The Best of 2014*

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Oh, 2014. You were quite the year. Before I get all nostalgic (and bitter), let's recap what book were best (of those I read this year, not necessarily published):

1. The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got There by Amanda Ripley-  I don't generally read books about education, but I was fascinated by the international perspective. What are we doing wrong? What are they doing right?

2. The Snow Child be Eowyn Ivey- Simple, beautiful, and full of magical realism.

3. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood- I'm not usually a sci-fi reader, but Atwood wins me over every time.

4. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink- The ethical questions delivered by this fascinating nonfiction piece about a hospital post-Katrina are profound.

5. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp- I remember reading this book while very pregnant, walking up very steep hills, very slowly on the treadmill. There were a lot of really great tips in this book that helped me during the first few weeks with Sawyer.

6. The Selected Works of TS Spivet by Reif Larsen- This was a reread for book club, but I'll always love the quirkiness.

7. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt- This book was so much better than I expected it to be! The story and the writing were both to-notch.

8. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston- Another reread for work, it was still one of the best book I read this year.

9. The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez- I actually just finished this last month and appreciated the perspective on the struggles Latin American immigrants face in the US (plus, it reminded me of one of my favorites, The Tortilla Curtain).

10. The Round House by Louise Erdrich- Book club books are apparently popular with me (maybe because I've helped pick some of them, haha). This murder mystery is well-written and a page-turner.

*This may change, since there are two whole more weeks left. You never know. I just wanted to participate in The Broke and the Bookish's TTT this week

14 comments:

  1. I agree with you about Five Days at Memorial. What a heartbreaking and thoughtful read. I can't even begin to imagine what those people went through or even how exactly I would react in some of those situations.

    I will keep that baby book in mind for when I decide to have one.

    I feel so intimidated by The Goldfinch. I hope to get around to reading it at some point. We shall see.

    Kay @ It's a Book Life

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  2. I have never read Their Eyes Were Watching God. And I really, really feel I should. I sort of have this anti parenting book thing going ever since I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - it ruined all parenting books for me (there was this part that implied that if your child didn't sleep through the night/cry it out at some point, there college performance might suffer - at least that's what I have in my head).

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  3. Great list! Haven't read any of the titles listed but some of them are on my wishlist--The Goldfinch, The Snow Child, Margaret Atwood in general, lol...

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  4. I haven't read any of the books you've mentioned in your post. I'll have to check them out! Here is a link to my TTT list for the week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2014/12/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-i-read-in.html

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  5. Brilliant list! The Snow Child is on my TBR; I love a bit of magical realism :D

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  7. Sorry for the wrong link applied in my previous comment! Oops! I loved The Snow Child when I read it as well. Such a beautiful book! MY TTT

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  8. I got Five Days at Memorial after reading your review, but I haven't quite got around to reading it yet. Hopefully soon!

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  9. I loved eyes were watching God, and I need to read the second book on the Mad Adam trilogy Atwood's writing is divine!!!. Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

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  10. I am long overdue for a reread of Their Eyes Were Watching God. - Maggie @ macarons & paperbacks

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  11. Great list! The Snow Child is going to be one of the next books I read.

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  12. So excited! I just got The Goldfinch and I can't wait to start reading it especially since you really enjoyed it! Great list- here is mine :)

    http://busybrunettesbookshelf.blogspot.com

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  13. I read The Goldfinch this year too! Not sure it tops my best of list, but it was really good. I enjoyed it a lot.

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  14. I haven't read any of these but they sound awesome!

    -Nobody@TheStoryGoes...

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