My Year in Books—The Measure of 2015

So, my goal for this year was to read fifty books. I didn’t quite make it. BUT I still read more books than I did last year, which makes me happy.

After I took the “final 2015 books” picture, I read this, and I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN, even when I went to work out:

And then I read this (and it was AWESOME. There will be a review shortly):

And NOW I’m reading this, which everyone loves. I’m betting I finish this one before the end of the year, but who knows?

Anyway, to the discussion of all of the books I read:

My most-read author this year was Deanna Raybourn, followed by Maureen Johnson. I absolutely love Deanna’s writing because it is so well-researched and stylish and fun. Plus she’s a kick in the pants to follow on Twitter, so if you don’t already, you should go follow her. Maureen’s books were interesting also, but of course they have an entirely different feel. That doesn’t change the fact, though, that Rory is someone I could see myself getting along with, just like I would get along with Lady Julia Grey and Veronica Speedwell. Maureen is ALSO a ton of fun on Twitter. Go check her out.

I also truly enjoyed Terry Pratchett, and it was my first time reading him. I’m glad some Twitter friends of mine told me where to start, because his Discworld book series is an intimidating—but awesome—maze.

A couple of other favorites from this year were, of course, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey, Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headly, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (which I taught this year; I read it and INSTANTLY told my co-teacher, “We HAVE to teach this!”) and finally Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

I also read (to teach) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and I fell in love with her writing. The book was so gripping, raw, and real. I was amazed by how far-reaching the impact of the book was not only on me, but on so many other readers, and most of all, on my students. Many rich discussions were had in the classroom and out of it.

For the record, my TBR pile/shelf/shelves/bookcase is still insane. There is likely no human way I would ever catch up unless I just stayed at home and read all day, every day, for the entire year. A girl can dream, right?

So, based on that, I’m going to try and not buy any new books in 2016. I will still request ARCs, etc., but I won’t be will be trying very hard NOT to buy any new books.

In addition to the books on the shelf above (which, as of the 28th of December is at 35 books read for the year), I also read eight books as part of my freelance editing job, which puts me at 43 for the year. You can take a look at my Goodreads Year In Books here. My goal for the year was to read fifty books, and I got pretty close, and I’m happy that I improved over last year’s total.

After all, even after we’ve read so many books, there are still so many more that have so much more to offer us as readers and as people.

I hope you all have had a WONDERFUL year in reading, and keep at it!