Best Books of 2014: Contemporary

Saturday, 20 December 2014



As the year comes to a close, it becomes clear that there have been so many amazing reads that I've picked up in 2014. To celebrate some of my favourite books, in this feature I'll be sharing my best picks from various genres.To fit in with this year's theme, each book will have a description of 14 words. Today I'll be sharing some contemporaries that I loved:

Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

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WOW is all I had to say about this. It was achingly, devastatingly beautiful.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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A cute contemporary in a foreign city which we all know makes romantic reading.

This Is Falling by Ginger Scott

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The first book in the Falling series, this is NA contemporary done really well.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

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A fantastic YA contemporary with a strong focus on friendship that earned four stars.

Walking On Trampolines by Frances Whiting

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This shows how friendships can last a lifetime, leaving an impact on our lives.

Searching for Sky by Gillian Cantor

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I haven't read a book so unique or utterly picturesque for a long time.

The Year of The Rat by Clare Furniss

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Clare Furniss has written something thoughtful and poignant with The Year of the Rat

Golden by Jessi Kirby

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A novel of self-discovery, fate’s impact on life, and the inevitability of change.

Every Day by David Levithan

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 This book makes you think appreciate the continuity that life has to offer us.

Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood

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 A sad tale of friendship, first love, loss, and the immeasurable importance of family.

What have been some of your favourite contemporary reads of the year - YA or otherwise?

14 comments :

  1. I'm glad to see The Year of The Rat in your list as I'm hoping to read it some time. I agree Anna and the French Kiss is one of the best contemporary novels of the year. I've also read Golden and Since You've Been Gone but I don't exactly love them. On The Fence by Kasie West is the only contemporary I can think of at the moment which I absolutely loved.

    Great list! <3

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    1. I've heard lots of great things about On The Fence which I really want to read something soon - I've heard some great things about Kasie West. Thanks for stopping by Naban!

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  2. SO many good choices. I have The Year of the Rat sitting on my shelf but just haven't got around to reading it yet. And that Infinite Sky book - wow, the cover is awesome. Totally adding to TBR.

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    1. The Year of the Rat is a really touching contemporary read - definitely needed some tissues for that one! I love that edition of Infinite Sky as well (the hardback), I've got the paperback version which isn't *as* pretty, but the words inside are still just as good of course :)

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  3. So many amazing choices here, and sad to say there are some I need to read asap as well! I absolutely adored Searching for Sky and The Year of the Rat. They made me cry buckets! Thanks for sharing lovely xx

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    1. Thanks Joy :) Searching for Sky made me more emotional than I thought it ever would - and the concept/perspective was so unique as well.

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  4. The only book I've read on this list is Anna and the French Kiss! It's so cute. I need to buy my own physical copy, or at least borrow it from the library again so I can reread it!

    I don't read much contemporary, but I can say that I loved Faking Normal and This Song Will Save Your Life.

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    1. Thanks for those recommendations Bec! Faking Normal and This Song Will Save Your Life have been on my TBR for a while, so now I'll definitely be moving them up the pile :)

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  5. I NEED FALLING INTO PLACE. The writing. It calls out to me. I think, like Bec, I've only read Anna front this list and it was um..cute? Very heart warming indeed! Favourite contemporary of this year? LOL nothing stands out. In fact, nothing got a five star, tbh :///// But then again, you know that I'm not strong with contemps so...Fabulous list though, Eugenia! I may have to give some a go :D

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    1. YES JESS YOU MUST READ IT! - The writing is so beautiful and the story itself was just so moving. Perhaps that could be a possible 5-star candidate? ;)

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  6. GREAT LIST! I'm actually a little surprise to see how many of these I've actually read. I so agree with Searching For Sky. The thing with that book is that I didn't really expect to like it--at all. So when I did finally get around it, it was such a nice surprise. But it was really quite emotional too!

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    1. Thanks Kara :) Searching for Sky really impressed me overall - definitely a surprise package in the best possible way!

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  7. I've never heard of Infinite Sky?! D: I need to check it out! Since You've Been Gone for so long. >< My favourite contemporaries this year have been all the NA Colleen Hoover this year. :D

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    1. Yes - do check it out, I really enjoyed it! I really need to check out more from Colleen Hoover after loving her Slammed series - Hopeless is next on my list :)

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Feel free to leave a comment below - I love reading them!