The Best Books of 2014 (So Far)

Leigh-Ann’s Top 5:

5. FANGIRL_15 by Aimee Roseland

Chloe gets the opportunity that many readers would kill for; the opportunity to change the unfortunate ending of a beloved book. But it comes with a price (like everything usually does). Chloe realizes that she’s an important part in the story and that she was the apple of a very powerful demon’s eye for a very long time. And it gets even weirder. When it looks like all is about to come to a terrifying end, she figures out that she’s been the hero of the story in a way that would make Tim Burton proud.

4. Before You Break by Christina Lee

Before You Break is a cute story that tackles serious and painful issues and one that shows that even if you’re as broken as Humpty Dumpty, there’s someone out there willing to love you and help you put all the pieces back together.

3. Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson

Ellie is a girl who strives to be perfect. She’s one of the most popular girls at school. She’s got a boyfriend she’s known all her life and intends to marry. Her family is a God-fearing set of individuals and loving in every way. And she does everything she’s told to do. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently, everything. Ellie is thrown into a mixture of emotions when she discovers that Dylan, her long-time boyfriend, cheats on her, her mother gets diagnosed with cancer and her perfect world seems to be falling apart. She begins to question why God would throw all these trials her way after she’d obeyed all His instructions and what exactly it means to be herself and not somebody’s shadow or the symbol of perfection.

2. Stronger Than You Know by Jolene Perry

Fifteen-year-old Joy is the definition of broken. After being rescued from an abusive household and sent to live with her caring relatives, Joy has to re-learn what it means to live among people who aren’t constantly trying to hurt you. A wonderfully written novel about recovering from a traumatic experience, Stronger Than You Know is a story anybody who’s every felt rejected, abused or even abandoned should read.

1. A Different Me by Deborah Blumenthal

Allie Johnson is a girl who’s got her eyes on one prize, a new nose. She’s been dreaming of changing her nose ever since she realized what the “ideal” image of beauty was. However, as she stumbles through the woods of self-discovery, she comes to the realization that you don’t always have to live up to society’s expectations. She realizes that it’s best to just be yourself. Even if it means living with an unsightly nose.