My 2015 Reading Journey: Goals, Discoveries, and Top Book Recommendations

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a group of book lovers connects. It was around this time last year when a dear friend initiated a Facebook group, bringing together several of us who shared an insatiable passion for reading. Once the conversation started, fueled by shared literary enthusiasm, it quickly became clear how difficult it is to get us to stop! Readers, unite! This community quickly became a treasure trove of recommendations, insights, and heartfelt discussions about the books that captivated us. I cherished hearing about what others were diving into, and I’m thrilled to share that many of the books I devoured this year came highly recommended by my wonderful friend Kristen, who I affectionately think of as my personal Oprah when it comes to insightful book selections.

Setting and Conquering My 2015 Reading Challenge with Goodreads

One exciting new endeavor I embraced this year, inspired by our vibrant Facebook group, was setting a reading goal on Goodreads. Prior to this, I honestly had no realistic grasp of how many books I could truly read in a year. To start, I set a seemingly ambitious goal of 30 books. Little did I know, this challenge would transform my reading habits and introduce me to an incredibly supportive online community. I’m incredibly proud to report that I not only met this goal but surpassed it this very week! In fact, as I type these words, I am literally finishing the final pages of my 30th book, Inside the O’Briens. For any fellow book enthusiasts out there who aren’t yet part of the Goodreads community, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s an invaluable platform and app for meticulously tracking books you’ve read, organizing your “to-be-read” list, and discovering new titles. It has become an indispensable tool in my reading life, a resource I frequently consult during my library visits or when browsing a bookstore.

Working towards a specific reading goal added an unexpected layer of enjoyment and motivation to my literary adventures. It transformed reading from a casual hobby into a delightful pursuit. This structured approach not only pushed me to explore new genres and authors but also provided a tangible sense of accomplishment with each completed book. Goodreads isn’t just a tracker; it’s a social hub where you can connect with friends, join reading challenges, write reviews, and explore personalized recommendations based on your reading history. It truly enriches the entire reading experience, turning solitary reading into a shared journey.

Discovering the Power of Audiobooks with Audible

A significant factor that helped me achieve my reading goal was my newfound love for audiobooks, particularly through Audible (Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks <—affiliate link). While listening to books sometimes takes a bit longer than physically reading them, it essentially allowed me to “read” two books simultaneously—one with my eyes and one with my ears. This dual approach was a game-changer, enabling me to incorporate more stories into my busy schedule. I quickly discovered a particular fondness for listening to books within the historical fiction genre. There’s something uniquely immersive about visualizing a story unfold in your mind’s eye while listening to the narration, a different kind of engagement than traditional reading. For certain types of historical narratives, I’ve found that the auditory experience enhances my connection to the period and characters in a way that sometimes surpasses reading the physical text. This method has not only boosted my book count but also opened up a whole new dimension of literary enjoyment, allowing me to delve into captivating stories during commutes, chores, or workouts.

My Top Reads of 2015: Unforgettable Stories and Emotional Journeys

Among the many wonderful books I encountered this year, several truly stood out as favorites, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and mind. If I had to pick the absolute best, these would be at the top of my list: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, a captivating exploration of memory and identity; The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, a beautiful coming-of-age story rich with historical detail; The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (an incredible audiobook experience), a magical and poignant tale set in the Alaskan wilderness; The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (another phenomenal audiobook), a powerful story of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France; and The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (also fantastic as an audiobook), a deeply moving narrative about the lives of Sarah Grimké and Handful, her enslaved maid. Each of these books offered unique perspectives and compelling storytelling that resonated deeply with me.

Reflecting on my reading choices this year, I noticed a recurring theme of “tragic” or emotionally intense stories. Books like Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng and Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer, while impeccably written and profoundly excellent, truly tugged at my heartstrings and presented tough, challenging narratives. They were not always easy reads, but their raw honesty and powerful character development made them incredibly impactful and thought-provoking. These kinds of books, though they can be emotionally draining, often offer the deepest insights into the human condition, making them ultimately rewarding experiences despite their somber themes.

Sharing the Joy of Reading: Books with My 11-Year-Old Son

Beyond my personal reading, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my literary year was sharing stories with my 11-year-old son. We embarked on several joint reading adventures, a tradition I eagerly plan to expand upon in the coming year. We journeyed through Lois Lowry’s classic, The Giver (which he loved so much that I bought him the rest of the series for Christmas!), explored the heartwarming world of Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and continued our magical quest with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. He’s already a seasoned reader of the Harry Potter series, having read them at least four times, and is (impatiently!) waiting for me to catch up to his pace. Reading together fosters not only a love for books but also creates precious shared moments and sparks wonderful conversations. If you have any fantastic recommendations for books to read alongside an avid 11-year-old boy, please do send them my way! I’m always on the lookout for our next great adventure.

My Complete 2015 Reading List

Here you have it – a comprehensive look at the books that filled my 2015. From captivating fiction to insightful non-fiction, and everything in between, each book offered a unique window into different worlds and experiences. I encourage you to browse this list, perhaps discovering your next favorite read among them!

Books I Read in 2015:

• We Are Called To Rise by Laura McBride
• The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
• The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
• Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
• Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer
• Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burbo
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
• Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center
• All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
• The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Wonder by RJ Palacio
• Cooking As Fast I Can by Cat Cora
• One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
• Paper Towns by John Green
• Little Bee by Chris Cleave
• Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
• The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
• Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
• Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova
• The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Join the Conversation: Your Favorite Reads and Recommendations!

What an incredible year 2015 has been for reading! I’d love to hear from you. Have you read any of these books? What were your most cherished reads of the year? Please share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below. Let’s keep the literary conversation going!

Happy Reading, and don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads throughout the year for more book ideas and updates. You can also check out the Book Love section of my blog for past posts and more literary inspiration.