Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The Best Books I Read In 2015


I'm thrilled to say that 2015 was a pretty awesome reading year for me. I read almost entirely good books, and as of today I've read 75 of them -- due in part to the encouragement/competition of my co-workers at the library. Oh, how I love working with fellow bookworms! I also explored some mostly-new-to-me genres like sci-fi and graphic novels, and I'm so glad to be expanding my literary horizons.

Below are the best of the best for me -- the books that've stuck with me through the year, that I've raved about and recommended over and over:

1. Red Rising and Golden Son by Pierce Brown
books 1 and 2 of the Red Rising trilogy
both 5 stars
Oh my gosh. I can't say enough good things about this dystopian science fiction series set on a futuristic Mars. Please read these books, even if sci-fi isn't your usual thing! Pierce Brown is an amazing author and he combines superb world-building and character development, a gripping plot and beautiful writing to create an utterly enthralling series. While the story is all its own, I think it would appeal to fans of the Hunger Games, "Ender"s Game," the Percy Jackson books, or anyone who just wants a damn good story. I can't wait for the trilogy ender to come out this winter! I discovered the Red Rising trilogy through this very Top Ten Tuesday list last year when it was on several other bloggers' posts and I'm sooooooo glad I did!


2. The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
book 2 in the Bone Season series
5 stars

This book was so freakin' good -- and miles better than the first book in the series. I absolutely could not put it down. The Bone Season series is an action-packed fantasy set in a dystopian England of the nearish future in which clairvoyants are enemies of the state; our protagonist, Paige, is a special type of clairvoyant who can walk in others' dreams. Shannon's world-building and writing style definitely improved in book two, and you'll fall in love with the atmosphere of the London she's created.


3. Fives and Twenty-Fives by Michael Pitre
5 stars

I'm an Air Force wife so I try to read military fiction once in a while. "Fives and Twenty-Fives" was not only a gripping story of what it was like to be a soldier on the ground at the beginning of the Iraq War -- written by a former Marine who was there himself -- it was by turns funny, dark and heartbreaking. I highly recommend it even if you don't know a whole lot about the military -- in fact, it'd be a interesting way to learn more about the life of a deployed soldier.


4. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
5 stars

I'm not a huge YA fan, so I wasn't really expecting much when I opened this bright and colorful cover. Oh, but was I in for a treat. "I'll Give You the Sun" tells the story of twins Noah and Jude who, when we meet them at 13, are as close as can be, but by 16 they hardly speak to each other. In alternating chapters, their fascinating, beautiful, terrible stories gradually fall into place as Noah narrates the 13-year-old sections and Jude the 16-year-old ones. Each character has a totally distinct, masterfully written voice and I loved Nelson's unique writing style. The writing is stellar and the story transcends age. Even if, like me, you don't think YA is your thing, check this book out. It's a great read for everyone!


5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
4 stars

I only gave "RPO" 4 stars because Cline's writing itself didn't do anything to dazzle me, not because I didn't like the plot. This story has stuck with me all year and it's definitely one of my favorite reads -- possibly ever. It's sci-fi-lite with a unique premise, a lovable main character and tons of '80s references that'll have you looking up songs on your phone and requesting old movies from the library! It was just such a fun read -- but one that also manages to work in some serious and thought-provoking points -- and I urge you to pick it up!


6. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
5 stars

This book had been on my to-read list for-ev-er and I'm so glad I waited to read it, because I ended up getting to this enthralling, eerie, gothic read at exactly the perfect time, on my 30th birthday trip to the Smoky Mountains. Vida Winter, the world's most famous crime novelist, has always been mysterious about her past, making up tall tales whenever questioned on her childhood. Now she's dying, and she decides it's time to tell the world her story -- a story that is creepy, heartbreaking, horrible and full of still-unanswered questions. It was addicting, I loved it, and I think any other book-lover would be enraptured too.


7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
5 stars

Imagine a world where books are considered evil, so evil that an entire occupation is devoted to burning any and all books. Gasp. The horror! Bradbury paints a frightening picture of censorship, brainwashing and government control. It's a must-read for all.


8. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
5 stars

How can it be nearly a year since I devoured this post-apocalyptic tale?! A flu pandemic wipes out most of the world's population and we get the story before, during and two decades after from a variety of interesting characters and intertwining tales. The writing was wonderful, the plot was unique and haunting, and "Station Eleven" was a totally unputdownable!


9. Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
4.5 stars

Paula McLain's debut, "The Paris Wife," was on my best-of-2012 list and I'm happy to say her second effort didn't disappoint! McLain introduces us to another real-life character, the fascinating Beryl Markham -- aviator, racehorse trainer and fiercely independent woman far ahead of her time. Beryl is extraordinary, and so is the setting of Kenya in the early 1900s. There's too much to say about her for one paragraph, so read my review and then go find yourself a copy of "Circling the Sun"!


10. Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
book 1 of the Bill Hodges series
4.5 stars

I hadn't read Stephen King in probably a decade, and I was pleasantly surprised by this hard-boiled detective/serial killer novel. King wrote Retired Detective Bill Hodges as a wonderfully flawed but extremely capable sleuth and the chilling look inside the mind of the Mercedes Killer was expertly crafted. I'm excited to read "Finders Keepers," the next book in the Bill Hodges series. 


Honorable Mention:
11. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal (review)
12. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (review)
13. In the Woods by Tana French (review)
14. A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (review)
15. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (review)

21 comments:

  1. Wow!! I haven't read any of these, but Station Eleven and I'll Give You the Sun are both on my TBR list. I'm happy to see that you enjoyed them. Great list!

    My TTT: http://www.jacquesbooknook.blogspot.com/2015/12/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-i-read-in.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you'd really enjoy "I'll Give You the Sun." It was unlike any other YA book I'd read and soooo good!

      Delete
  2. Red Rising has gotten so much buzz that my brother, who never reads YA or really even knows anything about YA, has downloaded the audibooks! I guess I should buy the books and give them a shot!

    My TTT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Allyson! I actually wouldn't consider them to be YA at all and I'm not sure why the series is sometimes described that way. They're shelved in the adult science fiction section at my library. But anyway, they were fantastic and I think they'd appeal to all kinds of readers! You should give them a try -- and then you and your brother can discuss, which you will definitely want to do! :)

      Delete
  3. I LOVED I'll Give You The Sun! The Sky Is Everywhere, is also VERY good!
    Great List!

    My TTT! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giovanna! I'm planning to read Jandy Nelson's other book sometime in 2016. I only know a few people who've read it, but they've had nothing but good things to say! She's such a talented author!

      Delete
  4. I still need to read a couple on your list that you recommended. However, my favorite book of the year was "All the light we can not See".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one of my absolutely-must-reads for 2016! I know I'll love it!

      Delete
  5. I keep hearing more and more good things about Red Rising... I might have to check it out sometime!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please do! We seem to have fairly similar tastes and I think you'd like it!

      Delete
  6. With the exception of Fahrenheit 451, I haven't read any of these -- yet! I'll Give You the Sun is on my list to read at some point, as are Ready Player One and the Pierce Brown books. Good list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you might also like "Station Eleven," Lark. You should look into it!

      Delete
  7. I just started Red Rising, and I have heard so many good things about it. Right now I am in a state of confusion, because I really have no idea what this book is about! I'm glad to see it's on your top 10 list of books for this year though :) It sounds promising!

    Cucie @ Cucie Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you end up loving it as much as I did! My guess is you'll be wanting to devour "Golden Son" immediately! ;)

      Delete
  8. I'll give you the Sun is amazing! I tried listening to Fahrenheit 451 on audio but wasn't able to finish it. I haven't read the Bone Season yet but do have it on my TBR shelf. I am guessing since the Mime Order made your list I should read it soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should try the physical book of "Fahrenheit 451." Maybe you'll be able to get into it more? I couldn't put it down!

      Even if you don't loooooove "The Bone Season," you should still read "The Mime Order." I thought it was a zillion times better than the first book. I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to continue the series after just reading "The Bone Season," but "The Mime Order" sealed the deal for me -- I will be devouring all seven books!

      Delete
  9. Great picks! I also love The Thirteenth Tale although I read it a while back. Such a wonderful story. Looks like you had a great year of reading. :)
    Laura
    My Top Ten Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did have a great reading year, Laura! Doesn't always happen, so I'm grateful when those awesome years come around. :) Here's hoping we both read tons of amazing books in 2016!

      Delete
  10. I haven't read any of these, BUT Mr. Mercedes is sitting on my bookshelf (collecting dust) and The Thirteenth Tale has been on my TBR. Must get to those next year! :) Great list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you totally should. I know you like mysteries and those are both excellent mysteries -- and two totally different TYPES of mysteries at that. I'm pretty sure you'll love them!

      Delete
  11. Wow, this is a really good list! I also really loved the Red Rising series, and am anxiously anticipating the final book. I'll Give You the Sun and ready Player One are also two of my favorite books of any year. Thanks for the recommend of Fahrenheit 451! I've been looking at it for years, but have yet to pick it up and read it.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! Comments make my day, and I read and appreciate every single one!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...