In 2015, I read 104 books. I'm reading my 105th now and this one sure as shit won't make the list. Out of the 104 I've finished, these are my top 10:
1. You by Caroline Kepnes (January) - If a book contains a psycho, chances are I'll like it. If it contains a psycho that the author manages to make likable, I will love it. That is this book, and its follow up that I read in December.
2. The Martian by Andy Weir (March) - If you would have told me that a book that has a lot of science and math in it would be in my top 10, I would've told you to GFY. But it's here and it's true - the techy stuff did not prohibit me from enjoying this book. Mark Watney is one of the most likable narrators I've come across. Impossible to root against him.
3. The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs (March) - Sometimes a book resides in my top 10 not because it was well written or because it was a feel good story, but because it made me think or because it upset my balance in a way I needed it upset.
4. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (April) - I love books about reading, and while this is about other things, it's largely about the powerful impact reading can have on our lives.
5. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay (May) - Beautiful writing, well shaped characters, and the intensity of the emotions of youth combine for a riveting read. I stayed up late to finish this one, crying a lot at the end.
6. Arcadia by Lauren Groff (May) - I do love me a cult book. Combine that with good writing and well developed characters and you've got me.
7. The Wayward Pines Trilogy (June) - Sometimes a book makes my top 10 because I absolutely devoured it - that was true of all three books in the Pines trilogy. I wish I had more to read from Blake Crouch.
8. Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde (June) - This book pinged a lot of my points - a road trip to Yellowstone, sobriety, dog love, choosing your family. Sometimes it feels like you come across a book at a perfect time, and this was one of those books for me.
9. Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer (September) - Good old fashioned mass market paperback writing on scheming and dynasties.
