My Favourite Books of 2015

2015 has been another year of ups and downs reading wise.  I have come across some absolute standout titles but I have also failed to be wowed by quite a number of the books I've read this year.  This meant that for once, it was actually pretty easy to pick my top ten books of the year.  Normally I change my mind half a dozen times but these titles really stood out in my mind and quite quickly made my favourites list.      

So without further ado, here's my 2015 top ten list.  These are in no particular order and have not necessarily been published this year.

1. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury

 

A perfect conclusion to the series.  Sarah J. Maas pulled out all the stops in this final instalment.  I practically devoured this book in one sitting and now can't wait for more future titles by one of my favourite authors.    

 

 

 

2. Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

Published by Simon and Schuster

 

I am a huge fan of Sarah Alderson and this book is one of my favourite of her novels.  Exciting, tense and gripping it knocked my socks off.   

 

  3. Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot

Published by Macmillan

 

The return of Mia, Crown Princess of Genovia!  It was fantastic getting to catch-up with Mia and Michael and find out what had happened to them after the conclusion of the Princess Diaries books. 

 

 

 4. Monster by C. J. Skuse

Published by Mira Ink

 

There is no doubt that this is a five star read and might actually grab the very top spot in my 2015 list.  I literally could not put this book down and I was gripped by all the twists and turns.  The ending was absolutely explosive and I've since recommended to everyone.  A must read. 

 

  5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Published by Bloomsbury

 

Sarah J. Maas is the only author to have two books in my top ten list.  This is the first title in her new series and was yet another standout.  Her writing is incredible, her characters are fantastic and I'm always left wanting more. 

 

 

 6. First Class Murder by Robin Stevens

Published by Corgi

 

A new series which has become a firm favourite.  I love the Wells and Wong mysteries and it's become the event of the year when a new instalment is published. 

 

 

 7. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Published by Corgi

 

A superb debut novel.  I really enjoyed 'Everything Everything' which I found thoroughly engrossing and captivating.  This is an author that I will be keeping my eye on in the future.   

 

 

 8. Jane by April Lindner

Published by Poppy

 

This was published in 2010 and I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for a few years.  I finally got around to picking it up and then wished I hadn't waited such a long time before reading it.  A brilliant contemporary retelling of Jane Eyre, I enjoyed every second of this one.  I'm going to track down and buy the whole of April Lindner's back catalogue now. 

 

 

 9. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Published by Atom

 

Another one that took me years to read!  I recently saw the film, so thought it was about time that I also read the book.  Loved it. 

 

 

 10. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Published by Penguin

 

This book divided opinion among critics and readers.  I'm firmly on the side of those people that deemed it an instant classic.   

 

 

Comment and let me know if you've read any of these and what your personal favourites of 2015 were.

What I'll be reading during the Christmas holiday

Life has been so busy lately that reading seems to have slipped a bit over the last month.  I'm really looking forward to having a two week Christmas break and getting stuck into some of the lovely January releases that I've been sent.  There are some crackers here which I'm very excited about!

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (published by Electric Monkey on 7th January)
This is my first book by Huntley Fitzpatrick and it sounds absolutely brilliant.  Plus the main character and I share the same first name!

Front Lines by Michael Grant (published by Electric Monkey on 28th January)
A new Michael Grant book is always a reason to celebrate.  I love the plot of 'Front Lines' which reimagines World War II with females fighting alongside men on the front line.

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gaviel Savit (published by Bodley Head on 28th January)
Another World War II novel, this has been described as in the same vein as 'The Book Thief'.  It's also a debut novel which I think is going to be a little gem of a book. 

Waiting for Callback by Perdita and Honor Cargill (published by Simon and Schuster on 28th January)
Written by a mother and daughter team, this one sounds incredibly funny.  I think there are going to be lots of giggles in store for readers. 

All the Rage by Courtney Summers (published by Macmillan Children's Books on 28th January)
I'm expecting this to be a powerful and deeply moving read.  I also think it will also throw up lots of challenging questions. 

Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout (published by Hodder on 3rd December)
This is going to be top of my Christmas reading list.  A new novel about Daemon and Katy but from the point of view of Daemon.  I seriously can't wait to get started on this one!  Plus just look at that cover - gorgeous!

How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss (published by Simon and Schuster on 31st December)
'The Year of the Rat' was so good that this title has a lot to live up to.  I'm expecting this one to make me cry buckets. 

The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl by Melissa Keil (published by Stripes on 11th February)
Aussie YA!  The reviews I've read of this book have been positively glowing so I'm sure this will be a brilliant read. 

Review: Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, published by Corgi on 3rd September 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddie, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. But does Maddie dare to step outside her comfort zone?

Review:
Nicola Yoon's debut novel is an extraordinary book.  The story was so captivating that I read it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from it's pages.  It's emotional, beautiful, sad and hopeful all at the same time.  It is a book that I will be recommending to everyone I know.  I actually haven't read many books this year which have totally blown me away but this one definitely did.  I absolutely loved it!

The main character Maddy, is an eighteen year old girl unable to leave her house.  Protected by the four walls around her and by her mother and nurse, she has never known any other kind of life.  When new neighbours move in, Maddy forms a life-changing friendship with Olly, the boy next door.  When friendship turns to love, Maddy's world changes and she suddenly has some tough choices to make about her future.  This story definitely posed some interesting questions about love and life which resonated with me a lot and which I found incredibly moving at times. 

The relationship between Maddy and Olly is something special and was beautifully conveyed.  They have an incredible bond which opens both their eyes and makes them consider what really matters to them both.  I felt the intensity which they share and the depth of feeling which lies between them. 

I did not see the HUGE twist coming at the end of the story but it was absolute genius.  It turned everything upside down and posed an interesting dilemma for the characters. 

I loved all the artwork and illustrations that accompany Maddy's story too.  These really enriched the book and were created by Nicola Yoon's husband David.

A stellar five star read which rescued me from a long reading slump!  

Review: The Complete Peter Pan - J.M. Barrie

The Complete Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, published by Alma Classics on 15th October 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
The boy who wouldn't grow up, Peter Pan has the power of flight and lives on a magical island. But he is fascinated by Mary Darling's bedtime stories for her children and makes covert night-time visits to their Bloomsbury home. One evening he loses his shadow, and after Mary's daughter Wendy helps him reattach it, he invites her to fly away with him on an extraordinary adventure.

Review:
This is the perfect edition for any Peter Pan fans' collection.  A truly lovely edition which would also make the perfect Christmas stocking filler. 

In addition to the novel Peter and Wendy, this edition also includes Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and the play Peter Pan. Plus, it features lovely illustrations by Joel Stewart.  I hadn't actually read the Kensington Gardens story before so it was nice to read something new about such a classic tale. 

I have read Peter Pan itself so many times before, but it was super to hold such a fine edition in my hands and revisit the wonderful world of Neverland.  I never tire of reading about Peter's adventures with the faithful Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys by his side and I'm sure this book will introduce many more children to such a classic tale of adventure.  

Review: These Shallow Graves - Jennifer Donnelly

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly, published by Hot Key Books on 27th October 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
Set in gilded age New York, These Shallow Graves follows the story of Josephine Montfort, an American aristocrat. Jo lives a life of old-money ease. Not much is expected of her other than to look good and marry well. But when her father dies due to an accidental gunshot, the gilding on Jo’s world starts to tarnish. With the help of a handsome and brash reporter, and a young medical student who moonlights in the city morgue, Jo uncovers the truth behind her father’s death and learns that if you’re going to bury the past, you’d better bury it deep.

Review:
'These Shallow Graves' is a Victorian murder mystery, featuring feisty young heroine Josephine Montfort, or Jo as she likes to be known.  Jo's father dies at the beginning of the story and she takes it into her own hands to find out the truth about his death, helped along the way by handsome journalist Eddie. 

The setting for the story is New York, 1890.  I thought that Jennifer Donnelly did a really good job of incorporating a sense of the atmosphere of the period.  Women did not have many rights beyond working if they were poor and marrying if they were rich.  Jo subverts the line between the two by coming from a wealthy and privileged background, but she also wants to pursue her own dreams which are far greater than simply being a wife.  She is an interesting heroine because she is incredibly ambitious for the time and refuses to stop throwing herself into the path of danger if it means she will discover answers to the elusive questions the story poses.   

I enjoyed the way that Jo peeled away the layers of mystery and intrigue to gradually piece together the truth about her father and what really happened to him.  I love a good murder mystery and this one kept me on my toes. 

This was quite a long book at nearly 500 pages.  I found it quite slow in places at the beginning and I'll admit that I nearly gave up on reading it at one point but it picked up considerably as the pieces of the mystery began to come together.  I do think that the plot could have been tighter and there were some elements which didn't altogether work for me but there was a lot I liked to.  I don't feel that this was a very memorable read but if you enjoy historical murder mysteries then it's definitely worth a try. 

Blog Tour: Dangerous Lies - Becca Fitzpatrick

Becca Fitzpatrick has stopped by A Dream of Books today to provide some advice for teens. 

On being a teen or advice for teens

In my writing I tend to draw, at least in bits and pieces, on my own teen years. In Dangerous Lies I based Chet Falconer, the story's hero, on my high school boyfriend. I had a great high school boyfriend. He was kind, smart, athletic, good looking. At the time, I wondered why he was with me. Girls would come up to me at school and say things like, “Is he really with you?” and it made me more insecure. I think teens can be really hard on themselves. We're very critical of every perceived flaw. Recently, a friend from high school contacted me and said, “You had everything. I wanted to be you.” I was baffled.

Moral of the story: Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. Focus on your good qualities, because someone out there sees them.

Becca's new book 'Dangerous Lies' (published by Simon and Schuster) is out now. 

Stella Gordon is not her real name. Thunder Basin, Nebraska, is not her real home. This is not her real life.  After witnessing a lethal crime, Stella Gordon is sent to the middle of nowhere for her own safety before she testifies against the man she saw kill her mother’s drug dealer.

But Stella was about to start her senior year with the boyfriend she loves. How can she be pulled away from the only life she knows and expected to start a new one in Nebraska? Stella chafes at her protection and is rude to everyone she meets. She’s not planning on staying long, so why be friendly? Then she meets Chet Falconer and it becomes harder to keep her guard up, even as her guilt about having to lie to him grows.  As Stella starts to feel safer, the real threat to her life increases—because her enemies are actually closer than she thinks.   

Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the 'Dangerous Lies' blog tour. There are some great posts still to look forward to.