Christmas vacation is approaching, so what better time to catch up on the best books of this past year? There have been numerous new publications during 2015, and here are some of our favorites from various genres, such as fantasy, young adult, and historical fiction.
Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes
This young adult dystopia is set in the Martial Empire, where every spark of definace is met with a swift and merciless death. When Laia’s brother is accused of treason, she makes a pact with a rebel group to spy on the Empire on their behalf. She has no idea this choice will lead her to both limitless love and unimaginable danger.
While the novel could be described as yet another young adult fantasy, its story is refreshingly compelling and exciting. It’s doubtful that any of its readers can put it down before the last page (so, don’t pick it up before your exams are over!).
Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman
Go Set a Watchman is set two decades after To Kill a Mockingbird with the now 26-year-old Scout as its lovely leading lady. Scout returns to visit her aging father Atticus and during her visit uncovers many truths about those nearest and dearest to her.
This essential companion piece to the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird has been surrounded by criticism over the writing style and the representation of characters we have all come to love. However, it does create more depth and a wider understanding to the original novel, which makes it a worthy read in our books (literary pun completely intended).
Dan Howell and Phil Lester’s The Amazing Book is Not on Fire
From the world of YouTube, these two funny individuals – whose vlogs you might be familiar with – share anecdotes, advice, and everything else imaginable in their new book. This ridiculously random, but hilarious, read will bring a (wide) smile to any geeky reader’s face. Even the appearance of the book is reflective of the two writers: doodles, colors, and photos fill near every page. So, bring some sunshine into your winter with this book!
Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen
Another young adult fantasy, with another take on oppression and magic. The Reds and Silvers are in constant opposition: Silvers rule the kingdom while Reds are commoners who slave away for their rulers. When 17-year-old Mare discovers she has magical powers, the Silvers adopt her as a long-lost princess and set up an engagement for her with a prince. However, she constantly – despite the immense threat to her life – aids the militant Red rebels while trying to survive within the enemy court.
While slightly undeveloped and derivative with elements we have seen in other young adult novels, Red Queen is an entertaining and engaging read for the lovers of the genre.
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst’s The Story of Alice
This book offers a look into the life of Lewis Carroll and his friendship with Alice Liddell while examining the conception and continued success of his novels. The detailed look into the Victorian era and the fascinating history of Alice in Wonderland is guaranteed to excite anyone interested in literature and history.
Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On
For those of us who loved Fangirl, Carry On offers fun, romance, and mystery all wrapped into one novel! This time we get a look into the world of Simon Snow, the fictional book series featured in Fangirl, as well as into Simon’s relationship with the evil vampire Baz. Clever and cute, the story is full of heart-warming moments and witty lines that we have come to expect from Rowell. And monsters. Plenty of monsters.
Renee Ahdieh’s The Wrath and the Dawn
This novel, inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, tells the story of a girl, Shahrzad, who falls in love with a monster. The monster, Khalid, is the boy king who kills his young brides after only one night, and whose reign of terror Shahrzad has vowed to end. When Shahrzad enters Khalid’s palace as his latest bride, she manages to survive by telling him intriguing stories night after night. But there are mysteries that need uncovering; nothing is quite as it seems. Why does Khalid kill his brides? What is his dark secret?
The intriguing plot is further amplified by the complex characters that you can’t wait to get to know. Furthermore, the poetic style and the stories within stories make up a beautiful novel that one can hardly put down.