My Favourite Books of 2014
It that time of year again where I write about the books I’ve been reading. I know there is still 3 weeks left in the year which is lots of time for more reading. But I have decided to post my favourite books of 2014 now. Note: these are just my favourite books out of what I have read this year. Most of them were not actually published in 2014.
Fiction
1. World War Z by Max Brooks. It began with rumours from China about another pandemic. Then the cases started to multiply and what had looked like the stirrings of a criminal underclass, even the beginnings of a revolution, soon revealed itself to be much, much worse. Faced with a future of mindless, man-eating horror, humanity was forced to accept the logic of world government and face events that tested our sanity and our sense of reality.
2. The Forever Watch by David Ramirez (review). The Noah: a city-sized ship, half-way through an eight-hundred-year voyage to another planet. In a world where deeds, and even thoughts, cannot be kept secret, a man is murdered; his body so ruined that his identity must be established from DNA evidence. Within hours, all trace of the crime is swept away, hidden as though it never happened.
3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they’re off to university and Wren’s decided she doesn’t want to be one half of a pair any more – she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It’s not so easy for Cath. She’s horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she’s experienced in real life.
4. Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a Web-design drone and serendipity coupled with sheer curiosity has landed him a new job working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. And it doesn’t take long for Clay to realize that the quiet, dusty book emporium is even more curious than the name suggests. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes and what they discover is an ancient secret that can only be solved by modern means, and a global-conspiracy guarded by Mr. Penumbra himself…who has mysteriously disappeared.
5. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith. When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case.
Non-Fiction
1. Harry Potter: Page to Screen (review). From the acquisition of the film rights to the casting of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the assembly of the creative team, Harry Potter: Page to Screen is a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the most popular film series in cinema history, as told by the people who made the magic real.
2. A Zeal of Zebras. An embarrassment of pandas, a galaxy of starfish, a shiver of sharks…these are all collective nouns – terms used to describe a group. Woop Studios has illustrated these quirky phrases, creating a series of truly stunning art that has been collected here for the first time. The colourful introduction to animals and the alphabet is accessible for young children, while the whimsical art and clever word play make it perfect for design-savvy parents and hip gift givers.
3. An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth by Chris Hadfield (review). Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft, and become a YouTube sensation with his performance of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ in space. The secret to Chris Hadfield’s success – and survival – is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst – and enjoy every moment of it.
4. This Star Won’t Go Out by Esther Earl (review). A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends help to tell Esther’s story, along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to her.
5. The Heretics: Adventures With The Enemies of Science by Will Storr. Will Storr has travelled across the world to meet an extraordinary cast of modern heretics in order to answer this question. He goes on a tour of Holocaust sites with David Irving and a band of neo-Nazis, experiences his own murder during ‘past-life regression’ hypnosis, takes part in a mass homeopathic overdose, and investigates a new disease affecting tens of thousands of people – a disease that doesn’t actually exist.
Special Mention
This year I have been slowly working through the reading list on wellread40. These are the three books I found most interesting out of what I read this year, however I couldn’t decide if they belonged in fiction or non-fiction so they get a special section.
Gilgamesh and The Five Books of Moses are both really fascinating in a historical sense. Someone once told me that you should read the Bible at some point in your life and after reading The Five Books of Moses I realised they were right.
The Dhammapada is also a fascinating read. This is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form. The really interesting thing about this book is you see that Buddhism is more a way of thinking than it is a religion. This book really helped my anxiety problem in a there’s no point worrying about stuff you can’t change sort of way.
I can’t quite believe how many books I’ve managed to read this year. It’s like I’ve suddenly realised just how much I enjoy reading. If you found this post interesting check out my favourite books from 2017, 2016, and 2015.
30 Comments
Arielle Joy
You’ve got a good selection here, thank you for sharing. I had no idea that books like the Harry Potter page to screen even existed, so thank you for letting me know! I also need to read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
bluchickenninja
Yeah I think the Harry Potter book has been out for quite a few years. But a must read if you like the films. Fangirl is brilliant too!
claire.luana
Love Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore! Devoured it in almost one sitting!
bluchickenninja
Yup. It was brilliant!
Dagny
The only one I’ve read is Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore and I totally agree! It would make my list too. I’ve put An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth on my list to buy next year; thank you for bringing it to my attention.
bluchickenninja
Mr Penumbra’s was fantastic. And the first book I read this year. An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth is good too!
jessmlamb
Page to screen is so wonderful! Have you seen the collector’s edition complete filmmaking journey? It’s so neat!
bluchickenninja
Is that the one with the 7 making of books in it? The really expensive one on Amazon. I want it.
jessmlamb
Yes! I found a really great deal for one on ebay and got it for my birthday. If you can find a bargain, so worth it
oxygen4thejourney
You have read such a huge amount of books! You’ve motivated me 🙂
bluchickenninja
Reading is fun 😀
Santulan
I loved Penumbra’s book store… Almost went through it in one go. I do have a copy of Cuckoo’s calling, but yet to start on it.
I believe that the Forever watch is being adapted in to a TV miniseries. Read a plot of an upcoming one which is almost the same.
bluchickenninja
The Cuckoo’s Calling was good, you need to read that.
And I didn’t know that the Forever Watch was being made into a TV show. Will need to go find out more about that.
Santulan
OK.. My bad.. A TV series called Ascension is being made.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_(TV_series)
bluchickenninja
Yeah similar but not the same thing. Still sounds interesting though.
Santulan
Yep 😀
bornandread
Loved Fangirl as well – I reckon it’ll be on my list of faves for the year as well.
I’ve been meaning to read Gilgamesh for ages – will have to get on to it for 2015!
bluchickenninja
Love Fangirl 😀 Gilgamesh is really interesting too. And you can find it online for free.
Kay Bee
Yes Dhhaammaapaddaaaaa….bhagavad gita is good too
bluchickenninja
I have the bhagavad gita too. Just haven’t got around to reading it yet.
K'lee L.
Very impressed by your book count! I’ve got to step mine up.
Curious if you’ve seen the movie version of, ‘World War Z’? Having not yet read the book, I felt the movie was a little too ‘safe’ as in only showing little bits(!) of what could happen if such a scenario were to really play out globally.
Abbie's Tree House
Stephen Mitchel has a version of The Dhammapada that’s very nice. I like his version of Gilgamesh, too- but I like Herman Mason’s better.
Christine Antonette
Thank you for sharing this one. I now have an idea what books to indulge myself with this coming last days of 2014.
bluchickenninja
You’re welcome. Hope you find something you like 😀
sammy2711
Wow! Those choices are just awesome! I’m going to add few in my “to-read” list!! Thanks a ton!! 🙂
bluchickenninja
You’re welcome 😀
Sandromache
I like this post, it has brought to my attention that I haven’t read ANY non fiction this year and I feel shame. You have a nice looking variety.
bluchickenninja
Yeah I enjoy reading non fiction stuff.
kburniston
Hey, thanks for liking my post ‘Art is’!
And I’ve been searching for new reading material so I think your book reviews etc. will be a great place to start searching, thanks!
The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly sounds interesting 🙂
bluchickenninja
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it.