best: The author researched common rumors about several famed royals including King Henry VIII, Prince Dracula, Mary Queen of Scots, and more.

I learned the truth behind royal rumors, such as that Marie Antoinette supposedly said “Let them eat cake,” when she was told that the poor were starving. (Guess what....She did NOT actually say this).

I also learned a ton of fascinating facts about the royals and different historical time periods, such as that it became fashionable to color your teeth black (like tooth decay) because only the rich could afford the sweets that would rot teeth.

Read on to find out more! 

This could definitely be booktalked to gain interest, but students may need some background knowledge to understand it...such as roman numerals for the royals and some descriptions that correspond with the time period.

5 out of 5 stars. Very enjoyable and interesting. I sped through this one!

Split by Swati Avasthi

This book takes the reader on a train wreck of emotions, but you simply cannot stop reading. The main character, Jace, has not seen his older brother Christian since he left their abusive home years ago. But after Jace is kicked out by his dad, he drives from Chicago to Albuquerque and shows up on Christian's doorstep--beaten up and carrying a horrible secret. From the moment Jace arrives in Albuquerque to the very end, this plot hums along and sweeps the reader with it. The characters are well-developed, the plot is masterfully constructed, and despite its difficult topic, this is a beautiful book.

I recommend this book to mature readers who can handle reading about family violence and abuse, but who also like reading about relationships and second chances. It was an emotional read, but I definitely give it 5 out of 5 stars!

Shelter by Harlan Coben

If you like mystery and fast-paced action, you will love this book. Meet Mickey Bolitar--his dad just died, his mom is in rehab, and he's stuck living with his uncle Myron. Mickey doesn't have much to be happy about--until he meets his girlfriend Ashley at school orientation. Ashley is the bright spot in Mickey's days, until she abruptly disappears. Now Mickey will stop at nothing to find Ashley--and to figure out why crazy old Bat Lady said that his dad is still alive....

I recommend this book to readers who like mystery, action, and a small bit of romance. I really liked it, but I'm stingy with 5 star ratings. 4 out of 5 stars!