One of my favorite things about Goodreads is that I can look back over the past month or year and be reminded of all of the great books I read. In case you’re looking for another good read, I’d thought I’d share my favorites with you. 2014 was the year I discovered romance, so I’m going to call it the year of the love story. I’ve discovered a lot of new favorite authors this year.
January:
The Necromancer’s House by Christopher Buehlman – Just thinking about this book gives me chills, people, genuine chills. Not because it was scary, which it absolutely was, but because I just loved it that much. It’s dark fantasy in a modern setting, with a strong Russian tinge. And it has a Rusalka, one of my favorite fantastical creatures (if you’ve never heard of a Rusalka, think homicidal mermaid without the tail – yeah, yeah, like a siren, but so much better and scarier).
February:
The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop – Thank you to my friend, Brandi, for loaning me the black jewels trilogy. I was hooked from page one on this dark, dark fantasy. This trilogy has it all, a strong heroine, a heartbreaking love story, grotesque violence and cruelty, and incredible beauty. So glad to have read these books, finally.
March:
Carolina Home by Virginia Kantra – Virginia Kantra was the first romance author I read and if it had been anyone else, I may never have picked up another romance book. Kantra writes real, romantic romance that gives me chest tingles and keeps me turning the pages long past the time I should have shut down my Kindle and gone to sleep. This book is not the first of hers I read, but I loved it just as much as her others.
Murder of Crows (The Others #2) by Anne Bishop – I love this series and look forward to each new addition. Bishop has created a truly unique world to add to the urban fantasy genre.
April:
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1) by Penny Reid – Ah, April. April was the month I first read and fell hopelessly in love with Penny Reid. By the end of 2014, I had read every word she has written and loved every moment of it. Her romantic comedies are hilarious and sweet and she comes up with mind-blowing new ways to phrase every day expressions. Just read her books, please, the world will be a better place.
Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends, #1) by Kelley Armstrong – Another author whose work I just read no matter what it is. This one is a bit different from Armstrong’s usual fare, because it is a more traditional fantasy book, but I loved it just as much as all her other books. Her characters are always so strong, and loveable, no matter what genre she’s writing in.
Burn (Pure #3) by Julianna Baggott – Love this take on the post-apocalyptic genre, with truly unique and fleshed out world-building. This was the final book of the trilogy and I’m still sad about this story being over.
The Uninvited by Sophie Jordan – This book might just win the award for most misleading cover. The book is packed with action and intensity and mind-blowing realities. There’s even a bit of romance. Genetics was always my favorite part of biology and I love how this book uses genetics to build a scary and entirely believable reality.
Dying for a Living by Kory Shrum – An urban fantasy from a self-published author that really kicks butt. This one’s about people who are immortal and die in the place of someone else, so that person can live. Unique, fast-pace, and thoroughly entertaining.
May:
Parasite (Parasitology #1) by Mira Grant – If you love Mira Grant’s Newsflesh trilogy, you’ll love this book. Or, if you just like to obsess about germs, this is the perfect book for you. Creepy, dark, and captivating.
The Rising Sea by Orrin H. Pilkey – See, I do read non-fiction. A fascinating and thoroughly depressing read.
June:
How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper – Fun, fun, fun. Paranormal romance with a sense of humor.
Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh – 2014 was also the year I discovered Nalini Singh and I can’t believe I hadn’t read her sooner. This book is my idea of a perfect urban fantasy/paranormal romance.
July:
Bird Box by Josh Malerman – Another post-apocalyptic novel, yet somehow unique and good, dark fun.
Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-out Love, #2) by Jessica Park – Celeste might just be my favorite character of 2014. She’s so quirky and sweet, it’s impossible not to root for her. A smart, unique, endearing romance.
August:
The Change by Teyla Branton – Another urban fantasy that I loved. Fast-paced and action-packed fun.
Isn’t She Lovely by Lauren Layne – 2014 was also the year I discovered Lauren Layne. Her romances, and I’ve read four of them now, are well-organized, well-written, and enthralling. Love the humor and the real characters.
September:
Visions (Cainsville, #2) by Kelley Armstrong – The second book in a new series from Kelley Armstrong. This one moves slower than her women of the otherworld series, but I think I might like it a little bit better. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
October:
Maybe Someday (Maybe, #1) by Colleen Hoover – I finally read my first Colleen Hoover book in October and found out what all the fuss was about. A beautiful love story.
December:
Marked (Servants of Fate, #1) by Sarah Fine – Another new urban fantasy that I just loved. This one’s in a post-climate change world, where the streets are flooded making the East Coast U.S. city like Venice. The main characters are EMTs, and this book’s got a brand new species of super naturals. A fun, action-packed read.
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