Favourite Books of 2015!

One of my favourite things about the New Year is all the wonderful “best of” lists that begin cropping up. I love a good list. I’ve been reading many “best books of 2015” lists and have been really interested in the differences and similarities between them! Most of these lists, of course, are of books that were published in 2015, so that is a bit different from what I’m doing here. But they have been so much fun to read and have expanded my ever-growing TBR!

In a previous Top Ten Tuesday post I discussed my favourite hidden gems of 2015. Today I want to talk about my overall favourite reads of 2015! These books are not necessarily ones that were published in 2015, but are simply ones I read in 2015!

2015 was a pretty good reading year for me. I had challenged myself to read 75 books, and I managed to read 105! There were a few duds, but a lot of them were really good! As I started writing this list, I had originally decided to choose ten titles. But as I went through the books I read this past year, I couldn’t get to ten! It’s not because I didn’t read a lot of good books, because I absolutely did. I guess it’s because a lot of those books, while yes, really good, aren’t ones that I would consider favourites. So… I came up with eight instead!

After hearing about Colleen Hoover again and again on the bookternet, I eventually decided to pick up one of her books. I had been in a reading slump and was therefore looking to try something out of my usual realm. It actually wasn’t this one that I picked up first (it was November9), but I picked this one up next and it became an instant favourite. I adored the unique premise and the art work that goes along with it. I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. I loved everything. I can admit that this isn’t a perfect book, and, on reflection, there are a few things that don’t quite jive with me, but I was completely engrossed in this book when I was reading it. And it stayed with me after I put it down. Though after November 9 I knew I wanted to read more Colleen Hoover books, after Confess I was completely hooked.

This is an incredibly compelling family saga that I read for a book tour in early 2015. I was immediately captivated by the story of the Leong family and their journey from China to Hawaii. I loved the way the layers folded back slowly revealing the secrets and half-truths held by the Leong women. I did a full review on this book here. I loved this book. If you enjoy family sagas, CHECK IT OUT!

I simply cannot get enough of this quirky, amazing, feminist comic book series. This series revolves around five besties—Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley. These five ladies are spending the summer at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for  Girls  Hardcore Lady-Types following their field manual and trying to earn their badges! They get up to some serious shenanigans as they go about their adventures. This series is super fun and good for all ages!

I just finished reading this book. I honestly don’t think I’ve every been quite so wrapped up in a book before. I just couldn’t get my head out of this world. Cordova was just always on my mind! If you’re not familiar with this book, it’s the story of Stanislas Cordova, the enigmatic film director, and the mysterious death of his daughter, through the eyes of an investigative journalist. Pessl weaves and incredible backstory for the Cordovas. It’s crazy. It’s also amazing because there are multimedia elements to the story as well! There are webpages, photos, medical reports, etc. throughout the book, and there is an app that goes along with it as well! I’m still getting over this book as we speak so I apologize if I’m gushing and not quite coherent!

Before this book came out, I don’t think I had heard of Jenny Lawson before. I wasn’t aware of her blog or her other book, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. I had seem the latter floating around before, but hadn’t given it much thought. When Furiously Happy released, however, it was everywhere. People were talking about it all over the bookternet, there were hundreds of copies all over my local bookstore, the holds list at my library was crazy—you know the drill. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up. AND IT WAS AMAZING. JENNY LAWSON IS A GODDESS AND ONE OF MY NEW FAVOURITE HUMANS. It was hilarious, smart, and touching. I loved it so, so much.

3. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I read this book in March I think. I remember being completely engrossed in this book and having a huge book hangover after! This is the story of Violet and Finch. It's a beautiful, touching, poignant exploration of mental illness and a kind of commentary on society's ineffectiveness. I loved this book. I loved the characters, their adventures, their love, their dreams. It's a wonderful read.

This was my most anticipated book of 2015. I was lucky enough to get a signed ARC at BEA and just… AH. SO COOL. This book is amazing. It’s super weird and if you’re not into weird there’s a pretty good chance you won’t like it. It’s an amazing story though, told in A.S. King’s amazing voice. I don’t know what else to say, ha. Go read my review? I gush and explain and gush some more. A.S. King for president!

Please tell me you’re not surprised? I am clearly an A.S. King fangirl. I read this book in January I think? And I still can’t stop thinking about it. Vera Dietz is a “pizza delivery technician” whose best friend is dead. And she kind of hates him for it. His name is Charlie Khan and Vera still sees him sometimes. I wish I had read this book in high school. Though I couldn’t directly relate to Charlie or Vera’s experiences, I think the main aspects of this book would have transferred so well. You are who you want to be. You don’t have to fit the mould you think is expected of you. You are more than what you’ve done. You can change. You are responsible for you. Who you hang out with does effects you. It effects what you do. It effects how you’re seen. Believe in yourself. Forgive yourself. Be honest with yourself. “…[T]he only thing you get from walling yourself in is empty.”

Honourable Mentions!

There you have it! Those are the best books I read in 2015! What are your favourites? Do we have any in common? Have you read any of these books? Let me know!
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :)