So, my TBR list is already jam-packed full of so many reads I still need to get to that have already been published. But as every avid reader knows, getting excited for shiny new releases is an obsession I will never quite conquer. That being said, I’ve got some top books I’m looking forward to in 2014 that I CANNOT WAIT to get my grubby hands on. Click on the cover to check out the Goodread listing for each book!
1. RAVEN BOYS III (UNTITLED) by Maggie Stiefvater
NO COVER – but click for Goodreads listing!
You knew this was coming and that it would be at the top of the list, right? If you didn’t then you don’t know me AT ALL. I adore Maggie Stiefvater to pieces and the second book in the Raven Cycle (THE DREAM THIEVES) left me absolutely captivated. (See my review here if you don’t believe me). So it’s no surprise I’m all in for the third book and can’t wait to get my hands on it.
2. SKYLARK III (UNTITLED) by Meagan Spooner
NO COVER – but click for Goodreads listing!
I feel like this series has been a little more under the radar but I’m still in love with it. The world is built around magic being comparable to a person’s life source and if you take it away, you die …or become a Shadow Person which is worse. The first book had a few twists that I didn’t see coming and totally broke my heart!! The second book was more foreseeable but still loved the characters and the journey they found themselves on. Can’t wait for Book #3 to make my collection complete!
3. SINNER by Maggie Stiefvater
This is probably my MOST anticipated book of 2014. 1) Because, Maggie Stiefvater ..2) Because Cole St.Clair ..3) Because LA!! I’ve made this a no-brainer for you, yes?
4. HER DARK CURIOSITY by Megan Shepherd
I am not a huge reader of horror so the first book in this series (THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER) was an unexpected read and even more unexpected FAVORITE of 2013. I absolutely loved the suspense Megan Shepherd captured on literally every page. And, OH the plot twists. And OH, the swoony boys! But the ending…I can’t even. It’s why I MUST READ the second book. Like, now.
5. CRUEL BEAUTY by Rosamund Hodge
This is a debut novel and I don’t know much about the author yet. But I saw an article featured on the book with the book trailer release and I became absolutely intrigued. I love the Beauty and the Beast story and I am so interested in this spin on things. I actually haven’t read a lot of retellings but this one, for some reason, has me itching to read!
6. AVALON by Mindee Arnett
Okay, I LOVE the cover. And I love the concept of a group of teen boys commandeering space vessels. Okay, maybe that’s not ALL it’s about but that alone is enough to want my fingers on this book. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi but I love Mindee and this looks too good to pass up. And OMG THE COVER!
7. WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart
I read the blurb for this and it just really intrigued me. Seems like it will be deep, dark, and emotionally twisted. So yeah, right up my alley. I’ve also been hearing many other YA fanatics rave about this book who had the privileged of getting an ARC on it so, since I trust their judgement, I’m stoked too.
8. BOYS LIKE YOU by Juliana Stone
I will admit, I’m interested in this book because it has a very similar theme as my current WIP. I want to see how other published authors are writing stories that are like mine so when I go through edits, I can thoughtfully think through it. Or maybe use as an awesome comp title!
9. DORTHY MUST DIE by Danielle Paige
Okay, how can you not be intrigued by the title and cover alone? I know I couldn’t resist. It just screams at me to read it and I just scream back, “OKAY, GIMME!”
10. OPEN ROAD SUMMER by Emery Lord
I’m really intrigued by this one because it has similar concepts to just AN IDEA I have floating around in my head for my next contemporary YA. I want to start reading things LIKE it to see if 1) I could pull off the same kind of story and 2) to do my research on the market for this type of book. PLUS, I watched a video about the author, Emery Lord, and it was probably the CUTEST thing I’ve ever seen. And she lives in Ohio. And I think we could be friends. So, yeah I’d probably want to read it even if I wasn’t thinking of writing a book in the same vein.
J.A. Ward Writes 