Top Ten Tuesday: My favorite reads of 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Today’s theme was:

Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015 (you can do it by only 2015 releases, overall, by genre (top ten fantasy books I read in 2015), etc. however you choose to make your BEST list)

I obviously couldn’t narrow it down to ten, so here are my top twelve books I read this year – each title is linked to my review and includes the “bottom line” section of my reviews. Top two are in favorite order, but the rest are in alphabetical order because I couldn’t decide how to rank them.

          

MOSQUITOLAND by David Arnold

Reasons are hard. Mississippi is hard. But you? You’re beautiful and quirky and plain ol’ strange, and I love you.

REASONS TO STAY ALIVE by Matt Haig

Read this book. Read this book because you have emotions and hopes and feelings. Read this book because you are human and because you are alive. Read this book to live. Reasons to Stay Alive is a celebration of life, books, words, and humanity.

              

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic is a gripping, thrilling, wonderful adventure. The world-building, writing, characters, Londons, and magic are all incredibly done. I can already tell this will be one of my favorite reads of 2015.

(I WAS RIGHT!)

THE DAY THE CRAYONS CAME HOME by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Brilliant and witty and everything I was hoping for. I can’t wait to be able to read these books to my kids one day. I was laughing out loud the whole time. I especially adored Esteban and Neon Red Crayon. I need more!

               

MY HEART & OTHER BLACK HOLES by Jasmine Warga

My Heart & Other Black Holes is a beautiful, honest, heartbreaking, real, and sad book. It deserves to be read – not only by anyone that has suffered any kind of mental illness, but by everyone.

I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson

Apparently I didn’t review this one, but I loved it so much that I convinced my teens to read this one for one of our book clubs. I just want to reread all the Noah parts every day forever and ever.

               

ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae is fast-paced, emotional, and brilliant. It will make you rage, laugh, cry, and clutch the book to your chest. There’s some swoony moments, some holy-████-what-is-happening moments, some rage-y moments, and a lot of this-book-is-incredible moments. I am not even a big fan of sci-fi, but I devoured this one. Can we have the next book, please?! I ordered this book for the library, and I can’t wait for it to come in so I can push recommend it to everyone!

A PORTABLE SHELTER by Kirsty Logan

I really just wanted this review to be: OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE KIRSTY AND THIS COLLECTION AND HER WRITING AND YOU SHOULD ALL READ EVERYTHING SHE WRITES. It took a lot to not say that but just know that’s what I wanted to say. I am continuously amazed by how talented Kirsty is and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

               

THE ROSE SOCIETY by Marie Lu

If my review isn’t enough for you, I’m not sure how else to get my point across. READ THIS SERIES. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, you’re probably going to be completely enthralled, put under a spell that you won’t want to break.

THE SERPENT KING by Jeff Zentner

I haven’t written a full review of this one yet because it isn’t out for another few months, but I loved it so much, I put it out on an ARC tour around the country. Here’s part of my review on Goodreads: The Serpent King is one that will stick with me for a long time and one I won’t forget anytime soon.

               

SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli

Everyone needs to meet Simon. He’s so human that I feel like everyone would be more human after having met him. I don’t even know if that makes sense, but, basically, this book deserves to be read. It’s such a wonderful love story and it’ll make you feel all melty on the inside. I honestly can’t believe this is a debut.

THE WRATH AND THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh

Apparently I didn’t review this one either. WHAT THE HECK. This book is beautiful, sumptuous, enchanting, well-written, and just wonderful. Definitely one you should read. I’ve recommended it a million times since I read it.

Which books have been your favorites this year?