My Favorites From 2014

As I reflected on my reading in 2014, I wanted to pick out some that really stood out to me. I went through my list on Goodreads to refresh my memory about what I read at the beginning of the year. I just wrote down picture books, chapter books, nonfiction books, and graphic novels that really spoke to me. While I was going through the list I had a lot of Book Smiles as I remembered the books that I read. When I was finished going through the list, I was surprised that I listed more chapter books than anything other type of book. So below are my lists, in not particular order.

Picture Books

• Warning Do Not Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt
• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman
• The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
• Big Bug by Henry Cole

Chapter Books

• Hold Fast by Blue Balliett
• A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
• When Audrey Met Alice by Rebecca Behrens
• Jinx and Jinx's Magic by Sage Blackwood
• The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore 
• This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
• Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
• The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
• Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Nonfiction Books

• A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jennifer Fisher Bryant
• Firefly July A Year of Very Short Poems by Paul B. Janeczko
• Parrots Over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth
• Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives by Lola M. Schaefer
• Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
• Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do by Steve Jenkins

Graphic Novels

• Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci
• Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani
• El Deafo by Cece Bell
• Comic Squad Recess by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Dav Pilkey, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier, Dave Roman, Ursula Vernon, Eric Wright, and Gene Yang

All of the books that I read this year made an impression on me, but I couldn't list an entire year of reading here. Because of my job in a PreK-5th Grade library I find myself sticking to picture books and middle grade novels, but I read a YA book this year that I really enjoyed. It was The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. It is a vampire story and I'm not really into vampires, but I could not put this book down.

What books made an impression on you this year?

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)