Top 15 Books of 2015

2015 ended up being a much better reading year than I expected! I read a total of 70 books this year, after setting a goal of 50. I think joining Booktube and having a place to talk about books with other people pushed me to read more, and I'm so glad! I read a lot of really good books this year, but let me tell you about my favorite fifteen.

Note: These are not necessarily books that came out in 2015, just books that I read in 2015. Books I have reviewed on my channel will have a link.

Runner Up, Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Look at these gorgeous new covers! They form one giant picture and it's beautiful. This series follows a boy named Percy starting on his 11th birthday when he finds out he's a demigod- his dad is the Greek god Poseidon. Throughout the series (and it's follow up series Heroes of Olympus) we see Percy and his demigod friends battle monsters, strengthen friendships, and save the world. I'm working my way through all of Rick Riordan's books and none have been disappointing.

15. Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie pulled off the greatest surprise ever for the 10th anniversary of Twilight (besides publishing Midnight Sun. THAT would've been the greatest): she published a new book in the Twilight world. It's not a completely brand new story, it's Twilight reimagined with all the genders swapped. Because Bella is now Beau, some little things change, and then the whole story changes a little bit. And I loved every second. In addition to my review linked above, I have a reaction video here.

14. Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards

This book was a total surprise! The cover drew me in at Barnes and Noble, the blurb on the back sounded interesting, and then I stayed up all night to finish it. When Chloe wakes up in study hall, six months have passed and she can't remember anything, but everything in her life has done a 180 degree twist. No one will answer her questions and she's determined to get to the bottom of it all. Really intriguing book! She has another book out and I'm going to have to get it this year, because SMO kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

13. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

This book. I can't tell you a lot about it. In fact, e. lockhart told me to lie about this book if asked about it, so let's just not say much. A wealthy family summers on their private island, and some dark secrets come out. This book is incredibly easy to fly through, and makes you wonder what the heck is happening most of the time. I initially disliked this book, but here we are months later and I keep thinking about it. So it's moved up my rating a bit. Just read it, and then we can chat.

12. The Heir by Kiera Cass

I loved The Selection series so much, so when I heard about this one I was so excited! And I was not disappointed! I liked Eadlyn more than I liked America and really enjoyed seeing her go through her own selection. Getting to see the whole process from the royal perspective was a nice twist. She has some wonderful contenders, and I can't wait for the final installment of this series to see who she chooses!

11. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi 

This book. This book has the most unique, gorgeous writing style I've ever read. It's sort of train of thought with certain things crossed out and other things written in. Juliette has a...talent, shall we call it? Her touch is lethal. Because of this, she's been locked away for most of her life, until the beginning of our story, when she is rescued and suddenly treated more like a superhero than a monster, though people still don't trust her. This story is just so great and I'm looking forward to finishing the series this year.

10. The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst

I think every woman, really person, in ministry should read this. It is geared towards women, but I think men could get something out of it too. It's about making wise decisions that lead you to your best life, not the busy life. About knowing when to say yes and when to say no. In fact, there are three chapters dedicated to "no" in this book about The Best Yes! Terkeurst also helps you chase down decisions, to step back and see what that small yes may lead to and if it's where you really want to go. Great book!

9. You're Never Weird on the Internet...Almost by Felicia Day

YES. I love Felicia Day (hence the photo of us in this post about her book), and this memoir was fantastic. I loved learning more about her life, her passion for the things she loves, and her drive to make things happen. This book made me laugh, and while I would have liked to see at least one story about the boys of Supernatural, this still got five stars from me.

8. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Set only 40 years in our future, humanity is crumbling and seeks relief in an online world called The Oasis. Not only is it an escape from the depression of daily life, but with a chance to win the inheritance of The Oasis' creator, it holds the promise of lifelong happiness and comfort. This book is so well done. Yes, it's very detailed, but Cline has literally created dozens of new technologies and worlds in this book. The characters are wonderful and the story line will keep you hooked. This is set to become a movie next year by the great Steven Spielberg and I can't wait to see this translated to the big screen.

7. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

No one can write about mental health issues as hilariously as Jenny Lawson. Her first book cracked me up and made me literally laugh out loud, and this one was no different. This book focuses more on her depression, anxiety, etc. than the first, but all with the signature Bloggess touch. I'm pretty sure the people around me on the plane thought I was crazy, because I was crying-snort-laughing in my seat. Just read this. 

6. Amish Vampires in Space by Kerry Nietz

Okay. I know how this looks.
But you guys, this is a real book. A hefty 400+ page book. And it's sorta kinda awesome. It's literally about Amish Vampires in Space. And there's a sequel!! I need to get my hands on it...it's Amish Zombies From Space. But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed this book, despite the insane premise. While the subject is obviously interesting, the characters lived up to it, for the most part. I just really enjoyed this book.

5. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

This book is simply lovely. Maddie is allergic to everything and is content in her quiet bubbled life with just her mom and her virtual tutor. That is, until a cute mysterious boy moves in next door. Suddenly Maddie is doing things she never imagined and the results are at turns disastrous and heartwarming. My only complaint about this book is that it's not a tad bit longer. I just needed a little bit more to this story; it wrapped up too quickly! 

4. 52 Ways to Live a Kick-ass Life by Andrea Owen

My friend lent me this book for a plane ride and I lapped it up in just over one flight. With several pages of notes in my journal (since it wasn't my book I couldn't write in it). This is a self-help type book with very simple steps to take to help you live your best life. I absolutely loved this book. I had also read You Are a Badass this year (different author) but 52 Ways was much better, in my opinion. I related to Andrea and just liked her style more.

3. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Oh man. This book. I picked it up looking for a light, sweet read. I was very wrong to assume this would be that book. However, it was amazing and I'm so glad I read it. This novel deals with themes of suicide and hints at bipolar disorder, and Jennifer weaves such a beautiful story through these themes. I laughed, I cried, I hugged the book when I was done.

2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A friend sent me this book (thanks Jess!) when it came into her possession but she wasn't interested in it. It sat on my shelf for a little while before I finally picked it up and oh.my.chuck. I LOVED this book so much more than I expected to. And it's just grown on me as time has gone by. Kel has the ability to travel between the three different universes that contain a version of London, a gift he shares with only one other person. One day things begin to go terribly wrong and a spunky girl named Lila gets mixed up with the drama.

This book was unique for me in that when it ended, I was satisfied with the ending while still having some lingering questions. Lucky for me, when I looked it up on GoodReads, I found out it's part of a series! YAY! The next book comes out this year and I can't wait!

1. Illuminae by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff

Here we are, my absolute favorite book of the year is 1000% Illuminae. I read it twice in 2015 because I loved it so much. I had picked it up at BookCon and started reading it a few months later without knowing anything about it. That is absolutely the way to go. What sets this book apart and makes the story so much better is the way it's told. Illuminae uses a collection of documents to tell the story of the Kerenza Incident, such as security transcripts, emails, interviews, medical records, and artificial intelligence reports. This book has so much happening in it, you just need to read it to understand my love and excitement (and this massive gorgeous book is only $10 on Amazon, so you have no excuses). I show some of the pictures and gorgeousness inside during my video review, so click the title up there to see it.

So there you have it, my favorite reads of 2015! Which one do you want to read? 
What were your favorite books of the year?

My 7 Favorite Reads of 2014

Well, it's that time of year again. Everyone is reminiscing about the past year, making their best whatever lists. I've got my fair share of lists happening, too, but this is my favorite one to share. My favorite reads of 2014! This year the selection is a bit diverse, and not too long. I didn't read as much as usual this year. In fact, I don't even think I'll make it to 40 books, never mind my goal of 50 :( But it was such a fun year of adventures and fun that I can't complain. I'll just have to try harder next year :) So let's talk books now.

Let's All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs

This list isn't in much of an order, but this book is definitely my favorite book of the year. So much so, that I bought copies for a few of my girls to make them read it. It is SO. GOOD. I just, I can't even explain to you what this book means to me. Annie writes in a way that is simple and inspiring and makes me want to be her best friend. Her manner, her thoughts, her subject matter are something that I related to so much, even while thinking "she's so much braver than me", but that just made me braver in my day-to-day life, all at the same time. I finished reading this book in early September and it hasn't left my coffee table. I can't bear to put it away yet. Just seeing it on my table every day, thumbing through the highlighted passages every so often, inspires me to be my best self, my bravest self. I could go on and on about how much I love this book, but just go out and buy this book. Now.

The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau

I kept seeing this one floating around the interwebs and in my DnB groups, so I finally broke down and bought it. And I am so glad I did! This is a great companion to Let's All Be Brave. Chris shares the stories of people who have undertaken quests of all shapes and sizes to find their purpose in life and breaks down the common traits to inspire the reader to find their own Quest. I still have no idea what mine really is, but I'm inspired and searching. This book flew by and was so interesting and encouraging. 

Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

This is the most fun and creative autobiography ever. I love NPH, and when I learned he had a book out, I immediately headed to the bookstore to get it. I was already in my pajamas for the night, but I changed to jeans and went to buy it, then read it in a day. He wrote the whole story in second person narrative like the choose your own adventure books of old. You choose how the book plays out, which stories you read in which order. It was fantastic! It was such an entertaining read from an entertaining man and made me love him even more.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman

Okay, quick little disclaimer: this book is not a clean read. Kristin's lifestyle and my own are very different. But we do share the travel addiction, and that made me absolutely love this book. The way she describes her relationship with travel finally gave me a way to put my own into words. She understood the feelings I get when I travel, and when I don't travel, in a way I haven't been able to describe or find someone else who relates. Her search for herself was absolutely relatable. Take out the massive drinking and crazy sexcapades, and I think we're the same person. Right down to travel injuries.

Impact by Casey Lewis

I read two finance books this year: this one and Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. And as I said in my review, I like Casey's better. I found him to be more relatable and down to earth, even while they both shared the same info and similar methods. Great tips and advice in a non-threatening manner. If you need to get your finances in order, check it out!

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

I read the whole series this year, including Four just yesterday (thanks Chrissy!)! I loved this series! In case you don't know what it's about (have you been living in a cave?), the Divergent series follows Tris Prior in a dystopian future where society is divided into five factions based on the personal traits they most value. At 16, she must choose what faction she wants to be part of, even if it means abandoning her family. But, of course, nothing is as it seems and soon the world they've come to know is falling apart and Tris is at the center. This series is great! There is plenty of action and drama, romance, humor, you name it. And it fit in with the apparent theme of bravery my reading took this year. My biggest complaint is with Allegiant, and not for the reason most readers dislike it. I just found the Tobias sections super whiney, and he was never like that before! It made me really angry that he was being so whiney and made it tough to get through the book. So I try to pretend it didn't happen, because I really like Four. The rest of the series I love, especially getting to see into Tobias's past in Four.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Ohmygosh, this book, ohmygosh. You guys, I LOVE this book. I think this should be up at the top, but I wanted to bookend this post with my top two favorites. Everything else is a random order, but this....this is definitely my favorite fiction read of the year. Fangirl is about an introverted uber-fangirl named Cath who is starting college with her twin sister- who seems to want nothing to do with her now that they're in college. So Cath sticks to herself, mainly writing popular fanfiction in her dorm room and avoiding the real world. Her roommate Reagan and the over-friendly Levi refuse to let her hole up completely, pulling her out of her shell and becoming an unlikely trio. Okay, that's not a great description. But let me just say, that if you fangirl over anything, you'll probably relate to this book. I loved that the main character was so introverted and socially awkward and slightly neurotic, because it was so so so relatable! I was laughing, I was crying, I was and am Cath. I flew through this book, too, reading it in less than 24 hours because I just couldn't stop. I NEEDED to know what happened. There was just so much to this book! So many turns and stories woven in. I didn't love the ending, mainly because it ended. I just wanted more! It left off at a very sweet moment, but I just wanted a little more...something. But ohmygosh, I just want to read it again, and I just finished it last week. If you fangirl or geek out about books, you need this in your life.

So that's it! My top 7 favorite books of 2014! What were your favorite books of the year?

I'm Ready, 2014!

I can't believe it's already 2014! The past year just flew by! And it was a great year. I did a bunch of new things, and had some incredible adventures (and I just realized I never shared about Iceland...we'll see if I can make that happen this month.) I really enjoyed 2013, and I am looking forward to 2014 even more. Let's take a look back, and a look ahead, shall we?

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2013 was deemed "The Year of Awesome". I set a bunch of goals. I didn't meet each of the twenty-six goals, but I did make progress on nearly each one. Some I achieved, though! Like, I read 50 books, was really good with my budget, left the country twice, and tried one new thing each month. I came super close to my book-reviewing goal (I did 14, my goal was 15). There were only three things on my list that made little-to-no progress. I'd say that's a successful year!

I even found new things to enjoy and set new goals during the year, like taking up running and joining the Group-That-Must-Not-Be-Named.  I filled up my Books Read notebook completely (my fave books of the year to come in the next post). I spent 10 Days Without Technology. I went to Iceland and did adventurous things I never expected to ever do in my life, and I crossed some stuff off my bucket list. It was a fantastic year.

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Looking ahead to 2014, I've been thinking hard about what kind of goals I want to set. I'm not going to set another 26 goals. That's a lot, and I don't want to be overwhelmed this year (that's one of my goals: rest and relax). To be honest, I'm still getting them all set, but it's going to be a much shorter list than last year, though the goals will still be important and awesome. Like, I'm toying with the idea of aiming for 500 miles run this year. I haven't decided yet. But some of the real goals on my list: Pay extra towards my loans, get to a certain jean size, read the Bible in 90 days, and cross 4 more things off the bucket list.

I'm going to continue adventuring and trying new things, but we don't have a set goal of a new thing every month for this year. We do have a list of things to try, though! I'm really excited for the possibilities of this year, and for where God is leading me. I'm excited to rest and have fun, while growing and adventuring. Bring it on, 2014!

How was your 2013? Got any big plans for 2014?

Verse of the Year: 2013

Finally had a chance to pick my verse of the year from church! And it's only February 6th...go me! I'm so happy with my verse(s); they couldn't be more perfect!

Background before I share the verses: Just today I was thinking about where my life is heading (and liking it!). That my ministry life has been shifting to a stronger focus on Children's Ministry and Missions (no big surprise). Just today I signed up as a blogger for an organization working to end human trafficking (more on that later), worked on a program for the kids, and did some work for the missions department. So I'm loving life and where I'm heading, excited for what God's got in store and what the vision of my leaders is.

So when I closed my eyes and picked a card from the bin after the first major staff meeting of the year, I picked the perfect one. Not only is it pink(ish), but the two verses are perfect for where my life is headed. The first one I read was Acts 10:35

In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of the ol' KJV. The "-eth"s always throw me off. I got the basic gist, and liked it right away, though. How much more perfect does it get for someone in missions?! But I wanted wording I could relate to, so I headed to BibleGateway. (If you don't know about BibleGateway, check it out! They have every version you can imagine, plus Bible studies and commentaries/concordances. They rock!) The easiest-to-understand was the NKJV, but I really like the Amplified.

But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].

Yes!! Now the other half of my "background info" is that the major thing holding me back in a lot of ways is finances. I make enough to pay my bills, though it sometimes gets tight because I get cancelled for shifts on occasion. Added to this, I am not longer under my dad's insurance, so I need to buy my own, the lowest cost I'm eligible for is nearly $300 a month! Not cool. So when I flipped my card over, I was glad to see Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Two verses, two perfect words for my life this year! Can't wait to see everything that's in store, and to share with you as it comes to pass! Do you have a verse (or two) for your year? What is it?

My Best Reads of 2012

Sadly, I didn't make it to my goal of 50 books this year :( But I DID get super duper close: I read 49 books, parts of some other books, and a metric ton of blog posts. So here are the five books I loved the most this year. They are in no particular order; I had a hard enough time just narrowing it down to five!

Kisses From Katie (Katie Davis)
This was my first book in 2012 and I LOVED it! Katie's story is crazy and her faith is inspirational. How many 18 year-olds do you know that would move halfway across the world and adopt 15 kids on her own?!

Leading on Empty (Wayne Cordeiro)
This book has helped so much to help me learn to balance my life and my work/ministry. I am not totally good at the whole resting thing until it gets bad, but with this book I've gotten better, and plan to keep at it in 2013.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened (Jenny Lawson)
I have never laughed so much or so hard at a book as I did with this one. Jenny Lawson is hysterical with life stories that are too funny to be made up. Because of this book, she's now on my list of "Famous People I Want to be Friends With". Be warned though, she swears like a sailor.

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke (Suze Orman)
This book is long and detailed, but so good! I now am prepared to get my finances totally in order, including starting a retirement fund. Suze walks you through everything from credit cards and ratings to retirement planning and big-ticket purchases while acknowledging the difficulties of being young and broke. A Must Read for young people wanting to start a strong financial life.

When Helping Hurts (Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert)
Corbett and Fikkert make the point that the poor are people as much as anyone else, yet many poverty relief projects treat them as if they can't do anything for themselves. The authors go on to share how to best help the poor while honoring them as people and empowering them to take charge of their own lives. Should be read by anyone in Missions or Outreach ministries.

So that's my favorite reads of 2012! There were a bunch of other great books, and you can see the list here. What great things did you read this year?