2015 Wrap-Up

This is part 1 of my 5-part 2015 wrap-up.

2015 Overview

What happened in 2015? I officially graduated from my post-BA publishing program and finished a big chunk of my master’s degree. I went to Kentucky twice for school, and I hiked through Death Valley, California with my dad. I ate hamburgers at a fancy restaurant in Las Vegas. I helped edit a literary journal and an anthology. My dog died. I redesigned my blog twice, started to take blogging more seriously, and made a lot of new blogger friends. I also read nearly 100 books.

Books I Read

Best Books Of 2015

I will have my “Top 15 of 2015” post up in a few days, but here’s a sneak-peek at a few of my favorites. These are the ones that have covers I love. They're not in any order.

Most Popular Reviews Of 2015

These are the top ten reviews that you clicked in 2015. I redesigned my blog twice last year, so some of the formatting and colors may be messed up in these.

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl – Jesse Andrews
2. The Dark Tower Series wrap-up review – Stephen King
3. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail – Cheryl Strayed
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5. Sky Jumpers – Peggy Eddleman
6. 5 To 1 – Holly Bodger
7. Oryx and Crake – Margaret Atwood
8. Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
9. Not a Drop to Drink – Mindy McGinnis
10. Smoke – Ellen Hopkins

Reviews That I Wish Got More Clicks

These reviews didn’t get many views, but I think you guys would like these books. They deserve a little more love. Check them out if you’re looking to build up your TBR list.

• How I Live Now – Meg Rosoff
• The White Darkness – Geraldine McCaughrean
• Project X – Jim Shephard
• The House of the Scorpion and The Lord of Opium – Nancy Farmer
• The First Part Last – Angela Johnson
• The Enchanted – Rene Denfeld
• The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender – Leslye Walton
• The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Richard Flanagan
• St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves – Karen Russell

Most Popular Non-Reviews

Here’s everything else you clicked. I guess you guys like discussions and posts about stuff I love and hate. Again, sorry for any formatting issues in these links.

1. Discussion: Following Back—Why I Do It (And Occasionally Wish I Didn’t)
2. Discussion: What I Learned from Internet Stalking My Favorite Authors
3. Discussion: Do You Read 100+ Books A Year? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!
4. July Wrap-Up (the one in which I graduate)
5. Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Living Authors
6. Top Ten Tuesday: Genres I’m Unlikely to Read
7. Discussion: 10 Signs That You Read Too Much Young Adult Fiction
8. Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I Didn’t Click With
9. Top Ten Tuesday: Tropes I Love & Hate
10. Top Ten Tuesday: Series I’ve Quit This Year (So Far)

Some Random Questions Answered

Everyone has been doing The Perpetual Page-Turner’s year-end book survey. I wanted to play along, but I didn’t want to answer that many questions, so I picked the ones I liked the most.

1. A book you thought you were going to love but didn’t?

Too much romance, not nearly enough killing.

2. A book you “pushed” the most people to read?

MaddAddam is my favorite trilogy ever. I reread it every few years, and if I was stupidly rich, I’d by thousands of MaddAddam box sets and force them into the hands of random strangers.

3. Favorite new author?

V.E. Schwab. Her books are like some kind of drug: addictive and probably deadly.

4. Best book that was out of your comfort zone?

I don’t read many graphic novels, but this one made me want to read ALL of the graphic novels.

5. Most unputdownable book?

This beast is over 800 pages, and I tore through most of it in a day.

6. Most memorable character?

Matteo Alacrán. If you like your dystopias full of morally gray characters, check this one out.

7. Most beautifully written book?

Everything about this book is perfection.

8. Most thought-provoking book?

I had to read it 3 times just to figure out what was going on. I actually enjoyed all 3 readings.

9. A book you can’t believe you waited until 2015 to read?

The original is so much darker, weirder, and sadder than the Disney version.

10. OTP of the year?

I usually don’t get into all the OTP fangirling because I’m trying to be a mature adult, but this book . . . just read it, okay?

11. Favorite book from an author you’ve read before?

I’m pretty sure Rainbow Rowell is my spirit animal.

12. Best book you read based solely on peer pressure?

I didn’t want to read this one because it sounded fluffy, and I don’t do fluffy, but you guys wouldn’t shut up about it. I read it because you made me, and now I’m one of those people who won’t shut up about it.

13. Best worldbuilding?

Stephen King. My answer to this question is always Stephen King.

14. The book that crushed your soul?

Reading true stories about sad animals is like being punched in the face and then set on fire.

15. The book that made you mad (not necessarily in a bad way)?

The whole plot of this book could have been avoided if the characters had just sat down and had one conversation. So much unnecessary angst.

1. A book that is your #1 priority in 2016?

I will read it. I swear. It’s on my January TBR list.

2. A new release you are anticipating in 2016?

I want it now.

Happy 2016! Come back for more of my giant 2015 wrap-up!