The Five Star Books of 2014 ( 10 out of 365 read)

 A very subjective list, so much depends on how I'm feeling when I read a book. Some of these may have received fewer stars later in the year. Almost all of these were read the first half of the year. And maybe some of the books in the last half would have received more stars if I hadn't already read so many books. I think The Martian was my favorite of the year.


Alex by Pierre Lemaitre - Alex by Pierre Lemaitre - my first book of 2014 and it was a doozy. The author earned the CWA International Dagger award for this book and it's his first translated into English. A woman is kidnapped and held prisoner with the stated intent of being watched until she dies. The story alternates between her viewpoint and that of the policeman trying to find her. Lots of plot twists. Pretty gritty and violent, I think most of my readers would find it too much. There is a previous novel featuring the same policeman and it would have been nice to read it first for some important context. I hope more of his novels will be published here.

Don't Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde - Billy Shine is a former dancer, now an agoraphobic. He sees 9 year old Grace sitting on the steps of his apartment and unwillingly becomes involved in her life. Gradually, all the neighbors in the building are drawn in and become unlikely friends. I must have been in just the right mood, loved this book.

The Martian by Andy Weir - an astronaut has an accident and is left behind on Mars by his crewmates because they believe him dead. Now he must survive 4 years before the next mission. In spite of all the techy talk, this is quite action packed. Surprisingly humorous in spots. Some language.

The Son by Jo Nesbo - this is a stand alone, not part of his Harry Hole' series. Sonny has spent almost half his life in prison when he discovers something about his father and escapes. He begins revenge killing. The police and criminals are looking for him. Although Sonny is also a criminal and does some horrendous things, I somehow found myself rooting for him. A couple of unexpected twists at the end. I really like the way this author writes. Would be rated R for violence if it were a movie.

Precious Thing by Colette McBeth - a news reporter is called to a missing person story and finds that is her best friend. Just when you think you know what's going on there's another twist. Just the kind of book I like.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - a blind girl and her father leave Paris with a priceless artifact as the Germans are arriving. An orphaned German boy becomes an expert at finding transmissions made by resistance fighters. Somehow the two meet in this beautifully written book. Written from different viewpoints and times but I didn't find it confusing. Most of the chapters are quite short. Some horrific war passages.


The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - the life of a widowed book seller is changed drastically when a baby is left in his store. Each chapter begins with a synopsis of a short story. Some language. I loved the way this was written.


The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Clare North - Harry is a time traveler of a different sort, he lives the same life over and over and remembers his past lives. He gets a message from the future that the world is ending and must spend many of his lives figuring out what's going on.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman - something is out there and if you see it you go mad. Malorie decides to leave the house where she has lived with her children the last four years to try to find a safe place. And she has to make the trip blindfolded, using her children as her ears. The story goes back and forth between the journey and what has lead up to it. This book made me really nervous, I didn't have a clue how it would end. A little gruesome in parts. Also, one of the most beautiful dedications I've read.

Reason to Believe by HR Huntsman - an apologetics book beginning with creation and going through to the historicity of Jesus. Disclaimer - the author is my pastor. This book is the result of a sermon series a few years ago and that I really enjoyed at the time. This would have received 4 stars, mostly because the book layout style is not my favorite, but because of extreme prejudice and loyalty... 5 stars.