Apologies for my lack of posting in the last couple of weeks! Although I am back in Australia, the holiday season has swallowed me whole with roadtrips, daytrips, and numerous end of year meetups. I promise to be a more consistent blogger when the new year rolls around and life gets back into its usual pace.
For now, I want to send off 2015 with a list of my favourite books this year! Thanks to book blogging, I read a lot more than I usually would – but it also made picking out my favourites extremely hard. Here are my top 12 this year in no particular order:
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton: I recently finished this one and immediately kicked myself for taking so long to pick it up. The proses in book is exemplary of the lyrical, evocative writing style that I love so much. Walton mixes her hypnotic writing with a tragic yet hopeful tale about strangely beautiful women and the folly of love. It left me in a daze for days! My review.
Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace: In this dark and brutal tale, our heroine confronts her identity and helps a listless ghost in finding his purpose. Archivist Wasp defy genre boundaries, bringing to the table a post-apocalyptic dystopia, a trip to the underworld, and questions about what it means to be human. My review.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I don’t usually read contemporary, in fact – Fangirl is one of about 4-5 I read this year. Nonetheless, the sincerity of its characters won it a space in my heart. It captures the emotional roller coaster that is college perfectly, never forgetting humour, family and love. My review.
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby: Magical realism is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres, and books like Bone Gap is wholly responsible for it! In this strange modern fairy tale, we explore societal judgement of humans – especially of women. My review.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: In this unique fantasy, apocalypse are dime a dozen thanks to the ever changing tectonic plates. Themes of oppression and free will are examined as we follow the perspective of three orogene female. The proses are beautiful, the stakes are sky high, and the reveals are startling. My review.
The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey: This is one of those books that are best experienced when you know absolutely nothing about it. Hence, I won’t elaborate. Go in blind, trust me, it’s amazing! My review.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo: Possibly my favourite young adult book of the year! Six of Crows with its charismatic and dangerous cast, along with whip smart dialogue and engaging world, is a book to be remembered! My review.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown: While I had some issues with Red Rising, Golden Son blows everything out of the water by raising the stakes, introducing a host of intriguing females, and being completely unputdownable. Watch as Darrow navigates through planets and wage war against both armies and his own heart. My review.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab: This was my first Victoria Schwab book and I quickly fell in love with her insane creativity. ADSOM features four Londons, two tortured magicians, a charming prince and the best leading lady of all time. Lila pretty much stole my heart! I loved going along with her and Kell’s adventures through worlds. My review.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas: In the space of one week, I went from a non-believer to a rabid Throne of Glass fangirl – mostly thanks to the latest two books in the series. I loved seeing the added complexity each novel brings to its world and the characters. My review.
Vicious by V. E. Schwab: The amazing Victoria Schwab appears once more- I love how each of her novel are so different to the last. Vicious features one of fiction’s most compelling frenemy, and a truly grey cast of characters. Although I yearned for more depth into Eli, Victor and his gang made this book memorable. My review.
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Hoerr: I read this book thanks Jenna‘s ringing endorsement, and she did not lead me astray. There’s poetry in every sentence and beautiful symmetry to every chapter. Moving, devastating and hopeful, this is a WWII story to savour. Review to come soon!
Have you read any of my favourites this year? What were your picks? Please link me to your post if you have a similar one up on your blog 😀
Read at Midnight 
ADSOM made my list too, and I REALLY need to read Vicious soon! Here’s my top books post: http://tamaraniac.com/2015/12/tamaras-best-books-of-2015/ 🙂
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I really need to pick up a Victoria Schwab book ASAP, they get nothing but good reviews! Queen of Shadows also made my list this year. It was the most epic thing ever ❤ I also read Fangirl last year and adored it. It was so relatable and cute. Great list!
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*falls to floor and clutches heart* I am so happy right now, I just cannot… ❤ ❤ ❤ MY HEART BE STILL.
Six of Crows was one of my favourite YA books of 2015 as well!! Cannot wait for Crooked Kingdom to arrive. I need more of my babies. MY BABIES. And I just bought Vicious recently so can't wait to read it! I've heard so many good things about it. GAH MY HEART IS STILL FLYING AROUND MY CHEST.
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In this list are many books I want to read! I just need to read them *hopefully* soon! Great list! And my post will be up in a few days soo… I don’t have the link of it yet 😉
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Awesome list!
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I need to expand my TBR list now! Great post and can I say I love, like absolutely love, your graphics? 😍
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YES TO VICIOUS AND ADSOM. THOSE WERE MY FAV TOO EEEEK. Ahem. I am super eager to pick up Six of Crows, everyone’s raved over it! I’m currently about to begin Red Rising, hopeful that I’ll love the series. 😀
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AHH I LOVE YOUR LIST AENTEE! I have to add lots of this books to my TBR, right now!!
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Most of these books are on my TBR, but I’ve read ADSoM and I second your notion with how awesome it is. And I bought Vicious a few months ago (the UK edition; I just want to caress the cover all day long) and I’m excited to read it! ^.^
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For my Secret Santa gift at work I got a book voucher (I’ve only been there a few months and they already know me so well, haha) and I’m GOING TO BUY BONE GAP. You and Cait have convinced me absolutely and positively. I also really have to read more of V E Schwab’s books – I’ve only read A Darker Shade of Magic but it was SO FREAKING GOOD.
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I also read vicious and ADSOM this year. I tried to read all the light we cannot see but it’s a DNF for me. The writing style was beautiful but it was too slow for me…
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Great list! Loved Six of Crows too 🙂
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Such a great list, I need to add tons of books to my TBR now! 🙂 I can’t wait to read Bone Gap, it sounds so amazing! 🙂
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WAIT WAIT WAIt. How has 2015 passed and I have yet not read a single V.E Schwab book?? I keep on meaning to get to Vicious and ADSOM, because they’re everywhere and absolutely bursting with positive review >_< I vow to read one before this year ends. Hmm, I've heard of mixed things about Ava Lavender, but it's lyrical style sounds beautiful. Fangirl is love. Obviouly XD Lovely post, Aentee ❤ It seems like forever that I haven't stopped by here, but it's good to be back blogging again.
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I enjoyed Queen of Shadows and Six of Crows as well! 🙂
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The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender sounds interesting. I’ve just added it to my TBR list.
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Great list! I had the same experience with Throne of Glass… I didn’t see what all the fuss was about for so long, then I marathon read all 4 books in a week and became completely obsessed!
I’ve got All the Light We Cannot See waiting to be read, and I’m really excited to read it as I’ve heard so many good things.
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I’m so ridiculously excited to see Fangirl on your list! I hope we’ll see more contemporary novels in your list next year!! 🙂
And yay for Six of Crows! Six of Crows is on my list too and ADSOM is one I adored as well although I forgot to feature it in my list!
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We have so many of the same favourites Aentee, particularly QoS, Golden Son and Vicious as well! I’m halfway through Six of Crows at the moment and omg I love it so much! I’m super happy that Fangirl found it’s way onto your list as well!
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Indeed a wonderful list! It’s good to have you back and posting, I missed seeing your blog posts.
I’m totally with you on the Throne of Glass series. I’m totally a rabid fangirl of the series to the point where I almost cry just thinking about Queen of Shadows. OH THE FEELLLLSSSSSS.
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Ha, I’ve read 7 out of 12 – not too shabby?! Fantastic list you have here. I need to catch up on the other five. And, y’know, put my own list together!
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It sounds like you read loads of great books! I read ADSOM and Vicious this year too, and they were both so good! I’m so excited for VE Schwab’s other books coming in 2016. I read The Girl With All the Gifts this year too, and it was really good. I liked how it was scary, yet so touching at the same time!
Great list, Aentee – thanks for sharing 😀
Denise | The Bibliolater
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I loved The Girl with All the Gifts and Six of Crows, too! I really need to read Bone Gap. You’ve got a great list here!
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I have Six of Crows from the library and I’ve been hearing such amazing things about it, so I think I’ll be reading that next! Hope you have a wonderful 2016! 🙂
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I love seeing books that I had on my least favorite list show up on other people’s favorites (All the Light We Cannot See & The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.) Some books just work better for other people. Look like you had a wonderful reading year though!
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I think this year has been great for fantasy readers. So many amazing titles have been released. Golden Son, Six of Crows and A Darker Shade of Magic have definitely made it into my favourites list.
I’ve seen Bone Gap floating around but I never paid much attention to the book. Admittedly the book cover creeps me out haha.
I’m looking to read more historical fiction next year and All the Lights we Cannot See is definitely one I’m excited to read. 😀
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Great list! I loved so many books you included, and A Darker Shade of Magic, Fangirl, and Bone Gap are three that made it onto my best of 2015 post as well. You’ve given me so many books that I need to add to my to-read list for 2016 because they sound amazing, mainly Vicious and the Throne of Glass series (which I’ve actually been meaning to read since the first book was released, I feel so behind.)
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ADSOM and Six of Crows are also my best reads of 2015! The world building, the characters, the plot, everything were just amazing! And the otps *flails* I can’t wait for 2016, so I could read Crooked Kingdom and A Gathering of Shadows!
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LOVED Fangirl, All the Light We Cannot See, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.
This looks like such a promising list… definitely took note of some titles 🙂
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Hi, Aentee! Sorry I haven’t visited your blog for so long, I’ve been very busy in real life. Now I’m trying to catch up with everything. I hope you had a great time in Japan. Belated Merry Christmas!
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There are so many books on your list that I wish I’d had a chance to read in 2015, especially The Fifth Season and ADSOM! My favourite reads of 2015 are both Juliet Marillier titles: Daughter of the Forest and Tower of Thorns! 🙂
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AHH. So many great books here Aentee! I absolutely adored The Girl With All the Gifts, Six of Crows and Vicious so I am so glad to see you loved them as well. xD Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous choices! ♥
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Yes you have all the great books on here! And I’m so glad you put The Girl With All The Gifts on your list, because I think it is pretty underrated! AND YES FOR ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE! 🙂
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I detect some anti-hero appreciation going on in this post. And I approve. I approve muchly. 3:)
I think the primary reason why my love of Vicious (and V.E. Schwab in general) and Six of Crows is the moral complexity of these characters, in all their shades of grey and muuuuuurder. ❤ I also became a rabid ToG fan following HoF, and then QoS.
And now I feel like I really need to get around to Ava Lavender and Red Rising. I'm pretty much sold.
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Wow! I still need to read so many of these. They all sound so good! Thanks for all of the recommendations! I am reading Queen of Shadows right now. 🙂
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Yessssssss. I love it when other people mention Victoria Schwab’s books! Great list, I have definitely been convinced to read Bone Gap. 🙂
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The Bone Gap cover is so scurry, but I promise to snatch it when I can! (Hopefully, when it re-publishes as paperback and receives a nicer cover. lollll.) Lovely list! ❤
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What a great list!
I have both ADSOM and Vicious in my 2015 top 5! I’m looking forward to the sequels very much.
I want to get to Six of Crows in January. I read the whole Grisha Trilogy just to enhance my experience of this book, so I’m very pleased I’ve only seen positive reviews of it 🙂
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is on my TBR and I’m looking forward to getting to it very much.
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YES!! I have so many of the same favourites as you!! BUT OMG I’M SO GLAD YOU TOLD ME TO READ BONE GAP. Best. book. ever. ❤ I will forever read anything that authors writes because it's so so gorgeous. :') AHEM. Also Vicious and Six of Crows!! INCREDIBLE. And I read Fangirl a few years ago, but afjdkslafd Cath is like my spirit animal. BOOKS AND WRITING. ❤ Cath. You are so relatable, omg.
hehe.
And your graphics and post formats are GORGEOUS AS ALWAYS. 😀 I hope you have a good holiday season!!
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Your blog is lovely. I too had Six of Crows and Bone Gap on my list!
#rqwn
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I will probably follow suit with your order and read Vicious next (well, that is unless I get a copy of AGOS? But I might wait for discounts because ALL TOR BOOKS SEEM TO COST A LIMB).
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Wow so many comments XD and so many great books. My goodness your graphics are so beautiful ❤ love your blog sosososos much! Are you a fantasy fan? I spy a lot of good fantasy books on this list 🙂 Happy 2016!
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Ohmygosh, your blog is so gorgeous!!! I love the whole look! I haven’t read any of the books you’ve posted here, but some of them are on my TBR! I can’t wait to read Vicious. I’m not a big fantasy reader but I’m stoked for it. Hopefully my “I-love-to-think-less” brain can handle the epicness, lol. New follower!
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My Queen of Shadows has been gathering dust since the time I bought it! I have to get past this TOG series slump!
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I’ve only read Six of Crows from your list, but it made my top ten list too!
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It’s been so long since I’ve checked out your posts! The illustrations are amazing as always!
Great list of your top reads! I agree, the writing for Ava Lavender was beautiful but I think I had a bit of a hard time getting into it. Victoria Schwab’s books has gotten a lot of praise recently, I have to read some of her books this year! I still need to read the rest of the Throne of Glass series, I read the first book last year but I have yet to see what people love it so much.
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OMG… Almost every single one of these books are on my TBR this year! LOL. Here’s my top three on my blog if you’re curious: https://book2bookblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/top-three-books-of-2015/
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I adored ‘Bone Gap’, too – it was one of my 6 ‘honorable mentions’ of favorite books of the year: http://pagesandpineapples.com/favorite-books-read-2015/
I’m in the middle of ‘The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender’ right now, and loving it so far. Great magical realism.
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