Best Books 2015

Here are the best books I read in 2015. Not that I read 50 books and only 6 of them were any good, these were the ones that stood out - most of the books I read were pretty good.

What Alice Forgot

by Liane Moriarty

This is one of my favorite books now. The story of a woman who suddenly forgets the last 10 years of her life and has to piece together all the changes she sees in herself and those around her. She wakes up thinking she is pregnant and just weeks from turning 30. When I read it I was also weeks away from turning 30 and also pregnant. Great characters, great narrative.

Neither East Nor West: One Woman's Journey Through the Islamic Republic of Iran

by Christiane Bird

I picked up this book randomly in a used book store. It's about a white American woman who goes to Iran (where she spent some of her childhood) and travels around meeting people and learning about the culture and politics and religion. Now, her trip takes place in the late 90's, so her Iran does not resemble the Iran of today so it wasn't totally relevant, but it was interesting perspective.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

by Erik Larson

 

Erik Larson, using only first-hand accounts details the Atlantic crossing of the passengers of the Lusitania AND the movements of the UBoat that sunk it. Somehow he digs up all these interesting details about the passengers, bringing them to life. Tons of history jammed into the story makes it super interesting (at least to me).

The Martian

by Andy Weir

Ben gave me this book and said - "you have until Friday to read this" because he had tickets to the movie. So I started reading it, and somehow managed to finish it the same day, staying up until midnight. It was really good. Also the movie is very good.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in California. She had no experience hiking and she was alone. In addition to the account of her hiking, she also sprinkled in her backstory, the history of her family, the loss of her mom and how it affected her and eventually led her to hiking. Despite this being a 300+ pg book, I somehow never got bored of her narrative. I found it utterly engaging throughout and it made me want to try backpacking someday with my kids.

Madame Curie: A Biography

by Eve Curie

This was absolutely the best biography I've read in recent memory. It is written by her daughter, who mostly writes as an impartial narrator but will occasionally sneak in little reminiscences in first person that makes it so sweet. Marie Curie's life was totally devoted to science, she worked so hard to get from Poland to France to study at the Sorbonne then just worked and worked, she and her husband discovered Polonium and Radon, she won two Nobel Prizes and after her husband died was allowed to teach his courses as the only female member of the faculty.