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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Ooh, I just downloaded What Alice Forgot from the library. I'm really excited to start it, but I'm stocking my kindle up and then leaving it on airplane mode until I get regular access to a library again. Glad you're trying Lord Peter-I read the first one years ago, and then got hooked on a short story collection last winter, so now I'm going back to read the novels in order. Comfort reading :)
ReplyDeleteI know it's super unoriginal to say so, but I loved Bread and Wine too. Did anyone not like it? I didn't think so. I've recently discovered Kearsley, and I'm making my way through her books--I heart them. Just put Sorcery and Cecelia on hold--thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing Rules of Civility everywhere, and your review was finally the push I needed to place a hold with my library!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never been a huge JA fan, but Jane Austin with potions sounds fantastic.
I love mysteries but I've never read Dorothy Sayers! Great list... I have been wanting to read most of these for a while now. Never enough time for all the great books in the world!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! I haven't read any of them- I can't wait to add them all to my list! I'm especially excited for Rules of Civility. I had been avoiding it because I heard it was slow but I guess not!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's possible to dislike Bread and Wine…at least I've never met someone who didn't love it!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy it! Very well-done and I didn't find it slow. I think it only took 2 days to read, and that would have been less if the kids weren't home from school :)
ReplyDeleteI know! There's a darling tote bag with an Edward Gorey illustration on it that says something to the effect of "too many books, not enough time". I think that might be my motto…especially after looking at my to-read list on goodreads. Yikes, I have a lot on there!
ReplyDeleteOh good! I hope you enjoy it :) I do adore Jane, but Sorcery and Cecelia is much more of a modern story, set in Jane's time period, so don't be scared off if you aren't a Jane fan!
ReplyDeleteYou're a reading machine! I've gotten into the habit of not finishing books (even if critics and friends loved it) because there's just a limited amount of time and so many good books. I'd say the most memorable books for me so far are Raising Up Bebe, Divorce Papers, and Hunger Games series.
ReplyDeleteI agree, if the book hasn't hooked me by about 50 pages I move on. There are way too many good ones to bother with the bad! The Divorce Papers sounds like a really interesting read, I'm going to have to track that down at the library.
ReplyDeleteJust added All Joy and No Fun to my to-be-read list…it sounds really good! Bread and Wine has turned into that book I'm constantly telling people to read, but it's worth it even if you just read the recipes :) You'll have to let me know what you think if you decide to read it!
ReplyDeletei'm listening to rules of civility on audiobook right now! the reader is brilliant and i'm in love with the story. dorothy sayers is always a great read too.
ReplyDeleteSuch great picks! I loved Strong Poison, and that reminds me--I've only read half of the Sayers mysteries. I need to get cracking on the rest!
ReplyDeleteComfort reading whilst moving is essential.
ReplyDeleteWho's the reader? I think that one would be such a good story to listen to! It already feels like a story you might hear over a drink with an old friend...
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize I had missed so many either! I'm working to rectify that this summer :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca Lowman is the reader - her voice was perfect for it. I just finished it yesterday - wowzers, what a tale!
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