Some reads stay in your mind for longer than others.
Here are the books from 2015 that I’m still thinking about:
The book I couldn’t put down:
I will not apologize for thoroughly enjoying this page turner.
The book that lived up to the hype:
Engaging, heartbreaking, and everything else you could want from historical fiction.
The book that made me feel incredibly anxious:
The panic I felt reading this was visceral. Beware.
The book that didn’t get nearly enough attention:
Why hasn’t everyone read this unique and devastating book?
The book that broke me:
Yanagihara smashed me into a million and one pieces. I’m still not over it. I don’t think I ever will be.
The book that made me proud to be a Midwesterner:
We’re too often portrayed as cow-tipping nincompoops. Not this time.
The book that made me extremely uncomfortable:
Horrifying. Astonishing. Terribly fantastic!
The book that made me want to go back to summer camp:
A graphic memoir that slapped me upside the head with nostalgia.
The book that makes me glad I don’t work in an office setting:
I’ll stay at the bookstore, thanks.
The book that helped me understand my privilege:
Page 134 is the most compelling page I’ve read.
The book that I should have read last year:
Courageous women during the Civil War? Perfection.
The book that made me want to do more with my life:
Kate Mulgrew has been slaying it every single day. I’m so glad she decided to share her story.
The book that made me want to tear down the patriarchy with my bare hands:
Fantastic feminism. Fuck yes.
The book that made me stop taking things for granted:
Croatia. 1991. Civil War. Stunning.
The last book of the year:
I think I saved the best for last. Tour de force, people. For real.
What were some of your standout books this year?
The Relentless Reader 
I'm so glad you felt the way I did about Robert Peace. It's stunning. I also adored Girl at War, Girl on the Train, and All the Light We Cannot See. Andi gifted me Bitch Planet, which I am so looking forward to reading. And all the rest are on my TBR. Soon, I hope!
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Must read The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace next year! The Girl on the Train was my most unputdownable book of 2015, too.
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Three of the books from which I am trying to choose as my FIrst Book are on this list. This makes the decision even more difficult!
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I had some very similar reactions to Irritable Hearts.
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Damn I love these categories!! Sadly, the only book I've read is Citizen. I'll change that in 2016. Happy New Year! I hope 2016 brings you more amazing books and is a fantastic year for you!
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I LOVED \”Kitchens of the Great Midwest\”! If I did a best of 2015 post (which I'm not…because, for me, it is like choosing my best kid), that would DEFINITELY be on the list. I own \”A Little Life\” but I don't think I'm emotionally ready for it yet.
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Ooooh! I'm so excited to read your list! What a great way to add more to my pile. Girl at War, Croatia, what? I'm there.
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THE BEST BLURBS! Tear it down, indeed.
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I've read one of those books: The Girl on the Train and it while I though it was good, it just missed my best of books for the year. I want to add Citizen to my list. I've heard good things…well, hey, also from you. 😉
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I love the way you broke down this list. I gave Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy to my best friend for Christmas this year. Lovers of awesome ladies and history, unite!!
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I enjoyed your labels. Uncomfortable books are always good I find…….. they make you think the most. Happy New Year
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Happy New Year! Really loved reading your standout list of books. Some of these are on my TBR stack so I'm excited to look forward to them.
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So many on your list that I MUST get to this year!
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Haha I love these superlatives so much! I still really want to read Delicious Foods! I should get on that pronto. Same with Girl at War, oh man.
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Three of these books is definitely on my list for 2016: The Girl on the Train, All The Light We Cannot See and Girl at War!
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I LOVE how you did this!!! Also, I'm glad one of the books I sent you made the list!! 🙂 I loved Liar Temptress Soldier Spy– definitely made my best of 2015. And I have to read Born with Teeth because I have been feeling like a miserable failure as of late and need some inspiration to start kicking ass, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Also, I need to read a bunch of these. I always love your posts ❤
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Some new books to look for, awesome! I read a blurb for Born With Teeth and realized she was on Ryan's Hope, and then forgot about the book.
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