10 Best Books I Read in 2015

HAPPY TWENTY SIXTEEEEEEEN!

I can’t believe we’re sixteen years into the 2000’s. I remember everyone thinking technology wasn’t going to be able to adapt to Y2K and hiding under the covers at midnight because I was scared the power was going to go out. Sixteen years ago. DANG I feel old.

One of the best things about 2015 was that I got back into reading! I took a bit of a hiatus during/after college because, let’s be honest, time spent not studying/adapting to adult work life were spent focusing on my social life. Whoops! But I’m back into it because of the blogging world, which is awesome. So here are my favorite 10 books of the year in order from least to most favorite!

For the record, these are definitely not the best books “of 2015”. I’m pretty terrible about reading new releases. I just read what I feel like. One of these is from 2015 though! Look at me I’m so modern.

---

TEN…

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I thought this book was haunting and beautiful. The characters are horrible but they feel real. It just stuck with me. I wouldn’t even say I enjoyed reading it, but after I finished it I realized how much I loved the story. It’s a tragic story that somehow leaves you hopeful. I’ll be reading it again in the future!

NINE…

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

SO WEIRD. The Martian Chronicles is different than any other book you will ever read. It’s quirky, bizarre, and thoughtful. If you like books that subtly make you think, you’ll love this one. I was so impressed by Bradbury. I really need to read Fahrenheit 451…

EIGHT…

Persuasion by Jane Austen

I enjoy Austen’s books in general for the ambiance and the time period she sets up. The thing that made me enjoy Persuasion so much was the character arc of Anne. Personally, I feel that Austen’s characters are pretty one-dimensional a lot of the time. They serve a particular purpose, and there’s nothing beyond that. However, Anne strengthened so much as a heroine that I actually respected her by the end. It was just lovely.

SEVEN…

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

I couldn’t put the entire series in, so I just included my favorite book. But this is a stand-in for all of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series because I LOVE PERCY. I really think he’s one of my favorite characters of all time. I used to think Percy was a name for ambitious little snakes *cough* Weasley *cough* but I have been proven a gun-jumper. Have I ever mentioned my weird obsession with names? I don’t think I have. Remind me to explain sometime…

SIX…

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg

SUCH a sweet book. I really think that all women should read this one, it has some important lessons hidden in the sweet small town stories. Idgie is an incredibly unique gay character; I loved that the book wasn’t about her being gay, it just told her love story. That’s how it should be.

FIVE…

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Everyone who’s read this knows. COME ON KAZ AND INEJ. COME ON. I’m so excited for the next boooook. Leigh is my favorite.

FOUR…

The Martian by Andy Weir

I’m definitely a cheater. I saw the movie first, and then listened to the audiobook. In my mind, all of the characters had the faces of the actors. But let me tell ya, the actors must have done a damn good job because it worked out perfectly. I mainly loved how hilarious Mark was; Weir is incredibly creative and I hope he writes more works like this one in the future.

THREE…

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

If you’ve visited this blog at any point between me reading The Grisha Trilogy and me writing this post, you know how I feel about this series. So third place?! WHAT?! I just read a lot of amazing books this year. I was 110% entertained by this series, which accounts for my enthusiastic adoration of Bardugo. However, I still put more stock in books that resonate on a deeper level, which is why the next two rank higher.

TWO…

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This story is absolutely incredible. It’s an unbelievable tale of human resilience. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. I am just amazed at the things Louis went through, and the reality that was the lives of so many during WWII. I have so much respect for all of those who lived through it, and for Hillenbrand for weaving it in such a beautiful and heartbreaking manner.

ONE!

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I picked up this little book on a whim at a secondhand bookstore on the island my boyfriend’s parents live on, and I’m so glad that I did. It’s one of those simple but deep novels that is so relevant today because of the themes of religious zealotry and the disintegration of modern society. This book terrified me because I could picture it actually coming true. It was fascinating and riveting and I can’t wait to read more of Margaret Atwood’s work.

---

WOOOO 2016 LET’S GO READ BOOKS.

I’ll write again soon. Until then, keep reading.

J. Bookish