Top Ten Books I've Read in 2015 So Far

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Wow, we're halfway through the year already! I can't believe it.

At right this moment, I have read 45 books and am quite behind on my reading challenge. However, with my studying out of the way (for now), I am hopeful that one day I will catch up. Despite having only read 45 books, I still had a struggle with limiting this list to just 10.

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Having read Lord of the Rings years ago (back in middle school) and loving it ever since, it always amazes me why it took me so long to finally read The Hobbit. Admittedly, it targets a very different demographic but it is still full of Tolkien magic.

2. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Wow. That was all my brain could come up with when I finished this book. It is a fast-paced novel peering into the ugly underbelly of the supernatural. I absolutely loved it. 

3. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is now on my list of auto-buy authors. I have read every single one of her works to date and have loved all of them.

4. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

I went on a Rick Riordan binge at the beginning of 2014 and read all five books in the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series as well as the first two books in the "Heroes of Olympus" series. However, I didn't complete the series until earlier this year. It had been awhile but I picked up the series almost right away. The final three books were amazing. So much character development. So much Greek and Roman mythology. I loved it.

5. The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

Victoria Schwab is also on my list of auto-buy authors. I really enjoyed this duology and found it an absolute shame that the publisher didn't pick up the third book. I'm really REALLY hoping that one day they will change their mind. Because I really need more of Mac and Wesley!!!

6. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle quartet simply gets more and more interesting with every volume that Maggie Stiefvater releases. I simply cannot wait for The Raven King to be released next year. I cannot believe we have to wait another nine months.

7. In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

It has been a very long time since I read The Darkest Minds and Never Fade. The beginning was a bit of a struggle as I couldn't remember some of the smaller plot points. But once I got into the novel, In the Afterlight was absolutely amazing. It had everything I wanted in the final volume of a dystopian series - action, intrigue, plot twists and closure. Review coming soon.

8. Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

My enthusiasm for this series sort of waned in the second volume, Days of Blood & Starlight. But it rose again with Dreams of Gods & Monsters. Laini Taylor has a way of building and escalating the anticipation and the suspense and delivering a powerful conclusion. I highly recommend this series to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas' writing just keeps getting better and better. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a fantastical retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. It is a perfect blend of elements from the traditional story as well as Maas' own imagination.

10. Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend, not really sure what I was expecting. And the opening premise completely blew my mind. The middle section then became a bit mainstream, bringing together elements from The Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies. Personally, I found the ending slightly disappointing.  Nevertheless, I am looking forward to reading Golden Son.

So there you go. Those are the top ten books I've read in 2015 so far. I'm hoping to accomplish a lot more reading by the end of the year and who knows, maybe the list will be looking very different by then.

What about you guys, which books made your list?