2015 Books

• 49. Women at Church
• 48. Great Joy *
• 47. All the Bright Places
• 46. Luther, the Leader
• 45. The Negotiator
• 44. The Girl on the Train
• 43. Heir to Edenbrooke
• 42. Crocodile on the Sandbank
• 41. The Tailor of Gloucester *
• 40. The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
• 39. The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle
• 38. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny *
• 37. The Tale of Peter Rabbit *
• 36. The Nightingale
• 35. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe *
• 34. Coraline
• 33. A Dangerous Place
• 32. Leif the Lucky
• 31. Marco Polo
• 30. The Fill-In Boyfriend
• 29. A Promise to Love
• 28. On the Fence
• 27. Love's Awakening *
• 26. Once We Were Brothers
• 25. Crown of Midnight
• 24. Leaving Everything Most Loved
• 23. Throne of Glass
• 22. Love's Reckoning
• 21. All Our Yesterdays
• 20. Angelfall
• 19. The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe
• 18. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
• 17. The Night Circus *
• 16. A Door in the Wall
• 15. A Long Walk to Water *
• 14. Eleanor & Park
• 13. Ramona Quimby, Age 8
• 12. Isla and the Happily Ever After
• 11. Big Little Lies
• 10. The Penderwicks in Spring *
• 9. Lost Lake
• 8. The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon *
• 7. The House at Pooh Corner *
• 6. Winnie-the-Pooh *
• 5. Calling Me Home
• 4. Doomsday Book *
• 3. Unspoken
• 2. The Fourteenth Goldfish
• 1. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Women at Church

Women at Church: Magnifying LDS Women’s Local Impact by Neylan McBaine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes. What she said.

Great Joy

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked it when I read it to myself. But when I read it to my family, I sobbed like a baby.

All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Good heavens, that was sad. But there were some moments of genius in that writing.

Luther, the Leader

Luther, The Leader by Virgil E. Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An good overview of Martin Luther and the origins of the Protestant movement. However, one glaring historical inaccuracy has me questioning the rest of it...Martin Luther did NOT write Away in a Manger.

The Negotiator

The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice clean uplifting story, but cheesy in parts. Really like-able characters and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. I wasn't a big fan of the audiobook narrator though. His voices were hard to tell apart.

The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

All of these characters are certifiable and unlikeable, but it's a well-crafted and fast-paced book nonetheless.

Heir to Edenbrooke

Heir to Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definitely made me want to reread Edenbrooke! A lovely way to spend an hour.

Crocodile on the Sandbank

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super fun! Reminded me some of the Lady Emily mysteries.

The Tailor of Gloucester

The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was our favorite of our Beatrix Potter unit. It's a perfect Christmastime read.

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jemima is the silliest duck going.

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was fun learning more about hedgehogs when we read this during our Beatrix Potter literature unit. I loved how clever this book was and how Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle took care of all the animals.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Peter Rabbit's cousin! What could be better? And a big yay for dads.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A classic. Forever a favorite.

The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first part of this book was achingly slow, and the writing tended to be a little clumsy and melodramatic. However, I did enjoy the last 1/3 and the portrayals of strong female characters.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to the audiobook. But, I loved even more how much my kids got into it and are already racing through the rest of the series.

Coraline

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Gaiman himself says it's the strangest thing he's ever written, and I have to agree. Perfect for Halloween.

A Dangerous Place

A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Great audio narration. But, a so-so mystery and the turn of events of Maisie's personal life made this not my favorite in this series.

Leif the Lucky

Leif the Lucky by Ingri d'Aulaire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved the beautiful illustrations and written details in this story of Leif Erickson's journeys. Appropriate for grades 3-7.

Marco Polo

Marco Polo by Demi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Visually stunning book that recounts Marco Polo's 24-year expedition to China. Appropriate for grades 4-7.

The Fill-In Boyfriend

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super cute.

A Promise to Love

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. Good historical Christian romance. My first by this author. The pacing was uneven but it was ultimately a cute, entertaining story.

On the Fence

On the Fence by Kasie West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite by her, but I liked that the protagonist was not typical of most girls in the teen romance genre.

Love's Awakening

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore this series. I liked this one even better than the first.

Once We Were Brothers

Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good, faced-paced legal thriller. Great overall plot idea, but the editing and overall execution could have been better.

Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So much better than the first in the series. Looking forward to the next one.

Leaving Everything Most Loved

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A little long-winded, but a solid installment. I love Maisie and find this series to be both interesting and relaxing. This was my first time listening to these on audiobook, and I thought the narrator was great.

Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good story, but the writing is clunky and awkward and the book is too long. Based on the reviews of others, I do think I will try the next book though.

Love's Reckoning

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really good Christian romance/historical fiction. It wasn't completely predictable, and I felt really invested in the characters.

All Our Yesterdays

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this and almost gave it 5 stars just because it ISN'T a series.

Angelfall

Angelfall by Susan Ee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmmm, I'm on the fence with this one. Fast-paced with lots of action, but the plot feels familiar and it's kind of dark and disturbing.

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

15 installments in and I still love this series.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute, light summer read.

The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a lovely work of art. Unique and enchanting.

A Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book I studied with my two younger kids this year. It wasn't my favorite, but they liked the medieval stuff and we're rooting for Robin. I do think it helped my kids understand the use of symbols much better.

A Long Walk to Water

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The audiobook was fantastic. I loved that we got to hear the voice of the real Salva at the end. This book is a tough read at times, but so important. I was very ignorant about the history of Sudan before, and this has really opened my eyes.

Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Read it in one sitting. Really packs an emotional punch with both highs and lows.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great choice for family audiobooks.

Isla and the Happily Ever After

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Definitely not my favorite of hers. But it was a fun and fast read.

Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A tougher read than What Alice Forgot. I love her writing style and her humor, but I did see the ending coming a mile away. It's a book I've thought a lot about since I finished it, and I think it will stick with me.

The Penderwicks in Spring

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Utterly delightful. We love taking The Penderwicks with us on family road trips.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite of hers, but still a cute story.

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Listened to the audiobook and loved every minute.

The House at Pooh Corner

The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So fantastic. Everyone should read these.

Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So funny. Great for all ages. Way better than Disney. Loved learning more about the Milne family when we studied this in our literature unit this year.

Calling Me Home

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

I switched between the audiobook and Kindle. I thought the readers were great. I liked the format of going back and forth between the 1930s and present day. Heartbreaking story, but also kind of predictable.

Doomsday Book

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic. I switched between audio and paper and both were great. This one will stay with me.

Unspoken

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was entertained, but not enough to keep going with the series.

The Fourteenth Goldfish

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this aloud on a long roadtrip. My family liked it more than me. The humor is good for the target age group. Good for 8+.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the perfect book to start to my reading year. Easily read in a day, these are just great characters.