Nine Standout Books of 2014...So Far!

It's August, which means there's still time to fit in some summer reading! We took a look at the books that are topping Goodreads Want-to-Read charts and garnering 4.0-and-above average ratings to compile our list of the top tomes published this year in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Adult—three per category. These mighty nine offer up everything from tales of Wall Street excess to adventures with sexy, sarcastic demon hunters to the struggle of two women bound by history. The best part? They'll stay with you long after summer is over.

Have you been following our annual Goodreads Choice Awards? It's too soon to say for sure, but these favorites could be contenders! Which books are you hoping to see on the list of 2014 nominees this November? Tell us in the comments!

FICTION



The Invention of Wings
by Sue Monk Kidd (Goodreads Author)
Connie says, "When Sarah Grimke turned 11 years old in 1803, she was given [an enslaved girl named] Hetty (called 'Handful') as a birthday present…the book follows Sarah and Handful for 35 years through alternating chapters. By mixing fact and fiction, the author has created a moving story about the cruelty of slavery and the resilience of both the slaves and the abolitionists."

All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr (Goodreads Author)
Angela says, "Parallel stories are told in alternating chapters of Marie Laure, a teenage French girl who has been blind since the age of six, and Werner, an intelligent, perceptive and sensitive German orphan who learns to fix radios and becomes noticed by the German army. Each of their stories will move you in their own right, but especially when their paths cross." Jenny adds, "I died a thousand times while reading this book. It is mysterious, heart-breaking, and just brilliantly beautiful. It deserves all the stars."

The Martian
by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author)
Mike (the Paladin) says, "The story of Mark Watney, how he gets stranded on Mars, how he survives or doesn't, is frankly fantastic. You want a suspenseful thriller, it's here. You want hard science fiction, it's here. You want a character-driven story, you got it. You want a plot-driven story, you got that, too…Mr. Weir…I don't know how you'll follow this one up, but I for one will be watching for your next novel."



NONFICTION



Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt
by Michael Lewis
Mal Warwick says, "Flash Boys tells the tale of the arcane and long-secret phenomenon known as high-frequency trading (HFT). The book reads like a thriller, showcasing the author's legendary writing talent. Like the best fiction, it's centered on people, not abstract processes or institutions, and the prose sings."

This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl
by Esther Earl
Mason Deaver says, "I know The Fault In Our Stars was dedicated and inspired by her, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Let me tell you that you will not find a more heart-warming, tear-jerking story…this book gave me so much insight not only into the life of Esther, but also the life of someone living with cancer, someone who did not become her disease and instead chose to spend her unknown amount of time with friends and family."

Capital in the Twenty-First Century
by Thomas Piketty, translated by Arthur Goldhammer (Goodreads Author)
Marvin King says, "Holy smokes, this was a tour de force of political economy and economic history. Piketty explains why a tax on capital is so much preferable than taxes on income, the need for global cooperation and why inequality in America will only get worse unless policymakers address higher education affordability, tax policies, especially on inheritance, and minimum wage laws. A brutally long read, yet well worth the effort."



YOUNG ADULT



City of Heavenly Fire
by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)
Aiman says, "Important note: Reading this book will surely evoke fits of of despair, but also fan-girling. Tread with caution…Cassandra Clare deserves a standing ovation for the beautiful world she has created, a tale not only of Shadowhunters and magical creatures, but [also] one of friendship, family, blood, pain, and loss. She brings new and extraordinary meaning to these ordinary words and binds them into something completely bedazzling."

The One
by Kiera Cass (Goodreads Author)
Ilana says, "When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants."

Hollow City
by Ransom Riggs
Jon says, "Hollow City does an excellent job of creating a captivating, magical world and accompanying the plot with finely selected vintage photos…[it] is incredibly fast-paced with an interesting story that fans of Miss Peregrine's will absolutely love. With plenty of unexpected twists, Hollow City is quite frankly one of the best sequels I've read to date and it definitely surpasses its predecessor."

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