36 Books Read in 2015

2015 has been a great year for reading. I am fairly confident I can read 50 in 2016 because I actually haven't read in the past 2 months - meaning I read 36 books in 10 months. I think I took some other hiatuses too. But can 2016 top 2015 in the quality and enjoy-abilty of books read in 2015? I hope so. Looking for some great recommendations. 

Here is a list of the books, authors, and a VERY QUICK mention whether or not I recommend the book:

1. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert; If you need inspiration to take your creativity to the next level, this book is top notch! Wish I read it years ago.
2. The Clasp by Sloane Crosley; One thumb up, one sideways? It was a bit too dreary for me.
3. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff; So good. I felt like it was 2 books in one, and I needed a break in between! It is intense.

4. Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen; I've never read her before, and I immediately loved her style of writing and hope to read more of her in 2016. The plot of this book, however, seems a little . . . endless?
5. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline; Not in my top 10, but still a great read. End was a little cheesy.
6. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd; Beautiful read, top 5.

7. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling; Fun read, will read her second book in 2016.
8. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes; Ugh, still don't get the hype for this one, but a lot of friends put this book in their top 5.
9. The Unexpected Waltz by Kim Wright; Thumbs down
10. The Canterbury Sisters by Kim Wright; Better than the above book, but still won't win any awards. A fun little read though.

11. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
12. The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty
13. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
14. (not shown) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

I fell in love with Liane Moriarty and her Australia based books, even though it started out rocky. I still peg her books as lighter reads, but they do make you think. I could not put these books down!

15. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel; This book was a little challenging for me. It jumped around a lot and lost me in a few places. But overall very good. And very dark.

16. Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins; Awesome thriller, read it in a day. 

17. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn; Great book, great writing. Less wordy than Gone Girl!

18. Adultery by Paulo Coelho; If you are familiar with the way he writes, this is a winner. It's more about a mid life crisis than the actual sex acts - not in the same category as 50 Shades of Grey!
19. The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henrique; I really enjoyed this book. Top 5. I actually have been thinking it would be an excellent high school social studies read. Then I got thinking I want to be a high school history or social studies teacher . . . and I digress
20. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion; Excellent quick read. Yes, I agree with the many people who say, if Sheldon wrote a book, this is what it would sound like.
21. (not shown) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion; not as good as the first, but still worth it.

22. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. Excellent and in many places quite hysterical!
23. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green; Oh how I loathe John Green. But oh, how I KNOW I would have loved him 22 years ago or so.
24. The Vacationeers by Emma Straub; If I can't remember what the book was about, then it probably isn't fantastic.

More books not shown above:

25. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant; Top 5 books of 2015. Maybe of all my years of reading.
26. The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant: I couldn't put it down, which made reading it very quick. Two thumbs up.
27. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; Once I got into it - which took months, I couldn't put it down. Beautiful World War II novel. Don't forget the tissues.
28. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; Another World War II. There are so many different points of view about this horrid war. This is from a French woman who tries to stay loyal as long as possible. Again, it might have been such fun to be a history teacher.
29. The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

30. Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

31. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand; Should have been called Beautiful Weekend.

32. Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand writes some lovely beach reads. Lighter reads for when you don't want to overly think. I will say Barefoot is a step above her other books I have read. Of course, this is all just my opinion. I am sure I will read her again in 2016. 

33. The Martian by Andy Weir; I could not put this one down - I had to know his fate on Mars! But I did skip a lot of scientific lingo along the way.

34. Still Alice by Lisa Genova; Wonderfully written and heartbreaking book about Alzheimer's disease.

35. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn; I forgot I read this one . . . not as good as her other two, but worth the read.

36. The Mermaid's Chair by Sue Monk Kidd; No where near as good as The Invention of Wings. I think back on it and think ehhh. 

I am getting started on H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald this weekend! Any other recommendations? Happy Reading!