Biblio File
Elisa's Favorite Books of 2015
It’s been an exciting reading year for me—it’s been a year of mixed reading emotions, and books that have made me scream and wonder, why is this happening?! I also read that books that made me say "wow, I can completely identify with this," and wondered if they had been written just for me. Please note: not all of my favorite books were published in 2015, and are not listed in any particular order of preference—they are all my favorites!
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
In Why Not Me? Mindy Kaling takes us into the sometimes complicated world of adulthood. In this book she goes through various experiences, in witty, laugh-out-loud, insightful essays of the various stages of her life. She discusses friendships, fashion, dating, her fears, and her relationship with B.J. Novak that she describes as "weird as hell."
Girls Like Us by Gail Giles
Young adult realistic fiction at its best. This is the story of Quincy and Biddy. These two young women are thrown together as roommates to live in their first "real world" apartment after graduating from their high school special needs program. Hard-hitting and compassionate, the unlikely friendship of these two young women helps them to find strength and support in each other.
The Sweet Life: Find Passion, Embrace Fear, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Dulce Candy Ruiz
If you make it on YouTube, you can make it anywhere! This is the story of Dulce Candy Ruiz, one of the top YouTube stars and beauty gurus, with over 2 million subscribers.
During the first part of the book Dulce talks to us about growing up in Mexico, her journey to the United States and fighting for our freedom in Iraq. The second part of the book focuses on creating your own style, building a personal brand, marketing/creating a YouTube Channel, and building healthy relationships.
Ms. Marvel by Willow G. Wilson
I truly enjoyed reading Ms. Marvel. I loved how refreshed I felt reading it, and how it so well represented the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, and the importance to portray a different array of characters. It’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign is not solely about Black, Latino, White characters, it's also about representing other cultures, disabled, Gay/lesbian, unconventional family structures, and all of the things that makes us different. In Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan is a teenage Muslim Pakistani American girl who has new found super powers and she’s ready to take on the world!
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
I loved, loved this book even though it took me for an emotional ride worse than a roller coaster!
This is an awesome debut by young adult author Adam Silvera. This book will break you, make you question, and ask yourself what did I just read? All I can say is that this book will break your heart in the best possible way... if there is such a thing? It will be physically/emotionally impossible to put down and it will make you realize that you have more reasons to be more happy than not.
Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed
In Written in the Stars, Aisha Saeed takes us into the life of teenager named Naila. She’s growing up in America so she's allowed to be a teenager and study what she wants when she goes away to college. It all changes when her family finds out she’s fallen in love with a boy named Saif. This book gives us an insight into arranged marriages and cultural patterns.
The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds is an extraordinary talent. The Boy in the Black Suit is intense. It takes you through the thought process of 17-year-old Matt going through grief, loss and acceptance. It’s a captivating story that travels through the streets of Brooklyn and reminds you of your first love.
Self-Help by Miranda Sings
Miranda Sings is hilarious! With more than 5.5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel and over 700 million views, she’s one of You Tube’s top stars! In this unhelpful, candid, super funny, how-to guide, Miranda offers advice and tutorials in signature Miranda style that will have you laughing out loud.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Year Of Yes is a memoir written by Shonda Rhimes, the super talented creator/producer of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder. In this memoir Shonda shares her journey of unhappiness to happiness by just starting to say YES to things, people, and social events that bring her happiness and no to everything that is the total opposite of that. During the year of yes she found her inner voice and started living fearlessly.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Between the World and Me: let’s just consider it a classic and Ta-Nehisi Coates the voice of this generation. James Baldwin did it with The Fire Next Time, and Ta- Nehisi Coates has inspired us with Between the World and Me. Insightful. Powerful. Thought Provoking. National Book award winner.
theatlantic.com/author/ta-nehisi-coates
Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Let The Great World Spin is a masterpiece. It’s riveting, engaging, driven by setting which is New York in all its loveliness, promises, sadness and mysteries of the 1970s. There are twelve protagonists that this talented writer manages to weave together as one. This book will take through a tour-de-force of emotions while reading, but in the end you will be thankful you stuck through it.
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Comments
Good reads
Submitted by Michael Alvarez (not verified) on December 22, 2015 - 2:01pm