I’m pretty much a book addict. I’ll read almost any genre. Occasionally, I’ll ignore essentials like eating, drinking, and using the restroom in order to finish a scene I’m reading. I’ve never taken one of those Goodreads challenges to read a specific number of books because I’m already reading well over a hundred books a year. Setting goal just seems pointless for me. (Notice I said, “for me.” I think other people can benefit from them greatly because it encourages them to read more or to read more genres they might not otherwise venture into.)
Anyway, I’ve read lots of books, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I read many new books. Our family’s budget would not be able to support my reading habit if I purchased my drugs supplies. We go to at least one library at least once a week. However, there’s usually a lag time between when a book is published and when it arrives at the library. And if the writer is less well-known, the lag might be even longer. If your 2014 book isn’t on this list, don’t be offended. I just haven’t found it on the shelf at the library yet!
With that in mind, I present…
My Favorite New Books of 2014
- Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson – A gripping fantasy read for ages 16 and up. Even at 1000+ pages, it will leave you begging for the sequel. I particularly enjoyed it after a lackluster 2014 performance by many of my stand-by authors.
- Circle, Arrow, Spiral: Exploring Gender in Judaism by Miriam Kosman – Thoughtful and accessible consideration of gender within Orthodox Jewish thought and practice for readers of all stripes.
- Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan – This picture book does a delicate job of introducing Alzheimers and other forms of dementia to to children 5 and up. Truly touching.
- The Littlest Levine by Sandy Lanton – A charming picture book about a little girl who hates being the baby of the family, with a nice tie-in to Passover. The “baby” in our family loves it.
- Also noteworthy: Ruchama King Feuerman (whose newest book, Bina Lobell’s Super-Secret Diary, I haven’t gotten my hands on yet) found a print publisher for her 2013 release-to-ebook In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist and Henye Meyer released an updated version of A Stranger to My Brothers.
Readers, please share your favorite books of 2014 in a comment (I’ll cut you slack if some are from 2013)!
Rebecca Klempner 