Bel's Top Ten of 2015 (and then some too!)

Oh gosh ... this is always so hard. I'm so thankful for all the 100+ books I was able to read in 2015. I've managed to dwindle it down to this special group of books. So here we go in no particular order ...

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

As I was reading this (all in a matter of hours) I realized that I was holding something precious in my hands. The girl in the bubble looked after by an over-protective mother becomes curious about the world beyond her window when her new neighbour moves in next door. A unique friendship blossoms as she begins to experience life  as opposed to reading about it. This gorgeous debut has all the feels that will wrap around you like a snug, warm blanket.

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith

This was one of the sequels I was so desperate to read. Winger will always be one of my all time favourites and to be able to return to the adorkable Ryan Dean West was such a treat! Ryan Dean is a little more grown up yet still a knucklehead which is what's awesome about him. And the introduction of his new roommate, "The Abernathy" had me in stitches the entire time!





Did I Mention I Love You by Estelle Maskame 

This one hit me by surprise. I couldn't believe how much I fell for this story and its characters. Step-siblings falling for each other would normally illicit an "ew" but somehow that didn't happen here. Along the way they just became real people to me. I was left feeling antsy with the need to get my hands on the next book, stat!

The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase

I still consider myself new to contemporary romance but there was just something so charming about this title and cover that I picked it without hesitation. A smart, successful career-woman with a solid group of friends questioning how her career ambitions and her upcoming nuptials can fit together. Not everything is harmonious and she has the added distraction of the guy from the past that she can't shake. I loved everything about this sweet and engaging story.

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Bachman 

I'm sure you've had those moments when suddenly you're compelled to read a book. That's how it was for me and Ove. Elderly widower Ove is despondent and just wants to be left alone. That's not happening with both new and old neighbours inadvertently getting into his business. This revolving door of unwanted people systematically wears down the curmudgeonly Ove and his rigid routine. It's one of those stories that sticks with you awhile after it's done. I'll always remember reading the final few pages while at the library and quietly shedding a few tears. Simply beautiful.

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

I haven't read many M/M romances lately which is something I must remedy in the New Year. What I did read, I enjoyed which is the case here. In the hands of Bowen and Kennedy, a healthy sprinkling of quick wit and humor help to tell this smart and introspective story of two friends falling in love. 

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

After noticing this on many TBR piles, it eventually made it to mine. In Wallach's stunning debut, several lives intersect as an asteroid hurtles toward earth.  In the weeks leading up to their impending doom, it seems that the impact they have on each other may be even more powerful than that of the fast-approaching asteroid itself.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Another buzzworthy title that caught my eye. An inter-racial family in the 70s faces every family's worst nightmare when one of their children goes missing. The narrative flows seamlessly from one POV to another and also from past to present. All their guilt, secrets and thoughts not said aloud are what haunt this story making it both tragic and painfully beautiful. 

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

Usually when every character is unlikable, there's not much of an impulse to keep going with the story. Not so much here. Despite the fact that their wretched behaviours made my stomach churn, I was so intrigued by the plot and how all the details fit together that I was able to overlook all that and simply succumb to the mystery. It's hard to resist that kind of a tale.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

2015 is the year I discovered Colleen Hoover. Of the books I've read so far, Hopeless (and it's counterpart, Losing Hope) are my favourites. I fell so hard for this book so much so that I wish I could re-experience everything about it again as if for the first time. At once sexy and heart-wrenching, Hopeless holds a special place in my heart.







... and then some! Because asking me to limit my faves to just ten is asking the impossible. 

Best Worst Mistake by Lia Riley

I adore Lia Riley and she has succeeded in converting me into a small town romance fan. In this third in the Brightwater series, the gruff Wilder Kane is the "Beast" to sweet Quinn Higsby's "Beauty". They meet, don't get along yet can't get enough of each other. The setting is so not me but Riley had me wishing that I could move to this little town and work in the cute little bookstore and eat at the cute little coffee shop and hang with the Kane family especially Grandma because she's a riot!  

Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott

Ginger Scott can tug at your heartstrings. She had two books out in 2015 and while I liked both, it's Wicked Reckless that has coming creeping back into my thoughts. What's most compelling about this plot is how forgiveness can eventually come but only after all the bitterness and guilt has been hashed out.

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

A love story told from the perspective of everyone but the two people falling in love? Colour me intrigued. When two of those POVs include a squirrel and a park bench? Sold! 

The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan

The entire Game On series is simply funtastic and the magic continues here. Why is it that the quietest one is always the one with the juiciest secrets? The Game Plan gave me a whole new level of appreciation for beards, man buns and The Black Keys. Also laughing aloud consistently through the pages is not a bad way to spend your time.







And there you have it - my top picks. I wish I could add more to the list but I've already bent the rules ;) I'm excited to see what exciting reads are to come.  Happy New Year to you all!  

~ Bel

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

* * * * *

This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Everything Everything is just one of those gems that I urge everyone to read. Madeline narrates her story with such integrity that it’s hard not to be affected by her words.

Madeline has been isolated from the world for as long as she can remember. The way she explains it is that she’s on “SCID row”. She suffers from Severe Combined Immunodefiency aka “bubble baby disease”. Any contact from outside that bubble could trigger a severe allergic reaction. Her sole interactions with other people are her physician-mother and her nurse, Carla. For someone who is so shut off from the world, Madeline is remarkably accepting of her situation. Sure, she’d like to be able to experience first-hand all the things any one of us takes for granted but I didn’t get the sense that she felt sorry for herself. That isn’t until Olly and his family move in next door.

At first, Madeline just observes her new neighbours, keeping track of their comings and goings. But it’s Olly and his odd habits that intrigue her. Olly eventually extends an invitation of friendship by waiting for her at his bedroom window which is across from hers. Through emails they begin a fun correspondence that soon becomes the highlight of both their days. It’s here that the story sucked me in so completely. Olly is so magnetic and funny. Even though Madeline hasn’t been around kids her own age, she’s able to banter effortlessly with him. But it’s also here that I thought to myself, “this book is going to crush me” because inevitably there is a roadblock and then a crisis that interferes with this burgeoning friendship. Despite those things I still hoped for a happy ending.

There’s so much charm and wit in this story. It’s so beautiful to see Madeline come alive as she feels and senses things she’s never experienced before. And she’s not the only one affected. Olly too, who has his own family drama, finds security and comfort in their companionship. This new connection has opened up a whole new universe for them and in a way brought them some freedom.

I read this book in 4 hours so that tells you how much I adore it! This is an extraordinary story with a lot of heart and told with such tenderness. The many illustrations (courtesy of Yoon's husband) add to the book's appeal. I meant what I said at the beginning that it’s hard not to be affected by Madeleine’s journey or Olly’s calming presence. Everything Everything gives you all the feels and then some.

~ Bel

Update: On August 26th, Nicola Yoon shared some pretty exciting news on Twitter - MGM optioned the film rights to Everything, Everything!  Congrats, Nicola!!

Waiting on Wednesday (162)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.


By Nicola Yoon
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.




By Nicole Michaels
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING

Callie Daniels is a singular sensation. She owns and operates her own bakery, contributes to a popular lifestyle blog, and is the dance team coach at a local high school. She lives by her own design and is much too busy to consider dating. Mr. Right will have to fit into her life when the time is right...

UNLESS YOU'RE PLAYING FOR KEEPS

Football coach Bennett Clark always plays by the rules. He knows that his new colleague Callie is off limits but she's so beautiful-and irritating!-that Bennett can't get her off his mind. She wants him to participate in a charity dance contest, and won't take no for an answer. Soon, what begins as a festive athletic endeavor turns into a heated flirtation on and off the dance floor. Could it be that the free-spirited Callie has finally found a way through Coach Clark's line of defense?




By Andrew Smith
Publication Date: September 8, 2015

It’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain. And somehow he’s stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean’s girlfriend, for now, anyway.

Equally distressing, Ryan Dean’s doodles and drawings don’t offer the relief they used to. He’s convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey’s younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he’s avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?

From the author of the National Book Award–nominated 100 Sideways Miles, which Kirkus Reviews called “a wickedly witty and offbeat novel,” Stand-Off is filled with hand-drawn infographics and illustrations and delivers the same spot-on teen voice and relatable narrative that legions of readers connected with in Winger.

A Peek In The BiblioBin #151

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the BiblioBin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.

For Review:

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

The Girl I Was Before (Falling #3) by Ginger Scott

Purchased:

Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Dirty Past (The Burke Brothers #2) by Emma Hart

Just One Taste (Pine Mountain #4.5) by Kimberly Kincaid