My Top Reads for 2015

The year of 2015 has been an amazing reading year for me. I read over 200 books and discovered my favorite book this year, as well as some others that I'm sure I'll continue to love for a long time. So since I read so many books I decided to give you my top 15 reads of the year. It was hard to narrow it down, but I feel pretty good about this list, so let's go. This does not include rereads. I'm working my way from 15th to 1st, so my favorite is at the bottom.

My Top 15 Reads for 2015

15th

Swimming Through Clouds by Rajdeep Paulus is taking my 15th spot. I read and reviewed the entire trilogy this year and adored them all. They are emotionally charged, beautifully crafted, and heartwarming. There is an abusive family situation, so just make sure you're ready for that. And some talk of attempted suicide. Neither ever get particularly extreme, but it deals with the issues the main characters are having trying to get away from their abusive situation. 

14th

All Fall Down, the fourth and final installment in the Lucy Kendall series by Stacy Green is the next on my list. This was an amazing conclusion to the series and possibly my favorite of them all. This is another series I've reviewed over the last year. It's about a woman who takes justice into her own hands to try and protect the innocent. And this installment had some crazy revelations. 

13th

The High Priestess by P. D Kalnay, the second book in his Arros Chronicles was another great read. It's an upper middlegrade/lower YA fantasy series about six princesses trying to protect their kingdom and each other. Another series I've been reviewing this year. The first one was really good, but this one was even better. 

12th

Another novel I reviewed and loved this year was Paladin by Sally Slater. Going into this I expected to be entertained but not enchanted, to have fun but not be addicted. I loved this. Every book has it's flaws, but this one was a solid YA fantasy that I feel in love with. The characters, the plot, the fact that, while there was a romance, it didn't seem to overshadow the story just made this fun.  

11th

I'm honestly not sure what initially got me to read Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson. Maybe it was the idea of someone completing a list (I love lists and stories that revolve around lists), but I'm so glad I did. It's a story that grows as you read it. The main character, Emily really annoyed me in the beginning but I loved seeing her develop as the book progressed. It had some sweet moments, some sad moments, and is just overall great. 

10th

The Forever Man by Eoin Colfer is the final book in the WARP trilogy. This middle grade science fiction series follows Chevie, a young FBI trained girl from modern day USA, and Riley, a boy trained to be both a magician and assassin in Victorian era London. Time travel ensues and the two are off on a grand adventure. And of course it's amazing because it's Eoin Colfer and the man doesn't know how to write anything that's not amazing. The whole trilogy is just plain fun. And I love time travel. It's one of my favorite things. 

9th

This conclusion to Neal Shusterman's UnWind dystology is brilliant. UnDivided takes the political unrest to a new level as rebellions continue to rise, teens and children fight back for their rights, and parents realize that their easy "fix" might not have been the best choice after all. The characters continue to grow, new ones are introduced, and crazy goodness follows. The writing is captivating, characters believable, and plot outright thought provoking. Love the entire series. 

8th

Six of Crows is the first book the The Dregs, a duology by Leigh Bardugo that follows six dangerous outcasts as they attempt an impossible heist. The writing is lyrical, the characters are incredible, the plot and world beautiful, and just...I loved this. I loved this oh so much. The next one is already on my TBR for next year when it comes out. 

7th

I'm always worried when I pick up a horse book but Stay the Distance by Mara Dabrishus delivers. The racing scene is spot on, the characters are flawed and relatable, the romance is adorable, and the family dynamics insane. A beautiful blend that has me addicted. Literally. I keep going back to it again and again. 

6th

I don't know what took me so long to read The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen, but once I did I could not put it down. The entire trilogy has become an absolute favorite. When I need to feel happy I think about these books. The main character is brilliant and I just adored this series. It's a middle grade trilogy that starts with a man trying to replace the missing prince with an impostor. And it's brilliant. 

5th

If you know me then you know I'm a huge Brandon Sanderson fan. Firefight is the second book in the Reckoners trilogy and follows a world where super humans have been created... And they are all villains. This installment was another excellent read. David is one of my favorite characters ever. I'm eagerly waiting for the final book in February 2016.  

4th

Saint Odd is the final installment in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series and I loved it. This has been a favorite series for a few years now and Odd's final journey was perfect. His story went full circle and his end was beautiful. Odd Thomas is perhaps by favorite fictional character of all time.  

3rd

Shadows of Self is the sequel to Brandon Sanderson's The Alloy of Law and follows Wax and Wayne in further adventures in the Mistborn world. This installment has some insane revelations and questions in the Cosmere and is fantastic. I adore the original Mistborn trilogy, but in some ways I enjoy these even more. I absolutely love the characters and the action scenes are brilliant, as usual. 

2nd

Words of Radiance is the second installment in The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, what's planned to be a ten book series. I liked it so much that I read it twice. It's long, over 1,000 pages, and worth every single word. The cast of characters is large, which I love, the world is beautiful and complex and fascinating. This novel is gripping from beginning to end and I stayed up late into the night reading it. Both times.

1st

When I read The Way of Kings, the first book in the Stormlight Archive, in February, I said that I was pretty sure it would be my favorite read of the year. And it is. It's also my favorite novel now. I've read it twice and each time I fall more in love with it. For many of the same reasons as the previous novel mentioned, since they are in the same series. Kaladin is one of my all time favorite characters. And the progression from beginning to end of this is incredible. The plot is complex and fascinating. 

I could go on about this book FOREVER. So instead I'll just say go read it. Right now. No matter what else you're doing. Just. Read. It. 

What are your favorite books of the year? Tell me in the comments below!