reading in 2015 - book stats and book favorites

Book Reading Goals for 2015: 1. Read more. 2. Write down all books read.

Pretty sure I read more than in 2014 (don't have 2014 totals, but it seems like I read more in 2015). I managed to write down most of the books I read too.

2015 Book Reading Stats:

20 Board Books

42 Picture Books*

1 Easy Reader

6 Chapter Books

29 Middle Grade Novels

22 YA Novels

10 Graphic Novels

2 Memoirs

2 Adult Books

Total = 134 books!*

* There were a few (or more?) picture books I read that I know I forgot to write down.

Note: There were also six books I didn't finish (they weren't the right books for me at the time, though I may have enjoyed them at a different time), and one book I wish I hadn't read (book pubbed several years ago - some people might like it; wasn't for me).

2015 Favorites:
I thought I'd pick a few favorites, but in the end, decided to pick only one for each category that I read more than five books. So hard to choose! I could add so many more!

Board Book: ARE YOU MY MOMMY? by Joyce Wan
- I've loved Joyce's art for years. It's always wonderful to read one of her board books or picture books and see her art. In this book, she makes clever use of cutouts of animals in a story about a baby rabbit trying to find her mommy.






Picture Book: WHEREVER YOU GO written by Pat Zietlow Miller / illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
- This book is gorgeous! I love both the art and the verse. It's a book that uses the theme of travel to open up a world of possibilities.







Chapter Book: THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PERFECT PRINCESS PARTY written by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale / illustrated by LeUyen Pham
- This is the second book in The Princess In Black series. In this book, Princess Magnolia is having her birthday party, with princesses from all over invited to attend. Unfortunately, the monsters have other plans for the same day. Chaos ensues and The Princess In Black races to the rescue! This book is even more fun than the first one in the series. Can't wait to read the next one!



Middle Grade Novel: UNUSUAL CHICKENS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL POULTRY FARMER written by Kelly Jones / illustrated by Katie Kath
- A wonderfully wacky story about a girl who moves to a farm her family inherited and uncovers some mysterious and unusual chickens that she needs to care for (and protect from a possible chicken thief). Loved the fun illustrations and the characters, including the chickens.






YA Novel: BONE GAP by Laura Ruby
- This book contains two mysteries: What happened when Roza went missing? What did Finn really see? These mysteries, woven together with Roza and Finn's stories and the stories of the people of Bone Gap, combine to create a powerful story that's part real, part magic, and part myth. But this book is so much more than that. There are subtle and important truths about life hidden in each part of this book. I'm so happy that Laura Ruby wrote this book so I could read it, and so all of you can read it too.




Graphic Novel: PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN by Dana Simpson
- This graphic novel is part comic strip and part friendship story (think Calvin and Hobbes). Not every graphic novel that reads like a connected comic strip works out, but this one does. Loved this book and the second in the series, UNICORN ON A ROLL. Just found out there's a third book coming in February. Hooray! Can't wait!

Book Reading Goals for 2016: 1. Continue to read a lot! 2. Write down all books read (ALL of them this year).