Best Reads of 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year....because I get to make a list of books!

In no particular order, here are my Top 10 reads of 2015:

1. I'LL MEET YOU THERE by Heather Demetrios

An emotional, character-driven story that grabbed me immediately. The characters are flawed and real and sometimes frustrating, and the romance is messy and intense. The acknowledgements are just as touching as the book's ending.

2. LITTLE PEACH by Peggy Kern

This is a short but incredibly powerful read. I haven't heard much buzz around this book. It's definitely worth a read. Disturbing as hell, but I powered through it in one short afternoon, then thought about it for days afterwards.    

3. SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said a million times? It's freaking adorable and made me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. Absolutely delightful in every way.

4. 99 DAYS by Katie Cotugno

Katie's characters are so incredibly frustrating and flawed, but so real that you get sucked into their lives and stories even while you feel like screaming at them. Her prose is beautiful and honest, the dialogue spot-on.

5. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING by Nicola Yoon

I was lucky enough to score an ARC of this book months before release. There was so much pre-release buzz for this book, and no wonder. It's everything, everything you'd expect, plus more. Beautiful and unique.

6. EMMY & OLIVER by Robin Benway

There are some books I know from the first few pages that I'm going to love, just from the writing and voice. Emmy & Oliver has everything I love in a good YA--realistic dialogue, relatable characters, amazing friendships, a sweet romance, honest emotion, humor, and heart. Just lovely.

7. WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND by Jessica Verdi

Jessica Verdi is my go-to author for unique YA that tackles really tough subjects in an honest, completely readable way. Just like with her last two books, this one deals with something not often seen in YA--in this case, teen fatherhood. And it's my favorite Jessica book yet.

8. DUMPLIN' by Julie Murphy

Man, 2015 was a good year for YA. This book is fun, poignant, and hilarious. I enjoyed every minute I spent with its fantastic heroine, Willowdean.

9. MORE HAPPY THAN NOT by Adam Silvera

This one emotionally chewed me up and spit me out. I felt like I needed a hug after finishing it. Heart-breaking and unique.








This last one is not YA, but I had to include it because it had such an effect on me:

10. A LITTLE LIFE by Hanya Yanagihara

I read this book almost two months ago and it still haunts me. It's so well-written, the characters and emotions so vivid that it makes you feel like you're living in the story, witnessing it all and feeling every frustration, horror, and happiness right along with the characters. Unforgettable.







What were YOUR favorite books of 2015?