Hi guys. I hope you all had a great time for Christmas! 2016 is almost here and so, today I thought I would share with you some of the books I loved best in 2015. For this post, I am going to include books that may not have necessarily been published in 2015 but rather that I've read this year. If you've read any of these books too, do let me know what you thought about them in the comments below.
These are in no particular order and are all books I would absolutely recommend. To avoid making this post too long, I've put links to each book's Goodreads page rather than write full blurbs for all of them. To know more about them, just click on the title.
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1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the illustrated edition
This book's release almost came as a surprise and was certainly one of the highlights of the year for fellow Potterheads. The story was already a well beloved one before this edition came out but the illustrations it comes with make reading Harry Potter more magical than other.
This book's release almost came as a surprise and was certainly one of the highlights of the year for fellow Potterheads. The story was already a well beloved one before this edition came out but the illustrations it comes with make reading Harry Potter more magical than other.
2. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
This trilogy was superbly written with a story and prose that stays with you long after you've closed the book. This is children literature at its best and is a perfect choice for Christmas time.
This trilogy was superbly written with a story and prose that stays with you long after you've closed the book. This is children literature at its best and is a perfect choice for Christmas time.
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3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This book simply blew me away! I was rather late to this party but once I started the book, I was hooked. I listened to it on audiobook and really, really enjoyed it. In fact, I would suggest you try the audiobook version because it definitely brings the virtual game universe of this book to life in a most vivid way. The narrator also did a superb job and was amazing with portraying different characters.
This book simply blew me away! I was rather late to this party but once I started the book, I was hooked. I listened to it on audiobook and really, really enjoyed it. In fact, I would suggest you try the audiobook version because it definitely brings the virtual game universe of this book to life in a most vivid way. The narrator also did a superb job and was amazing with portraying different characters.
4. Winter by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles have finally come to an end and while this saddens me a little, the more than satisfying conclusion delivered in Winter made ride entirely worth it. Marissa Meyer definitely knows how to wrap up a series! Now I can't wait to read her other books that are coming out in 2016.
The Lunar Chronicles have finally come to an end and while this saddens me a little, the more than satisfying conclusion delivered in Winter made ride entirely worth it. Marissa Meyer definitely knows how to wrap up a series! Now I can't wait to read her other books that are coming out in 2016.
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5. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
I've gushed a lot about this book on my blog in various post but for old times' sake, I'll say it again: I freaking love this book! It's a adult Cinderella retelling told from the perspective of one of her 'ugly' stepsisters and is step in 17th century Holland. The setting is unique, the characters are multidimensional and nicely portrayed and the prose is simply stunning.
I've gushed a lot about this book on my blog in various post but for old times' sake, I'll say it again: I freaking love this book! It's a adult Cinderella retelling told from the perspective of one of her 'ugly' stepsisters and is step in 17th century Holland. The setting is unique, the characters are multidimensional and nicely portrayed and the prose is simply stunning.
6. The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter
This was my first Angela Carter book and I adored it. It feels like magical realism although nothing supernatural actually ever happen. It does retain a certain magical vibe, which is a nice contract to the book's often dark moments.
This was my first Angela Carter book and I adored it. It feels like magical realism although nothing supernatural actually ever happen. It does retain a certain magical vibe, which is a nice contract to the book's often dark moments.
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7. Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham
Fables is a comic book series that follows the stories of fairytale characters after they are forced to flee their world and hide among regular humans in our world. These books are sometimes gory, sometimes sexy but always witty and really well written. While the first 3 volumes were fairly enjoyable, it was the 4th volume that really made this one of my favorite graphic novel/comic book series.
Fables is a comic book series that follows the stories of fairytale characters after they are forced to flee their world and hide among regular humans in our world. These books are sometimes gory, sometimes sexy but always witty and really well written. While the first 3 volumes were fairly enjoyable, it was the 4th volume that really made this one of my favorite graphic novel/comic book series.
8. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
This is best described as a fairytale for adults. While our main character is a young boy, this book definitely has its dark moments, not to mention a fair share of gore. Beyond that though, the book reads as a fairytale, the prose both enchanting and witty.
This is best described as a fairytale for adults. While our main character is a young boy, this book definitely has its dark moments, not to mention a fair share of gore. Beyond that though, the book reads as a fairytale, the prose both enchanting and witty.
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9. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Another book by Gregory Maguire, yep. This is again an adult retelling, this time focusing on the Wizard of Oz and with the Wicked Witch of the West as main character. Elphaba, the titular Wicked Witch is my favorite female character of all time. You can't help but fall in love with her as she struggles between good and evil in a world that is slowly coming apart as intolerance, sexism and racism begin to spread throughout the land. This Wicked Witch is a feminist. You might even say that she's a rebel. And as she makes her journey into becoming the legendary Wicked Witch, you will unavoidably find yourself rooting for her.
Another book by Gregory Maguire, yep. This is again an adult retelling, this time focusing on the Wizard of Oz and with the Wicked Witch of the West as main character. Elphaba, the titular Wicked Witch is my favorite female character of all time. You can't help but fall in love with her as she struggles between good and evil in a world that is slowly coming apart as intolerance, sexism and racism begin to spread throughout the land. This Wicked Witch is a feminist. You might even say that she's a rebel. And as she makes her journey into becoming the legendary Wicked Witch, you will unavoidably find yourself rooting for her.
10. Dubliners by James Joyce
This is a short story collection set in 20th century Dublin focusing on the lives of different people of various social classes and age. This was the book that seriously got me into classics and I loved it so much and can say without hesitation that I'll be definitely re-reading this one at some point.
11. Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino
Last Christmas I bought the two box sets of the entire Vampire Knight series as a little end of year treat and these mangas were the first books I spent the first days of January reading. Vampire Knight was both my first anime and my first manga and because of that, I can't help be a little bias towards it. I just really love this story. The last few volumes of the manga were not the best in the series but I did enjoy the ending. If you enjoy supernatural stories with a healthy dose of drama and well written romance, I would recommend you pick up this manga. You might also watch to check out the anime because it's really beautiful.
So that's it for this post guys. What were your favorite books of 2015? Let me know in the comments ^^
This is a short story collection set in 20th century Dublin focusing on the lives of different people of various social classes and age. This was the book that seriously got me into classics and I loved it so much and can say without hesitation that I'll be definitely re-reading this one at some point.
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| Source 1 & Source 2 |
11. Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino
Last Christmas I bought the two box sets of the entire Vampire Knight series as a little end of year treat and these mangas were the first books I spent the first days of January reading. Vampire Knight was both my first anime and my first manga and because of that, I can't help be a little bias towards it. I just really love this story. The last few volumes of the manga were not the best in the series but I did enjoy the ending. If you enjoy supernatural stories with a healthy dose of drama and well written romance, I would recommend you pick up this manga. You might also watch to check out the anime because it's really beautiful.
So that's it for this post guys. What were your favorite books of 2015? Let me know in the comments ^^
I loved Winter!! It saddens me to know that the series is over but I'm still excited for Stars Above! Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anissa! I'm also looking forward to Stars Above. At least I know the series isn't quite over yet!
DeleteI read The Book of Lost Things a while ago and I forgot most of the details but I remember loving it - it was a really dark fairy tale and I like those a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I agree with you on The Dark Materials (that's a gorgeous cover, by the way!), the trilogy is a perfect gift for the holidays, and I think it's good reading not just for kids but for adults as well.
I've never read anything like The Book of Lost Things. It's a book I'd love to reread again at some point. I'm glad I waited this long to pick up His Dark Materials because honestly, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much had I read it as a kid.
DeleteI love The Dubliners too! And what a great list you've compiled here, Soudha :) Nicely done. I hope your Christmas went well, and that you're ready and excited for the New Year! Enjoy the season :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona ^^
DeleteI ALWAYS include books I read in the year - not just ones that came out that year. I'm not a slave to new releases and I always love going back and reading books I may have missed in year's past :)
ReplyDeleteYAY for Harry Potter, Ready Player One and His Dark Materials - ALL favorites of mine ♥ And I agree: Wil Wheaton is an AMAZING narrator!! I still need to crack open Winter though - I don't want it to end!! haha! BUT I WILL read it soon, I NEED to know what happens XD Awesome selection here^^ and Happy New Year Soudha xoxox
Yeah, I think you'd be missing out if you were reading only new releases. Yep, Wil Wheaton might actually be my favorite narrator. I know what you mean 'cause I also don't want to let the Lunar Chronicles go... At least we have the anthology coming out soon.
DeleteI haven't read any of these... YET. But it sounds like you have a lot of wonderful books here and I am glad you could love them all! I have heard of a lot of them. I am going to be reading Winter and Ready Player One next year which is exciting for me because heard epic things about them both!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy Winter and Ready Player One when you do pick them up ^^
DeleteThese are some awesome covers too!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, these covers are really nicely done :)
DeleteI adored Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister! I definitely feel like it's underrated. And I could gush about Winter and Harry Potter. I'm so jealous of that illustrated version!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books of 2015 was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Beautiful writing.
Ally @ The Scribbling Sprite
It's not often that I encounter other people who've read and loved Confessions! I also really enjoyed The Night Circus. You're right, the writing was beautiful.
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