Favorite Books of 2015

2015 was a year filled with great reads! I challenged myself to read 12 books at first, then switched it to 36 books and ended up reading 48 books. 2015 was definitely a literary year; the most I have ever read in one year!  Here are my favorite books from this past year. Some where witty, some heartbreaking, and others were inspiring. But all of these books left an imprint on my heart and mind in 2015. 

Favorite  Fiction  of 2015

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows). A beautifully written historical fiction (written elusively as letters to various characters) about the village people of Guernsey, a small island on the English Channel, during German Occupation of WWII. (Read my full review)
The Magic of Ordinary Days (by Ann Howard Creel). Historical fiction novel about a lonely pregnant newlywed who befriends two Japanese girls who are living and working in an internment camp in rural Colorado during WWII. (Read my full review)
The Chronicles of Narnia (by C.S. Lewis). All of the books were great, but I especially loved The Magicians Nephew and The Silver Chair. C.S. Lewis' notable and classics were filled with creativity and theological references. (Read my full review of 2 of the books)
The Great Divorce (by C.S. Lewis). A bus trip to the outskirts of Heaven brings up many questions about heaven, hell, love, and truly living. I went to a play of The Great Divorce while reading it, so it helped bring the story to life. (Read my full review)
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? (by Maria Semple). A witty, hilarious story about an elusive woman and the story surrounding her mysterious disappearance. It is written almost exclusively from letters, newspaper clippings, and correspondences between various characters (with some narration from Bernadette's only child). (Read my full review)
And the Mountains Echoed (by Khaled Hosseini). I loved The Kite Runner in 2014, so I had to read another story by Hosseini.  It is a book filled with several different intertwining stories of family honor, betrayal, and sacrifices. It is heart-breaking at times, as it deals with some very difficult topics. (Read my full review)

Favorite Theology Books of 2015

Mere Christianity (by C.S. Lewis). Christian doctrine written in Lewis' brilliant style, filled with metaphors and visuals. His progression throughout the book as he tackles different doctrines is full of wisdom and a newness in the ways he presents them through his metaphorical style. (Read my full review) 
Women of the Word: How To Study The Word With Both Our Hearts and Our Minds (by Jen Wilkin). This book changed the way I look at studying the Bible. Wilkin explains how to approach the Bible in a way that is not dependent on other's commentaries or ideas, but rather, on what God has already presented within His word. Packed full of practical tips for studying, this book is a gem! (Read my full review) 
Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole (Angie Smith). Angie writes about lessons God taught her in a season of brokenness and heartbreak, revealing that God is magnified within the cracks we try to hide. (Read my full review)

Favorite Non-Fiction of 2015

Surprised By Oxford (by Carolyn Weber). A brilliantly written coming-to-faith memoir with Oxford as a backdrop and C.S. Lewis and Romantic Literature references (like Dante and Milton). I have never gobbled up a memoir so quickly as this one. Weber is a talented author who weaves her story in a memorable way. (Read my full review)
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (by Maya Angelou). Powerful and poetic, Maya's memoir of her childhood and adolescence during a time of atrocious racism and brutality in our American history is heart-wrenching as well as inspiring. (Read my full review)
Lunch In Paris: A Love Story, With Recipes (Elizabeth Bard). A witty and delightful memoir of Bard's love story (both with her man and French food) as well as her post-grad coming-of-age tale. (Read my full review)
7 Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness (by Eric Metaxas). Seven mini-niographies of seven extraordinary women of great faith and courage. Eric is a masterful biographer and brings so much depth to each of the remarkable women's stories. (Read my full review)
Notes From A Blue Bike (by Tsh Oxenreider). As Tsh looks back at lessons and experiences in her past travels throughout the world, she shares why living simply and intentionally is her lifelong. (Read my full review)
Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (C.S. Lewis). Lewis looks back at some of the most important moments in his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood that shaped his worldview, and eventually led to his conversion to Christianity in his older age. (Read my full review)

What were some of you favorite reads in 2015?