Are you aware that we are entering the ber months already? Because I'm not and it's not fun getting jolted back to reality. How can there be only four more months left until 2015? How could the first 8 months flew by so fast? I guess we'll never know. Time is just sneaky that way. Anyway, today I am going to share my 2014 early favorites (books I've read from Jan 1 to August 29, 2014), in hopes that I can force influence some of you to pick them up and bask in their glory.
To make this post even more special, I included emoticons (source) that best describe my feels while I was reading. This is in line with the Emoji + Books tag by my good friend Meg, blogger extraordinaire at Adrift on Vulcan. I am finally doing it Meg, but I'm breaking all the rules coz' I'm a rebel. Heh.Without further ado, here are my early 2014 favorites:
The Kiss of Deception
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What? Is that groaning I hear? Well for some reason, this book came just at the right moment and it even made its way onto my favorites shelf. In a different kind of day, this story won’t work for me. The love triangle that I loathe so much was practically mocking me while I was reading. But something clicked and it’s not every day that I get blindsided by character reveals so go you, book!
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This one is definitely sitting at the Unputdownable Central ™, lounging and sneering at all the books that came begging in an attempt to master its gripping power. Entertaining and highly addictive, I think I needed to remind myself to breathe a couple of times while reading.
Eona: The Last Dragoneye
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  | Dragons are the coolest and this one is even better than Eon, its predecessor. If you haven’t read this because you’re intimidated by its size or by high fantasy in general, then you don’t really deserve to read about realistic and complex characterizations, epic world-building and awesome dragons. Dragons are the coolest. Umm yeah, it needs repeating. |
If He Had Been With Me |
This one definitely maimed me. That ending was so cruel. I have seen it coming and I know I was barreling straight through it. Usually that would lessen the blow, but if anything, it only increased the impact. Very brutal author alert right here.
The Moment Collector/The Vanishing Season
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Sad, cold, and another heart-maimer. I don’t how Jodi Lynn Anderson does it. I mean, I believe authors are the most affected by their character’s demise or misfortune more than anyone else. I’m learning to be wary of Anderson’s words. They just bring too much pain. ♥ Read my review ♥
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Storm Siren
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This is probably going to be the best fantasy book I would ever read this year. Every aspect of this book is just spectacular, and to think that this is a debut novel makes it even more amazeballs. ♥ Read my review ♥
Words and their Meanings
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I opened this book expecting nothing. I wasn’t looking for another cry-fest (see: The Moment Collector), but Anna just jumped right out along with her family, best friend and Mateo. Oh Mateo, he’s right there on Adam’s (If I Stay/Where She Went) level. Grief blanketed me all throughout this novel and tears flowed freely. It’s not even the sobbing kind or the wailing kind or the agonizing, bed-thumping kind. I was just leaking. This is an unbelievably, emotionally-charged book. ♥ Read my review ♥
So those are my favorite reads this 2014 and I’m sure more awesome books will be added before this year ends. And since I’m in the recapping lane, I would like to share how I’m faring with my reading challenge on Goodreads.
I’m so behind. But I’m sure all I need to do is read 20+ books in the remaining months and I’ll be in tip-top shape in no time. No big deal, right? *starts to hyperventilate*
So what do you guys think? Have you read any books from my favorites list? Any chance that you’d try out those you haven't read yet? How are you getting along with your own reading challenges? I’m sure you’re all doing better than me. Hohoho.
PS. I'm finally on Tumblr! You won't see any post yet but I'm planning to have a regular posting schedule real soon. Give a holler and link up below if you're using Tumblr as well.
PPS. Many thanks to my fabulous friend Kuree who helped me find the emoticons featured in this post. (:
I've read only two of these: Eona and The 5th Wave, and loved them both, so I guess I need to start turning those pages a bit faster and read the rest of them as well. Unfortunately, The Vanishing Season didn't work for me. I need to form a strong connection with the characters, and I didn't succeed here (althouhg I realize that was the intention) so I just gave up. Ah, well, can't win them all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, well. I formed such a strong connection with the characters in The Vanishing Season that it killed me, Maja. Haha. I do understand that that book won't be for everyone. Glad you loved Eona and The 5th Wave, too. (:
DeleteI can't believe it's almost September. Crazy! I was ahead on my Goodreads challenge, but I'm going to fall behind soon. School and homework has had a negative effect on my reading life. :/
ReplyDeleteUgh yes, Lydia. School can be a huge timesuck. But at least you're ahead, it won't be that hard to catch up. :D
DeleteI LOVED The Fifth Wave! I stayed up until 5am to finish it because I could not put it down, either! I still have to read some of the other books on your list! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I wasn't the only one sucked in by The 5th Wave, Jessica. I feel like that book is enjoying its power too much. XD
DeleteWow, I actually haven't read any of these books - shame on me! I've had the 5th Wave on my shelf for ages but haven't had the chance to read it. Glad to hear you actually liked Moment Collector, Storm Siren and Kiss of Deception!
ReplyDeleteWhaaat? Jeann, you're definitely missing out. *WINK WINK NUDGE NUDGE*
DeleteI heard so many good things about The Fifth Wave and now that it made your best reads this year I am more pumped to read it. The Storm Siren too. I might add it on my TBR :D
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Abby! If you read Storm Siren, I'll be the happiest person ever. That book is so damn good and The 5th Wave as well. :)
DeleteThis is one awesome post. I love the emoticons (and even marked the page as favorite hehe!) The Kiss of Deception is one of my favorite of this year as well. But my FAVORITE FAVORITE is Cracked by Eliza Crewe. Have you tried it? If, no, then do soooo, now :D Go Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lola. Ooh ooh, I'd definitely look out for Cracked.
DeleteI absolutely loved The 5th Wave as well, and so excited for the release of The Infinite Sea. I just checked Goodreads and forgot that I'd also read If He Had Been With Me, it really didn't do it for me as you can see here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/591251753?book_show_action=false. I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of the others, but going to check them out. It's the Emoji's, they completely sucked me in <3 Great post Sarah
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have found those emoticons without Kuree's help. :) So sad to know If He Had Been With Me was a miss for you but at least you loved The 5th Wave. I can work with that. ;-)
DeleteI've been hearing such great things about Storm Siren. I'm all about that fantasy genre, so I'm definitely going for this book in B & N. Did u hear of the movie being optioned for The Fifth Wave? I heard that Chloe Grace Moretz is playing as the lead role.
ReplyDeleteYou have to read it, Alex! Storm Siren is so awesome. I did hear about The 5th Wave movie. I hope they do a great job with it.
Delete7. Kiss of Deception has been getting mixed reviews, but I still want to give it a shot! We'll see if I end up liking it. ^_^
ReplyDelete6. I... DNFed this one. TT_TT It started out really strongly for me, but by the middle, I was kind of disturbed by everyone. Especially the alien... I forgot his name!
5. Dragonnnnns! I have read part of Eon, but I think I put it off because I had another book to read. xD The part that I read was pretty good though, so I hope to continue it (and read Eona!) soon!
2. WHOA, that is high praise. To be honest, this is something I wouldn't pick up because of the cover... (Yes, I do sometimes judge books by their covers.) But totally adding it to my TBR now! I need more awesome fantasies!
Loved the emoticons, Sarah! This post was definitely entertaining. :P
Oh yay, Aimee. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'd like Kiss of Deception. Haha. So sorry to hear The 5th Wave didn't work out for you. Alien stuff is not really my cup of tea but I was immensely entertained by this book. Pleaaase do continue reading Eon and Eona because dragonssss! Keep me posted, ok? And what is wrong with Storm Siren's cover, Aimee? I actually liked it and it made me pick up this book along with the blurb. YOU HAVE TO READ IT FORGET ABOUT THE COVER. Ahem. Sorry, I got carried away.
DeleteYESSS. 2015 is almost here *cries* Haaa! I'm glad that Kiss of Deception managed to wow you and it's funny how some books work for us but sometimes they don't. And we're even aware that in a different time/situation it wouldn't be that awesome. DRAGONS ARE THE COOLEST INDEEEEDD!!! And I knew you'd pick If He Had Been With Me and The Moment Collector ;) You and your sad stories and character growth (shhh! Don't tell anyone! I love sad stories and character growth too :)) I'm so glad you have read so many amazing books already this year. I hope you'll sneak at least 2-3 in before the year ends :) I had to take down my original 100 books since I was constantly 1 ahead or behind, now with 85 books I'm 12 books ahead and it feels so good :) Also, I'm on tumblr too. Though I usually post not-book-related things. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Mine is more of a fandom thing :D and pretty pictures :D *goes to follow you*
ReplyDeleteIt is funny. I think diversity in thoughts and opinions really makes everything interesting. WHO DOESN'T LOVE SAD STORIES AND CHARACTER GROWTH? I think everyone have that tiny begging being inside of them that longs for tragedy and feels. I hope so too. I need to read more, IMO. My reading habit is on a downward spiral and I'm not really sure what's causing it. You know what, I'd follow your reading goal because I seriously have no idea how I could make it to 100 books without dying. *follows you back on Tumblr*
DeleteWeee! I think I'm going to pass on Kiss of Deception since the negative reviews have already been so ingrained into my mind and I'm sure that I'm already going to hate the book without even flipping the first page yet. But I'm still glad that it worked out for you. Life is really surprising.
ReplyDeleteYes to Eona! OMG! Glad to have picked up the duology last summer. One of the best gender-bender series that I've read in my entire reading career. And of course, who would ever say no to the majestic DRAGONS?
Wohoo to Storm Siren! It was definitely good. Darn it, that ending completely blindsided me. I have to raise my glass to Mary Weber's bravery for daring to pull that off. And that romance.... why oh why?
As for your other books, haven't read or heard of them yet. :D And good luck to your reading challenge. I'm still 70/110 books.... We can do this, Sarah!
Haha. Understandable. Kiss of Deception is a surprising book in many ways for me, but it won't be cool to go into it when you're already expecting a disaster. ;) RIGHT? Dragons are everything and the characters are so awesome. I KNOW RIGGGHT! I think we need to talk about that ending. I definitely need to talk to someone before I explode with all the theories lurking in my head. Storm Siren wrecked my brain so bad.
DeleteThank you. All the best of luck to you as well, Charlotte. Fighting!
I've read The Moment Collector and and and... WAIT I NEED A MOMENT.
ReplyDelete*sniifs* Ah, this is what Jodi Lynn does to me.
I'm excited for Words And Their Meanings because I've seen you GR updates and your review and I love the title and the cover and the blurb and everything just screams tears. =))
I have yet to read The 5th Wave and Eona. Because everybody is reading it but ME.
AHHH I KNOW. It's going by so fast! Santa, where are you? I need more books! I adored The Kiss of Deception and If He Had Been With Me (such a tearjerker but soo beautiful)! I sadly didn't enjoy The 5th Wave at all, but I'm looking forward for the movie in the future! Who can miss a movie with Chloe Moretz? Eona has been on my list forever and I'm tone to read Words and Their Meanings after your gorgeous review! xx
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