I’ve seen a lot of books come and go this year already – I’ve definitely upped my game in the amount I’m reading which obviously isn’t a bad thing… Until it comes to writing these sorts of posts and I have to narrow it down to my top 10! I had a good, long think and with some help from my bookshelf and my Goodreads account, I finally have my top 10. These are in no particular order (it was hard enough picking 10 out, let alone then battling them against each other for the top spot!) and were all incredible reads for their own individual reasons.

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1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I literally only just finished this book and man alive what a book it was. I started reading this last year but after a few chapters, felt I couldn’t really “get into it”. I then watched the film which I thought was absolutely beautiful so I figured if I love the film that much then the book must be just as good, if not better. The film was incredible but the book – the book was absolutely outstanding. So beautifully told, so eye-opening and so incredibly poignant. A true genius of a novel.

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2. 100 Proposals by Holly Martin

Holly Martin really is becoming something of an icon amongst book bloggers for her wonderfully heart-warming and gorgeously written books but she well and truly out-did herself with this one. After reading The Guestbook, I didn’t think she could top it but she absolutely did. I felt everything there is to possibly feel for this book. I didn’t stop smiling, laughing or crying throughout the entire thing. Holly has such a knack for making you fall in love with her characters too – she’s a truly gifted writer and this book is a perfect example.

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3. Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged by Sarah J. Pepper

I am a huge fan of Sarah’s, since reading Death of the Mad Hatter last year I fell in love with her writing and her personality and the way she and the characters she creates see the world and when she told me she was working on a novel about Rapunzel?! Well, I was literally left on the edge of my seat for 6 months until I could finally read it and the first few chapters actually brought a tear to my eye (despite it not being at all sad) because it was everything I hoped it’d be and the reality of how good it was totally exceeded my expectations.

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4. Therapist by Jaden Wilkes

Not my usual read and somewhat of an impulse purchase this one but Jesus Christ what a read! I honestly don’t think I will ever stumble across anything like this again and although this definitely won’t be for everyone – it’s dark, twisted and completely disgusting – it really did test my limits and open my mind up to a whole new genre I didn’t think I’d try. It will shock you over and over again until you literally don’t know which way to turn. (Find my review here).

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5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ah, the age old classic. Believe it or not, I actually only got around to reading this for the first time this year – even after getting it for my birthday the year before. I’d seen the film which I loved and was waiting for the right time to read the book and I genuinely couldn’t believe what I’d been missing for this long! Completely obvious as to why it’s one of the most popular classics of all time. (Find my review here).

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6. How To Win a Guy in 10 Dates by Jane Linfoot

I bought this book after a friend reviewed it and little did I know that it was going to be not only one of the fastest books I’ve ever read, but one of the best as well. I fell in love with everything about this book – there wasn’t a single element I didn’t like. It was funny, witty, quirky, sexy, heart-warming – everything you could possibly want in a book! Plus, the author is absolutely lovely and one I have a somewhat, strange link too… (Find my review here).

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7. How To Get a (Love) Life by Rosie Blake

This one gets a solid spot on my list for 2 reasons; 1) I related so much to the main character, it could have been me talking. She is so normal which I loved reading about. She does stupid things and has weird quirks which is so nice to see when everyone’s trying to be as perfect as possible and 2) It was hilarious. I mean, laugh-out-loud, dribbling and snorting type hilarious. I completely “got” Rosie’s sense of humour and we all need a book like this every now and again. (Find my review here).

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8. Beyond Grace’s Rainbow by Carmel Harrington

Now this was a book who’s name I’d seen flying round the book blogosphere pretty much since I started blogging and after reading it I totally understood all the hype and praise it had been given. One of the most life-affirming, poignant and incredibly moving books I have ever read. Very rarely do books come around which make you value your own life in an entirely different way to how you did before, but this was one of them and I honestly think this story will stay with me forever. I am so incredibly excited about reading Carmel’s new novel too! (You can find my review here).

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9. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S Lewis

My mum has always been a huge fan of the Narnia books and the collection we have at home are hers from when she was a child. They’d been sitting on my shelf for years but only did I pick the first one up this year. I finished it in a day and absolutely loved it – despite not really being in the age range it’s designed for. However, I don’t think that matters. This book gave me a valuable insight into the mind of a child and it really does help you remember what it’s like to be young, naïve and see all the magic in the world that we sometimes forget as adults.

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10. The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman

I absolutely adored the premise of this book because it’s not something you often read about – especially in fiction. I couldn’t believe how emotionally involved I got with this story and these characters and this book completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s one of those books that’ll make you really really appreciate your life and your health and the people around you. (You can find my review here).

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What have been your favourite reads of 2014 so far? Let me know!