Better Than Dreams - Page 67 of 216 - Staying Up Too Late Reading

I decided not to do any reading challenges in 2014. For the full story, see this post.

However, in 2014, a lot changed in my life and I started reading more frequently, so I decided to sign up for some reading challenges yet again! I decided to stick to more relaxed challenges only. I went through the Novel Challenges list and discounted any challenges with rules that were too strict. I skipped challenges that required me to stick to one goal as I wanted to be able to challenge myself more if I was doing well.

I hoped to stick to the spirit of 2014 – reading for fun – and to try to resist the temptation to create a spreadsheet! “Let’s see how long THAT lasts…” I said, and I did resist for the entire year! It’s okay, I made a lot of spreadsheets for work. I still love spreadsheets.

So, how did I do?

British Books Challenge

DONE – I beat the goal of reading 12 books by British authors in 2015!

I last attempted the British Books Challenge in 2011 and I managed 7 books out of the 12 I originally planned to read. As I found it so hard I avoided it in subsequent years, but for 2015 it was being run by the wonderful Michelle at Fluttering Butterflies who is a) lovely and b) persistent, so I found it impossible to resist!

I also vlogged the British Books Challenge, which I think helped a lot as it encouraged me to read enough books to talk about in each vlog!

British Books I Read In 2015:

1. Five Children and It, by E. Nesbit
2. Trouble, by Non Pratt
3. The Bookshop Book, by Jen Campbell
4. Beware The Dwarfs, by Terri Paddock
5. Gypsy Girl, by Kathryn James
6. Elizabeth is Missing, by Emma Healey
7. Remix, by Non Pratt
8. The Sin Eater’s Daughter, by Melinda Salisbury
9. Wintersmith, by Terry Pratchett
10. The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins
11. The Lost and the Found, by Cat Clarke
12. The Year of the Rat, by Clare Furniss
13. Crow Mountain, by Lucy Inglis
14. Have a Little Faith, by Candy Harper
15. Keep the Faith, by Candy Harper
16. Lorali, by Laura Dockrill
17. Counting Stars, by Keris Stainton
18. Killing the Dead, by Marcus Sedgwick
19. Return to the Secret Garden, by Holly Webb
20. The Wolf Wilder, by Katherine Rundell
21. Witch Wars, by Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson
22. Cuckoo Song, by Frances Hardinge
23. The End of Mr Y, by Scarlett Thomas
24. Lobsters, by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

Dive into Diversity Reading Challenge

As this has no specific goal I’m not sure how I did..! However, although I read a few novels with LGBT themes, I didn’t read many by non-white authors. I think I need to make a serious effort with this next year.

Fairytale Retelling Reading Challenge

I don’t think I managed to read a single Fairytale Retelling. Eep.

2015 Classics Challenge

I got talked into this one on Twitter, and I’d already read one book that qualified at the time and had another lined up! But then I kind of stopped…

1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Frank L. Baum
2. Five Children and It, by E Nesbit
3. Forever, by Judy Blume

#FinishItFeb

DONE – though I only read two of the previously-unread Artemis Fowl books in February, it took me until July to finish the series!

The TBR Double Dog Dare

DONE – I only read books I already owned until April 1st with the following exceptions:

books for my book club
books I get sent for review that I REALLY want
books for #FinishItFeb

How did you do with your reading challenges last year?

What a year! I read 61 books this year, which is the most I’ve read in one year since 2009. I can hardly believe I managed to read so many books, what with taking on extra work and moving into my flat, but somehow I did and I am really pleased with myself.

I didn’t do terribly well with most of my reading challenges but I finally, after years of trying, completed the British Books Challenge! I’ll be posting again in the next few days about all the challenges I want to have a go at in 2016.In the list below, books marked with an * were sent by the publisher for my consideration, this did not alter my opinion of any of these books.

Now, without any further ado…

My Top Ten Books Read in 2015 (in the order I read them)

1. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception, by Eoin Colfer

This year I finally finished the Artemis Fowl series and, first book aside (and not qualifying, as it was a reread), this one is my favourite. Opal Koboi is a wonderful villain and this book is a rollercoaster of magical and technological delight. You can see me talk about all the Artemis Fowl books in the video above.

2. Elizabeth is Missing, by Emma Healey

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I’m going to describe how good this book is via a quote from my sister, who almost never reads novels: “I think it’s one of the best fictional books I’ve read. Made me teary at the end”.

3. Remix, by Non Pratt*

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Friendship ups and downs at a music festival. I’m really pleased with how my review of this one came out, so rather than repeat myself, I’ll tell you to go read it here.

4. I’ll Give You The Sun, by Jandy Nelson*

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I also read (and loved) The Sky is Everywhere this year but I think I’ll Give You The Sun had more impact on me – I keep mulling over parts of it in my head. It’s about twins who were once very close and how devastating events changed their relationship and the way they see the world.

5. Have a Little Faith, by Candy Harper (and the sequel, Keep the Faith)

This is so good! Funny, easy to read, addictive – as soon as I’d finished the first I had to grab the second, and I can’t wait to read the third book, Leap of Faith, which actually comes out today! You can watch me talk about why I think Faith is the perfect comedy heroine in the video above.

6. Wolf by Wolf, by Ryan Graudin

I read this book for my book club and also received a copy in my first Illumicrate box (watch the unboxing video above). It’s a gripping blend of alternate history, fantasy and sci-fi, featuring a shapeshifting girl on a mission to kill Hitler.

7. Lair of Dreams, by Libba Bray*

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This is the sequel to The Diviners, which featured on last year’s list. I loved returning to the glittering yet horrific world of this series, and the focus on different characters in this book – it made it more interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing what other intriguing – and gifted – individuals we get to meet in the next book.

8. Counting Stars, by Keris Stainton*

This is what I would categorise as New Adult – a story about a group of young people living in their first houseshare – and it’s fabulous. Definitely my favourite of Keris’ books. I spoke about Counting Stars and Lair of Dreams in my September Wrap-Up/British Books Challenge Vlog, above. Also, it’s got most of my name in it.

9. Cookoo Song, by Frances Hardinge*

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This was just gorgeous. It’s a beautifully-written, emotionally-involving, glorious, frightening, and marvellous adventure. I am definitely in love with changeling stories now and must find more. When I’m not devouring Frances Hardinge’s other books, that is. Seriously, believe the hype, Frances Hardinge is as good as everyone says she is.

10. Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson

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I have a full-length review coming (I’ve written most of it), but to summarise, Suite Scarlett was a delight. Funny and charming, it follows the trouble Scarlett gets into when the newest guest in her parents’ struggling hotel takes it upon herself to meddle in her life. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel!

That was HARD to write! I’m not sure it really is my definitive top ten – but it’s as close as I can manage, having read so many great books this year. I hope you enjoyed reading it! Are any of these books on your list? Let me know!

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