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9 favorite books of 2015

I struggled with this list of favorites. Here’s a secret: I sometimes read two or three books a week. Other times I might just read one, and occasionally when things are really busy, I don’t finish a book in a week.

But for the most part, I read fast. Also, I don’t sleep much so don’t be overwhelmed with those numbers, I’ve never needed a ton of sleep so I get to read more than the average bear.

I am proud to say that one of my blog goals for 2015 was to post a book review every Saturday, and I actually followed through with it. Those posts are not my most-read and not a large traffic source for me, but like most things, I do them because it’s something I enjoy and the rest really doesn’t matter. I know that most of you skip them–totally cool–but I’m not stopping them either. I have started being more selective of what I review, sometimes it just shows up on my Instagram book account and doesn’t warrant a full review here.

One thing that was hard about this list is that some of these books were so long ago. Because I tend to read fast but only post reviews once a week, I get really far ahead on reviews. The books I’m reading right now won’t be reviewed until March. That’s what birthed the IG account because I couldn’t wait that long to talk about some of the books I was in. That’s also what birthed a more selective review process but I still need to narrow it down a little more, probably.

Oh well. I love books, you might not. I don’t know what is wrong with you, but I still love you because Jesus tells me to.

favorite books 2015

Here’s what I loved the most in 2015:

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum // review

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes // review

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult // review

The Husband’s Secret by Laine Moriaty // review

Nobody’s Cuter than You by Melanie Shankle // review

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven // review

No Choirboy by Susan Kuklin // review

Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff // review

Home Is Where My People Are by Sophie Hudson // review

What was your favorite book of 2015? There’s no criteria except that you had to have read it this year. I have a never-ending list in my phone of books I want to read, so share your recommendations! On Friday, I’m sharing some of my list for 2016 so brace yourself if the book-talk is not your thing. Or maybe just come back tomorrow and then I’ll see you next week. It’s a free country. Also, I won’t know either way.

« 7 favorite places of 2015
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Comments

  1. Martie says

    December 29, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    I personally love your reviews. As a 7th grade reading and writing teacher, I’m also a “book a week” kinda girl.

    Best I read this year? “If you’re reading this” and “Code of Honor”. Both great “boy” books.

    I also have an IG account just for books – connect_hoofer.

    Thanks for sharing your reads! I find some of mine through your posts.

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:22 PM

      If You’re Reading This is on my list too! I’ll have to check out Code of Honor, I bet the library has it. Thanks, Martie!

      Reply
  2. Tabitha says

    December 29, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah was my favorite book I read all year and on of my top 10 favorite books. One plus One by Jojo Moyes is amazing too. I also really like 11.22.63 by Stephen King. Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love your blog and Instagram!

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:24 PM

      Thanks, Tabitha! I’m overwhelmed just by looking at 11.22.63–that is a really long book! I read One Plus One too and really loved it, I haven’t found any Moyes book I disliked yet. I’m adding The Nightingale to my list, thanks for the recommendation!

      Reply
  3. Vickie Gilman says

    December 29, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    I love this! I can’t wait to read the books on this List that I haven’t read yet! I became obsessed with Jessica Sorensen and read most of her books! I also loved Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. Ibeven read some Nicholas Sparks this year and they were good too!
    I love getting and sharing books with you because I read constantly like you do! Here’s to 2016!

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      I read one Sparks book this year because as student asked me to and it wasn’t as horrible as I imagined it would be. haha. Love that we get to be neighbors and share such great books with each other. Thankful for you, Vickie!

      Reply
  4. Emily says

    December 29, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    I love these kinds of lists, but I am so bad with committing to just one. Ugh! I really enjoyed Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty because I wasn’t sure she could pull off another plot surprise for me. My favorite discovery though was the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. It’s adult fiction but the main character is an 11-year old girl living in a drafty old mansion in the British countryside solving mysteries in their town. I read all 7 titles this year — fast, funny, and it throws in some science. And I seriously love saying her name.

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:27 PM

      That is one fancy name! I wonder if they have those books at my library–I’m adding the author to my list and I’ll look for them!

      Reply
  5. Angie S. says

    December 29, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    Now that I see The Storyteller on your list I may have to add it back to mine. I keep my To Be Read list as a note in Evernote and when I see something I’m interested in I just add it to the bottom. I haven’t counted in awhile, but I do know the list is very, very long. I’m a big rule-following nerd, so unless a book comes up for book club or is gifted to me, I just methodically plod down the list. That means books I’m super excited about today might not get read for a year or more. Anyhow, The Storyteller was at the top and I just kept passing it by for one reason or another. Maybe this is my sign to finally read it!

    My favorite book this year was “All the Light We Cannot See.” I listened to it as opposed to reading it, but I was so smitten with it.

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:29 PM

      I skip around on my list but I completely understand and respect the need to work your way down in order. I understand it all too well, actually. I’m just really impatient too so I can’t do it. I think you would like The Storyteller a lot, I don’t read Picoult much but when I do, I’m always pleasantly surprised.

      All the Light We Cannot See–it’s on my list!!

      Reply
  6. Falynn says

    December 29, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    Me Before You was my favorite read of 2015. Can’t wait to read the sequel! Also, I didn’t realize Melanie Shankle had a book out that I hadn’t read! I love her!!

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:31 PM

      I just read the sequel about two week ago and it was good! Not as good as the first one, that’s just too hard to follow, but it was fun. I couldn’t accept that Me Before You was actually over and now it feels complete. Get Shankle’s new book now!! You will love it.

      Reply
  7. Hannah Beth Reid says

    December 29, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    I loved “All the Light We Cannot See” that I read for my book club, but was so sad to have missed the actual discussion and was disappointed to hear not everyone liked it.
    “Nobody’s Cuter Than You” was great as usual for Melanie Shankle. I’ll read anything she writes!
    Thanks for sharing your favorites! Your book reviews are some of my favorite posts so I’m very glad you’ll be keeping them up!

    Reply
    • mary says

      December 29, 2015 at 9:33 PM

      I have All the Light We Cannot See on my list! I haven’t heard anything bad about it so I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts when I read it. Glad to know you like the reviews! Book readers are my favorite people and so loyal so I’m not quitting even if people complain. ha! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Monica D. says

    January 7, 2016 at 10:01 PM

    Alright, since I commented on your Instagram, I figured I’d better put my two cents in for my top books read this year… I read the entire Mortal Instruments series (Cassandra Clare) three times last year. Not groundbreaking books by any means, but hands down my favourite last year. I also didn’t read a ton of other books, so they also win for that reason haha I also tend to re-read my favourite books so, there’s that too 🙂
    Oh Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell makes the list as well. That book just… ugh… all the feels!

    Reply
    • mary says

      January 8, 2016 at 2:31 PM

      Monica! Look at you being all brave and commenting. See it’s not so scary! haha.

      Mortal Instruments: I have the first three books in that series (or maybe that’s it–I’m don’t know!) and I have yet to read them. My husband read them and he loved them. I’ve not jumped on them yet because I’m just not sure if I’ll like them, but I’m keeping on them on the shelf because I think eventually I’ll read them. And that you read them three times (!!) last year makes me a little curious.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Resolution: Read more books says:
    January 9, 2019 at 11:30 AM

    […] give to anyone for Christmas9 Christmas gift book ideas from your favorite book recommender9 favorite books of 2015*I also send out a monthly book review email, sharing all the books I read last month, if you should […]

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