T5W - Favourite Books of 2014

Happy New Year!  

I hope you all have a fabulous night - and aren't too hung over this morning ;-D  Just a quick post as I spaced yesterday and forgot to post my T5W post on my favourite books of 2014.  This will be super quick as I'm sure no one wants to be bogged down with a huge amount of text.

As always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {here} if you would also like to participate.  If you have any questions or comments, then please feel free to leave them down below.

So, on to my Top 5 Favourite Books for 2014.

Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry

Yes, it's not a work of fiction, but I love Stephen Fry.  This memoir is so easy to read.  And, if like me, you are a keen watcher of QI you can actually hear his voice as you read this.  So good.  Have More Fool Me on order and am trying to track down an edition of Moab is my Washpot to get as well.  An amazing life.

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman 

(Ill. by Chris Riddell)

I bought this book as soon as it was published as I just couldn't resist a fairytale retelling paired with such gorgeous artwork.  I had only recently discovered Neil Gaiman and had borrowed Graveyard Book and loved the art as much as the story, so when I saw this on Book Depository I just knew I had to have it.  

I wasn't disappointed.  The gold touches to the simple black and white sketches are just drool-worthy.  Such an amazing retelling, with an ending that could lead to another book ;-D

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

The final book in the All Soul's Trilogy.  I was anticipating this book from the moment I read the last sentence in Shadow of Night.  I wasn't disappointed (although there were loose threads left at the end that I'm hoping will lead to another book in the future) and it was amazing to see all my favourite characters back in action.  Sorry that this trilogy has ended, but I couldn't resist buying the boxed hardcover set when it came out on Book Depository.  Now it has pride of place on my top shelf.

 Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

This is the second book in her new urban fantasy series and I loved this book.  Along with The Book of Life, it was my most wanted and anticipated book of 2014.  It was touching and it made me laugh and tear up in places.  Can't wait for Vision in Silver to be released in March 2015.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

If it wasn't for this book, I would not have read so many interesting books by Neil Gaiman this year.  This was the first of his adult books that I'd read (found in my library after borrowing - and loving - The Graveyard Book), and I sped through it.  I love mythology and retellings, and the way that the Sidhe mythology was woven into the storyline was simply beautiful.  I am definitely going to buy a copy of this book - in the edition shown above - but I really don't want to pay $26 for the hardcover.  I'm patient though, I'll get it eventually ;-D

So that is my final T5W tag for 2014, and my first post for 2015.  I hope you enjoyed my favourite books for the year that was, and I'd love to know if you've read them, and if you did, what your thoughts on them were.

Until next time, my lovelies...