Here are my favourite titles of 2014! Another wonderful year of reading – always in awe of the amazing authors and illustrators out there that give us the important gift of stories.
The best of the best (published in 2014) for me?
14 favourites and no more than 14 words of raving about each title. This was my challenge last year with my Favourites of 2013 (13 books, 13 words) and in 2012 (12 books, 12 words) with my 2012 Favourites. This year I get one more book and one more word to play with! 🙂
This year I chose to spread my book love evenly between picture books and novels. 7 and 7. I will be sharing my nonfiction favourites in a post of their own this week so I focussed a little more on fiction here.
In no particular order – my 7 favourite picture books of 2014:
Sparky! written by Jenny Offill and illustrated by Chris Appelhans
Absolutely charming. And wonderfully slow – yes, like a sloth.
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin written by Chieri Uegaki with illustrations by Qin Leng
A story of determination, perseverance and creativity. Dream. Be courageous. Such messages.
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Thanks To Katherine Applegate and all of those who have loved Ivan, we love Ivan too.
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
A cover that hints at mystery and strange happenings and . . . ? Tender. Sweet. Kind
The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett
Persistence and love wrapped in brown, green and a little brother’s smile.
Any Questions? by Marie-Louise Gay
A story starts with a blank white page . . .
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Pulls you deep into a “theorizing hole.” Digging in, around and out is highly satisfying.
And the novels that touched me – often making me pause and just connect with the state of being and living and loving. Novels roll out stories that transform our thinking with beautiful words on a page – the characters in these books have stuck with me.
The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner
Vulnerability. A touching exploration of grief. Superb writing and of course, little Frankie Sky.
Bird by Crystal Chan
One girl raised in grief and superstition chases living. Sad and spectacular imagery.
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Friendship trials and celebrations. Growing up with hearing loss and super powers.
Nest by Esther Ehrlich
Chirp. Joey. Solid but broken. Love their observations, their coping strategies, their complicated friendship.
Revolution by Deborah Wiles
Tears, faith, outrage, peace. What a story. Wiles pulls you right into 1964.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
Rose does things differently. But much a lot more bravely. Such a read.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Full of raw mistakes and huge hopes. Energizing despite the grief and pain.
Please share your own favourites of the year . . .
There's a Book for That 
Have some thanks to your blog. See some more to look for. Back to my librarian first. This year loved: The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, What Do You Do With An Idea by Yobi Yamada and Each Kindness by Jaqueline Woodson. Journey and Quest by Aaron Becker To name a few.
All great titles here Gaige! Aaron Becker’s books are very special. Looking at your list, I realize I have them all. Very worth owning and frequently sharing!
We shared some titles (I still have a few posts to write!) My students loved Sparky! though it didn’t make their Mock Caldecott. Sam & Dave did end up their winner. I loved Rain Reign, El Deafo, and Summer of Letting Go (all three are on my various lists)
Sam and Dave was our medal winner too!
A great list of titles to check out there – Thanks! Love the way you match the number of books and words to the year! Very creative! 🙂
Thanks Norah. Adds to the fun!
I’ve read them all, but Any questions and I’ll Give You The Sun, Carrie. What a wonderful year of books it has been, & lucky us, I think we said that last year at this time, too! Rain Reign is still a favorite & has stayed with me… Picture books-love The Farmer & The Clown, but I would add The Lion & The Bird, too. Ah-so many to choose from! Happy New Year!
I really enjoyed The Lion and the Bird too. Gorgeous illustrations.
Another wonderful reading year for sure! We have some overlaps. I just finalized my top 14 of the year and am working on my post and borrowing your idea of no more than 14 words to describe. Felt sad to post my PB list last night with no explanations or words at all, but after a marathon 5 hrs of family therapy yesterday, it’s a miracle I got anything else done. 5 hours of therapy AND THEN I read Sounder. Scarred for life once again by a Newbery title. There are several books on your list I still haven’t read–several that are going on my #mustreadin2015 list!
It is challenging to share our book love when other things going on. I have now learned to type with my left hand. Thankfully, I had this post and my nonfiction post pre-written (or almost) so I just had to edit and share. My shoulder/nerve pain thing is terrible. Sigh. I will go check out your favourites lists. Love seeing what people choose.
Oh dear, left-handed typing! That would be SLOW. So sorry the pain is still so bad. I am also really enjoying all the favorites lists coming through my RSS feed. Of course my TBR list is just growing and growing….
I agree with so many of these. I only don’t agree where I haven’t read the book yet! Off to add to my wish list. Happiest of New Years friend. Here’s to another year of books!
And to you – I love how so many of us avid readers have found each other through our love of books and sharing them with children!
Pingback: Top 14 Books of 2014 | the dirigible plum