In January of this year, I challenged myself and my Facebook friends to read 50 books. I created a Facebook group where we could share book reviews and recommendations and I posted my updates using the hashtag #50Books2015. Well, I didn’t quite complete the challenge but I’m motivated to give it another try next year. Here’s a nice little summary of my year in print courtesy of Emma and Jamie.

2015 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read:14
Number of Re-Reads:0
Genre You Read The Most From: Fiction surprisingly!

Best in Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought

You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

God Help the Child, Toni Morrison. I love Toni Morrison so I was extremely disappointed in this book.

3. Most surprising book you read?

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. I did not enjoy this book at all. I only forced myself to read it because I paid full price for it.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. I’ve pushed everyone to read this book but I’m not sure if anyone followed my recommendations.

5. Best series you started in 2015?

The Prodigal Son. Apparently I jumped into the middle of a series when I read this book. I don’t feel like I missed any information, though I am interested in reading the earlier books for added context.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Victoria Christopher Murray. I was invited to a book discussion where her book was profiled. I don’t typically like Christian fiction because the books tend to be superficial, but she gave depth to her characters and to their faith. I will definitely read more of her work.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Off the Sidelines: Speak Up, Be Fearless, and Change Your World, Kirsten Gillibrand. I read a lot of non-fiction but not many biographies. I really enjoyed her perspective though.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

You won’t believe this, but Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher. It is a young adult fiction book that I read with Zelophehad’s Daughters. The story draws you in so that you HAVE to follow the trail to see how it ends.

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

None! If I re-read a book, it’s usually after some time has lapsed.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

Meh. They were all mediocre.

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

Krista in Christmas Every Morning, Lisa Bergren. She’s so angry and bitter. She’s stuffed so much inside. She makes me want assign her behavioral therapy tasks.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

Memoirs of an Eternal Optimist, Thione Niang. The honesty in this book was refreshing. I was surprised by his candor.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

Being Mortal (See #4)

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?

The Immortal Life (See #1)

15.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Dead End or Divine Encounter, Kevin Gresham, II 108 pages

Blues Dancing, Diane McKinney-Whetstone 400 pages

16. Book That Shocked You The Most

Stand Your Ground: A Novel, Victoria Christopher Murray. I did not see that ending coming!

17. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

The Prodigal Son, Kimberla Lawson Roby. I hadn’t read anything by her in at least 15 years.

19. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Mutlipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, Liz Wiseman

18. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

I don’t really read fun books. I guess I need to change that.

19. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

Only Twice I’ve Wished for Heaven, Dawn Turner Trice. This book was sad and several of the characters had sad story lines.

20. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Thirteen Reasons (See #8)

21. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Stand Your Ground (See #17)

22. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Infectious Madness, Harriett Washington

23. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne, Wilda Gafney

24. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

Unwind Series, Neal Shusterman

25. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

Actually read 50 books!!!

I can’t wait to start plugging away on my 2016 reading list. How many of you are ready to accept this challenge? 50 books in 2016- any length, any language, any genre. Sounds easy enough, right? So head on over to Goodread and set up an account and be sure to join my Facebook group.

Happy Reading!