A Bibliophile’s 2015: My Favorite Books, Reading Goals, and Unexpected Discoveries

The joy of connecting with fellow book enthusiasts is truly unparalleled. Just last year, a wonderful friend took the initiative to launch a Facebook group, bringing together several of us who share an ardent passion for reading. Once a group of dedicated book lovers starts to converse, it’s remarkably difficult to get us to pause! We revel in the shared experience of stories, characters, and ideas. This vibrant community quickly became a treasure trove of recommendations, offering endless inspiration and insight into what others were enjoying in their literary journeys. Indeed, a significant portion of the captivating books I devoured this year came highly recommended by my dear friend, Kristen. She possesses an uncanny ability to suggest exactly the right book, making her my personal Oprah when it comes to literary guidance!

One of the most impactful new habits I adopted this year, inspired by our enthusiastic Facebook reading group, was setting a reading goal on Goodreads. Prior to this, I honestly had no clear sense of my reading capacity, so I cautiously set my initial target at 30 books. At first, it felt like an ambitious, perhaps even slightly overzealous, number. However, I’m thrilled to report that I triumphantly met this goal just this week, literally concluding my final book, Inside the O’Briens, as I type these very words. If you haven’t yet explored Goodreads, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try! It’s an invaluable platform and app for meticulously tracking your literary accomplishments, discovering new titles, and organizing your “to-read” list. I frequently find myself consulting it during my library visits, ensuring I make the most of every trip.

Working towards a specific reading goal proved to be an incredibly fun and motivating experience. A significant contributor to my success in reaching that 30-book milestone was embracing audiobooks, primarily through Audible. While listening to a book typically takes me a bit longer than reading a physical copy, this method allowed me the flexibility to essentially immerse myself in two books simultaneously. I could engage with a story during commutes, while doing household chores, or during walks, making every spare moment a reading opportunity. I’ve discovered a particular fondness for listening to books within the historical fiction genre; there’s a unique magic in visualizing the rich settings and intricate plots solely through auditory narration. The immersive quality of historical narratives seems to truly come alive when I’m listening, engaging my imagination in a way that sometimes differs from traditional reading.

Among the many wonderful narratives I encountered, several truly stood out as personal favorites. It’s challenging to pick just a few, but I would definitely highlight What Alice Forgot, a thought-provoking exploration of identity and memory; The Boston Girl, a charming and insightful coming-of-age story; The Snow Child (which I experienced as an audiobook), a hauntingly beautiful tale inspired by a Russian fairy tale; The Nightingale (also an audiobook), a powerful and emotional story of sisterhood and resilience during wartime; and The Invention of Wings (another audiobook), a poignant historical novel about an unlikely friendship. Reflecting on my diverse selections, I’ve noticed a recurring theme of more “tragic” stories this year. Books like Everything I Never Told You and Five Days Left truly resonated deeply, stirring my emotions and proving challenging yet incredibly rewarding reads. These stories, though at times heartbreaking, offered profound insights into the human condition and left a lasting impression, showcasing the power of excellent literature to move and transform.

Beyond my solo reading adventures, a significant and joyful part of my literary year involved reading alongside my 11-year-old son. We embarked on several captivating journeys together, and I am keen to continue this wonderful tradition in the coming year. We delved into The Giver, a dystopian classic that sparked many thoughtful discussions (I was so impressed, I’ve already purchased the rest of the series for him for Christmas!). We also cherished Wonder, a heartwarming and essential story about kindness and acceptance, which truly touched both our hearts. And, of course, no shared reading list would be complete without the wizarding world – we enjoyed Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. My son, being a true Potterhead, has already read the entire series four times over and is now impatiently waiting for me to catch up! Reading together has not only strengthened our bond but has also opened up opportunities for profound conversations and shared discoveries. If you have any fantastic recommendations for books to read with an avid 11-year-old boy who loves a good story, please don’t hesitate to send them my way!

So, there you have it – a comprehensive look at my reading year in 2015. It was a year filled with discovery, emotional engagement, and the immense satisfaction of achieving a personal goal. I encourage you to reflect on your own reading journey. Have you had the pleasure of reading any of these titles? What were your most cherished literary finds of the year? I’d absolutely love to hear about the books that captured your imagination and what made them so special to you!

Books I Read in 2015: A Complete List

Here’s the full list of all the captivating books that filled my year with stories and insights:

We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer
Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Cooking As Fast I Can by Cat Cora
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Paper Towns by John Green
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Happy Reading, dear friends! Remember, every book opens a new door to adventure and understanding. Don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads throughout the year for continuous book ideas and real-time updates on my latest reads. For more reflections and past literary journeys, make sure to explore the Book Love section of my blog. Let’s keep the conversation about books going!