I thought it might be fun to round up my favorite books I've read so far in 2014, since we are now halfway through. I'm curious to see if these 5 end up on my best of 2014 list at the end of the year as well!
In no particular order, here are my favorites so far:
Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
Heartbreaking at times, heartwarming at others. There is a reason this book was on so many "best of 2013" lists last year. It easily lived up to the hype, and made me wish I'd bought a hardcopy rather than the Kindle version so I could keep it in my kitchen for quick reference. If you are at all interested in foodie memoirs, don't wait any longer to read this one.
Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
I devoured all of Susanna Kearsley's books this year, and this was my favorite of them. Archaeology, Scotland, a potential ghost and a charmingly eccentric scholar…it's almost like she wrote this book just for me! I even did one of my Book Club Bites posts on it!
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
I think I expected something highbrow and "literary" when I picked this up. Instead I found a well-written, fast paced story of 3 friends in 1930's New York whose lives are changed in one night. The city comes alive, and the character dynamics are fascinating. You won't be able to put this one down.
Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia Wrede
This is a YA novel, written in an epistolary style. It is set in an alternate regency England where magic exists as part of everyday life though it's less Harry Potter and more Jane Austen with potions. Two cousins, Cecelia and Kate, come of age and fall in love while trying to thwart an evil magician. The story behind the novel is just as much fun as the actual book.
Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers
Lord Peter at his best, trying to save Harriet Vane from a murder charge, and falling in love along the way. Seeing the generally unflappable Lord Peter get ruffled as he tries to win Harriet was a pleasure to read, and the supporting cast of characters are always fun. Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie are not the queens of mystery for nothing, and I think this might be my favorite of the Lord Peter mysteries.
What was your favorite read of 2014 so far? As always, I'm linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy for Twitterature. Check it out for more great book recommendations!
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