The end of the year is finally here! And I’m celebrating by putting together the post I’ve been most looking forward to: the annual book review recap!

 I started a book blog for a couple reasons, but one of them was because it is a great way to keep track of all the fantastic books I’ve read (one that didn’t involve a journal and printouts of the covers – the method I was using before I discovered the wonders of blogging).

Sharing my love of books has become a passion all its own, and I have discovered some profound things in my own reading habits that I may not have if not for the blog. Most notably, I have come to truly appreciates the idea that life is too short to read boring books. I finally figured this out at the beginning of the year when I had published three posts in a row with 2.5 or lower ratings a week before sharing the top ten books on my spring reading list. It was eye-opening because I realized the books I was most looking forward to reading were getting left on the shelf in favor of books I felt like I was obligated to read (does anybody else have that problem?). Anyway, I made the decision to read the books I was most excited for first rather than last, and it has made for the best year of reading I have ever had!

So without further a do, here’s a look at The Obsessive Bookseller’s year of book love:

 (You can find full-length reviews for all of these titles under the Review Archive tab at the top of the blog)

DNF:

1 Star:

2 Stars:

2.5 Stars:

3 Stars:

3.5 Stars:

4 Stars:

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Champion by Marie Lu

Perdition by Ann Aguirre

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Inhuman by Kat F Falls

Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Edelman

Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold

Wrath of a Mad God by Raymond E. Feist

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Pure by Julianna Baggott

The Elite by Keira Cass

The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos

The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

The Bane by Keary Taylor

The Pirate King by R. A. Salvatore

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Masques by Patricia Briggs

Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon

4.5 Stars:

5 Stars:

Look how many are above 4 stars!! Reading the books at the top of your list, rather than the ones you feel obligated to read really does make a difference – here’s hoping 2014 is an even better year!

 I will say this year seemed rather focused on Young Adult. I couldn’t help it, there were just too many great books in that genre and there are many I still have yet to read. Although, because I’ve recently combed through and reorganized my Fantasy novels, I’ve been reminded of how many awesome looking books I still have in that genre and am thinking 2014 could be a great year for a High Fantasy focus…

What awesome books did you read this year?