Top 10 of 2014: Best Books I've Read {Day 1}

Can you believe 2014 is almost over? I'm having a REALLY hard time wrapping my head around this. Seriously. I feel like it was only a few months ago that I was here, making my lists for 2013. It's been a rather disappointing year for me, reading wise. My original goal was 150 books but that's not happening. It's not 110 and I'm still unsure if I'll reach it or not. I have a few more days to read 4 more books. We shall see. Regardless, I know I've read some pretty damn fantastic books this year.

These books aren't necessarily books that have come out in 2014 but just ones that I've read. So without further ado...

And this is not in order. Don't ask me to put them in order. It was tough enough just picking a few.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski - While I enjoyed The Winner's Curse, it is nothing compared to this book. This book was a masterpiece, beautiful and lyrical. Magical, really. I still, even a few months after reading this book, can't put my feels into words.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - OMG! SJM can't do wrong in my eyes. I'm obsessed (hardcover obsessed) with her Throne of Glass series and I can tell you, I'm officially obsessed with this. She is the Queen of Fantasy. This is another series where there are plenty of delicious boys to choose from, adventure around every corner, plenty of bloodshed and a brilliant heroine.

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I might be the only person who bawled while reading this book but there you have it. Something about this book just really struck a chord with me and man, I am still in love with it. I may re-read it in 2015 because this is one of my top two standalone's (and I'm not a big fan of standalone's).

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - This book, this book, OMG THIS BOOK! Looking at my list, I do believe this book (series) may be my favorite read of 2014. I fell and man did I fall hard. I'm a fantasy fan, if you won't be able to tell this by my list, but wow, did this totally blow me away (and blow my mind). I've never been more pissed at myself than I was reading this book.

Take Me On by Katie McGarry - I am not a big YA Contemp fan, you will hear me say this often; HOWEVER, you give me something Katie McGarry writes, and I will read it without hesitation. You don't even need to tell me what it is because, in my eyes, she can do no wrong. I even fangirled when I met her the first time. I NEVER fangirl.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - Told you I was obsessed, did I not? I loved this book (though maybe not as much as Crown of Midnight because that made me a puddle of mush) but by the end of this book, I was a puddle of emotion. Reading this, I didn't care of Manon but let me tell you, by the end, she's one of my favorites. Sarah does that to the reader.

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows - I adore Jodi and I absolutely loved her Newsoul series. But when I read about this book, I knew I needed this in my life and I needed ASAP. The fantasy fangirl in me nearly freaked out when I had the chance to read this. I am happy to say that it met my extremely high expectations and then some. PLUS do you see this cover?!

Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross - YA Contemp, I know - it snuck on to this list but, as someone who doesn't care for baseball, this made me want to like it more. Because of this book, I actually watched some of the playoffs this year. More than I normally do (which is like 5 minutes before changing the channel). It was fun, sexy and a very entertaining read (doesn't hurt that I'm quoted in it, right?).

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson - Look at this, two books from the same series made it on. Now, I could've cheated and put them both together but I didn't. They deserve their own spots because they both are brilliant. I mean, I about died reading this book. It was everything I wanted it to be plus so much more. I wasn't sure how she was exceed the first book but have no fear, she does it.

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole - Talk about fangirl, that is what I became with this series. When I was offered the opportunity to read this early, I nearly died. I may or may not have run around my room, squealing - it maybe happened, maybe not. This book KILLED me and I can't wait for it to come out so I can talk to SOMEONE about it *sigh*

A FEW HONORABLE MENTIONS:

On the Fence by Kasie West - I love, love, LOVED this book. I could relate to it so much. It reminded me of my childhood, with a different outcome, sadly but it was definitely relateable for me, which made me love it that much. I finished this in a few hours, so it was just a fun, quick, cute read - not something I normally do but it's Kasie West . . . soooooo.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu - Had the first half of this book been a bit better, it would've made it in to my top 10, no questions asked but it was just too slow for me. The end absolutely made up for it and I'm dying for the next book because that ending . . . *twists the knife to my heart*

Split Second by Kasie West - Why or WHY was this only a duology? I so wanted more from these characters and more from this story. I loved all the characters and I wasn't ready to let them go. *sigh*

What are some of the best books YOU read this year?!