2014 Reading Year in Review!

JANUARY

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
3. Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
4. Shadow and Bone (Grisha #1) by Leigh Bardugo
5. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
6. Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
7. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

FEBRUARY

8. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
10. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
11. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
12. Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
13. Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier
14. Private L.A. by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

MARCH

15. Siege and Storm (Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
16. The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
17. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
18. The Distance Between Us by Kami West
19. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
20. First Love by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
21. Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer
22. Black Horizon by James Patterson

APRIL

23. NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
24. Panic by Lauren Oliver
25. The Giver by Lois Lowry
26. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
27. Tempting Fate by Jane Green
28. The King (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R. Ward

MAY

29. The Target by David Baldacci
30. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
31. The Collector by Nora Roberts
32. Everything to Lose by Andrew Gross
33. Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
34. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
35. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
36. Unlucky 13 (The Women’s Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
37. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
38. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
39. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

JUNE

40. Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
41. The Immortal Rules (The Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
42. A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey
43. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
44. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Illustrated by Dave McKean
45. Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows

JULY

46. Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis
47. That Night by Chevy Stevens
48. Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich
49. Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Trilogy #3) by Leigh Bardugo
50. If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman
51. Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman
52. Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
53. The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

AUGUST

54. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket
55. The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) by Lemony Snicket
56. The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass
57. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
58. The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass
59. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
60. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
61. The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3)  by Lemony Snicket
62. The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events #4) by Lemony Snicket
63. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay
64. The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events #5) by Lemony Snicket
65. The Merciless (The Merciless #1) by Danielle Vega
66. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
67. The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events #6) by Lemony Snicket

SEPTEMBER

68. Four: A Divergent Story Collection by Veronica Roth
69. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss
70. Private Down Under (Private #6) by James Patterson and Michael White
71. Murder 101 by Faye Kellerman
72. The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner

OCTOBER

73. Obsidian (A Lux Novel #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
74. Onyx (A Lux Novel #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
75. House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan
76. The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan
77. 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
78. Crave The Night (Midnight Breed #12) by Lara Adrian

NOVEMBER

79. The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) by Alexandra Bracken
80. Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins
81. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children) by Ransom Riggs

DECEMBER

82. The Escape (John Puller #3) by David Baldacci
83. The Prince (The Selection #0.5) by Kiera Cass
84. The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin
85. Private: India (Private #8) by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi
86. The Guard (The Selection #2.5) by Kiera Cass
87. The Job (Fox and O’Hare #3) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
88. The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel (Outlander #1.5) by Diana Gabaldon and Illustrated by Hoang Nguyen
89. Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
90. Burn (Michael Bennett #7) by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
91. Shopaholic to the Stars (Shopaholic #7) by Sophie Kinsella

No. 91 for 2014

Title: Shopaholic to the Stars (Shopaholic #7)
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Rating: 1/5
Book: 91
Pages:  479 pgs
Total Pages: 32,391 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 68
Version: Book
Next up: Hope to Die (Alex Cross #22) by James Patterson

I really disliked this book. There were some funny moments of it but for the most of the book I was cringing and wishing the book was over. When I was 200+ pages into it, I stared at the book in disbelief as there was another 200 pages to go and NOTHING had happened in the first 200 pages.

Becky used to be endearing in the earlier books. The books used to make me laugh with her antics. Now she has turned into the most annoying and selfish character I have ever read about. She doesn’t care about anyone else at all. Even though her husband, father and friends are all in crisis, she couldn’t give two hoots about it. That is not the Becky that Kinsella wrote in book 1.

What is worse, the book had a cliffhanger and there will be another book in this series. I doubt I’ll be checking it out. Kinsella writes awesome standalone books but I feel like she needs to let Becky go. It’s time to stop beating the dead horse Kinsella.

About the Book:

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) has stars in her eyes. She and her daughter, Minnie, have joined husband Luke in LA—city of herbal smoothies, multimillion-dollar yoga retreats, and the lure of celebrity. Luke is there to help manage the career of famous actress Sage Seymour—and Becky is convinced she is destined to be Sage’s personal stylist, and go from there to every A-list celebrity in Hollywood! But things become complicated when Becky joins the team of Sage’s archrival. How will charming and supportive Luke deal with this conflict? Is it possible that what Becky wants most will end up hurting those she loves most?

No. 90 for 2014

Title: Burn (Michael Bennett #7)
Author: James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Rating: 4/5
Book: 90
Pages:  401 pgs
Total Pages: 31,912 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 67
Version: Book
Next up: Shopaholic to the Stars (Shopaholic #7) by Sophie Kinsella

Another solid Bennett mystery. I did really enjoy the multiple story lines through the story and there all were woven together nicely. Definitely recommend this one.

About the Book:

At last, Detective Michael Bennett and his family are coming home to New York City. Thanks to Bennett, the ruthless crime lord whose vengeful mission forced the Bennett family into hiding has been brought down for good. Back in the city that never sleeps, Bennett takes over a chaotic Outreach Squad in Harlem, where he receives an unusual call: a man claims to have seen a group of well-dressed men holding a bizarre party in a condemned building. With no clear crime or evidence, Bennett dismisses the report. But when a charred body is found in that very same building, he is forced to take the demented caller seriously–and is drawn into an underground criminal world of terrifying depravity.

No. 89 for 2014

Title: Opal (Lux #3)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 3/5
Book: 89
Pages:  394 pgs
Total Pages: 31,511 pages
Library Book?: No
No. of Library Books read: 66
Version: Book
Next up: Burn (Michael Bennett #7) by James Patterson and Micheal Ledwidge

I liked this one but didn’t love it. Katy was very annoying in this book and there were many times that I just wanted to slap her for acting so childish. Even still, I look forward to the next book in the series.

About the Book:

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different… And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

No. 88 for 2014

Title: The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel (Outlander #1.5)
Author: Diana Gabaldon and Illustrated by Hoang Nguyen
Rating: 4/5
Book: 88
Pages:  224 pgs
Total Pages: 31,017 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 66
Version: Book
Next up: Mercy by Helenkay Dimon

This was my very first graphic novel and I enjoyed it! I don’t know if it has sold me on graphic novels in general but I really did enjoy seeing Jamie’s point of view. I do hope that we get the rest of the Outlander story in his point of view as this book ended in the middle. Highly enjoyed and do recommend.

About the Book:

fter too long an absence, Jamie Fraser is coming home to Scotland—but not without great trepidation. Though his beloved godfather, Murtagh, promised Jamie’s late parents he’d watch over their brash son, making good on that vow will be no easy task. There’s already a fat bounty on the young exile’s head, courtesy of Captain Black Jack Randall, the sadistic British officer who’s crossed paths—and swords—with Jamie in the past. And in the court of the mighty MacKenzie clan, Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles: aging chieftain Colum, who demands his nephew’s loyalty—or his life—and Dougal, war chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, who’d sooner see Jamie put to the sword than anointed Colum’s heir.

And then there is Claire Randall—mysterious, beautiful, and strong-willed, who appears in Jamie’s life to stir his  compassion . . . and arouse his desire.

But even as Jamie’s heart draws him to Claire, Murtagh is certain she’s been sent by the Old Ones, and Captain Randall accuses her of being a spy. Claire clearly has something to hide, though Jamie can’t believe she could pose him any danger. Still, he knows she is torn between two choices—a life with him, and whatever it is that draws her thoughts so often elsewhere.

No. 87 for 2014

Title: The Job (Fox and O’Hare #3)
Author: Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Rating: 4/5
Book: 87
Pages:  289 pgs
Total Pages: 30,793 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 65
Version: Book
Next up: The Exile by Diana Gabaldon and Illustrated by Hoang Nguyen/Mercy by Helenkay Dimon

I liked this book. I’m a fan of Nick Fox and I always enjoy diving back into the world. While I enjoyed this book, there were little bits that seemed to drag to me but overall, I enjoyed the book and do recommend.

About the Book:

Charming con man Nicolas Fox and dedicated FBI agent Kate O’Hare secretly take down world’s most-wanted and untouchable felons, next job Violante, the brutal leader of a global drug-smuggling empire. The FBI doesn’t know what he looks like, where he is, or how to find him, but Nick knows his tastes in gourmet chocolate.

From Nashville to Lisbon back alleys, from Istanbul rooftops to Thames, they chase clues to lookalike thefts. Pitted against a psychopathic bodyguard Reyna holding Kate hostage and a Portuguese enforcer getting advice from an ancestor’s pickled head, they again call driver Willie for ship, actor Boyd for one-eyed Captain Bridger, special effects carpenter Tom, her father Jake – retired Special Forces, and his talent – machete-wielding Somali pirate Billy Dee. This could be their biggest job – if they survive.

No. 86 for 2014

Title: The Guard (The Selection No. 2.5)
Author: Kiera Cass
Rating: 3/5
Book: 86
Pages:  64 pgs
Total Pages: 30,504 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 64
Version: E-Book
Next up: The Job (Fox and O’Hare #3) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

It was okay. I didn’t like it as much as “The Prince” but still worth the read. I think the reason why this novella didn’t do much for me is because I never really liked Aspen’s character.

About the Book:

Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . .
Before she entered the Selection . . .
She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

No. 85 for 2014

Title: Private India: City on Fire (Private #8)
Author: James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi
Rating: 2/5
Book: 85
Pages:  352 pgs
Total Pages: 30,440 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 63
Version: Book
Next up: The Job (Fox and O’Hare #3) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

I didn’t like this book. I enjoy the Private series but this book didn’t do anything for me. It’s obvious that Patterson didn’t write this book and his co-author did, which is fine, however I didn’t like the author’s writing style. I found some of the plot wasn’t explained well and I was confused in parts of the book.

About the Book:

When Jack Morgan opens the Mumbai branch of Private, the world’s most elite detective agency, he hands the reins to top agent Santosh Wagh. Now, in this teeming metropolis of over thirteen million people where the guilty have everywhere to hide, Santosh goes on the hunt for one elusive killer. A killer who is targeting seemingly unconnected women and placing strange objects at their death scenes in a series of chilling rituals. As the Private team races to find a link that will lead them to the next victim, an unseen menace threatens to destroy the agency from within-and plunge the city into chaos. With countless lives hanging in the balance, Santosh must confront the demons of his past . . . before Private India meets an explosive end.

No. 84 for 2014

Title: The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3)
Author: Michelle Hodkin
Rating: 3/5
Book: 84
Pages:  470 pgs
Total Pages: 30,088 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 62
Version: Book
Next up: Private India: City on Fire (Private #8) by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi

I don’t quite know what to say about this book. I liked it and it was entertaining enough but I have issues with this book. Questions were answered but there are questions I still have that will go unanswered. I still enjoyed this series and would recommend it but the first book was my favourite of the series.

About the Book:

Mara Dyer wants to believe there’s more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

No. 83 for 2014

Title: The Prince (The Selection #0.5)
Author: Kiera Cass
Rating: 3/5
Book: 83
Pages:  64 pgs
Total Pages: 29,618 pages
Library Book?: Yes
No. of Library Books read: 61
Version: Book
Next up: The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin

I liked this novella. It didn’t add anything more to the story but it was still enjoyable. It was interesting seeing a little bit of the story from Maxon’s point of view but I just wished we had more.

About the Book:

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection…

Before Aspen broke America’s heart…

There was another girl in Prince Maxon’s life…