So many books this year. So many end of the year BEST BOOKS lists. Last year, I realized there was no way I was ever going to be able to do a legitimate End of the Year Book List because the books I loved the most I loved for all kinds of reasons. So I started Beth’s Homecoming Book Court … it’s basically a popularity contest in my Goodreads challenge as to which books stand out the most.
Or who gave me the best candy and carried my backpack to English class. Because I am not above bribery.
So, without any scientific method of any sort, without any criteria, here are the Prince and Princesses of Beth’s Homecoming Book Court 2014.
Best Series Ender: Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Very few authors do such a fantastic job of making you yearn for every character, of providing specific voice for them all, and of proving worthy to handle them. Laini Taylor does though. And as much as I loved the previous two books in this series, this one is another universe of amazing. I loved this book so much that I read it during #TnTakesPHL when I should have been enjoying every moment with Bekah, Nikki and Jamie. Sorry, I ignored you sometimes, ladies, but … #Akiva.
Favorite Newly Discovered Author: KJ Charles
Gay wizards. It’s a thing that I have found that I love thanks to KJ Charles. Her Charm of Magpies series combines mystery, horror, fantasy, historical and romance in one of the most riotously funny series of books I read all year. Victorian Gothic Fantasy (with GAY WIZARDS!) might be my new favorite genre.
Favorite Romance Novel: Dirty Rowdy Thing
Finn and Harlow. Harlow and Finn. No one compares. Christina Lauren churned out the absolute BEST romance novel I can remember ever. It surpassed all their others for me, and that is saying something. If you need more proof, here’s my review.
Biggest HECK YES: Just One Night
It’s only 50 pages, but Just One Night felt like the sweetest justice. Gayle Forman is a long-time favorite around here (fake interview!), and we sat around anticipating the release of Just One Year (sequel to Just One Day) like it was the second coming. BUT THAT ENDING. Oh, Gayle, GURL. But in an effort to finish Willem and LuLu’s story, say what couldn’t be said in the novel, appease her rabid fans, make me inordinately happy, Gayle gave us this short look into what happened post-novel. AND EVERY WORD WAS A GLORIOUS VICTORY.
Fastest Read: Saga
We started off Boozy Book Club right this year when we decided to delve into the graphic novel, Saga. Aside from gorgeous art, Saga was my most economical read of the year. Took no time at all, but was packing a huge bang for the buck. It was full of inter-planetary war, mercenary revenge, robot sex and family togetherness against the odds, and took me less than an hour to read. I’ve wasted more time than that picking out new apps on my iPhone.
Most Recc-able to Anyone: Big Little Lies
This was the favorite of my real life book club this year. Liane Moriarty writes compulsively readable and intricately plotted novels that combine suspense, family dynamics, humor and scathing social commentary that just don’t get boring ever. This one revolves around parents behaving badly, social cliques, murder and domestic abuse, but despite these heavy themes, the author never drops the thread with tricky multiple POVs and a flash-forward framework story. Plus it’s such a slice of real life, you will definitely want everyone you know (and jerks you hate) to read it.
Best Reading Experience: Captive Prince
Every once in a while you stumble across a book series that’s more like a stray cat than a book you brought home. You didn’t plan for it in any way; it just showed up on your porch, and suddenly it’s ingratiating itself into your regular routine, curling up in bed with you without asking, and leaving its mark all over the wood floor of your mind. In other words: HELLO, PERFECT NOVEL. I didn’t plan for you, but you became everything to me and just get over here and let me pet you and take instagram shots of you in my arms.
That’s what Captive Prince is like. Need to know why? Read this.
So that’s it. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the wonderful books I read this year. Nor did I go into the truly HORRIBLE books I read this year that no one should read ever. But if you’d like to know, check out my Goodreads profile. I’ll see you over there. Can’t wait to see what awesomeness the books of 2015 are going to bring.
