I saw Allie from The Scribbling Sprite participated in The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday last week and I decided to try it out with this theme since today is a "your choice" entry.  So without further ado, here's my "Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To" in alphabetical order (by author)!

Click for a larger image!

With Every Breath - Elizabeth Camden
--I love Elizabeth Camden's books! She's an academic research librarian by day and the author of several historical romances.  I like that her stories always feature a unique time period, occupation, or plot.  Though I didn't get to With Every Breath, I did get to read Beyond All Dreams (review to come)!

Empire and Rebellion: Honor Among Thieves - James S. A. Corey
--One of the last Star Wars Expanded Universe titles before the Disney re-branding.  This title goes back to the "classic" era of the Original Trilogy, featuring Han, Luke, and Leia.

Fair Play - Deeanne Gist
--I've fallen a bit behind with Deeanne Gist's books.  This one is the last entry in her World's Fair trilogy. 

Caught in the Middle - Regina Jennings
--Another trilogy closer, this story features Molly Lovelace's brother, Nick.

Two Renegade Realms - Donita K. Paul
--The second book in The Realm Walker trilogy.  I reviewed the first book, One Realm Beyond here.

Golden Daughter - Anne Elisabeth Stengl
--Asian-inspired Christian fantasy?  Definitely intriguing.  From the Tales of Goldstone Woods series (I need to catch up with this series too)!

The Daughter of Highland Hall - Carrie Turansky
--I haven't read anything by Carrie Turansky yet, but the cover looks pretty and it's set in the Edwardian era ... 

The Dancing Master - Julie Klassen
--While I've heard this isn't the best of Julie Klassen's books, it is the only one of hers I haven't read yet!  Besides ... Footloose meets Regency?  I've gotta give it a shot! 

Storm Siren - Mary Weber
--When I first saw this cover, I thought it was a general market YA.  Learning that it's a Christian YA novel (published by Thomas Nelson), I'm definitely intrigued about this series featuring a slave girl with supernatural powers set in a fantasy realm.  

The Art of Dreamworks Animation: Celebrating 20 Years of Art - Ramin Zahed
--Rediscovering DreamWorks Animation in the last year, I'd love to see this retrospective which features concept art from their 30 animated features so far (including the yet-to-be-released Home).  I don't believe earlier films such as The Prince of Egypt had their own "Art of" books, so seeing concept art from those would be a thrill.  Unfortunately, with a retail price averaging $60, this one will be on my wish list for awhile (along with The Art of Tangled and The Art of Frozen).

Bonus: #11!

Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy - Brandon Alinger

--I'm calling this my "bonus" entry, since I didn't know this was in the works, let alone was released in 2014!  The costumes designed for this trio of movies quickly became iconic worldwide.  Finally, the Original Trilogy costumes get the same treatment the gorgeous Prequel costumes did in a lavish tome.

What are some 2014 titles you meant to read but didn't get the chance to?

[Edited to add book cover collage]

“I suppose I do enjoy it, Mr. Trimble. Upon reflection, I have just discovered that most of  the time, I only listen.” 

“That, my dear Miss Withersby, is a very great shame, for I have found that most of the time, quiet people have more to offer.” ~ Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell 

"He Stole the Work She Loved.

Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?

It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?"

 

“It was just a joke, I assure you.”

“Yes. Exactly. That’s exactly how I feel. As if all that I’ve done and all that I’ve accomplished are to be set aside for some more suitable assistant simply because I’ve got pistils!”

“Pistils …?”

“As if they’re somehow considered less worthy than stamens!”

“Stamens …?”

“Can you see how this is quite vexing?”

“I can see that you’re highly incensed.”

“Extremely.”

He stood once more and then bowed. “Extremely incensed. I think, it more accurate, perhaps, to say that it is you whom I am ultimately assisting.”

If he hadn’t usurped my position then I might have appreciated the sentiment. “Thank you, Mr. Trimble.”

"Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area." Learn more at her website. 

(c.) 2014 by Bethany House Publishers

Title: The Secret of Pembrooke Park*

According to goodreads, I read 60 books in 2014, surpassing my goal of 50 books! (Not counting comics and graphic novels I need to add.)

For my first Top Tuesday of 2015, I thought I'd do a little recap of some of my favorite reads I encountered in 2014.  Several of my friends have already done so, such as Fernweh's Call. I'd love to know some of your best reads you encountered last year, so be sure to post them in the comments below!

Best "New-to-Me" series of 2014:
It's a tie between The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer and The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

(c.) MarissaMeyer.com

The Lunar Chronicles: As I previously blogged about, fairy tale adaptations with a sci-fi twist.  So far Meyer has done Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel.  The Evil Queen and Snow White are coming up: the former in Fairest, arriving later this month on the 27th, and the latter in Winter, coming in late 2015.

The Hunger Games: It's a combination of the books and the movies that made me a fan of the series.  But I have to give credit to Aubrey Hansen for getting me to read the books in the first place through her January Dystopian Reading Challenge on Goodreads!  I haven't been able to bring myself to write a complete review yet, but I wrote a brief reflection of my thoughts in my "Ten Books That Have Stayed with You" post.




Best Out-of-Print Finds:
The Art of Anastasia - Ever since I watched Anastasia, the 1997 animated film, for the first time last year, I've loved this "not Disney!" princess movie. In my local public library system, there was only one copy of this book available to view only in-library, so though I was able to skim through the book once, I was thrilled to find a copy of this out-of-print hardcover at my local thrift store (and yes, I did squeal when I saw it and celebrated with a passerby shopper as well). =)




Mulan: Special Collector's Edition - Found for $7 USD from my favorite used books store!  Since I haven't gotten my own copy of "The Art of Mulan" yet, this is a nice placeholder for my collection.  I've yet to read it through completely, but it appears to be sort of a cross between Disney storybook and a mini "Art of" book, with behind the scenes vignettes on the creation of the film and concept art.





Best "Wittiest-Banter-Ever" In a Novel:

The bell sounded again.

I coughed. "Aren't you going to get that?"

Mr. Trimble started. "Get what?"

"The door. It's something I used to do that I'm not to do anymore."

"Surely getting the door won't interfere with your finding a husband."

"It might. I've never sought a husband before, so I'm sure I don't know."

Like a Flower in Bloom - Siri Mitchell

OMGoodness, I was too late to request a physical review copy from Bethany House Publishers, so I dusted off the metaphorical cobwebs off of my NetGalley account to snag an ebook advanced reader's copy and boy, I am so glad I did!  I had a feeling it would be great from the synopsis alone (see below), but the dialogue throughout the novel between the protagonist and her "rival" made me smile so much. (I decided to save my favorite "back-and-forth" for my review.  Definitely one to I have on my list to buy --my review will be coming soon!

"He Stole the Work She Loved.
Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?

It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?"

Best Manga:
A Bride's Story, written and illustrated by Kaoru Mori

One of the titles on the reading list of my "Special Topics in Librarianship" class this past semester, A Bride's Story (or Otoyomegatari as it's known in Japan) is a gorgeously illustrated manga (Japanese comic book/graphic novel) set in Central Asia in the late 1800s.  Mori's intricate penwork brings the world of new bride Amir to life with lush, historical details.  There are currently 6 volumes in the series, all which have been translated into English.  If you love historical fiction like I do, you might be interested in checking this one out!

*Content warning: Some language [e.g. bas--rd] and artistically nude/topless images, but most of the situations come across as more innocent rather than hyper-sexualized*

Best Non-Fiction Read:
A tie between The Sculpture of Ruth Asawa: Contours in the Air edited by Daniell Cornell
and The Art of How to Train Your Dragon 2 by Linda Sunshine.

Ruth Asawa became one of my favorite artists my last year in art school.  Besides her incredible life story, her wire sculptures used a novel technique not seen in American fine art during the mid 20th century and she followed her dream of being an artist while raising five children!  I'm hoping to see some of her work in real life this year, but this book does have wonderful photographs of her art taken during a retrospective at the Fine Arts Museum of San Fransisco and a collection of essays written about her life and work. 

Meanwhile, I'm sure you can guess How to Train Your Dragon 2 was my favorite movie I saw in 2014!  *Sheepish smile* I usually read my "Art of [insert film title here]" books through my local public library system ... However, for HTTYD2, I decided to just purchase it since the libraries haven't gotten it yet. (Off topic: I'm currently seriously considering buying The Art of Frozen soon for the same reason.)  Of course, the Berkian (HTTYD fan) in me wishes there was more, but it was a nice mix of behind the scenes snippets of info from artists that worked on the film, concept art, character designs, background scenes, etc.

What were your favorite reads of 2014?

(c.) 2014 by Thomas Nelson

Title: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall ["Whispers on the Moors" #3] 

Author: Sarah E. Ladd

Published: 2014 by Thomas Nelson

I first heard about Sarah E. Ladd through the blogosphere when her debut novel, The Heiress of Winterwood, was released.  The striking cover design and the sumptuous title caught my eye and immediately piqued my interest.  However, I never got the chance to read any of her books until now.  A Lady at Willowgrove Hall’s intriguing story of hidden secrets did not let me down!

Cecily Faire of the Rosemere School for Young Ladies is thrust into the position of lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall.  Believed to be a high born lady, she conceals her true heritage.  The daughter of a blacksmith, she fears her scandalous teenage dalliance will be revealed when she re-encounters Andrew Morton, the heir to Aradelle Park, years later.

Meanwhile, steward Nathaniel Stanton hides a secret as well.  He is the illegitimate son of the deceased Mr. Trent, the master of Willowgrove Hall.  Forced to keep silent as not to ruin the reputations of his sisters, he is tied to Willowgrove Hall’s stewardship until Mrs. Trent passes.  Ladd reveals Cecily and Nathaniel’s pasts to the reader at the very beginning of the novel, so we are left reading with anticipation to see how these secrets will come to light and be revealed to the rest of the characters.

I love historicals set in England’s early 1800s.  I felt that Ladd’s dialogue and writing lends to an authentic-sounding voice for the time period that is still understandable for the contemporary reader.  It brings to mind one of my favorite Regency authors, Julie Klassen (who actually endorsed Ladd’s The Heiress of Winterwood).  With all the secrets and strained relationships, there is also a tension as well that well illustrate the burden that secrecy can cause and the liberation the truth can bring.  I also loved the characters as well.  Their motivations are believable and even those playing slight antagonistic roles such as Mrs. Trent or Mrs. Massey are never completely unlikeable.  I’ll definitely be checking out more from Sarah E. Ladd in the future!

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author.  No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.*

(Edit: spotted a typo!) =)