Hello my fellow bookworms the end of 2014 is upon us. I can’t believe it myself 2014 seems to have flown by but whether I believe it or not it is time to choose my top 10 reads of the year. After much thought here are my choices (ordered alphabetically by author):
1. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
A sweeping historic and romantic adventure in France which I could hardly put down. Film and TV adaptations had left me with high expectations fortunately the novel easily lived up to them.
2. The Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle
A well written and fascinating look into the intrigues and lives of those living under the shadow of treason in the Tudor period. I would like to read more by Elizabeth Fremantle.
3. A Lifetime Burning by Linda Gillard
Another beautiful tale of the love, life, and death from an author rapidly becoming one of my favourites.
4. A Storm of Swords, Book 1 and 2 by George R R Martin
Another excellent epic fantasy adventure full of action, adventure, intrigue, love, war, lies, fighting, secrets, and shocks! I look forward to reading more of A Song of Ice and Fire series.
5. Queen of Hearts, Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Colleen Oakes
A clever and detailed reimagining of Wonderland through the eyes of Dinah the future Queen of Hearts. A new series and author for me. Roll on volume 3.
6. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
A wonderfully fun, colourful and thought provoking adventure from a beloved author.
7. The Gabriel Hounds by Mary Stewart
A wonderful romantic suspense in the exotic and beautiful setting of Lebanon; it was a perfect read for the start of Autumn.
8. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
A delightful and eccentric adventure around the world in days gone by. I wasn’t sure about this before I started reading it but I was pleasantly surprised.
9. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
A beautifully told memoir of a lonely and unusual childhood but with hints of hope and humour. I feared it would be a too depressing read but instead found it to be a well balanced read.
10. A Very British Murder by Lucy Worsley
An interesting and enjoyable non-fiction looking into the British obsession with a good murder mystery. As a fan of the murder mystery myself I found it all fascinating.
2014 has been another good reading year for me. I have finished fewer books but still plenty of enjoyable reads to try to trim down to just ten. It was difficult and yes I cheated a wee bit as two of my choices are actually two books; I thought it acceptable though as they continue the same story. I shouldn’t complain though it is a very good thing to have so many books to choose from.
What were your favourite reads of 2014?
So many books I have not read, and now you’ve added to my “to read (some day)” list! I definitely am curious about Linda Gillard. Happy New Year!!
Thank you Anna, and a Happy New Year to you too. I hope you are able to try Linda Gillard soon and that you’ll enjoy her work as much as I have.
If a book is in volumes then making it one is perfectly acceptable! 🙂 You certainly read some good books last year; I’ve not read any of them (Sisters Of Treason I have ready so I’m glad it was #2) but heard enough to see why they’re there. Happy new year!
Thank you Charlie, and Happy New Year to you too. I hope you enjoy Sisters of Treason. Your post on Fremantle’s previous novel inspired me to pick this one up.
I love that there are so many classics on your list! I definitely need to work more on my Classics list in the next few years, but meh. I’m also looking forward to reading Winterson’s memoir!
Thank you Geoff, I am pleased with the progress I am making with my classics reading. I hope you have time for more classics and Winterson’s memoir in 2015.
It’s always nice having too many favorite reads! 🙂 You’re making me want to reread Around the World in 80 Days now…
Cheryl it is always nice to have too many favourites really. I hope you have time to re-read Around the World in 80 Days in 2015. I am looking forward to reading more by Jules Verne.
Nice list, Jessica, good balance between classics and contemporary literature.
I too compiled a list this year. You can visit at:
http://www.cpa-booksandmoviesreviews.com/2014/12/best-books-i-read-in-2014.html .
Thank you Carmen. It has been a on-going goal of mine to read more classics as well as contemporary work. I will go check out your list 🙂
I think I’m going to pinch this idea and write a Top Ten for the year as well. Happy New Year
Thank you Lindy, Happy New Year to you too. I look forward to seeing your Top 10 🙂
Thank you, Jessica, for citing A LIFETIME BURNING. That was a very pleasant surprise. 🙂 This dark novel gets very little attention but I consider it my best. Happy New Year to you.
You are most welcome Linda. Happy New Year to you too. I am hoping to read more of your work in 2015 🙂
Oh it has been ages since I’ve read The Three Musketeers, around 10 or 15 years ago I went through a Dumas phase and read a load of his stuff. I still have “Twenty Years Later” sitting on my bookshelves waiting for me. Maybe I’ll do a heap of Musketeer books in 2015.
I love the Game of Thrones tv series, but have held off on reading the books. I’m waiting til they are all written, so I guess I’ll be waiting some time yet.
Terry Pratchett is always worth a read, I’d love to get the whole Discworld series in those shiny new hardback versions.
Hello Fence, thank you for stopping by and commenting 🙂 I also hope to read more Dumas in 2015. I have The Count of Monte Cristo on my Classics Club list. I sympathise that you want to hold off reading the Song of Ice and Fire series by Martin till they’ve all been written. I wanted to do a similar thing but then I was bought the full set (to date) and just couldn’t resist starting 🙂
Hi Jessica
As always – a great list!
I love the Musketeers. Plus other greats – Martin, Verne and Pratchett.
Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2015.
Looking forward to all yours posts.
Lynn 😀
Thank you Lynn, and a Happy New Year to you too. I look forward to your posts too 🙂
That’s a great top 10 – I love The Three Musketeers and The Gabriel Hounds. I would like to read something by Jules Verne and Linda Gillard in 2015. Happy New Year!
Thank you Helen, and a Happy New Year to you too. I hope you are able to read something by Jules Verne and Linda Gillard this year.