So I was going to do one of those “best books of 2015” posts, and then I realised that a), “best” is entirely subjective and “favourite” seems a better term, and b), of the 29 books I read this year, only a small handful were actually published in 2015. And on top of that, I’m not counting ARCs, because things start to get confusing–I’m pretty sure I’ve read several 2015 books in 2014, and thus listed them in my 2014 reading.
Anyway, you get the picture.
Instead, then, is my list of five favourite books read in 2015.
Star Wars: Aftermath
Chuck Wendig, 2015
This is of course the year of Star Wars, and to my delight and supreme annoyance, my pal Chuck got to write probably the most important Star Wars book of them all. And the thing is… it’s good. In fact, I think it’s the best Star Wars novel ever written. I can’t wait for the next two volumes.
Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl
Carrie Brownstein, 2015
Rock biogs were in this year. Sleater-Kinney are my favourite band, so I was looking forward to guitarist/singer Carrie Brownstein’s memoir. It’s a fascinating book about riot grrl, feminism, and (of course) Sleater-Kinney. I was also rather chuffed to see my own book, Made to Kill, on the same best of list as this one. I’m sure Carrie feels the same.
Afterparty
Daryl Gregory, 2014
I’ve known Daryl for a while (we are, after all, founding members of the Two First Names gang), but Afterparty was the first book of his that I’ve actually read. And… I loved it. A near-future novel about a drug that makes you believe in God, it instantly made Daryl one of my favourite writers. Honourable mentions to his novel Harrison Squared and World Fantasy Award-winning novella, We Are All Completely Fine, which I also devoured this year.
Christine
Stephen King, 1983
I’m valiantly attempting to read all of Stephen King’s novels in publication order (apart from new releases, which I’m allowed to read when they come out – I started my 2015 reading with the incredible Revival), and finally reached Christine. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but I was blown away (as I am with every King novel I read) by the depth of story and characterisation.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Agatha Christie, 1920
Another reading challenge has been to read all of Agatha Christie in publication order. I’ve only just started, but was immediately hooked by her debut, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. One down, sixty-six (plus short story collections) to go.
Next up, a slightly harder task–whittling down my list of favourite comics of 2015!
