Top 14 of 2014

Last year I made a top 13 of 2013 and I had a hard time finding 13 since I didn't have that many over the top favorites of 2013. This year I had the opposite problem.. I have about 30 books I've rated 5 stars during the year, so narrowing that down to 14 was tough - but I made it. The books are not in alphabetical or ranked after favorite-least favorite but in order of how I read them so: January through December.

The first five-star read I read in 2014 was The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson. I loved every aspect of this book and I think the only thing that's made me hesitant to start the other books in the series is the size.. They're massive. I miss the world though so I might have to start the sequel(s) sooner or later.



The second five-star read of the year was Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I wrote quite a long review of Wonder because I loved it so much and I even went out and bought the book because I wanted to be able to re-read it whenever I want. Even though that hasn't happened, yet, I still love the book and recommend it to everyone.





I also read and adored the entire Across the Universe series by Beth Revis. It is my first actual science fiction series and I've been craving a series like it ever since. I believe I devoured this entire series in the course of a few weeks because I couldn't wait to find out what happened and I wanted to get lost in space!




I picked The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight up on a whim and I received it by chance, but nevertheless I absolutely loved it and I did definitely not want it to end! I've always loved the title because it's so long and different. The story is sweet and the characters are quite relatable - in short: it's a wonderful book






I was quite hesitant to start Pivot Point but I loved it! It was incredible and so entirely different. I loved the main character, the plot and the setting. It was wonderfully action-packed without losing the main focus. I love the aspect of the story - powers of the mind. I also adored and devoured the sequel Split Second.





The Edge of Never was one of my very first new adult books and it did definitely not let me down. It was different, due to the sex scenes, but I still liked it. Even though it was, and still is, out of my comfort zone I read this book in a few days and I did not want to put it down.





I tried to space out my Rainbow Rowell books but I just had to start Eleanor & Park since I know it's a favorite among a lot of Rowell fans. It's not my absolute favorite one of her books but it still got a 5 star rating. I loved that this was about teenagers with problems - whether it be personal or life in general. It is not like other YA books and it's quite enjoyable.. I have a love-hate relationship with the ending though.





I didn't even read the entire synopsis of this one, I read 2 lines and I had to read it. It took a while before I read it but it was amazing! It is so light even though it's a tougher theme - teenage pregnancy and all. I loved it and I wish I could go back and read it for the first time.





I love how I have 2 Rainbow Rowell books on my favorites list - just like last year. I wish I'd waited and read this during wintertime but I loved it nevertheless. I don't love that many adult books but I could somehow relate to this - maybe because of all the flashbacks to her younger years. I adored this book and I loved all the references - especially when she meets Cath and Levi from Fangirl!



I discovered fairy-tale retellings last year, I believe, and I have loved the majority of the retellings I've read. I received an e-arc of Tear You Apart and I read it in a single setting. I love how this combines all of the fairytales and that the fairytales are curses - it's amazing and I can't wait to read all of Sarah Cross' other books







I was quite hesitant about Between the Lives and kept going back and forth on whether I should request it or not - I ended up requesting and loving it! This has a similar feel as the Pivot Point duology and it's perfect for fans of those books!





I adored The Boy with the Tiger's Heart, even though its quite short it's so deep and keeps you wanting more. It's a modern fable so it's not a book for everyone, but it's so vivid and creative that I want everyone to love it even though I know it's impossible.







I picked Accidentally Married up on a whim and I flew through it! It is so funny and I literally laughed out loud a bunch of times. It's not that long but it definitely feels longer. I loved Madison Nichols, she was so quirky and she's definitely the reason I loved this book so much.





The last favorite of the year is an anthology, surprise! It's My True Love Gave To Me and even though I didn't love every story, I loved most of them so I had to put it on this list. Rainbow Rowell's story was probably my favorite...

I read A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall shortly after making this list, and I have to say it should have been on here.. I absolutely loved it, but I couldn't find a book to 'through in the bin' and let A Little Something Different take its place... 

What was your absolute favorite book of 2014?

Blog tour stop: Rain by Christie Cote (Review, Q&A, Guest Post and giveaway)

Series: Rain #1

Publication date: May 6, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace

Genres: YA Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Format: eArc

Source: Christe Cote 

Pages: 188

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Taylor Sullivan took her life for granted until she received news that would change her life forever. In a state of denial she met Kyle, who didn’t end up being what she expected. She wasn’t able to escape her new reality, but with his friendship, just maybe she could survive it.

The summary is pretty vague when it comes down to what this book is actually about, but when you read the first chapter everything is revealed. I had no idea that this book was about a girl with cancer – and before you think The Fault in Our Stars, stop, this book is nothing like TFiOS, it’s great but please don’t compare it to it. The opening paragraph is so

beautiful you really have to read it for yourself: I watched the rain hurl itself against my window. Every so often I would see a flash of light in the darkness. The weather seemed to know how I felt and was displaying my sorrow outside. I felt compelled to go out and feel the rain against my skin. It felt like the sky was crying for me, even though I knew in reality that wasn’t true. When I read those lines I knew this book was going to be great. It’s so beautiful and somehow so poetic.

 Lengthwise Rain is not that long, it’s a little less than 200 pages but it feels so long – and that’s not meant in a bad way. Somehow Christie has written a 200 page book that feels like 4-500 page book – that is indeed a skill. I loved every part of this book, there wasn’t really those dull moments that generally seem to be in books. This was packed with emotional moments; sweet, sad, uplifting, depressing, hopeless, loving, intriguing – you name it.

 I don’t know if it’s sad that I could relate to Taylor, but I felt for her or rather; I felt with her. I could relate to her feelings, her thoughts, her actions – it felt as if I was her. The conversations with Kyle, the Stranger from across the road, made me laugh and whenever they were together I couldn’t stop smiling. I loved them together and I adored how he treated her.

 Even though this book is about a girl with cancer trying to live it’s also so much more. It’s about friendship, first love – and second, family and life in general. I can’t wait ‘till the sequel comes out – even though this could be a phenomenal standalone. On that note I think I’ll wrap up. If you hadn’t guessed already I gave this book the fantastic 5 heart rating. As I’ve said a couple of times I love every part of this book, and it deserves no less that 5 hearts!

Q&A with Christe Cote

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Rain from?

A: I had to start a new realistic fiction story for a fiction writing class in college. I decided to write about a character with an illness and then a scene with rain came to my mind. The rain aspect was very strong and I just went with it. I never expected to write an entire novel, I had never finished writing a book before.

Q: Why did you choose to write about a girl with cancer? 

A: This probably sounds morbid, but I have been interested in cancer since I was in middle school. I have done researched and read a lot about it. I was interested in nursing so I could help people with cancer, but writing about it and spreading awareness that way might be my way to make a difference right now.

Q: How did you create your characters?

A: As I was writing the characters just appeared in my mind, and over time as I wrote the story, they developed.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: I have wanted to be a writer since eighth grade, or that is when I believe I developed the idea. The want grew stronger over time and I was pretty intent on becoming a writer when I was a senior in high school.

Q: Was it your own choice to become an indie author, and why?

A: Yes, it was my choice to become an indie author. I thought about trying to get traditionally published, but I really liked the idea of having full control over my book and making all of the decisions. It is a lot of work, but has been a rewarding process and I have learned a lot.

Q: What is your favorite book by another self-published author, and why?

A: Slammed by Colleen Hoover, but she is now traditionally published by Atria. She has a wonderful success story from self-publishing Slammed. It is a fantastic book, I highly recommend it!

Q: Is there a book you wish you had written?

A: All of them. HAHA. Honestly, I’m not sure if I really wished I had written someone else’s story, especially one of my favorites. I mean the success would be nice, but I also would miss out on the reading experience for the book. When you write a story, you don’t appreciate it or love it the same way as when you read an awesome story for the first time. Does that make sense?

Why Christie chose to be a writer

I’m not sure if I chose to be a writer, or if it is something that I just am. I love to write, and since I began writing my passion for it has exploded. There is something so personal and intimate about writing, and it is the most magical feeling I have ever experienced. When I write, I get lost in the world I am creating, and I just can’t imagine never experiencing that. So I guess in short, I am a writer because I can’t imagine not writing. Without it, I would have a major hole in my life.

To win an e-copy of Rain all you have to do is answer a single question as usual: What is your favorite book by an indie author? (remember to leave your email address in the comment so I have a way of contacting you in case you win). 

Series Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I have been wanting to read this series for quite a while and I finally got around to it! It all takes place on Goodspeed - which is a spaceship! Doesn't it already sound awesome? But on this spaceship there is some people who are frozen, because they have been chosen to be the military, doctors and such on the new planet. There has to be people that takes care of the ship, and there is a couple of thousand people to do that. They are called Feeders and Shippers, then we have Doc and his helpers and lastly Elder and Eldest - the leader and the leader to-be of the ship. 

And then things starts happening! 

I really liked the characters! Amy, Elder and Harvey where probably my favorites! And Kayleigh would have been if she was alive! 

I loved the fact that Elder didn't just accept everything he was told, he interprets everything to see if there is a hidden truth - it was great! Also, he thinks things through before going along with everything

Amy had a hard time fitting in in the beginning, because everyone looks the same and she stands out. But she deals with it! Ofcourse it was rough in the beginning, but that didn't mean that she sat in "her" room and sulked all the time. She took matters into her own hands and started envestigating stuff.

Aaah Harvey, sweet sweet Harvey... He tries to make Amy feel welcome, and I personally think he does a great job! He is so nice and friendly to everyone even though he has had a very hard time. 

I think this is one of the best ideas ever! I mean seriously a murder mystery that takes place on a spaceship that doesn't have contact with Earth anymore, the former leaders have had well kept secrets and there is so many hidden agendas and secrets that once you think you have figured it out there comes a plot twist and you have to figure every thing out again. 

I LOVED the fact that the love story I thought it was going to be, was not an actual love story! It was a friendship that bloomed until both were ready, they actually started to know each other and had the time to let their feelings evolve. Another thing I loved was that she kept saying that she didn't want to be with Elder because he was the only one she could be with - in the beginning I though it was irritating, but when I started to know Amy I totally understood it. She wanted to choose Elder, and not just choose him because there wasn't anyone else to choose. I think that is beautiful. 

I started to fear a love triangle somewhere in the books, but I am happy to say that there wasn't one! I hate love triangles and the fact that this series is free of one, totally bumps up the rating!

I also think this is a very unique story, I have never come across a book that took place in space on a spaceship - but let me know if you have!

My first rating for each book was 4 hearts, but after thinking about it, I have to give each of them 5 hearts. Since I finished Shades of Earth a couple of days ago, I haven't stopped thinking about them. I know this series will be one of my favorites for a very long time, if not the rest of my life. 

It is spectacular, well-written, wonderfully put together and all in all magnificent. 

Across the Universe: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

A Million Suns: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Shades of Earth: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

You can get a sample of each book on amazon!

Beth Revis' Website

And by the way; those covers are gorgeous! - after reading the third book I like the cover better, although I still prefer the other ones better. 

There is a novella called As They Slip Away, even though goodreads says it's a prequel, I recommend you read it after the second book (A Million Suns) since it contain a spoiler. 

Have you read the series, if yes what did you think, if no are you planning to?