Best Books We Read In 2014

The staff of the Wallingford Public Library reflects on the best books they read in 2014. If you've read any of our favorites, let us know!

Janet F.

Middlesex by Jefferey Eugenides (2002)

An epic family history, Middlesex traces the evolution of Cal(lie), a hermaphrodite who, along with her family does not learn the truth about her sex until a teenager.

Janet liked it because it features vibrant characters and a unique plot spanning 50+ years.

Recommended for readers of historical literary fiction

Janet's Runners-up:

The Circle by Dave Eggers (2013)

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (2013)

Jenn N.

Stillwater by Nicole Helget (2014)

Minnesota during the slavery era -- nuns, trappers, twins, war.

Jenn liked it because it begins at the end and builds the entire time.

Recommended for history buffs

Jenn's Runners-up:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012)
Room by Emma Donoghue (2010)

Alyssa S.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler (2014)

Comedienne, Amy Poehler, reflects on important moments in her life that have contributed to her successful career.

Alyssa liked it because it isn't your run-of-the-mill memoir. She doesn't delve into the gruesome details of her personal life, but carefully balances humor, advice, and nostalgia.

Recommended for fans of Amy Poehler and anyone who wants to LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Alyssa's Runners-up:
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (2014)
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (2013)

Teresa K.

Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart (2014)

A Russian immigrant's transition from Soviet citizen to New York native beginning from age 7.

Teresa liked it because the writing is lovely and sympathetic, and is very funny at times.

Recommended for readers who like to learn about other worlds through colorful and fundamental prose.

Teresa's Runners-up:
Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan (2014)
Will Not Attend by Adam Resnick (2014)

Jane F.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kid (2014)

A fictionalized history of Sarah and Nina Grimke, sisters from antebellum Charleston who were early pioneers of the abolitionist and women's rights movements.

Jane found it well-researched and engaging and wants to learn more about the time period.

Recommended for adults and mature teens who like historical fiction and beautiful writing.

Jane's Runners-up:
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride (2013)
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (2013)

Chris C.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2012)

A retelling of Homer's Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, focusing on his relationship with the Greek demigod, Achilles.

Chris liked how realistically the relationship grows and progresses over the course of the novel and also the subtle nods to the original source material.

Recommended for adults and teens who like Greek mythology and tragic love stories.

Chris's Runners-up:
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (2014)
City of Thieves by David Benioff (2008)

Allison M.

A Violet Season by Kathy Leonard Czepiel (2012)

In the Hudson Valley of New York, the violet industry is blooming in the late 1800s. Ida, who is married to the black sheep of the family, and her daughter Alice have made great sacrifices to support that side of the family's business.

Allison was captivated by the troubles and triumphs of the two strong female characters. She thought it was interesting to learn about the time period and the violet industry.

Recommended for readers who like strong female characters, historical fiction, and stories about families.

Allison's Runners-up:
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2014)
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (2012)

Amy H.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)

Sixteen year old cancer patient, Hazel Grace meets seventeen year old Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player and amputee, at a support group and they subsequently fall in love.

Amy thought that Hazel has a way of describing her life and situation that is unique and makes readers like her. The subject matter is grim, but the book is very funny. If only the outcome could be different.

Recommended for teens and adults who like a good love story that will make you cry.

Amy's Runners-up:
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (2013)
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri (2013)

Kayleigh S.

In the Blood by Lisa Unger (2014)

With her trust fund almost depleted, master manipulator Lana Granger is forced to take a job babysitting a troubled boy named Luke. Luke, who is accustomed to controlling people in his life, threatens to reveal the truth about Lana’s involvement in the disappearance of her closest friend.

Kayleigh thought it was a gripping psychological thriller that kept her guessing until the last minute.

Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers (especially Gone Girl).

Kayleigh's Runners-up:
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian (2013)
The Impersonator by Mary Miley (2013)

Beth D.

The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards by Kristopher Jansma (2013)

Three friends from vastly different backgrounds meet in college. Two want to be writers, and the third is an aspiring actress. Their story is told and retold with creativity.

Beth thought it was beautifully written.

Recommended for aspiring writers and people interested in the complexity of inter-personal relationships.

Beth's Runners-up:
Half Broken Things by Morag Joss (2005)
In the Wilderness by Kim Barnes (1997)

Rosa S.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (2013)

A group of children win a contest to spend the night at their town's new library, designed by the world's most famous gamemaker, Luigi Lemoncello. In the morning, they must figure out how to get out!

Rosa thought this was a fun action/adventure story which made her laugh and root for the main character all the way to the end. The book is filled with puzzles and riddles the readers can solve with the characters.

Recommended for anyone who likes puzzles and riddles or wants a good laugh. Anyone who is a kid at heart.

Rosa's Runners-up:
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood (2011)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (2010)

Sunnie L.

Amy Falls Down by Jincy Willett (2014)

Subtley clever and hilarious, this book starts with a small tumble taken by Amy Gallup in her backyard, which precipitates an unlikely chain of events leading to a bout of unexpected celebrity.

Sunnie thought it was insightful and funny. The main character was smart, funny, and slightly grumpy.

Recommended for introspective types or anyone tired of reading the same formulaic fiction over and over.

Sunnie's Runners-up:
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (2012)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon (2014)

Deb W.

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen (2013)

A London street musician finds an injured cat and takes it in. The encounter changes his life for the better.

Deb thought it was a very uplifting story.

Recommended for animal lovers.

Deb's Runners-up:
Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen (2014)
Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman (2013)

Pat J.

Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron (2014)

Protagonist Jane finds herself stranded by a snow storm over the Christmas holiday at the home of a friend when one of the guests dies in a tragic accident --or was it? Jane gathers clues to solve the mystery amidst the holiday celebrations.

Pat enjoyed this glimpse into the social customs and political atmosphere of the time, and she enjoyed Jane Austen as well.

Recommended for fans of the Jane Austen novels as well as readers of historical fiction, especially those who prefer a light touch of history.

Pat's Runners-up:
The Long Way Home by Louise Penny (2014)
The Magus of Hay by Phil Rickman (2013)

Kari H.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2014)

Irascible book store owner and widower, A.J. Fikry comes home one day to find a toddler abandoned in his shop. With the child is a note from the mother saying she wants her daughter raised by someone who loves books. To everyone's surprise, A.J adopts the child, giving him a chance to set his own life on a new (and hopefully happier) course.

Kari loved the literary references, engaging story, and good character development.

Recommended for Book lovers and library lovers (that's you!).

Kari's Runners-up:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (2013)
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (2008)

David A.

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast (2014)

Roz Chast, a cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine, by means of graphic novel tells of the frustration, sadness, fear, and odd moments of humor that occur when taking care of her parents in the last years of their lives.

David has always enjoyed Ms. Chast's cartoons in The New Yorker magazine because they capture in one acutely observed and captioned frame the quirkiness of the contemporary human life. The book-length format allows her to dissect and elaborate on subjects of a more serious nature.

Recommended for people who already enjoy Roz Chast's work. Readers will applaud her tackling a difficult personal subject so candidly. Any perceptive person would likewise be impressed and moved.

David's Runners-up:
Complete Short Stories by Graham Greene (2005)
A Wolf Called Romeo by Nick Jans (2014)

What was your favorite book you read in 2014?