I get excited every December as end of year lists roll out since they compile the best literature, films and music into easily referenced and critiqued time capsules of that year. Since I'm usually busy with school and family, December is a nice pause to see what I may have missed out on that year, using "Best Of" lists to map out what I may enjoy the next year.
The list I've compiled below, however, is more of a reflective "Best Of list"--namely, a document of my top ten reading experiences in 2014, even if the majority of the titles came out several years ago. Each one thrilled me, gave me new perspectives, and left a permanent imprint.
10. Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
9. The Circle by Dave Eggers
8. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
7. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
6. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
5. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
3. Every Day by David Levithan
2. Eleanor & Park, Attachments, Landline (tie) by Rainbow Rowell
1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
What were your top reads this year? Feel free to comment below.
The list I've compiled below, however, is more of a reflective "Best Of list"--namely, a document of my top ten reading experiences in 2014, even if the majority of the titles came out several years ago. Each one thrilled me, gave me new perspectives, and left a permanent imprint.
10. Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
- The narration and characterization of this novel absolutely delighted me; plus McNeal crafted one of the most chilling villains I've ever seen. I'm looking forward to revisiting this modern take on a fairy tale again.
9. The Circle by Dave Eggers
- I was thrilled to discover Dave Eggers had written a fictional book this year since I've loved his previous non-fiction accounts. The Circle puts a dark perspective on the potential dangers of the Internet and seemingly benign companies that exploit it.
8. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
- Teenage boys, chocolate, and priests. Who knew these were the perfect ingredients for one of the most gripping and devastating books I read this year?
7. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- So brilliant. So enjoyable. So relatable. Rosenthal's unique encyclopedia-style memoir prompted multiple writing activities in my classroom since her unique style worked on so many levels of sharing stories.
6. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
- I confess that I've been recommending this book to students for years based only on the first chapter I read with them. I finally read through the rest, though, and I was continually stunned with how Anderson crafted chilling, poignant sentences throughout this bleak story of anorexia. (I also confess to audibly sighing as her sentences struck me.)
5. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
- Another gorgeous read. Even though the premise of the earth suddenly rotating too slowly falls under the sci-fi genre, this was a memorable, beautiful exploration of what it means to come of age.
4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
- Everything about this book clicked for me. In fact, I'm normally a slow and methodical reader, but I devoured this novel in two days since I wanted to spend every possible moment with these characters.
3. Every Day by David Levithan
- From the first page, I loved this premise of a character jumping from one life to another. The multiple perspectives and outsider observations on love and life worked perfectly for me.
2. Eleanor & Park, Attachments, Landline (tie) by Rainbow Rowell
- How does one woman craft such perfect descriptions of what it's like to be in and out of love? Now I just need to read Fangirl to complete my Rainbow Rowell year.
1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- This glimpse into the possible near-future unwrapped in such a delicate, startling way, leaving me emotionally crushed by the end. Some of the most memorable images of the year came from this expertly crafted novel of friendship and loss.
What were your top reads this year? Feel free to comment below.