Best Books of 2015
Hello again, dear readers! First of all, a Happy New Year to you all! I hope you all had a great time for the holidays, and that 2016 has been treating you well in its first week!
Each new year since I’ve been blogging brings once more one of my favorite things : the list of all the books I enjoyed the most in the past 12 months, books that had me smile or cry, books that entertained me, writing that amazed me, stories that will forever stay with me.
Last January, I missed it. I’d spent the fall of 2014 in a weird kind of slump, where neither reading nor blogging entertained me much. When the end of the year came, I kept procrastinating about the list, and eventually it simply was too late (I did make a top ten halfway through 2014 though, which you can see here). This year though, I’m on top of things; and while I’m still doing it a bit later than most readers seem to do it, I’m really happy to finally share with you my favorite reads of 2015 (excluding books read in French)!
Links to reviews(marked with *) or Goodreads links.
BEST AUDIOBOOKS
Breakfast at Tiffany’s* by Truman Capote & read by Michael C. Hall : It was my first time “reading” this classic, and I’m so glad it was in the company of Michael C. Hall. It was just perfect.
You* by Caroline Kepnes & read by Santino Fontana : If you’ve been around the Curio in the past few months, you probably already know how much I enjoyed You – so much that, a few weeks after listening to its AMAZING audiobook, I went and bought a hard copy. This stalker story is unlike any other and I absolutely enjoyed it.
BEST COMIC / GRAPHIC NOVEL
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples : This blew my mind!! I read the first two volumes twice this year, that says something. Luckily I now have volumes 3 & 4 waiting on my shelves!
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson : Nimona was everything. I went through all the emotions with Nimona and I loved every page of it.
BEST HORROR
Bird Box* by Josh Malerman : Unique and creepy, this horror story is all about what you can’t – and don’t want to – see. I had a tremendously scary time with this one.
Mind of Winter* by Laura Kasischke : This psychological horror story is the perfect example of the word “unsettling”, and I loved it.
BEST YA HORROR
The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich : A fascinating horror story told in multiple formats (letters, journals, etc.)
Please Remain Calm* by Courtney Summers : Zombies as told by Courtney Summers? Yes, please!
BEST YA SCI-FI / FANTASY
Cinder* by Melissa Meyer : Cinderella as a cyborg, falling for her prince in a distant future – entertainment from start to finish.
The Young Elites* by Marie Lu : Villain or antihero, I’m still not sure, but one thing is for certain Adelina was an amazing and intriguing main character.
BEST YA CONTEMPORARY
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Bejamin Alire Saenz : An absolutely amazing contemporary YA that was beautifully written. Definitely recommend!
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler : This was such a delightful surprise! After being disappointed by Scandal, this one absolutely blew me away with its setting, characters and gorgeous writing. Love love love it.
BEST FICTION
Hausfrau* by Jill Alexander Essbaum and Maine* by J. Courtney Sullivan : I approached both of these books carefully, unsure after reading mixed reviews, and both times I was amazed (though in different ways). I have a feeling that both of these books will be more than just favorites of the year.
Moving from 2015 to 2016
I read 137 in 2015, and honestly, I can say this was a great reading year. I did a lot more of read-what-I-want-when-I-went-it, I dropped books when I was bored, started new ones when I felt like it, read a lot of different genres, fought the autumn slump by reading comics and graphic novels, I read more in French ; in short, I had an amazing time.
I want the same thing for 2016. I feel a lot better about my reading since I’ve put the focus on reading for me. I’m thinking of things like Netgalley : it’s an amazing system that offers bloggers the opportunity to read books for free before their release, and it’s one of the many exciting aspects of being part of the book blogging community. For me though, it was mostly unnecessary pressure, and I felt much better stepping out of this and leaving my space to more appreciative readers. I’m not worried : I’ve got more than enough on my shelves to satisfy my reading binges.
You can see more about my reading year on Goodreads!
On this note, I wish you all an amazing year of reading – and why not let me know what was your favorite book of 2015 ? 🙂
I did the same thing with netgalley two years ago and it was the right thing to do. When I want a book I buy it or get it from the library, I have now less pressure in my life as a reader and I love it.
The book by Sarah Ockler looks cute, I need to check it out.
Hope that 2016 will be a great year for you!
Yup, that’s exactly how I feel about getting books now. I thought I would miss it much, but I haven’t used it since early 2014 I think? And it’s been freeing.
I loved The Summer of Chasing Mermaids and it’s definitely worth checking it out. It’s a bit slow but absolutely lovely.
Hope 2016 is good to you too!
I just recommended You to someone I don’t know all that well and then I was a little nervous when she started reading it. I wasn’t sure how she’d take a few of those scenes, if you know what I mean. Well, she loved it too. The sequel comes out at the end of February and the same guy is narrating the audio version!!
Haha! I get nervous about recommending YOU to people, too.
I’m so excited about the sequel, I can’t wait! I’m definitely getting the audio of this one too.
I adore this method of reading – it really makes for some wonderful reading years! And I agree re: Netgalley. I used to have an account, and maybe still do? I don’t know. I haven’t looked in at least five years. I honestly found at the time that whenever there was a book I REALLY wanted, I couldn’t get approved for it, and then I felt pressure to take some of the books I DIDN’T really want, just to boost my account so that I’d be approved for others. Sigh.
Yup, same struggle with Netgalley. And it’s not worth it; there’s already more book I want to read than I have time to, so now that’s what I focus on. This, and giving up when a book isn’t good or I’m just not into it, definitely made a great reading year!
You had an amazing year in books! Nimona and Saga are totally on my wishlist- I need to make more time for graphic novels. You inspired me to add Maine to my tbr and thanks for reminding me about Hausfrau. YOU was such an unforgettable read.
Hope 2016 brings many more outstanding books your way!
I think you’ll love Nimona!
And I’d love to hear your thoughts on Maine and Hausfrau. Most of the readers I follow don’t seem to have enjoyed either, but they’re some of the most memorable of the year for me.
Nothing can top YOU though 🙂
I am just starting to read You! I saw your review and one at Bermudaonion and I have waited and waited for the library waiting list to get it to me. I have it now, and it’s so hard to put down
Oh, I envy you reading it for the first time! It’s incredibly hard to put down; I read it on audio and I don’t think I’ve ever gone through an audiobook this fast. Can’t wait for the sequel.