Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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?

19 comments:

  1. The Hobbit and LOTR are different for sure but both oh so good!

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  2. Oh nice! Lots of ACOTAR going around today! I chose that one too, because it was awesome!! ;)

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  3. Dreams of Gods and Monsters made my list this week too! I haven't read Landline yet but I'm with you on the auto buy for Rainbow Rowell.
    I haven't finished the Raven Cycle yet but have yet to read anything better than Maggie Stiefvater's Lament and especially Ballard.
    MyTTT@Crushingcinders

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  4. BLLB! I LOVED that one! I also really enjoyed ACOTAR. I NEED to read Vicious. I've been wanting to read that one since the second I finished A Darker Shade of Magic!

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  5. Raven Cycle is definitely one of my all time favorite series and Blue Lily, Lily Blue is my favorite book of the series so far. I can't believe that we have to wait until March for the next book. :( I really want to read Red Rising so I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) Lovely list!

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  6. Great list. I've seen ACOTAR on a few lists already today, I really need to read it.My TTT

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  7. I started reading The Hobbit to my son, little by little, as a bedtime story last year but we still haven't finished it yet!

    Here's my TTT: http://bmariebooks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/top-ten-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2015.html

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  8. Landline made my list too! That was my first Rainbow Rowell, but not my last, I plan on reading more from her. I love Percy Jackson as well. Looking forward to reading the new series coming this fall featuring the Norse gods!

    http://hiddenstaircase.net/2015/06/30/ttt-top-ten-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2015/

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  9. I keep seeing A Court of Thorns and Roses on people's lists. I am officially going to buy it after work due to the many recommendations. Also, I hope you enjoy Golden Son when you get to it. I'm rather obsessed with that series.

    My list: http://jmillwanders.com/2015/06/30/top-ten-tuesday-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2015/

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  10. I just finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue and knew I had to add it to my list! Great picks!

    Check out my TTT.

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  11. YAY for Victoria Schwab! I love the Archived series, but I haven't gotten around to reading her adult novels yet. This list/your praise of Vicious motivates me to fix that.

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  12. I'm planning to read Vicious next month, so I'm really thrilled to see it on your list. It sounds really awesome and I've been wanting to read it ever since I first heard about it. And I totally need to start Taylor's series - I keep hearing such wonderful things about it and I just need to start it.

    My TTT

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  13. I have yet to read anything by Rainbow Rowell... I have a few of her book titles on my reading wishlist. Soooo, many book choices to read and so little time!!

    Here's a link to my TTT for the week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-ive-read.html

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  14. I loved Percy Jacksn but still haven't got round to starting Heroes of Olympus. I'm the opposite to you, Days of Blood & Starlight was my favourite in the trilogy.

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  15. Great list! I'm hoping to read Vicious and Landline soon because I have copies of both. I'm definitely glad to see that they made your list!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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  16. New follower! Thanks for the recommendations! I've definitely added several to my to-read list! Check out my TTT post: https://greenishbookshelf.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/top-10-tuesday-top-10-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2015/

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  17. I've been meaning to start ToG series by Sarah J. Maas and the Raven cycle soon but the wait for new books might kill me so I'm still waiting for those series to finish. I already have Daughter of Smoke and Bone on my bookshelf so I might start that soon! Great picks! :)

    Ella @ The Filipina Booknote

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  18. Oh, I MUST read so very many of these! I think from your list, the only one I have read is In the Afterlight! OH and ACOTAR! Which I did enjoy. I also just acquired a bunch of Victoria Schwab's books, so now I can read them!! Fabulous list!!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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  19. There's so many books on your list that I want to read! Also, I nominated you for the Liebster Award, see this page for more information :) xx

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