Let’s talk about the best of the best that we read in 2015!
Julie:
Below are some of my favorites that I read in 2015 that stand out to me. The covers are linked to my reviews.
1. The Unwind Series. This is 4 books and I loved the first and last, but the middle was kind of so-so. But the series overall was great!
2. The Night Prince series. I read the first 3 in the series, which is a spin off from the Night Huntress series. The next book should release in 2016.
3. Up From the Grave. This is the final book in the Night Huntress series.
4. The Charley Davidson series. I’ve been gobbling this series up.
5. The Bloodlines series.
6. Out of the Easy. This was an excellent book club selection.
7. Code Name Verity. I didn’t end up reviewing this one.
8. Pushing the Limits, another great book club selection. I also didn’t review this one.
Lynn:
I’ve only rated 2 books as 5 Stars in 2015. I’m not sure if that’s more of a reflection of the books I read, or a more critical eye towards books. Or just that I didn’t pick up a lot of outstanding books.
Wicked and Persuasion were the highest rated. And Persuasion was a re-read.
Of the other books I’ve read, I liked these the best:
Throne of Glass – a new to me fantasy series. And finally with a female main character worthy of my time.
Carry On – I’d read the phone book if Ms. Rowell wrote it. Luckily, I got to read Simon and Baz’s story instead.
Armada – I need Ernest Cline to write more books. All of the 80’s pop culture references are so worth it.
Traveler – a sci fi book about inter-dimensional time travel that actually makes sense. Plus more great pop culture references.
The Martian – More Sci Fi, heavy on the Science. Who would have thought a book about a guy stranded on another planet by himself would have been that existing. Not me, that’s for sure. I didn’t review this on the blog, though you should check it out if you haven’t already.
Sweet (Contours #2) – Ms. Webber is another author I’d follow anywhere. All the feels possible in her books.
Poison Princess – I like the idea here of the different characters being based on the major tarot cards and can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes.
Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) – I just started this series (yes, I’m late to the party), but I’m loving it. I’ll review the whole series once I’m finished.
Totally agree with Unwind! Love that series- I just need to get to UnBound now- though I kind of never want it to end. And I have been enjoying the Throne of Glass series, but I haven’t read Queen of Shadows yet, because I am scared 😉 Those are the only ones I have read from your lists, but there are quite a few I am hoping to read soon- especially The Martian, because I don’t want to see the movie until I read the book! Great lists, ladies!!!
Yay for Unwind!!! I need to finish the Bloodlines series this year – it’s a top priority. And I can’t wait to read Carry On!
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Top priority huh? Well then looking forward to your reviews, and swoons over Adrian 🙂
I’ve been wanting to read the Bloodlines series, but haven’t had the time yet. Unfortunately last year I read only a few fiction books. I hope I can make up for lost time this year!
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Do you tend to read more nonfiction?
Traveler, yes. 🙂 Illuminae, yes.
But my favorites for the year were Ink & Bone and The Nightingale.
I got my husband a copy of The Martian and will read it when he is done which I hope is soon!
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Julie, I forgot to add..Code Name Verity was my favorite book last year and probably the most amazing audiobook I’ve listen to at this point.
What did you like about it?
Ha look at you getting a book for hubby but also reading it. I used to do that too -I’d buy a book for my dad and then read it.
Verity was just so powerful. An amazing audio, surprising and tragic but fitting ending.
Code Name Verity and Throne of Glass are amazing! Bloodlines is really good too. The other books you guys listed I haven’t read yet, though some are buried in my TBR. I hope I like them as much as you did 😀
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Hope you unbury them and read them soon 🙂
I’ve been OD’ing on end-of-year favorites posts the last week… and I love it. 🙂 I get positively giddy seeing everyone’s picks! Happy to see Pushing the Limits on your list, Julie! I really love Katie McGarry and Pushing the Limits remains my favorite by her. I loved Noah and Echo and their story. I feel the same as you about Tammara Webber, Lynn. Easy made a huge impact on me when it came out and I loved Breakable every bit as much. I’ll be reading Sweet very soon. Wicked was another good one and I can’t wait for the second book!
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I’ve been meaning to read more by Katie McGarry but haven’t gotten around to it. Loved that first one but are the others just as good?
Definitely! I’ve read Pushing the Limits, Dare You To (it was good but still my least favorite – I just couldn’t connect with Beth), Crash Into You, and Take Me On. Hard to pick a favorite but it’s a toss-up between Pushing the Limits (just loved Echo and Noah’s story) and Crash Into You (Isaiah is just… wow). I’m really excited to continue with Noah and Echo’s story in Breaking the Rules!
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Aaah, I love the Throne of Glass series! I *finally* got around to reading Heir of Fire last weekend and I am fingerling so hard 😀 The Charley Davidson series is also one of my favourite adult series 🙂 Great list!
Zareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf
Zareena recently posted…Review: The Vanishing Throne // another fantastic installment
I’m glad we share a favorite series 🙂
Oh, very interesting lists, ladies. Julie, your year was quite pro-Richelle Mead 🙂 And Lynn, I see quite a few titles on your list that I also enjoyed in 2015. Lovely post – thank you both for sharing your favorites.
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I think my list was mostly pro- Darynda Jones and Jeaniene Frost 🙂 If we’re going by number of books read anyway.
Thanks for sharing your favorite reads from 2015, ladies. Bloodlines is one of my favs as well. As is Jeaniene Frost. There are quite a few others on your lists that are on my tbr. Lynn, Persuasion, and Jane Austen, are some all-time favs of mine. 🙂
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Thanks, Brandee! I’m going to get to those Bloodlines books. Just as soon as I finish the Academy ones!
Bloodlines is one of my favorite series; I was so sad to see it end this year. Persuasion is my favorite novel ever, and I also did a reread in 2015; it was still as perfect as I remembered it! Happy reading in 2016! 🙂
Thanks, Lee! And yes, I think I reread Persuasion about once a year. If not more!
Great lists. I have read and loved several books on both lists. There are others that I really want to read. I do agree that if you haven’t read/listened to The Martian, it is wonderful. It was my favorite audiobook of 2015. I watched the movie and it wasn’t bad either, though not as a good as the book (no surprise there). Here’s to a great 2016.
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Thanks, Melanie! And I agree with you on the Martian movie. Good, but not better than the book!