I’m a little behind on my reading this year, even with my Goodreads goal being ahead 11 books. That said, since we’re only halfway through the year, this list will most likely change, considering some of these books didn’t even hit a five-star rating. Some of the other five stars were re-reads, so I didn’t count those either.
Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far in 2015
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – Hands down the book to beat this year. And what luck! It actually came out this year, so I’m not so utterly behind. (I knew NetGalley was good for something, lol!) For those who’d love their fantasies drenched in folklore, dark themes, and gloweringly awesome characters, look no further. Seriously, though, read this book, I cannot recommend it enough.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo – My attraction to this book is like my attraction to chocolate. I still hold to this analogy because it’s true. I do hope Alina as a character gets better later on, because if there is one small caveat, it’d be her being super-broody about things.
The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett – ‘Nuff said, I think I’ve mentioned this book quite often enough what with me baking cookies for it. If the first batch of cookies hadn’t clued anyone in, certainly the second batch (which I submitted to the author’s “Ward Anything” contest) would have told you how much I liked this book.
Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks – Something something assassins something frelling badass. Yeah. It helps that my favorite characters kicked it up a notch at the end of this trilogy.
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb – It’s literature! Of the romantic persuasion! DON’T JUDGE ME.
Cinder by Mariss Meyer – I’m scared of starting the next book, because I don’t want Cinder’s story to end and for another character to begin hers! I know, I know, illogical, considering Cinder DOES show up in Scarlet, but still!
The Second Guard by J.D. Vaughn – Enjoyable enough, and certainly much more refreshing than your usual Western European-inspired fantasies (not that I mind those, either). Loved the characters!
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – Only Gaiman could get away with a boy called Nobody and still be taken seriously. This book is scary. Maybe not as scary as The Ocean at the End of the Lane as far as children’s books go, but still.
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier – Definitely a love-hate relationship with this book. Doesn’t seem to matter, because by the end of it, the book found me in a puddle of angst and tears and declarations of “I HATE YOU BUT I LOVE YOU OMG STAHP IT.” Yeah. It was that kind of day.
Flunked by Jen Calonita – This one made me giggle, mostly out of the cheesy names and the little backdrop articles. I suppose between a children’s fractured fairy tale and an edgier, urban YA of a similar theme, I’m backing children’s tales more often.
What were your best reads so far this year?
Story and Somnomancy 
It’s all your fault. I bought the Warded Man yesterday. <_< (HA HA HA You have Naked in Death on the list! \o/ ) As for The Graveyard Book, what does it say that I have so many of Neil Gaiman's books but do NOT have The Graveyard Book (or The Ocean at the End of the Lane)? Yessss, one is a WUSS! (I'll end up getting them … someday …)
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Haha. I actually do not have Ocean at the End of the Lane. Normally I just borrow Gaiman books, and occasionally I get them as presents XD
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Yo, Dilas is amazing… go read it!!!
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Silas… darnit!
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I’ve been hearing so much about Uprooted this week – I’ll have to get my hands on it.
Check out my TTT.
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Definitely do! I got an eARC for it, but I’ll probably end up with a hard copy because I loved it.
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Yay, for Juliet Marillier! I need to read Uprooted soon, everyone is raving about it. Great list this week!
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Yes, I think I’ve seen Uprooted and A Court of Thorns and Roses quite a bit these past few weeks, and most of the reviews have been stellar!
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I think Uprooted may be universally adored – I haven’t heard a negative thing said about it. That’s probably the one on your list that I most want to read. The ones I have read, I also really liked. I know what you mean about Cinder but it will all be okay if you continue on to book 2 – there’s even a fun new character/companion for Cinder:). I’m most intrigued by The Second Guard which is one I haven’t heard of before. Happy reading!
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Oh yeah, I have the rest of the Lunar Chronicle books so far, so I will definitely be delving into book 2 sometime soon! The Second Guard is marketed as a children’s book, though admittedly it potentially is a step up from children’s and a bit less than a YA as far as content. I really liked it because it was based on a Meso-American mythos, and the nation in question is a renowned matriarchy (yay girl powah!).
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Neil Gaiman is strange and a little dark, but I do adore his books. I hadn’t tried them for years because I thought they’d be too scary for me… probably a good thing, as I needed to be a little braver as a reader!
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The only book on your list that I read was the Graveyard book. Which, I loved… until the end and felt it was one of those overdone ‘now you’re an adult you lose all your magic’ tropes and I was fairly disappointed by it. But the rest was pure magic!
I just updated my blog with my list of books read so far. I didn’t review many but I have loved quite a few of my books so far. I enjoyed Goblin Emperor, the Martian, the Way of Kings series. The Parasol Protectorate series is fun, too. I need to see about reading some of the books you’ve posted here.
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Goblin Emperor and Way of Kings are definitely on my TBR! I’ve read book 1 of Parasol Protectorate and loved it as well, and am also enjoying the Custard Protocol series that Carriger has out.
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Loved Uprooted also. I’ve been trying to reread it so I can fully appreciate everything, but it’s so dark and intense that I keep needing to take breaks. :S
Like you, I had some reservations about Alina in Shadow and Bone, but I do think she becomes something to behold in the next two books. (I just read all 3 books this month. They destroyed me.)
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Completely understandable about taking breaks with Uprooted. That book is intense!
Good to know about Alina! And lol, oh boy. Books destroying people make me apprehensive. I’m not sure how much of a withdrawal I might have after finishing the series…
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