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Favorite Books of 2014 + Contest!

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Like last year, I gave myself a goal of reading 53 books this year. I’m there – and an on track to even throw in a couple extra (fingers crossed!). As usual, there were so many amazing books and so little time so I’m positive I am missing some crucial books on this list (tell me about them in the comments, please!) =) I’m especially happy that I got this goal completed with the brand new app I downloaded that has been taking all my free time.

Have you heard of NextIssue? For a serious informationholic, it is like my illicit drug; I cannot look away. It has over  140 magazines (every month!) for $14.99 per month. Now, $15 per month sounds expensive until you see my magazine stack; I’m already spending that in monthly paper subscriptions so now, I get all the magazines (and more!) while saving paper. It’s a win-win. I still took in some serious book reading and these are my favorite fiction books of 2014:

Tell the Wolves I’m Home is an exploration of family, artistic integrity and how mixed up people can get when they blame and hold grudges. It’s told beautifully against the backdrop of when the AIDS epidemic first came to the forefront mixed with a poignant coming-of-age story. I stayed up past midnight multiple nights in a row trying to finish because the ending ties so many story lines and themes together in a powerfully riveting way. It’s hard to sum up the plot because it covers so much. When you pick up this book, be prepared for an emotional wallop that leaves you feeling and thinking long after you put the book down.

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All the Light We Cannot See was a book I did not want to read. My book club chose it and in the 12 years I’ve been in the book club, I’ve never NOT finished a book club book (I’m a rule follower that way). I was hesitant to read it because the subject matter (World War II) was bound to be depressing. Yes, the subject of war is depressing;  people hurting other people just because of their differences is a particularly hard theme to make dazzling but the author, Anthony Doerr, does so with two completely disparate stories filled with finely drawn characters. There is an understated love story at the core of the novel but really, the book is about resilience, grace and morality in good times and bad.

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I like to read happy books. I know real life can be ugly and sad and when I have precious free time, I gravitate towards the lighter side of things. The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a charming, inventive, adorable book. It follows an centenarian that decides he’s still got a lot of life to live and, he doesn’t want to do it in a nursing home. The actual escape, staying escaped and story is entertaining enough, but the fun starts when Allan Karlsson (our feisty protaginist) starts recounting his life story. He’s found himself inadvertently involved in all the major conflicts in the world over the last century (Stalin, Churchill, Truman, Mao and more make hilariously quirky appearances). Read this book when you want a laugh and want an inventive back-story for the last 100 years of world history.

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Eleanor & Park is a young-adult book (in theory) but every adult should read it to remember what it’s like to be young and in love, and to not fit in. This book is about two misfits falling in love, about trying to overcome any and all obstacle that keeps them apart. The very grown up themes of poverty, alcoholism, and domestic violence are woven into the book and ensure that there is no saccharin sweet happily-ever-after. My book club read this book and much of the discussion centered around how the book was a powerful window into the universal difficulties that teens experience growing up. This book made me thankful (all over again) for growing up in the household I did (thanks Mom and Dad!), a sentiment expressed by almost all the women present at the book club discussion that night. This is not a happy book; it is deeply poignant and heartfelt. I cried through the untidy ending and hoped for a beautiful future for both our brave teenagers.

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I pick up books that will make me laugh or smile. It’s a good thing I have so many book clubs or else I would eventually only read humor books 100% of the time. This book is smart satire and laugh out loud funny.  Spoiled Brats: Stories examines all kinds of hilarious scenarios (two standouts: a short story told from the standpoint of the classroom hamster; a twist on the traditional Rip van Winkle story set in the middle of hipster Brooklyn). The author takes pleasure in skewering the 21st century condition and pokes fun at the parents of gifted children, adults still living with their parents, Kickstarter and more. Have you been told you’re special all your life? If so, this book has a message for you, and the people that raised you. If you’ve managed to avoid that fate (either parenting your own kids or by having parents with a backbone), you’ll find this book richly entertaining and, richly deserved.

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My favorite non-fiction books of 2014:

Do you watch your calories like a hawk? Do you use the latest, greatest app to ensure you’re getting just the right amount of calories for the day? Frustrated you can’t lose weight, are tired and sluggish and have a hard time getting the motivation to work out? This book is for you AND for anyone that’s curious how the human body actually works to utilize what we put in our mouths. The Calorie Myth: How to Eat More, Exercise Less, Lose Weight, and Live Better is an exhaustively researched book with a simple premise: it’s not about the calories. It’s about the QUALITY of the calories. Knowing how your body processes that cinnamon roll versus smoked salmon is the first step to making choices that fuel your body, and your life, for the long term. I also listen to Jonathan’s podcast weekly and appreciate knowing all the latest research in nutrition and health.  I read this book in June(ish) and without any pain, suffering or horror, cut my body fat by about 6% and shed the very last of the baby weight.

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I’m getting ready to do  The Desire Mapfor a third (!) time in 12 months. It’s such a powerful concept that both of my Mastermind groups did it and one of them is re-doing it. What I love about The Desire Map is that it’s all about how you want to ‘feeeeeeeeel’ as opposed to ‘create your goal, work relentlessly towards it.’ It starts with the end in mind and has you work backwards. The way that Danielle LaPorte gets you to examine where you want to go with your life, your business, your health, your wealth, your friendships and more is unique, meaningful and challenging. The last two times I’ve completed the exercises have been powerful and helped me live 2014 in greater alignment with my values. If you want to see your business, life and health be more fulfilling in 2015, give yourself the gift of the time and space to complete this powerful set of exercises.

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How to Win Friends and Influence People has been around over half a century. It’s a classic. And, shame on me, I had never read it (!). One of my Mastermind Groups read it this year and I was amazed! This is a book that I wish I had read earlier in my career and will read again. If you want to learn how to be more likeable, to sell more, and to have genuine relationships, this book lays out a roadmap to making that all happen. Pick it up and be amazed at the simple tools that you can use to improve any relationship you have (or want to have).

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I ‘m always on the hunt for a new book – and have my goal of 52 books for 2015 so lay ’em out! I’d love to know what you read on my list and what you think I should read! =) Comment below with your favorite books that you read in 2014 for a chance to win a copy of Soap Crafting! One winner will be chosen. Contest open to US residents only. 
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76 Comments

  1. My favorite book of the year is “The illustrated encyclopedia of healing remedies” by C. Norman Shealy. It is the most comprehensive book on natural medicine I have found so far. It covers everything thing from ayurveda, Chinese, and folk medicine. Listing herbs, spices, vitamins, and essential oils.

    I love this book because since a young age my mother always used teas, oils, and herbs to heal our childhood ailments and needs. Whether putting olive oil to nourish our long frizzy hair, or using warm garlic teeth for our ear infections. Thats how was she was taught in Jalisco,Mexico. And as a new mother myself I have found it usefull for my daughter.

    The book gives me a guide to all the awesome skin loving ingredients I can use in soap. Since im a new soap maker 🙂

    I recommend it to anyone who loves natural beauty and health. As they go hand in hand. And of course natural soap makers.

    • Hi Estrellita!

      Thanks so much for sharing! We have chosen a contest winner, but we love to hear your suggestions. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  2. How to Train a Police Bloodhound written by Kevin Kocher.
    I am not a police officer but I have been involved with Search and Rescue K 9’s for over 10 years and this is the best training method out there.

    • Hi Terrie!

      I got the opportunity to see police dogs in action and it was so interesting!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  3. In 2014, I think my favorite books I read were the Divergent Series- I also really enjoyed reading
    The Bippolo Seed and other lost stories by Dr. Seuss.
    I find “BHAGAVAD GITA as it is” was and is very interesting though not for some- and is not one to be finished in a year I think.
    I just finished the Maze Runner Series and it was pretty good but its 2015 now so…

  4. My favorite book of 2014 was Gary Shteyngart’s ¨Little Failure,¨ a darkly funny memoir. I hadn’t enjoyed a book so much in years! My other fave book of this now-past year was Mandy Aftel’s ¨Fragrant.” Thanks for the giveaway! Happy New Year!

  5. Thanks so much for this list! I do a lot of driving and have an audible subscription and two great library systems with books on CD–so I’m always trying to figure out what to read next.

    Currently reading Unbroken (by Hillenbrand)–and it is captivating. While there are definitely many sad parts–the survival and hope and persistence choices are inspiring.

    I found “Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that won’t stop talking” by Susan Cain fascinating as well.

  6. I read your blog post yesterday afternoon and needed to think about my reads for 2015. Here’s my list:

    The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution. I love history and this book is a great read for me.

    God Help the Child: A Novel by Toni Morrison. I’ve most of the her books. She is one of the writers of this time.

    Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley. I wanted to read book to improve my writing skills. I purchased the audiobook and listen to it during my morning commute to work.

    Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher. This book is a collection of 125 letters written by individuals like Katherine Hepburn, Fidel Castro, and Richard Feynman.

    The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis. I’ve been meaning to read this book for over a year and I’m reading it for 2015.

    I’m gong to put on my list “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” because I think it’s one of the best titles I’ve seen. How can anyone not read this book after reading the title?

    The Desire Map is on my list as well. I have had the book since the summer and it’s time for me to sit down and read it.

    These are just some of the books on my list for 2015.

    Thank you for the post.

    Happy New Year!

    • Hi Sheri!

      Thanks so much for that awesome list! Can’t wait to check those out. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  7. I do not read that much, but I do when I have a spare moment. One great book that I read this year was The Story. The Bible as one continuing story of God and His people. A really wonderful book.

  8. I did a lot of rereading this past year, I have read all of Shakespeare’s plays again, all the The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings again as well as the whole Dresen series!

  9. My favourite book to read was titled Soul keeping by John Ortberg. An excellent non-fiction read. A close second was If I have to tell you one more time by Amy McCready (a parenting book).

  10. I read a lot, but tend to gravitate towards suspense and mystery. One of my favorites is Suspect, by Robert Crais. It involves a police officer and dog that are both traumatized by past events. Much of the story is told from the dogs perspective, giving it a unique feel.
    I will start on some of your suggestions, they look interesting!

  11. I’m a science fiction/fantasy girl with a few garden books thrown in for good measure. Right now I’m working on the Shadowmarch series by Tad Williams. I just got the last book so I have to start the series over again to get up to speed. I am just starting into herbs and essential oils so also just downloaded Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginners Guide. Hope to start that as so as I have time once Christmas/New Year festivities wind down.

    • Hi Denise!

      I’ve started getting into science fiction and fantasy lately and am really enjoying it!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  12. I’m reading the whole Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon again. I love those books and highly recommend them. I’m on the fifth book now. If you haven’t yet, you have to read them. 🙂

  13. I have read so many books this year but a couple really stood out. They are
    The King James Bible: It is my life manual.
    Blood Orchids by Toby Neal – Nothing like a great detective murder mystery.
    True Confessions by Elects Rome Parks- Nothing but drama, and
    God Don’t Make No Mistakes by Mary Monroe- one of my favorite authors
    I love reading and read every day!!

    • Hi Bernice!

      I love to read too! I’m reading the Song of Ice and Fire series right now. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  14. Books that I have really enjoyed (that are NOT related to getting my masters):

    Still Alice
    Absolute Honesty
    Treasure Island
    Unplug the Christmas Machine

  15. Favorite book of 2014 (and possibly of all time): The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
    THP chronicles Rubin’s year of studying happiness and trying out ways to be happier. Each month has a specific focus/theme with corresponding resolutions and reports on her efforts. There are a lot of good ideas here! And it’s a fun read!

  16. “Cooked” by Michael Pollan. I sped through this book on the history and art of how we transform ingredients into the food that we eat. The section on fermentation is especially interesting !

  17. Every year, my mom gives me a beautiful journal to write down the books I read and my thoughts on them. Do you think I ever remember to do that?? Nope…
    I love history and biographies. “No Ordinary Time” about Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt was great. “The Romanov Sisters” was very interesting. “Empty Mansions” was good as was “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara.” “The Trapp Family Singers” was interesting as well – nothing like the movie “The Sound of Music”. There are several others I read that do not come to mind just now – would have been helpful to fill out that journal, wouldn’t it!?

  18. We love reading in my family! I normally love historical fiction or fantacy. This year we all re-read the Harry Potter series as we went to the new theme park in Florida as a family. My absolute favorite this year has been Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell. I’m excited to make cheese with the milk from our beautiful goats in addition to the soaps & lotions we’ve been producing for years. But I love your book too! I’d love to win one to give as a gift.

    • Hi Erin!

      I just love the Harry Potter series! I’ve read it several times and enjoy it so much. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  19. A story of a gentle woman, the rescue of a stranger, superstitious townspeople and the beauty and folklore of Appalachia
    The Cove by Ron Rash
    excerpt from Goodreads: Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believe–just as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin.

  20. I’ve read The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared and it’s just an anwesome book.
    As a Bibliobibuli I read a lot of books (this year 78), especially fantasy stuff.
    This year I really liked the Divergent Triology by Veronica Roth as well as the Arkadien Triology by Kai Meyer (only availabe in German). My all-time-favourites are Harry Potter by JKR, The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle and Roverandom by Tolkien (this one is kinda really unknown), these are also pretty nice for kids.
    My SUB (I don’t know if there is a english word for it, in German it stands for a pile of books, that you havn’t read yet) for the next year ist pretty high and i’m looking forward to immerse in some nice books, especially the new book by Walter Moers (German author).

  21. Adding so many of these books to my TBR list for 2015! Here are a few that I LOVED this year:

    The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (highly recommend the audio book)
    Hopeless (and Losing Hope, and Finding Cinderella) by Colleen Hoover
    Flat Out Celeste by Jessica Park (this is the 3rd in the series – start with Flat Out Love, and Flat Out Matt)
    The Secret Life of Ceecee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
    Looking for Alaska by John Green

  22. I read voraciously so 4 books a week is not unusual. One of my all time favorites is Water for Elephants, memoirs of life in the circus. The BEST ending ever!

  23. The 100 year old man book sounds fun. I’ll have to check that out.

    My recommendation is The Clever Mill Horse by Jodi Lew Smith. It’s a great feminist, adventure, historical fiction story about a teenage girl’s invention of a machine to mill linen fibers with the same ease as cotton. It’s the author’s first book and self-published. (Full disclosure – the author is a friend of mine.)

    • Hi Jennifer!

      That sounds fantastic! I’ll have to check that out. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  24. I have a handful of favorite books from this year, but I’d pick “The One and Only Ivan” by K. Applegate. Even though it’s a middle grade novel, an adult who cares about the plight of captive wild animals will enjoy it.

    I also try to steer away from sad books so I think I’ll just put 100 Year Old Man and How To Win Friends (which has been on my to-read list for years) at the top of my to-read for 2015.

    Thank you and Happy New Year!

  25. My favorite book of 2014 is “Far and Near, On Days Like These” by Neil Peart. Not only is Neil arguably the greatest drummer ( drums for the group, Rush) ever, but he’s also a very entertaining writer. In between shows when on tour, he rides his motorcycle on every back road he can find. The book is a series of short story travel adventures accompanied by outstanding photographs. His insight and historic references give the book a lot of depth. From the pain of tragically losing his 1st wife and daughter, to the joy of his new family, he has a unique perspective. Great read!

    • Hi Marilyn!

      That’s so interesting, I didn’t know he was a writer as well! Thanks for your submission. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  26. Anything by Michel Faber. His new book this year was The Book of Strange New Things, but his overlooked gem of a book is The Courage Consort. Thanks for the list.

  28. If you like light silly reading then “Confessions of a shoe addict” is for you. “Gone Girl” was a great read for murder/mystery genre. The series of books called “The Walk” will take you through a very emotional and spiritual journey. That is one I wasn’t keen on reading but was so glad the library recommended it! HAPPY reading!

    • Hi Patty!

      I really want to read “Gone Girl.” The movie was fantastic and I can’t wait to check it out. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  29. “The Storied Life of A.J. Fickery” was the best book I read all year. I read it in one sitting and I laughed and cried a lot.

    • Hi Heather!

      I love books that are able to make you laugh and cry! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  30. What an impressive list! I am going to add some of those to my reading list. I tend toward nonfiction but do occasionally enjoy a good novel, and one of my favorites is Father Elijah. It starts slowly – I actually put it away after the first chapter but went back later, started over, and then couldn’t put it down!

  31. Thank you for sharing your book list and way to go on reaching and exceeding your goal! I absolutely enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love” By Elizabeth Gilbert. What an easy read. I was able to get through it in just a few days. I was just lost in the lands she traveled to and all of her self development. Excellent read!

    • Hi Elizabeth!

      That sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Hi Erin!

      I really want to read “Yes, Please.” I love Amy Poehler. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  33. I made it a goal this past year to read as many of the Penguin Classics as I could. I’ve actually read quite a few of them so it was nice looking for good ones that I hadn’t read. They included stuff from Sinclair Lewis, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Shirley Jackson, Bram Stoker and Jack Kerouac. I reread one of my favorite books of all time: Tender as Hellfire by Joe Meno. I also got around to finishing the last series from my all time favorite author, Tamora Pierce. I was also reading a TON of poetry at the beginning of the year and over the summer, what with NaNoWriMo. Oh! And Gone Girl! A must read for those suspense/psychological thriller fans out there. From this list I have only read Eleanor & Park and Jonasson’s 100-Year-Old Man. Very good reads. I read Eleanor and Park after being coerced by a friend (lol); I’m not usually one for teenage love stories, despite being only 19 myself. I’ve read so many good books this year that this comment could get really, really, really long so I think I’ll just leave it here! 😉 Thanks Brambleberry! I appreciate any opportunity to share and interact with you guys.

    • Hi Seerah!

      What a great idea! I’d love to reread all the classics. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  34. Right now I’m reading, ‘Prospecting with Soul’ and ‘Sell with Soul’ by Jennifer Allan. As a Realtor, it’s important to me not to subjugate my principles in order to ‘get the next sale’. I’ve seen too many others treat their clients as a ‘sale’ or their ‘next step’— instead of real people with real needs. These books show you how to navigate the business without losing sight of your goals AND not lose your soul (or ethics!). I believe the principles here can be applied to any business really and recommend them to everyone.

  35. I haven’t been reading as many books as I’d like to. Hmmm…

    So far I’m in the middle of Crafty Superstar and The Handmade Marketplace for my business. My non business related reading is Going, Going Ganache. It’s a murder mystery surrounding a cupcake shop! Normally I find themes to be out of place for books but it’s kind of fun! Plus it includes cupcake recipes at the end! Who can argue with that?

  37. Looks like a great list of books! I’ve been really behind in reading – my excuses are my 2 little kids (but I know you’ve got that those too). “Lean In” was much better than I expected it to be. I loved “The Secret Life of Bees”. Neither are brand new, but were new to me and excellent reads. I highly recommend!