My hands-down favorite thing about a new reading year is how hopeful I always feel at the beginning of it.  I psych myself up to *finally* reach that goal of reading 200 books.  My body hums with excitement as I add titles to my list of books I'm definitely going to get to before December 31st.  Then comes December and all I can do is laugh at how little the reality of what I accomplished during the year matches the fantasy of what I thought I could get done!  Ah, well.  It just means I still have lots of great books to look forward to in the next year.

This week's question for Top Ten Tuesday (which is hosted by the lovelies over at The Broke and the Bookish) asks which 2014 releases we really, really, really meant to get to and didn't.  I could list hundreds, but here are the first ten that came to mind:


1.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart—This twisty mystery got all kinds of great buzz last year.  I'm definitely planning to read it soon!


2.  Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge—Rave reviews have put this Beauty and the Beast retelling high on my priority list for 2015.  I'm going to read it as part of the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge.


3.  Panic by Lauren Oliver—This novel, about teens playing a high-stakes Fear Factor type of game, looks intriguing.


4.  Landline by Rainbow Rowell—I enjoyed both Fangirl and Attachments, so I'm very interested in Rowell's newest.


5.  After the End by Amy Plum—I'm not sure exactly what this one is—Post-apocalyptic?  Psychological thriller?  Action/adventure?—but it looks good.


6.  Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White—I've enjoyed the books I've read by Kiersten White.  As this one also promises to be a big contender for the 2014 LDS literary awards (Whitney Awards; AML Awards), I'm going to be reading it soon.


7.  Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis—Another fairy tale retelling that I'm planning to read for the Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge.


8.  Landry Park by Bethany Hagen—I bought a copy of this post-apocalyptic caste system romance thriller/romance (thromance?) as soon as it came out and, yeah, there it sits on my bookshelf just waiting to be noticed ...


9.  Compulsion by Martina Boone—I adore books set in mysterious Southern plantation homes, so this one looks like something I'd enjoy.


10.  Trust Me, I'm Lying by Mary Elizabeth Summer—This teenage con artist mystery/thriller just looks fun.

Have you read any of these?  What did you think?  And what great 2014 releases are you planning to get to in 2015?

*All book images from Barnes & Noble

If you're not sure what a Mormon is, let alone a Mormon Mention, allow me to explain:  My name is Susan and I'm a Mormon (you've seen the commercials, right?).  As a member of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon or LDS Church), I'm naturally concerned with how my religion is portrayed in the media.  Because this blog is about books, every time I see a reference to Mormonism in a book written by someone who is not a member of my church, I highlight it here.  Then, I offer my opinion—my insider's view—of what the author is saying.  It's my chance to correct misconceptions, expound on principles of the Gospel, and even to laugh at my (sometimes) crazy Mormon culture. 

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In Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Cath Avery is a college freshman who spends most of her time in her dorm room studying, worrying and writing fanfiction.  She's introverted and nerdy, a complete puzzle to her new roommate, Reagan.  This conversation ensues:

"Wear whatever.  Wear something that doesn't have Simon Snow on it, so that people won't assume your brain stopped developing when you were seven."

Cath put on her read CARRY ON t-shirt with jeans, and redid her ponytail.

Reagan frowned at her.  "Do you have to wear your hair like that?  Is it some kind of Mormon thing?"

"I'm not Mormon."

"I said some kind."  There was a knock at the door, and Reagan opened it.

-- Quote from Fangirl, page 69

Like I said, Cath's a "good girl," a virgin who doesn't drink, smoke, party or throw herself at random guys.  Naturally, Reagan—who's her complete opposite— assumes she's a nun.  Or a Mormon.  

Passages like this are actually compliments to us, I think, since they're commentaries on the LDS ideals of clean living.  Active church members adhere to the Word of Wisdom, which strongly cautions against the use of tobacco, strong drinks, even coffee and tea.  We are counseled to stay away from other potentially harmful behaviors as well, including taking illegal drugs, abusing prescription drugs, engaging in premarital sex, etc.  Thus, we've earned a reputation as people who strive to be as squeaky clean as possible.  Which isn't a bad thing.  Not at all.

A side note on Mormon college life:  Many LDS kids choose to attend church colleges (BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, etc.), not just because they're good schools, but also because students there are required to uphold the standards of the LDS Church.  Does this mean there isn't any drinking, smoking, drugs, partying, sleeping around, etc.?  Of course not.  If you're looking for that kind of thing, I'm sure you can find it at BYU just as easily as anywhere else.  However, it is definitely not the norm.  Most BYU-ers are at BYU because they've made a conscious choice to avoid those kinds of elements.  In fact, BYU-Provo's been named the nation's top "Stone Cold Sober" school for almost 20 years in a row by The Princeton Review.  It's a distinction of which Mormons, especially BYU alums (like Yours Truly), are extremely proud.