07 December 2015

Best Books Read in 2015

Best Books Read in 2015 from Beth Fish ReadsSome years I make several best-of lists, separating out audiobooks from print and fiction from nonfiction. This year I'm making only one list, combing media and genres.

I know there are still a few weeks left in the year, and, yes, I may read my new favorite book tomorrow. Nevertheless, I'm posting today.

Note: I read the books in this list during 2015; the books were not necessarily published in 2015. Note too that these are the books I still remember and still think about, regardless of my overall review. Thus this is not simply a list of my most positive reviews. (Books listed in alphabetical order; links are to my review.)

  • Best Books Read in 2015 from Beth Fish ReadsBlackout by Sarah Hepola (nonfiction): "This can't-stop-reading memoir gives alcoholism a context within Gen X sociocultural pressures and post-feminism expectations."
  • Descent by Tim Johnston (fiction): "a complex psychological novel, studded with precisely balanced action."
  • Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick (poetry): "The power of Kuderick's words hit me hard, and I felt the truth of Kenna's story and the hope between the lines."
  • The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (fiction): "It's different, fresh, horrifying, and mesmerizing."
  • Like Family by Paolo Giordano (fiction)" "A beautifully written slip of a book with an emotional depth that will capture your attention from beginning to end."
  • Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (fiction): "a look at the everyday life of two people trying to find a way out of loneliness while preserving their dignity and independence and honoring their pasts."
  • Rywka's Diary by Anita Friedman & Rywka Lipszyc (nonfiction): "Beautifully and sensitively translated, Rywka Lipszyc's diary provides an eloquent and surprising perspective on life, hope, and faith in one of the worst of the Jewish ghettos."
  • The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton (fiction): "Whether writing about the typical, goofy antics of teenage boys or the horrors carried out in the name of greed and intolerance, Scotton perfectly captures each scene."
  • A Series of Small Maneuvers by Eliot Treichel (fiction): "This is less a survival in the wilderness story and more about a girl finding her way after her world is forever altered."
  • A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern (fiction): A respectful, realistic, and sensitive examination of ethical dilemmas and what it means to be disabled. (Review will appear here and on the AudioFile website.)
  • Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (fiction): "Just read the damn book. Seriously. And if you haven't read it since it first came out, consider a reread."
  • Where Women Are Kings by Christie Watson (fiction): "a powerful, stunningly real novel. Put Christie Watson on your permanent must-read list."

16 comments:

(Diane) bookchickdi 12/7/15, 7:42 AM  

You have lots of books on this list that I haven't read. My TBR list just got a lot longer.

Sarah (Sarah's Book Shelves) 12/7/15, 8:00 AM  

I'd really like to read The Secret Wisdom of the Earth....I added it to my TBR this year, so glad to see it on your list!

JoAnn 12/7/15, 8:14 AM  

I've only read two of these - Our Souls at Night and Tell the Wolves I'm Home - but they were both favorites for me, too. Several others are on my wish list.

TP 12/7/15, 8:44 AM  

I loved Tell the Wolves I'm Home - so many feels with that book.

Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com

bermudaonion 12/7/15, 9:06 AM  

I love all these "best of" lists but they remind me of how many great books I haven't read. I've only read one book on your list.

Andi 12/7/15, 10:08 AM  

I've only read one! I enjoyed Mount Char, too, and I really want to try out Our Souls at Night.

Daryl 12/7/15, 10:32 AM  

Mount Char was excellently odd and engaging ... several of the others seem to be my cuppa .. as always thank you

rhapsodyinbooks 12/7/15, 12:10 PM  

No Uprooted on the list? :--(

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity 12/7/15, 1:00 PM  

Oh good! Glad to see Where Women Are Kings on your list since I just picked up the ebook. :) Now just have to remember not to wait TOO long before actually reading it!

Beth Hoffman 12/7/15, 1:11 PM  

I love poetry and just added "Kiss of Broken Glass" to my list!

Jen Forbus 12/7/15, 6:23 PM  

Secret Wisdom of the Earth is so wonderful!

Sue Jackson 12/7/15, 6:59 PM  

Sounds like a great reading year for you!

The only one on your list that I've read already is Tell the Wolves I'm Home...which I LOVED! So thanks for the new book ideas!

Hope 2016 is just as good!

Sue

Book By Book

Nise' 12/7/15, 10:27 PM  

I agree with your thoughts on Tell The Wolves I'm Home! The Secret Wisdom of the Earth will make my favorite list this year too.

Gina 12/8/15, 2:28 AM  

Great list! I see a few future reads for my own shelves. ^-^

Literary Feline 12/8/15, 1:22 PM  

I love lists like this, finding out what everyone's stand out reads of the year were. I haven't read any of the books on your list, sad to say, but there are several I want to read.

I was just eyeing my copy of Descent in my audio folder, thinking that might be a good one to listen to. A Series of Small Maneuvers is on my list to read, among other titles form your list.

I'm not yet ready to review my year and see what stands out for me, although I already kind of have an idea. It just seems too soon for it to be the end of the year already. Are we really in December?!

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) 12/14/15, 4:20 PM  

I've heard things good and bad about The Library at Mount Char, and both make me want dig it out of my pile of books and finally read it.

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