2015: A Year of Reading

I like doing a year end reading recap to document how my reading life has evolved. I adapted some of the questions from Jamie at Perpetual Page Turner’s Year End Survey.

2015 year in review

Number Of Books You Read:

According to Goodreads, I read 113 books this year. But some of those I didn’t finish, and I also re-read a number of books, so it probably all evens out.

Number of Re-Reads:

Probably 10? I definitely re-read Fire by Kristin Cashore and April & Oliver by Tess Callahan. Those were my favorite re-reads. I also listened to The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta with Mister BS.

Genre You Read The Most From:

Undoubtedly, young adult. In adult fiction, I read predominantly romance or urban fantasy. I was surprised by how much romance I read and enjoyed. While I didn’t like most of what I read of new adult to prepare for this presentation, I read a bunch of historical romance over the last few weeks of November that was exactly what I needed at the time. I totally understand how romance can be addictive. I appreciated the drama while knowing it would end happily, and it was a great stress-reducer.

Best Book You Read In 2015?

Ah, just one? Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. Here are more 2015 favorites.

favorites of 2015

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews. I had really loved the Kate Daniels series, but I struggled to get through the latest edition. I think I like binge-reading series the best, tbh.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

I’m not easily surprised about what I read. I am usually fairly sure that I’ll like a book or it will serve a purpose for my professional reading before I pick up.

A goal of 2016 is to introduce more serendipity into my reading regimen.

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

 I have an entire list! These are the ones I bought or got from publishers that I’m sad I didn’t get to yet. I’m also excited about a lot of new releases!

2015 books left unread

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)? 

Laini Taylor’s new fantasy series, Strange the Dreamer.

2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Marby.

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

So many! But at the top of the list are The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutowski and The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

On the reading side: I’m doing the Book Riot Read Harder challenge for work and YALSA’s Th Hub reading challenge of YA award winners. Beyond that, reading widely and with abandon.

On the blogging side: Blog (here) more often. Write for a new publication.

A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

I’ve already got a couple 2016 favorites! I recommend Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston and Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan.

Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

I’m going to cheat and list a duology that I absolutely adored and read in 2015. To All the Boys I Loved Before and PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han were addictive and adorable.

Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

I discovered David Almond this year when I read his older Printz honor winner, Skellig, and then read two more of his books that were published this year.

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I’m not a fan of New Adult, but I was surprised how engrossing I found Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

I wouldn’t say I read for “action” so this is a bit of a stretch…so I guess the October Daye series? They are definitely plot-driven.

Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I’ll definitely re-read Blue Lily, Lily Blue before The Raven King comes out.

OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Ronan + Adam.

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

The Arrival by Shaun Tan. I read it for class, but it’s a classic I’ve had on my list for a while. Gorgeous, thought-provoking, wordless graphic novel about colonization and assimilation and the immigrant experience.

Best 2015 debut you read?

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

I spent a couple stressful weeks in November reading nothing but Sarah Maclean and other historical romance books, and they were fun and escapist. My new favorite form of therapy is reading romance novels.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

I cry quite easily, but one book that I still feel very conflicted about but did make me sob was All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It’s problematic, and emotionally manipulative, but definitely a tear jerker.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Breakaway by Kat Spears and A Sense of the Infinite by Hilary T. Smith.

New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

I don’t think I started enthusiastically following any new book blogs this past year. The circle of blogs I read and bloggers I interact with is wide and diverse and suits my needs just fine. It might be worth purging and making room to discover new blogs and bloggers, however. Much of my interest in discovering new blogs has been focused on lifestyle blogs for the past year.

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

I’m going to cheat and pick this post I wrote for The Hub: Who is Young Adult Fiction For? 

Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

I got to show Laini Taylor my Karou inspired tattoos at the YALSA Symposium. I actually had a lot of fun at the Symposium in general. We hosted EK Johnston at my library as well as Karen Russell, and both events were fantastic.

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Definitely taking over managing The Hub. It’s time-consuming, but rewarding.

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

By comments it would be this post: Why Librarians Don’t Want to Buy Your Self-Published Book. I’m too lazy to check by views, but probably my LGBTQ booklists or other RA graphics.

Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I learned how to create an Access Database to run my high demand list of added copies to purchase for the library based on high holds ratios, and it changed my (work) life.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I had to look back and check, and I did manage to stick to all my 2015 reading goals. Yay for making reasonable, practical goals. Except for reading for the two YA lit classes I took and to prepare for my presentation on New Adult literature, I read what I wanted when I wanted.

I didn’t do as well on my blogging goals, but mostly because my priorities shifted. There was my last few classes of library school, getting the gig at The Hub, contributing to the library’s blog, and all the professional presentations I did this year. That took away time from blogging here, but I wouldn’t change anything. I even got several paid writing and presenting gigs!

How was your year in reading? 

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2 thoughts on “2015: A Year of Reading

  1. I think you will really like The Accident Season and The Game of Love and Death. Interested to hear your thoughts on Under a Painted Sky and The Appearance of Annie Van Sidderen both of which are sort of lingering on my TBR list right now.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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