Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Read in 2014

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So far, I’ve read 61 books this year–more than any other year since probably childhood. My reading flourished when I took on a job at the library in January and I’m proud of myself for maintaining it throughout the year, despite having two jobs and being in school. I’ve read some good things and some just okay things but here are my favorites (overall) from this year.

Links go to my reviews.

1. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd | Such a riveting audiobook to listen to. I couldn’t wait to get back into the story and I really felt for the characters. The ending was everything I wanted it to be. A wonderful, inspiring historical read based on a real person.

2. Dr. Mütter’s Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz (which also wins the award for longest title) | The title describes it perfectly–a tale of intrigue and innovation! If you enjoy medical history of any sort then I recommend this read.

3. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell | So far the only young adult love story that has made me giggle and cry while listening to the audiobook on the way to work…

4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz | Really enjoyed this subtly moving young adult novel about two boys falling in love and learning to accept it.

5. Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican | An absolutely fantastic ride through the tumultuous lives of high schoolers where the parents and teachers have stopped caring.

6. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming | This nonfiction work reads just like a novel. Well researched and perfectly written, Fleming manages to give the feeling of suspense to a story whose ending is already well known. I felt like this is an important read not only because of it’s historical significance but because of the propensity for history to repeat itself.

7. Redefining Girly by Melissa Atkins Wardy | An absolutely necessary book for any parent in the 21st century. Modern society and marketing have changed so dramatically over the last few decades that a lot of parents don’t know how to deal with it–or worse, aren’t aware this is happening to their kids.

8. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan | I deem this book a must read not just for those struggling with sexual identity but also for parents, friends, teachers, guardians–anyone who will ever cross paths with someone facing this battle within themselves. It might inspire a paradigm shift.

9. Thorn Jack: A Night and Nothing Novel (#1) by Katherine Harbor  | A delightfully dark fantasy about a curious girl, a very strange world and a mysterious boy named Jack.

10. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert | An engrossing, panoramic novel of epic proportions (that’s probably a blurb from somewhere but I’m stealing it because it’s true). This novel takes you through so many things that it often feels like you’ve slipped into different books along the way.

Did any of these make your top ten?