Given that Suspense/Thriller is my kryptonite, I always find this list to be the most interesting. It’s also impossible for me to narrow it down to just a handful. So, without further ado, my favorite suspense/thrillers of 2015.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: I know, I know. People have strong feelings about this book. The things that many don’t like about it (unreliable narrator, etc.) were things I actually loved!

Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger: Twisted. Brilliant.

The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne: Super creepy twins. Still gives me the shivers.

The Wrong Man by Kate White: Completely transfixing and compelling. Read it in one sitting, I crave this sort of book!

Eeny Meeny by M J Arlidge: The first book in a series, I became completely obsessed with this author’s books. Completely terrifying. I absolutely loved it.

Pop Goes the Weasel: A Detective Helen Grace Thriller by M. J. Arlidge: Yep, two books by the same author, same series. And there’s another one coming out here in a few months. Definitely an author to add to your must-read list!

The Killing Kind by Chris Holm: 2,000 balloons and two hit-men in one room. Hilarious, yes, but also completely mesmerizing! Another stunning book by one of my favorite go-to authors!

Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier: If you haven’t read Jennifer’s books, you really need to. As a fan of her writing from the beginning, it’s been amazing to follow her as her writing progresses and matures. Truly outstanding work!

As my “Best of” lists are coming to an end (just two more!), it’s been a treat to revisit my favorite reads of the year. I have fond memories of each and every one of them and look forward to discovering new titles in 2016!

Ok, enough with the sappy stuff. Following are my favorite fiction reads (very general, yes) of 2015.  Mirroring my eclectic reading tastes, the following books are unique and vastly different from one another! Note that there are many other fiction titles I read and enjoyed that I may have mentioned in other “best of” lists.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper: I have so much love for this title. The message is beautiful, quite an endearing cast of characters!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella: A young adult novel by one of my long-time favorite authors!

Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash: Everything this man writes is a work of art!

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: This one was compared to other renowned YA titles, but it has the strength and beauty to stand out on its own!

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell: Loved, loved this one. A must read for fans of Harry Potter. Yes, there are vague similarities but Rowell puts her own, completely unique and innovative spin on the story.

There are some books that are so brilliant, so moving, so intense that they soften my cold, dead heart or evoke such strong emotions in me that I essentially demand everyone I know to purchase said book.  Following is a breakdown of those books for 2015:

• Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum: I knew going in that this one was going to evoke strong emotion in me. I was warned. I didn’t expect to end up bawling (the loud, nasty, snotty kind) on a plane while reading it, though!

• The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain: Oh, I loved this little book so! I picked it for a book club read as soon as I could. A tiny, beautiful, amazing book that packs a big punch.

• Violent Ends: This book, a collaboration of several talented authors, is a book about a school shooting. I guarantee it is like nothing you have ever read.

Then, there are those books that moved me so profoundly that I couldn’t put into words just how much they moved me:

• Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: This is the first in a sci-fi series that completely knocked my socks off. My breath was taken away, my heart pounded out of my chest. It’s visually and mentally stimulating and I can’t wait until the next book is released!

• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: Ta-Nehisi writes about race in a completely open, no-holds barred, yet simultaneously sympathetic and moving sort of way. I read the book, then listened to the audio, then read it again. Then I forced my husband to read it, then passed it on to several of my family members.  Its a subject matter that many attempt to tiptoe around, yet Ta-Nehisi attacks it full on, unrelenting.

• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: I read this in early 2015 and it still evokes a whirlwind of intense emotions in me. This novel consumes you mentally and emotionally. Your stomach will churn, your heart will break, but you will persevere, for it is that good.  Of all the books on this list, this is the one that has generated the most conversation, both negative and positive, that I have experienced in some time.

You tell me! Which 2015 reads evoked the strongest emotions or feelings in you?

I listen to quite a few audiobooks each year.  My commute into work is about 30 minutes each way, and I refuse to listen to the radio (all they talk about is traffic), so I tune in to an audiobook. That said, I don’t post about them nearly as often as I should! Regardless, I posted about the following audiobooks I loved throughout the year, so I thought I’d wrap them up neatly into one post!

• Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike Novels) by Robert Galbraith: This is the third in this series and it is so, so addictive. I really do recommend starting at the beginning of the series of you can!
• Audio Production: Locke & Key by Joe Hill (illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez): This was a free download I listened to as part of Murder, Monsters & Mayhem. More than a simple audio narration, this is an audio production, complete with sound effects. Brilliant!
• The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich: Another audio I listened to as part of Murder, Monsters & Mayhem. Uber creepy, brilliant narration!
• None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio: This one gave me all the feels: anger, sympathy, sadness, joy. The narration added to the experience.

Other audios of note, that I didn’t get a chance to review:

• Paradise Sky by Joe Lansdale: I can honestly say I’ve never listened to anything like this one. Just trust me on this one.
• You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day: I’ve been a fan of Felicia’s following her roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural. When I heard about her book, and that she was narrating, I knew I had to listen to it. Quite rewarding and informative…and laugh out loud hilarious.
• The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories: Stephen King. That’s all I need to say.
• Certainly not published this year (or this decade!), my family and I just started listening to the dramatic production of the Star Wars movies. Originally produced by NPR in the 1980s, these add dimension to the movies we all love.

There you have it! What were some of your favorite audios of 2015?

Edit: Last minute addition! I just finished Jenny Lawson’s Furiously Happy and, just like Let’s Pretend This Never Happened I found myself listening with tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. An honest, heartfelt discussion of mental illness.