Best of 2014

With the year coming to an end in just over a week, I figured now was a great time to share some of my favourite books of 2014. Let me just say that narrowing this list down was HARD. To give you an idea, I've read 119 books so far this year and so many of those are books that I absolutely loved. Somehow, I managed to get that list down to 15 (well, 18, technically). And apparently I read A LOT of contemporary this year, so much so that I've barely read from other genres this year. Like there are only three books on this list that aren't contemporary and that's actually pretty representative of my reading in 2014. But I digress. So, in no particular order, here are my favourites from this year.

Emilie's Favourite Books of 2014

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor - I feel like this is one of those books that kind of flew under the radar. But that doesn't mean I didn't absolutely love it. This was a story about a friendship done absolutely fantastically. This story broke my heart and left me a complete mess, but I loved every single page of it.

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern - This is another book that flew under the radar but should have gotten so much more attention. In a year where we were crying out for more diverse books, this one was perfect. Again, this was a story that was heartwarming and there isn't another one like it in YA (at least that I know of).

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I mean, does this one even need any explanation? I had waited so long to finally read this story and I was so happy to finally be reading it. I loved this story completely and I couldn't have asked for a better happily ever after (see what I did there?) for the characters I loved over the course of the three books.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord - If you haven't heard about Open Road Summer, then you've probably been living under a rock. This was an absolutely fantastic debut with a beautiful friendship and a heartwarming romance. Needless to say, I absolutely ADORED this book. 

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - Again, I feel like this doesn't need any explanation. I feel like all I really need to say is this was Morgan Matson and I will read everything and anything she writes. But for real, though, this book was just fantastic. And it has awesome playlists. 

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack - Cora Carmack is responsible for a lot of the feelings I've experienced this year, especially when it comes to New Adult books. This could have just as easily been All Lined Up since her Rusk University books are absolutely awesome, but there was something about Silas and Dylan in this one that made it come out ahead.

Five Ways to Fall by K.A. Tucker - I think this might just be my favourite out of all of K.A. Tucker's books. They've all been fantastic, but I can't help but love Ben and Reese's story. Might have something to do with the fact that Ben was my favourite character any time he popped up in the other books...

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - 2014 was the year I read all the Collen Hoover books. And I mean ALL of them. But Maybe Someday was my favourite. The story, the characters, the music, it all worked together to hit me right in the feels and leave me in a puddle of my own tears. And I say that in the most positive way possible.

Make It Count by Megan Erickson - This story was just SO MUCH FUN (as was Make It Right, FYI). But it was also really touching and heartwarming and I loved reading every page of it. The characters and the story just felt so real to me while I was reading and again, a lot of feelings were had on my part.

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley - This book. I don't know how to express how much I loved it (probably why I haven't reviewed it yet). But seriously, it had a kick ass heroine (literally and figuratively) and mystery and hot military boys, and do I have to go on?

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - This should need no explaining whatsoever. I mean, it's a book all about Sydney and Adrian being kick ass and adorable. I think that while reading this book I may have been overcome with more feelings than while reading any other books. Richelle Mead just does that to me.

Something Real by Heather Demetrios - If you know me in real life, you're probably sick of hearing me talk about how much I loved this book. But I just can't help myself, and I will continue screaming my love for it from the rooftops until everyone has read it. It was just that ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally - Every time I read one of Miranda Kennally's books, I go to my happy place. And Breathe, Annie, Breathe pretty much made me the happiest. It was just so good and awesome and adorable and it has Jeremiah Brown and well, it was awesome (I think I've said that already).

Cress by Marissa Meyer - This was the very first book I read in 2014 and 12 months later, I still love it just as much. Marissa Meyer's fairy tale retellings are absolutely fantastic and Cress is my absolute favourite. It was just AMAZING.

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater - THIS WAS A BOOK ALL ABOUT COLE ST. CLAIR. I feel like that kind of says it all. I've loved Cole St. Clair for years and this book was just everything I had hoped it would be.

Honourable Mentions

(Because they didn't come out in 2014 or aren't out yet)

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - So I was a little late to the party on this one (it came out in 2012) but holy crap did I love it. This story was just EVERYTHING. I wish I had a family like the Garretts living next door to me. 

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord - Emery Lord's debut was one of my favourite reads this year and her second book is EVEN BETTER. I actually just finished reading it a couple of days ago, but already it's a favourite.

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios - If you thought I loved Something Real, it's nothing compared to how I feel about I'll Meet You There (and be prepared to hear me talk about it A LOT next year). This story broke my heart but then helped put it back together and it was just perfection.

Have you read any of the books on this list? Were any your favourites?