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BOOKS OF 2014 + A NEW BOOK LIST FOR 2015

2014 was a pretty good “fun” reading year for me.  I make a quick list of all the books I can remember reading…I feel like I forgot a few.  I also included a list of books I want to read in 2015.  I have no doubt this list will change, but I am pretty excited about getting started on it.  Reading books like these are so great to escape with when it’s snowy or right before bed.  Reading has always been the perfect way for me to end the day. 

Without further adieu, here’s my book lists of 2014 and 2015:
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1. Z. A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler: I am obsessed with Zelda Fitzgerald.  I think she is such an amazingly interesting person.  I loved this novel told from her perspective. 
2. The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin I loved this book.  Anne Morrow Lindbergh is so intriguing.  Between her marriage to the most popular man on the planet at the time, the kidnapping of their child, and her amazing writing, she has an incredible story to read.
3. The House Girl by Tara Conklin: This book was good.  It was not my favorite of the year by any means, but it kept me interested.  A slave girl working for a family, painting for her mistress, while the mistress got credit for her work.  She runs to freedom to have a life for herself.  It parallels a modern-day lawyer as well.  I just was a little lost at the connection of the two.
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: Loved this crazy book.  Tied with my favorite of the year.
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Other favorite of the year.  The writing in this book was amazing!! So strange, but so captivating.  I can’t wait to watch the movie.
6. Sharp Edges by Gillian Flynn: Another twisty, turning Gillian Flynn book.  Loved this one too, but not as much as Gone Girl.
7. Gift of the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Loved this sweet book by Anne.  I was inspired to read this after reading The Aviator’s Wife.
8. Serena by Ron Rash: This was such a great book.  I can’t wait to watch Jennifer Lawrence play Serena this year.  Extra interesting to me since it took place very near where I was living at the time in NC.

Now to my 2015 list…obviously I’ve never read any of these so I don’t have much to say about them yet, but I will certainly let you know!!

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1. Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck
2. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
3. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
5. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
6. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
7. Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider
8. When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney
9. The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
10. Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
11. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
12. The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
13. UPDATE: I had to add this one when I realized she had a new book! The King’s Curse by Phillipa Gregory

What are you reading this year? Are there any from my 2015 list that you’ve read? What did you think? Any more I should add? SO many questions!!

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It’s freezing cold here in the Midwest today.  Sounds like a great day to stay put, light a fire, and read.  A lot.

15 Comments

  1. I came back to remind you of my favorite series that I've told you about in past years, Outlander. SO good. History, kick butt female lead, swoony male lead, adventure. It's the best. IF you do decide to read it, I'll give you my full 'reader discretion advised' bit on what to expect. Also, other books I loved in recent years: A Shadow In The Wind, Mark Of The Lion series,Katherine, Winter Orchard, The Winter Sea. I also loved Gone Girl and The Book Thief and Kate Morton's as I mentioned:)

  2. I love seeing other people's book lists! I love Kate Morton! And I also loved The Light Between Oceans- the writing was so beautiful, even though the story was so tragic. My book club was divided on it- some people hated it, some people loved it. I always read multiple books at once- on my nightstand right now I have: My Name is Resolute (new book club book), The Goldfinch (really good so far), The Best Yes, and Give Them Grace. Happy Reading! xo

  3. Hi! I just read an article you wrote for the prairie bundle at wild and free and had to come check you out- my you are organized! I need more of that. I've got four, two are schooling age and I'm a couple years in and still trying to find my sea legs:) anyway, thanks for the great tips and I'm so happy to follow along here too! Sadly, no reading for me, I've banned myself the last two years because I have a reading problem, it's been much better for the family this way, but I miss it so:)

    http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

  4. I just finished reading Finding Home, by Jim Daly, Pres. of Focus on the Family. It is the story of his life and how God used all the devastating circumstances in his life for his good, bringing him a wonderful wife and two sons along the way. It was inspiring. I also just finished The Nesting Place by blogger and author Myquillan Smith. She is such a neat decorator with a lot of awesome ideas to decorate on a budget and still have great style. This year I also plan to read The Best Yes, by Lysa Terkeurst and A Parents' Guide to Multiple Intelligences, by Dr. Kathy Koch. I'm sure I'll add to my list–I also like to make a list and cross them off when I'm done reading! Go Nerds!

  5. I would skip "The light between oceans." I read it last year and thought it was a waste of time. I didn't get what the big deal was. Just a thought ๐Ÿ™‚
    If you haven't read The Glass Castle, I would recommend it. One of faves from last year.

  6. Agatha Christie is one of my favorites and it's been years since since I've read her. And Then There Were None is one of her best. I've been meaning to read Kate Morton for some time now because everyone raves about her. I just finished my first book of the year – The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and it was (sadly) a disappointing start to the year. The story was interesting but there was too much bad language for me that I didn't care for. Trying to decide what to read next to cleanse my reading palate! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Great reads. Kate Morton is a favorite author of mine; the Secret Keeper a personal best. I'm currently reading, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Enjoy your quiet moments with a book in hand this new, colder winter of your life. Love following your traveling journey.
    Blessings,
    Susan
    @SugarBeans.org

  8. Hi Alicia, Val here. I just discovered a couple of years ago that Zelda Fitzgerald died in a fire just 1 mile from my house. I was walking along the greenway one day and stopped to read a sign which contained info about this. The mental hospital she lived in was in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. Crazy how you can live somewhere for so long and not know the history. I have a book recommendation for you too. Cutting For Stone, beautiful story. Hope you're staying warm.

  9. I've read Dark Places & Still Alice – I think you'll enjoy both of them! I don't have a "list" for 2015 – I keep a running list of want-to-reads in a little book & mark them off (& add to a "read it" list with the date) when I've read them #yesimanerd. If I come across one I really want to read right away, I go ahead & request it from the library. ๐Ÿ™‚

    I'll have to check out some of those on both your lists!

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