It's my favorite time of year! I love Christmas time with a new year around the corner. I love looking back on the year with all its ups and downs and I especially love looking at the books I read and rating my favorites. Today I'm giving you the best fiction I read in 2015 and tomorrow I'll share my favorite nonfiction reads. These books were not necessarily published in 2015 but this is when I read them. I read a ton of fiction every year and this is definitely the best of it.
To see the other novels meriting a 4 or 5 star review from me, head over to my Pinterest board.
The Passage- Justin Cronin
Complex and multi-layered, while also being completely unputdownable. A nearly perfect novel. There are literary and religious references throughout and it deftly touches on a number of social issues without being heavy-handed. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished.
Note: I held off on reading this for some time because I was worried it would be too scary for me. I am a wimp but I was worried for nothing. On the other hand, a friend tried reading this after my recommendation and it gave her nightmares. Read the book description first to determine if it'll be problematic for you.
Peace Like A River- Leif Enger
I haven't encountered such a strong narrator in some time. The voice is so unique, Owen Meany almost comes to mind, though it's not an equal comparison. By allowing the story to unfold through the eyes of a child, Enger takes us on a memorable journey. The writing is incredible: measured, lyrical, distinct. The themes range from sacred to poignant. Incredible novel.
Station Eleven- Emily St. John Mandel
While I've read my fair share of dystopian or apocalyptic YA, this was my foray into the grown-up version and I approached it with some dread. I didn't know what the pages would contain but decided to trust the many friends who recommended it. Some sentences were so stunning, I read them a few times over. This was a very engaging read but a thoughtful one as well. I could see myself in this world and wondered about the choices I'd make. I could see everything the main characters faced actually happening- though I very much hope it won't. The way the layers of the story built and the main characters wound toward each other by the end of the book struck me as both organic and masterful. Well worth reading.
Everything I Never Told You- Celeste Ng
Rich prose, multi-layered plot, fantastic character development. Ng masterfully weaves complicated family dynamics together and builds the mystery from several angles until leading us to the conclusion. Great insights about how the secrets we keep can be our undoing.
The Alchemist- Paulo Coelho
Every once in a while I read a book and marvel at the synchronicity and resonance that occurs. I could have read it at a different point in my life and would have liked it but because I'm reading it now, under this particular set of circumstances, I relate more strongly to the characters and the lessons learned. It's like a personalized map to my life, helping me make sense of it all.
Such is the case with The Alchemist. I'm not sure how I've never read it sooner- it's a long-time worldwide bestseller- and yet I'm glad I read it as I settled into a new city and made sense of the path that led me here. Watching the boy's journey unfold and seeing how he became attuned to the symbols and omens along the way reminded me of the way my intuition works and encouraged me to press in and press on.
The Invisibles- Cecilia Galante
Such a wonderful exploration of 4 friends who lived in a group home together, then decided not to talk once they graduated high school until circumstances brought them back together 15 years later. Great insights on friendship but also the secrets we keep from ourselves and others. It kept me engaged and guessing the whole time as to whether the characters would grow and heal or retreat into themselves. Highly recommended.
Eight Hundred Grapes- Laura Dave
Compulsively readable novel- I flew right through it. I loved learning more about winemaking as a family business, especially since Sonoma is so close to me now, as well as how the concept of synchronicity factored in. (Though it was heavy-handed at times.) I also liked seeing the family dynamics play out and how our parents' dreams for us can shape who we are, even without knowing it.
The Word Exchange- Alena Graedon
The moment I read this one, I knew it would be on my Favorite Fiction list for this year. It's a bibliophile novel, perfect for any book or word nerd. An interesting look at our dependence on technology and social media, this novel gives us an ode to the written word and was a fun ride from start to finish. More please.
All The Light We Cannot See- Anthony Doerr
Beautiful, haunting prose made me read this novel slower than usual. I wanted to savor each page and soak up the character and plot development. I've read my fair share of books about WWII and still Doerr managed to take some complex and nuanced directions. It starts out slow but persevere: it's entirely worth it.
All The Bright Places- Jennifer Niven
Haunting, beautiful, insightful. It was an experience and I didn't go in thinking it would be. (This might technically be YA but I didn't experience it as a YA novel at all. And I say that as someone who regularly reads YA and has more YA recommendations at the end of this post.)
The Lost Sisterhood- Anne Fortier
I was completely swept away by the characters and plot. It was so delightfully nerdy and in some ways reminded me of Elizabeth Kostova (The Historian) and Deborah Harkness (A Discovery Of Witches.) I loved learning more about the Greek and Amazon myths and how these all came together with the present day storyline. I felt slightly bereft after I finished reading it. I could have stayed in the Amazonian world forever, which, frankly, is not something I ever would have suspected about myself.
The Bronte Plot- Katherine Reay
I really enjoyed Reay's first two books (Dear Mr. Knightley and Lizzy and Jane) and this was no exception. If you're a reader, you'll enjoy the many literary references and you'll also be inspired to read more classics. What I liked about this one is how Lucy has an uncommon flaw for a main character: she lies. It's not always bold lies. It's white lies, it's subtle reframing, it's rationalizing. But these lies have consequences and Lucy has to face the narrative she's sold herself over the years and face the truth. I really enjoyed watching her grow as the plot unfolded. There was no overnight miraculous change. She still made mistakes along the way but that's how change, at least long-lasting change, occurs. Lucy irritated me at times for this reason but I couldn't help but root for her to do the right thing and I loved watching her grow in confidence in her abilities, especially when they're at their last stay. I also enjoyed the love story (swooning over James) and that most of the book is set in England. Plus, Reay's books are near impossible to put down.
YA:
(YA novels I've rated with 4 or 5 stars are on this Pinterest board.)
Everything Everything- Nicola Yoon
An unexpectedly lovely novel I couldn't put down. It's being described as innovative for good reason. I think it falls under the "less you know before reading it, the better" category.
Scarlet- AC Gaughen
The more I thought about this story, the more I loved it. Such an inventive retelling of Robin Hood's tale, in which Will Scarlet is actually a lady thief. Gaughen gives us such a clear and compelling voice throughout the narrative. Plus, I loved seeing how Scarlet grew as a character. Lady Thief and Lion Heart rounded out the trilogy well and landed with a satisfying conclusion.
What are your favorite fiction reads of 2015?
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