The Best of 2014

It is that time of year again. I am putting forward my list of the 10 best novels of 2014 for everyone to see and comment on. This year we had a fairly good crop. As usual the novels range from bestsellers to the obscure, from mainstream to experimental. I will add some separate categories to single out honorable mentions. With the exception of number one, which is my choice for best of the year, they are in no particular order.

1. The Last Horror Novel in the History of the World by Brian Allen Carr
2. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
3. Perfect by Rachel Joyce
4. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
5. The Troop by Nick Cutter
6. Hell’s Waiting Room by C. V. Hunt
7. Kumquat by Jeff Strand
8. Dream of the Serpent by Alan Ryker
9. Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch
10. Boot Boys of the Wolf Reich by David Agranoff

And the honorable mentions…

Best YA novel: The Tyrant’s Daughter by J. C. Carleson

Best new series: Z Plan by Michail Lerma

Best short fiction collection: Phone Call from Hell and Other Tales of the Damned by Jonathan Woods

Best novel in 2013 that I waited to read in 2014: Time Pimp by Garrett Cook

Best WTF! Novel: Zombies and Calculus by Colin Adams

Best periodical or journal: The Lazy Fascist Review

Best non-fiction: I'll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the March up Freedom's Highway by Greg Kot

That wraps it up for this year. Have a great holiday season and happy reading for next year.