I’m fairly sure that it’s cliche to say that becoming a great writer requires one to be a voracious reader. Nevertheless, I believe it’s true. I’ve loved books since forever. The way a writer strings words together has been known to make me fill up with so much emotion I just knew I’d eventually burst into a million pieces. Those who know me well, know that I’m not beyond crying tears of joy when I walk into a bookstore because…well…all the possibilities!
Books are both escape and captivity for me. This year, some set me free in ways I could have never imagined, others held me bound by the beauty of their stories.
2015 was a great reading year for me–a good mix of fiction and nonfiction–and I’d like to share some of my favs with you. Enjoy!
(in no particular order because…well, with such good books, how do you even do THAT?!)
***
The Star Side of Bird Hill – Brilliant from page one.
A Brief History of Seven Killings – (Very) Complex. (Very) Challenging. (Very) Worth it.
Xenogenesis/Lilith’s Brood Series: Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago – I mean, seriously? Why do I even write? Octavia Butler is incredible. If you’re into Sci-fi/speculative fiction or would like to be, read these books.
The Year of Yes – Spoke to nearly every facet of who I am: mother. creative. entrepreneur.
The Turner House – Amazing characters. I was there with them. On every page.
For The Love – I mean, does she live with me? How does she know? Great read!
Big Magic – An entirely new way of seeing creativity and its relationship with fear. Fascinating.
Rising Strong – Shame doesn’t live here anymore. (In my Faith Evans voice).
Welcome to My Breakdown – One heck of a journey. And one I’m glad I took.
Between the World and Me – Heart-wrenching. True. Timely. A must read.
Till the Well Runs Dry – Just some really incredible writing. And a story that will engross you from the beginning.
Disgruntled – Because: Philly. And, of course, amazing storytelling.
God Help the Child – Toni Morrison. That’s all you really need to know. *bows to the queen* Harkens back to her earlier work.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – Shifted the way I think about stuff. A must read if you are prone to clutter.
The Sisters Are Alright. – We really are. And I’m glad someone decided to say why.
The Rapture of Canaan – Unexpectedly good. I never left the story.
The Art of Memoir – Because Mary Karr knows all the things when it comes to this genre. Good!
MY FAV RE-READS
Ordering Your Private World – My yearly read for a reason. An inner life that’s cared for is critical to one’s growth.
The Ragamuffin Gospel – It’s where the whole concept of “tilted halo, living by grace” came from. So…yeah.
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE READS IN 2015?
HeARTtalk - Healing Through Art and Story 
Some of these I’ve read and I completely agree with you! So, now, the rest are on my list! Thanks for sharing your favorites with us.