In the way that only a slightly obsessive list maker can, I’ve looked forward to this post all year. It’s so satisfying to set a book reading goal and inch closer to it as the months go by. It is even more satisfying to surpass it.
I challenged myself to read 50 books in 2014, and I read 61. Goodreads was kind enough to send me an email congratulating me (before I read the last two books):
I was thrilled to find out there was a stats page, because I am a dork. Here are mine:
I read 21,933 pages, with the longest book weighing in at 640 pages (Night Film).
I rated all 61 books, giving them one to five stars. I am a tough rater, so a rating of three stars is a good book that I would recommend. I’m picky about giving four stars, and downright stingy giving out five stars.
In 2014, I read:
14 four star books | 37 three star books | 7 two star books | 3 one star books
Here are my top ten books of 2014, in no particular order. Note that I chose from the 61 books I read, even if they weren’t actually published in 2014. Most are books I’ve already reviewed, and the titles link to those reviews.
1. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
(Fantasy, Book Three of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy)
2. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
(Young Adult, made into a movie. Always read the book first!)
I didn’t review this one because it was all over the media. But if you think you’re too old or sophisticated for YA fiction, this book will change your mind.
3. One Plus One by JoJo Moyes
(Contemporary Fiction)
Nothing like Me Before You, but still a good read.
4. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
(Contemporary Fiction)
The biggest pleasant surprise of 2014 for me; I named this as one of my favorites for Julia’s top reads of the year.
5. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
(A mishmash of fantasy, romance, quasi-historical fiction, and the final book of the All Souls trilogy.)
6. One Kick by Chelsea Cain
(Mystery/thriller)
Fast-paced read and a nice change of genre for any non-mystery reader.
7. Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller
(Memoir)
A recent read; here’s my review:
You never know what goes on behind closed doors. In this not-your-average coming of age memoir, Miller recounts her seemingly normal life as the only child of loving parents. But behind the closed door and draped windows, the Millers lived in an increasingly small space as their home was overrun by the things her father hoarded. Before the reality show, Miller and her parents were living with the shame and secrecy, as they desperately tried to maintain the facade in their Long Island suburban community.
Miller’s story is fascinating and heartbreaking, but also hopeful. I couldn’t put this book down.
8. Above by Isla Morley
(Contemporary Fiction)
When surveying my 2014 reads, this one still resonated with me even though I read it in January.
9. Mr Mercedes by Stephen King
(Mystery, NOT horror)
Don’t let the cover scare you. King is a master storyteller and if you’ve never read any of his books, you’re missing out.
10. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
(Historical Fiction)
I was reluctant to read another slavery themed novel. I’m glad I did.
As always, you can find my comprehensive list of book reviews by clicking on the graphic below, which is also always on my sidebar.
May your 2015 be filled with many great books!
Loved Mr. Mercedes…and I read it based on your recommendation! I haven’t read any of these others and was looking for another book! Thanks, Dana!
I’m so glad you liked Mr. Mercedes, Michelle – I hope you like whichever you choose just as much.
Dana, I’m embarrassed that I haven’t stopped by sooner. I love this list and will take it to my next book club meeting where we will pick our reads for 2015. I really want to read some Stephen King, and if you promise it won’t scare me…
Congrats on surpassing your goal for 2014! Thanks for sharing this list and for the link to my favorites post.
Don’t be embarrassed, Julia – I’m often quite behind on my blog visits. I will say that I’d pick King’s 11/22/63: A Novel before Mr. Mercedes, but only if I had to choose. Very different books, but both great!
What? They have a stats page?? Going to check that out now! Despite having half a dozen books ‘on the go’ for most of December, I missed my goal by 2 books 🙁
And my ‘to read’ list just keeps growing, and growing…
Happy New Year to you Dana!
You too, Jenn! My to-read list grows faster than I can keep up with it too. But at least I’ll never run out of books to read.
So many books! I’m super impressed! Hopefully 2015 leaves me with a bit more time for reading. I’ll be sure to come back and take a look at this list when that time comes!
Please do, Leslie – I keep the big list updated with all of the books, so you’re bound to find something.
I haven’t read enough this year. I’ve been way out of it the past couple of weeks; messed up with life I guess. Even this – read this post from my phone and didn’t comment. Interested to see Mr. Mercedes on the top list as you’d recommended it before and I started it but for whatever reason didn’t fall into it. I think I need to take another look as I love your rating system. I also don’t really use Good Reads although I should…also are you doing BlogU?
It takes awhile to get used to keeping track in Goodreads, but now I couldn’t live without it. Happy New Year, my friend! I don’t know about BlogU – that’s a busy weekend. We’ll have to chat about it – I’ll message you.
i am so proud of you! amazing job, dana! one of my new years resolutions is to read a book a month, but not sure if i can even accomplish that! have you listened to the serial podcast?!
I haven’t, but I’ve heard so much about them! It’s hard to read when I’m walking the dog in the freezing cold, so I may have to start listening to them.
Reading this list makes me realize how I’ve made what reading is to you what crocheting is for me. The thing I love about crocheting though in part is that I can do it and still be present with my family and friends. I do it and chat with people and while just hanging out while JR plays around in front of me. Though I have not read a good book in years your lists always intrigue me. I will have to reference these lists when I’m looking for just the right one. 🙂
It is great to be able to do what you love while spending time with family, Brittnei. Obviously, reading is an alone activity, but it reinvigorates me so I can be fully present when I am with people I love.
You have a high standards for books. Looks great!
I do, Tess – I make sure I tell people that before they friend me on Goodreads!
You’re a girl after my own heart. I love sharing my reading stats (my list/data hopefully to be posted next week). You are a tough rater:). I’m kind of easy, And I don’t have the heart to publically rate a book with 2 or 1 stars. I just don’t fill in any stars, keep ’em guess. But a 3 is mediocre in my system.
Looking forward to your post, Allie. Yep, I’m a tough rater, but when I started it was just for my own benefit. I will rate 1 or 2 stars on Goodreads, but on my blog, I only review books that are 3 stars or better. I figure no one wants to read a bad review!
I adore this post, your book insights/recommendations, the inexplicable glee you (and I both) have with statistics, and You! Thanks, Dana! I am always glad when I make time to read your blog! Happy New Year!! xo
And I am always happy when you read, Kris. Comments from friends are as awesome as stats 🙂 Happy New Year to you too! I went to NYC with you three times in 2014 – can we repeat that in 2015?
YES YES YES! I’d better get busy. 🙂
Do you listen to audio books? I’m trying my first one now – makes driving more fun.
Shockingly I haven’t read a single one of these, but now I know some books to read in 2015! I wish I had kept track of all of the books I had read this year, I know I read some really great ones.
Please keep track – I read most books based on recommendations from friends. Start a Goodreads account, or just take a pic of each book as you finish it. Unless you use an e-reader…
Well done, Dana!! Wishing you a wonderful 2015 filled with love, laughter and lots of great books!
Same to you, Mo!
I need to go check out the stats on my Goodreads challenge- I bet Night Film was my longest too- or maybe Goldfinch?
That’s one I haven’t read yet. The stats page was fun – I’m sure yours are impressive, Kate!
My favorite Jojo Moyes was The Last Letter from Your Lover. I strongly recommend (if you haven’t read them already): I Am Pilgrim and Americanah. Definitely my picks for 2014. Thanks for this great list Dana and happy reading, writing and everything in 2015! xx
I haven’t read any of those – adding to my list. Thanks Nicki, and happy everything in 2015 to you too!
Ahh, stats are so much fun!
I do love JoJo Moyes, but I couldn’t finish One Plus One. Which is weird because I NEVER stop reading books and that one was a rarity. I wonder if it was just life going on during that time.
I’m reading Orphan Train right now.
Ooh, I liked Orphan Train. I never stopped reading books until a few years ago, when I decided that there were too many other books out there that I wanted to read. I’ll read halfway, and if I can’t bear to finish it, that’s it.
I love JoJo Moyes but don’t think I’ve read One Plus One yet (or I just can’t remember it). I’m going to have to check into that one for sure!
It was a good one – not my favorite, but definitely worth reading.
Loved seeing your picks, Dana. Especially jealous of your fabulous graphic to go with your reviews. 🙂
I was so excited to use that graphic, Nina. I’m not sure if it’s on the up and up to use the book covers, but I couldn’t resist. Glad to know a fellow book lover appreciates it!
Marking this for the next time I need a book, which is often! 🙂 thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Marie!
Excellent. List.
Loved Fault in Our Stars!
My fave book of 2015 was Wild.
Happy 2015, Dana! xx
Happy 2015 to you too Kim! I have not read Wild – it’s on my very long list. I wonder how the movie will be in comparison?
Love your book list!!!! I will aim to read a few this year from your list — but still working on my list from last year!!!
The to-read list just never ends, does it? But I suppose that’s a good thing. I can’t imagine not having a new book to read!
That’s a good rate, Dana – more than a book a week.
It almost makes me feel like I’d be interested to see how much (and what) I read in 2015. I also think it’s the kind of thing I’d half-do, and then give up on 🙂
Really? Goodreads makes it so easy. I can keep track for you – I get into that kind of dorky stuff.
I know, but Goodreads is the kind of site I somehow forget exists until I open it after a few months and go “Hey, THIS SITE IS SO COOL!” before forgetting about it again.
Gotcha. I keep it on my bookmark bar so I don’t forget, but it took me a few years to get in the habit.
Love how you broke down your stats! That’s a lot of pages! I still haven’t finished the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. I need to do that 🙂
Yes you do! Some third books are a bit disappointing (ahem, Allegiant), but I liked this one.
And I read Tell the Wolves I’m Home on your recommendation! It was a good one. Will have to get to some of those others, though I’m also a bit wary of the Sue Monk Kidd one.
I’m glad you liked it, Liz! Why wary of Sue Monk Kidd? I haven’t read any of her others because they didn’t interest me, but I liked this one.
I felt like the Secret Life of Bees was a little too Hallmark-y, y’know, that the characters weren’t dimensional enough.
Ah, I lied – I did read that. I think I liked Wings better.
Okay, now I’m dying to know what your three, one star books were! Congrats on the 61 books read. Can I hire you to coach Aidan’s Battle of the Books team next year?!
Um, no thank you 🙂 But I’ll tell you the one star books:
The Snow Queen by Michael Cunningham – picked it up on a whim at the library, and found it completely uninteresting. I muddled through half of it and gave up.
The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones – won this from a online book club contest, and it was awful.
The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice – I loved Rice’s books, but the first book in this trilogy was iffy. This second book was worse – I bailed halfway through, and I won’t read the third one.
As I am now fond of saying, life’s too short to read books that suck!
Huge congrats on how many books you read this past year. I challenged myself to one book a month (12) and almost came in doubling that number. Considering what time I truly don’t seem to have, I was pretty happy with that, too 😉
You should be, Janine – I remember when you had no time to read anything at all!
I keep seeing all these Goodreads lists, and wouldn’t you know it was the one year I didn’t update my books! Maybe because I was too busy blogging? I read “One Plus One” and agree, it was not as good as “Me Before You”. One of the books I loved this year was “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty. Really well written and everyone in our book club enjoyed it. Highly recommend. Now I have two more to add to my list, “The Invention of Wings” and “Tell The Wolves I’m Home”. Thanks for the recommendations!
My goal for 2015 is to keep track of my books on Goodreads!
I didn’t read Big Little Lies, but I liked The Husband’s Secret and What Alice Forgot. I’ll give Big Little Lies a read, too – thanks Kirsten!