My Book of the Year 2015 – Short List
Every year I read some amazing books. Some I just knew were going to be brilliant, while others were incredible surprises. At the end of this year, I’m going to announce my favourite book. A book that was published in 2015 and which I read in 2015. But before we hit the end of the year, I am creating this short list of titles that are in the running to be named my Book of the Year 2015.
Nominated titles in no particular order:
Hover – Anne A. Wilson – Forge Books – Published 2 June 2015
If you want a book with military action, a strong but secretly terrified female heroine, a great cast of secondary characters, plenty of suspense, navy SEALs, an awesome writing style and romance then Hover is the book for you.
This was a book I just picked up out of nowhere (actually, I can probably blame the gorgeous cover for some immediate insta-love). I’m so glad I did, because I loved it. I was blown away with how great it was. I was sucked in from page one. I was laughing, intrigued, excited. I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened next.
Hover is a strong contender for my favourite book of the year.
Adult Fiction: Military Suspense. Full Review.
Truest – Jackie Lea Sommers – Katherine Tegen Books – Published 1 September 2015
This was another great surprise. Again, cover-love might have had a bit to do with my picking up this book, but the synopsis and writing style are what sold it to me.
This is an outstanding debut, charming, funny, unbelievably moving and a deep sort of soul searching.
Truest is not just another easy summer read. It covers topics of existence, choosing what to believe in, family – their absence and presence, poetry, history, friendship and love, and yet also manages to still feel hopeful.
Young adult fiction: Contemporary. Full review. Author Interview.
Night Owls – Jenn Bennett – Simon & Schuster/ Macmillan – Published 1 October 2015
Night Owls is also being published under the title The Anatomical Shape of a Heart. Which ever copy you can get your hands on will be worth it.
This book just completely blew me away. I don’t know why but for some reason I utterly underestimated how awesome it was going to be. It was a book I thought I’d try but didn’t expect to love. Well, I loved it. Totally and absolutely loved every single minute and every word of it. It was funny, heartwarming, sad, moving, beautiful, completely passionate and full of life and love and art.
Young adult fiction: Contemporary. Full review.
Not If I See You First – Eric Lindstrom – Poppy – Published 1 December 2015
“Parker Grant doesn’t need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That’s why she created the Rules: Don’t treat her any differently just because she’s blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.”
I loved this book. Loved. Loved. Loved. I think I’m crying (overwhelming, happy tears). When I first read a sample of this book I knew I just had to read it all. And then I got to read the whole book. Wow. I can’t post a full review until two weeks prior to release, as per the requirements of the publishers, but know this now: you need to read this book. It is hilariously funny, and yet so very moving. Argh, I don’t have words. Just read it.
Young adult fiction: Contemporary. Full review to come.
I’ll Meet You There – Heather Demetrios – Henry Hold and Co. – Published 3 February 2015
Skylar’s life is slowly falling to pieces, and her chance to escape Creek View once and for all seems less certain every day. Josh’s life has been blown apart. Returning from the war in Afghanistan he has lost so much more than just his leg. Working together at the Paradise motel brings Josh and Sky together in what starts as a shaky friendship. Skylar becomes a life line for Josh, and he in turn pushes Sky further than she thought possible.
I loved everything about this book. Its harsh reality. The beautiful friendship between Sky, Chris and Dylan. The way I was smiling, laughing, crying, addicted. The romance, push-pull, hits and misses, earth shattering-ness that is Josh and Sky. I love how no one is perfect, in fact everyone is far from perfect. I love how it made me so grateful for my life, my freedom.
I’m thinking I might just have to go back and read this one again, and soon.
Young adult fiction: Contemporary. Full review.
Nowhere But Here – Katie McGarry – Harlequin Teen – Published 26 May 2015
This one wasn’t a surprise. I knew I would love it and I did. It’s Katie McGarry, and I expect nothing less than total brilliance for each and every book she writes. I would read her shopping lists.
Who needs cliff jumping or swimming with sharks. Nowhere But Here was an adrenaline rush from beginning to end.
Emily is thrust into a new and scary world when she visits her biological father. A motorcycle club, family secrets, relatives she didn’t know she had, and Oz, the guy whose life is entwined with the club and whose job it is to protect her from unseen dangers.
Young adult fiction: Contemporary. Full review.
So that’s my list… for now. Hopefully I will have the pleasure of reading more fantastic books just like these in the remaining months of 2015.
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