Even though 2015 has come to a close, there were still a ton of tremendous books that I read last year. I’ve–somehow–narrowed it down to my top ten favorites, which are featured below.

*All book covers are from Goodreads.

1.) ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (2015)

Young Adult Science Fiction. 599 Pages.

This book was really the best surprise of 2015. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did—I’m not a huge sci-fi person–but it was fantastic. The plot was so perfect–and yes, I do mean perfect, as in flawless, as in this is the most perfectly plotted book ever–and the characters were equally as amazing. The book follows Kady and Ezra who are fleeing from their home planet after it’s been attacked. It’s told through a collection of interviews, schematics, and a rogue computer system that’s doing more hindering then helping. The story itself was amazing, but the way it was told was even more so. If you’re looking for something that’s different and inventive, you’ve found your next read. ILLUMINAE was tremendous. Exhilarating. Heartbreaking. Hysterical. This book was amazing.

2.) I’LL MEET YOU THERE by Heather Demetrios (2015)

Upper Young Adult Contemporary. 379 Pages.

I read a lot of contemporary last year, but none stood out more to me than I’LL MEET YOU THERE. The novel follows seventeen-year-old Skylar, who’s grown up in a shabby trailer park town for her entire life, and nineteen-year-old Josh, who’s back in town after doing time with the Marines. The book tackles a lot of tough subjects, most notably PTSD, and it does so with such grace and elegance that it doesn’t even seem like a tough subject in the first place. The relationship that grows between Skylar and Josh is also what landed this book so high on the countdown. It’s an emotional roller-coaster of a book that you’ll be glad you picked up.

3.) THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin (2011)

Young Adult Paranormal Romance. 452 Pages.

I honestly don’t know why it took me so long to read this series. The book takes place in Florida, where Mara Dyer has just moved to town in an attempt to flee the devastation of her past. There she meets Noah Shaw (*insert hearts-for-eyes-emoji here*) who seems to know just a tad more then he’s letting on. This book was so dark and creepy and twisty and turny and gah, I just loved it. The story was fantastic, but the characters are what really sold me on this one; especially Noah (see side note above). The rest of the series is just as tremendous, and as the author announced a spin-off series told from NOAH’S POV, a good time to pick up the series would definitely be around right now.

4.) VENGEANCE ROAD by Erin Bowman (2015)

Young Adult Western. 336 Pages.

I’ve been a fan of Erin Bowman since the release of her TAKEN trilogy, and VENGEANCE ROAD left no room to be disappointed. The story is set in the 1800’s at Kate, who’s father has recently been murdered, sets out in search of her father’s murders. Along the way she meets some allies, as well as some enemies. I thought I would like this one (revenge novels are pretty much the best) but I didn’t realize just how much I would love it. First of all, Kate is just a tremendous character. She has a goal (a lofty one, at that) but she doesn’t let anything get in her way. More than that, she finds out who she is on her road to vengeance (*winky face*). With just the right amount of romance, VENGEANCE ROAD is a refreshing YA with one of my favorite heroines of all time.

5.) A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas (2015)

New Adult Fantasy. 416 Pages.

Sarah J. Maas is one of those authors who just know how to write really really well while also punching you right in the feels over the course of 400+ pages. ACOTAR is really no different. It’s a loose retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” if that tells you anything about the plot, with richly imagined settings and rough-and-tumble characters. It’s told in first-person POV, which is a nice break from Maas’ usual third-person style. Also, there’s romance. Did I mention that? Yes. Lots and lots of that.  The only thing that really made me nervous about this book (and the next one) is the fact that Maas has a habit of building up these tremendous ships and then tearing them–and your heart–apart, and I’m just a litttttle bit worried about the Rhys-Feyre thing. Tamlin forever, right? Just read it; you’ll understand. 

6.) DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy (2015)

Young Adult Contemporary. 384 Pages.

First of all, can we just take a minute and talk about this gorgeous cover? I absolutely adore the simplicity of it, and how it manages to perfectly capture Willowdean’s persona. DUMPLIN’ follows Willowdean Dickson, who is self-described as fat, as she enters a beauty pageant that is run by her mother. Willowdean finds herself, finds love, and finds out a lot about her family in this novel that is my top choice for body-positive novels in 2015. With Murphy’s whip-smart dialogue and the body-positive themes throughout the book, this is a sweet read with a powerful message for everyone.

7.) THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Cynthia Hand (2015)

Young Adult Contemporary. 400 Pages.

Before you even open this book, make sure you have an extra-large package of tissues next to you. THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE follows Lex, a teenager who is just trying to get through her life after her brother committed suicide. Honest, raw, and insightful, this novel took everything I thought I knew about suicide and flipped it upside down. The book discusses the instances surrounding Lex’s brother’s suicide beautifully, but also shows how Lex keeps moving forward, which is definitely a struggle for her. It’s a book that will make you cry, make you smile, and make you think about life in a completely different way.

8.) BONE GAP by Laura Ruby (2015)

Young Adult Magical Realism. 373 Pages.

While reading BONE GAP, it felt like I was moving through fog. Everything was a bit hazy, and it felt like I had been transported to Ruby’s fictional world. It was a really interesting experience, especially since the book is so unique. It follows the O’Sullivan brothers, Finn and Sean, as they both search for the mysterious Roza, who has disappeared. Sean finds himself overcome with grief, but Finn is slowly starting to remember the circumstances surrounding Roza’s disappearance. BONE GAP is wholly unique, mysterious, with just a touch of creepy.

9.) THE SUMMER OF CHASING MERMAIDS by Sarah Ockler (2015)

Young Adult Contemporary. 368 Pages.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Ockler since I saw her in person on her book tour for her novel, THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS. That had been my favorite novel of hers up until this one. THE SUMMER OF CHASING MERMAIDS follows Elyse, who is newly unable to speak, as she travels to Oregon to try and piece herself back together. But there she meets Christian, and, together, they enter in a boat-racing competition in an effort to safe the island that they both love dearly. The best part of this novel was the writing; it was lyrical and melodic and was truly astounding. The relationships that Ockler was able to construct were also phenomenal. It really brought something new and interesting to the contemporary genre.

10.) QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas

Upper Young Adult High Fantasy. 656 Pages.

Ah, yes. QOS. It’s won just about every award out there, and I’m here to give it another: Ultimate Destroyer of Feels. It transcends everything that you thought fantasy could be, and elevates the genre with even more battles and relationships then you thought possible. The fourth book in the THRONE OF GLASS series finds Celaena/Aelin setting out to reclaim her throne, with or without the help of those she (and I!) thought to be her allies. Aelin is such a fantastic anti-hero that you can’t help but root for/against her (she’s very complicated, our Aelin). And the friendship that transpired between Lysandra and Aelin was really one of the best parts of the novel. But I’m still not willing to let my Chaolena ship sink (*sobs quietly*).

But don’t stop now! You can check out my blog for 40–yes 40—more of my favorite reads of 2015! You can click here for The Top 50 Books of 2015.

Looking for more great book recommendations? As always, you can check out my blog right here.