My last post of the year is always a Top Ten Books post. I wrapped up 2013 and 2014 with these posts, sharing not only my favorite reads but also a geeky, statistics-heavy look at the year in review.
I rely on the awesome GoodReads website to track my books, and it provides a year-end look at my reading activity.
In addition to a category-driven reading challenge, I also challenged myself to read 50 books this year. I read 69, or more accurately, I read 52 and listened to 17 audiobooks. This was my first year listening to books, and I loved it. It will never replace reading, but with the right book and the right narrator, an audiobook can be an amazing experience.
I rated all 69 books, giving them one to five stars, with an average of 3.1 stars. I am a tough rater, so a rating of three stars is a good book that I would recommend. I’m picky about giving four stars, and downright stingy giving out five stars.
In 2015, I read:
2 five star books
17 four star books
38 three star books
11 two star books
1 one star book
I had a tough time choosing ten books as my top choices. I read such a wide range, and reading preferences are so subjective. Many of the best books of 2015 posts I’ve read in the past few weeks named at least one book that I would not recommend, so it’s likely that you may disagree with at least one of my picks. But if you never know where to start when choosing a new book to read, start here. You’re bound to find something that appeals to you!
Here are my top ten books of 2015, in no particular order. Note that I chose from the 69 books I read, even if they weren’t actually published in 2015. Most are books I’ve already reviewed, and the titles link to those reviews.
Every Day by David Levithan Haunting and intriguing – who are we if we inhabit a different body every day? What makes us who we are if we have no permanent physical shell?
Mosquitoland by David Arnold Smart, funny and poignant, even non-YA fans will love following Mim journey across country to find her mom.
You by Caroline Kepnes This is a suspenseful, messed-up ride: dark humor meets sociopathic stalker boyfriend.
The Martian by Andy Weir A book about one man stranded on Mars should be a snore, but when the man is a witty and engaging narrator, it totally works. Read it before you see the movie!
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah France, World War II, told from the perspective of two sisters. Just when I think I cannot read another WWII novel, this one changed my mind.
The Children’s Crusade by Ann Packer A family drama and character study combined over five decades, Packer’s characters are fascinating.
Inside the O’Brien’s by Lisa Genova Heartbreaking, inspiring, thought-provoking, and illuminating.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Lacks’ cells were cultured for the first immortal cell line, and her family had no idea. A rare non-fiction pick from me, and absolutely fascinating.
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon Not the best in the series, but I always love the opportunity to visit my favorite literary characters again.
Fate and Furies by Lauren Groff Review to come; I just finished this last night. The story of a twenty-four year marriage, told from both sides. The simplistic description doesn’t do it justice, but I don’t want to give anything away.
As always, you can find my comprehensive list of book reviews on the top menu, or by clicking on the graphic below, which is also always on my sidebar.
May your 2016 be filled with great books!
One more thing – have you read about my new series for 2016 – The Who I Am project? Check it out HERE.
I own the books – Henrietta Lacks and Nightingale. Need to read them this year. Fate and Furies sounds interesting.
It was, and definitely read the other two you own! So different, but each wonderful.
Oh, the Husband andI have both been interested in The Martian. Haven’t seen the movie yet. The Nightingale and Fate and Furies sound interesting too…time to check out the library!
Because you have all that time to read, right? I hope you do find some time!
69 books? 69 FREAKING BOOKS? That is amazing, Dana. You are my inspiration to read much more. Much much more… I am missing out on SO much!! I am pinning this and going to seriously start reading more than just my women’s group books and stretch myself more…
Thank you for this list!!! All of these books sound like incredible reads.
I would read twice as many if the days had extra hours! I feel like I can never read all the books I want to read…
I slept through Cassidy watching The Martian the other night. Seemed fascinating, and unfortunately, I now know the ending! And how he farmed those potatoes!
I was just trying to think of the name of The Children’s Crusade. I read it earlier in 2015 and I was not a fan. I did love The Nightingale, though!
Well, we can’t agree on everything, right? I have yet to know someone who loves exactly the same books as I do. And it’s funny – I liked The Children’s Crusade more after I finished it – it was one of those books that grew on me.
Good lord. How is it possible that I’ve not read one of your top ten? And how is it possible that despite my intentions I’ve yet to sign up for Goodreads? Honestly. Sometimes I feel as if I’ve been living under a rock. Ok. Give me royal hell if this time next year, I’m still a Goodreads wannabe.
Wishing you a splendidly happy and healthy 2016, Dana. Read on!
I will give you royal hell, Kelly:) I’m not surprised that you haven’t read any of these books, though. There are SO many wonderful books out there; clearly you’re just reading different ones. Happy 2016 to you too!
Fantastic list… I want to read many of these, and a friend gave me The Nightengale for Christmas! Yippee! Thanks for sharing, and nice graphic. What do you use to make your graphics?
Happy New Year!
I usually use PicMonkey. For this one, I created a collage widget on the Goodreads site (go under your account settings >>> widgets >>> grid widget), took a screen shot, and then edited it in PicMonkey. Happy new year to you too!
I always come to you first when I want to freshen up the Kindle. Thanks for putting it all in one place so I can mooch off of your hours and hours of vetting 😉
That’s so nice to hear – thank you Courtney! That’s exactly why I write my review posts. Happy reading!
I have Nightingale on hold at the library. I’ve heard so much about it. Many book clubs are reading this book.
I gasped at the end of “Inside the O’Brien’s,” and wrote to Lisa Genova immediately.
“OMG, I gasped,” I said, “but it couldn’t’ have ended any other way!”
Great list!
Thank you! x
I agree with you about the ending – perfect. Happy new year to you, Kim.
I’ve read some of those books on your list, some even this year, like Inside the O’Brien’s (fantastic book!). I’ll be adding these to my library list 🙂
Yay! Glad you like Inside the O’Briens – I think people fear it will be too depressing, but I didn’t think so.
Nice to see that The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks made the list. It really was good. I really hope someone makes a movie out of it. I think of that every time I see a true story movie that I hadn’t heard the story.
I started The Nightingale but never got back to it. Now I’ll have to start it again. I own it so anytime a library audiobook became available I stopped listening.
So I have an audible credit and can get The Martian with that. My library doesn’t have the audio, sooooo shall I get it? You had me at witty narrator.
Yes! I loved listened to The Martian. Well worth the credit.
I keep hearing about Nightingale. Like you I have told myself– I need a break from WWII novels–but everyone says it’s so good. I will consider it! And you’ve made me think about using Goodreads again, which I’ve totally abandoned.
I don’t know what I’d do without Goodreads! I listened to The Nightingale, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Such a different perspective than any other WWII novel I’ve read.
I think WWII is fascinating, so The Nightingale sounds amazing!
It is!
Wow! Excellent choices. I have You on my TBR and I keep hearing about how good The Nightingale is. I still haven’t finished Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. I usually read a couple chapters and then set it down. I have so many book club books and ARCs that it’s been pushed to the back burner, but I’m going to have to pick it back up. I miss my fictional husband.
You would love “You,” I think. I listened to it. I miss Jamie too…I can’t wait until the tv series comes back in April!
And guess what…”Dear Stephanie” was listed on my year summary as the book I read that had the highest average rating. Woo hoo!! I love that you wrote it, I love that I know you, and I love that I really enjoyed it too. <3
Oh wow! That’s awesome. How did I miss that post? Or maybe I didn’t. I’ve been lurking from my cell lately which makes it sometimes difficult to comment.
I have heard excellent things about “You,” and given that it has a dark undertone, it sounds like it’s right up my alley.
I’m working on mine, but I’m currently listening and reading to two books and they might make the list! I’m impressed you can limit to ten, I just can’t!!! I laughed at your ratings, too. I think I’m way too loose and fast with my five stars. And the Nightingale is on my list, too.
I just finished two books last night, so I could hurry up and write this post! Cutting it off at ten was tough – there are so many I would recommend.
I have a hard time choosing this year, too, but The Nightingale would be on mine as well, as I truly couldn’t put it down and couldn’t stop thinking about it even after I had finished it. Right now I am reading Grey after having re-read The 50 Shades series, because after seeing the movie, I felt like I had forgotten a bit from my first read. But wouldn’t say it is the best, but still it fills in the blanks as far as Christian’s side of the tale goes, I suppose. Still thanks for sharing your top 10 list and a few are still on my list for the upcoming year, too 😉
I love when a book sticks in my head long after I finish it. I agree, The Nightingale was one of those books!