Endless Bliss | Happy Lifestyle Blog: 25 Books in 2015.

25 Books in 2015.



I've decided to take on a personal book challenge in 2015 because I have a serious book buying problem. My favorite store in the world is 2nd and Charles, which is this amazing book store with discounted books, movies, video games and consoles, vinyls, instruments, comics, and the list goes on and on. When I first stepped into this store, I fell in love, and my addiction has gotten out of control. I can't step in there without buying a book because they always have such good deals! 

With all that being said, I've decided to stop buying books until I finish reading all of the books I haven't read that are on my bookshelf. I kind of got depressed typing that, but there are just so many books that I haven't read that I've bought within the past few years. I just keep buying books and letting them sit on one of my many bookshelves. They're begging me to read them, but instead, I just keep buying more books and reading or listening to books from the library. It's a horrendous cycle, and it's stopping now (well, actually it's stopping after I finish reading Legend by Marie Lu since I technically started that last year #sorrynotsorry). I'm going to stop getting books from the library and stop buying books until I show love to all of the books that have been waiting patiently for me to fall in love with them. Of course, there will be some exceptions, such as book signings, book festivals, free books, etc. But that's a different story.

So today, I'm sharing 25 (yes, 25) books that I'm going to be reading in 2015 that are straight off of my shelf. Mind you, these aren't even all of the books that I haven't read yet. It's just a fraction of them. 



// Bossypants by Tina Fey
I'm actually really sad about how long this book has been sitting on shelf. Tina Fey is one of the funniest people alive, and the fact that she is the mastermind behind the brilliance of one of my favorite movies (we're talking Mean Girls here) makes me love her even more. I'm excited to dive into her brain and read about her life. 

// Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books. It's been staring at me from the dining room table for a couple weeks now. I love Neil Patrick Harris - he's hilarious, talented, can sing and dance, and he, his partner and kids always have the most brilliant Halloween costumes. I know this book is going to be legen- wait for it - dary. 

// Lean In  by Sheryl Sandberg
Jon surprised me with this book before it got super popular, and it sounds like just the kind of book I need this year. I want to grow in every area of my life, and I think this book will help me with the career portion of my life. 

// This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl
Even just from flipping through the pages, I know that this book is going to be both uplifting and heartbreaking. I'm like most people and have only heard of Esther due to John Green and his book dedication to her, but that alone shows me that this book is going to be a good read. 

// Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall
Stories like this fascinate me, and Elissa's is no exception. I'm interested in diving into this book and learning more about a lifestyle that I'm not educated about and one that I never want to personally experience. 



// Forever by Judy Blume
I'm ashamed to say I've never read this book. Judy Blume is pretty much a goddess when it comes to young females. She just gets it. I know this is going to be amazing. 

// Eye of the Minds by James Dashner
Admittedly, I only bought this book so I could get James Dashner to sign it for me at the Texas Teen Book Festival. Unfortunately, that never came to pass because the lines were too long, and I didn't get to me him. I'm still excited to read this though. 

// King Dork by Frank Portman
I bought a signed copy of this book at the festival, and I also got to speak with Frank in line while waiting to buy books. I'm so excited to dive into this one. 

// Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Same with Eye of the Minds, I bought this book prior to the Texas Teen Book Festival in the hopes of getting her to sign it. That never came to pass. Sad day. 

// The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
I got to meet Jenny Han at the Austin Teen Book Festival in 2013, and she's even more adorable and sweet in person. My sister actually read these books already and loves them, and she rarely reads, so if she likes them, then I know I'll enjoy them too. Plus, Jenny Han is flawless.




// Burned by Ellen Hopkins
I bought this book on a whim when I went to visit a bookstore near my work for my lunch break. I've never read anything by Ellen Hopkins, but all of her books have pretty high rankings on Goodreads. 

// Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
See above. 

// Looking for Alaska by John Green
When people rank John Green books, this book always comes second to The Fault in Our Stars. I have a feeling that I'm going to love it. 

// Paper Towns by John Green
Paper Towns is usually third when people rank their love of John Green books. And while I have no idea what this book is about, I'm excited to read it. 

// Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti
This book was an impulse buy on one of my many, many trips to 2nd and Charles. Deb Caletti has written some of my favorite YA novels, and I have a feeling that this one won't disappoint.



// Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Anytime I tell people that I love Jodi Picoult, they always ask if I've read Nineteen Minutes, and I'm always ashamed to say that I haven't. Apparently, this is one of the best ones she's written, and I'm pumped to find out why. 

// Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
I'm always down for reading a book that centers around music. Throw Jodi Picoult's name on the cover, and I'm there. 

// The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
I got this book several Christmases ago, and I can't believe that I haven't read it yet. Admittedly, I started to read it, but I stopped to read a mushy gushy YA book. I know, I know. I'm ashamed. 

// The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
This book sounds like something I would love, and the fact that it was written by JK Rowling means that it's sure to be awesome. 

// Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
I've always heard that Jennifer Weiner's books were amazing, and I still have yet to read a book by her, even though I own two of them. The plot of the book doesn't sound funny, but a comment on the cover says it's hilarious, and I love books that make me laugh out loud.



// It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
I usually like to read the book before I see the movie, but in my defense, I didn't even know this was a book. I loved the movie so much, so obviously the book is going to be way better. 

// Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I saw another blogger speak (or write) highly of this book, and I'm happy to say that I bought it for just $1 before I knew that it was going to be a big deal. I have a good feeling about this one. 

// True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
I have yet to meet a Nicholas Sparks book that I haven't liked. I love how all of his stories are so different, but they all tell a story about love, whether that love is puppy love, love after loss, family love, etc. All of the books I've read by him so far have been absolutely beautiful. I don't even know what this book is about, but I'm excited to read it. 

// The Accident by Chris Pavone
I may or may not have won this in a Goodreads contest. I enter them from time to time, and usually I get an email notification, but this book just showed up at my door. I'm not sure if I actually won it from Goodreads or not, but I'll definitely be reading it.

// The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Ooookay. I haven't seen the movie. I haven't read the book. Cut me some slack though because I do own the book. It will get read this year. Mark my words. 


It's kind of sad that I have more than 25 books on my shelves that I haven't read yet, but that number will definitely be dwindling down a lot this year.

What books will you be reading this year? 

57 comments :

  1. Wow okay I'm so in love with this post. But first: STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING THIS EXACT MOMENT AND PICK UP BOSSYPANTS AND READ IT. It's my all-time favorite out of your list. Like, laugh out loud hilarious. (And books rarely make me laugh out loud.) Burned is also amazing and beautiful and sort of inspired my Senior Writing project. Looking for Alaska is so good, but a different kind of good than Fault in Our Stars - I don't even think they're comparable really. I can't wait to read The Secret Life of Bees, my sister is reading it right now. And I think that I either have Casual Vacancy or The Cuckoo's Calling, I don't remember which. I actually started it a couple years ago and didn't finish it yet. Oops. It's just not the same as Harry Potter (which I'm rereading right now.) Reading is so good for the soul!

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  2. Nineteen Minutes is amazing. I just picked up We Were Liars from the library, so excited!

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  3. This post is so good!! I have the same problem except with Kindle books. When I find one ridiculously on sale, I buy it and then I forget to read it. It's so much easier to forget you own in when it's in the cloud somewhere. I'm going to have to follow your example. Except now there are tons of books on this list I want to go buy #conflicted

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  4. I've read three on this list. Both John Green and Honey, Baby, Sweetheart. All the other ones seem pretty interesting too. I started The Casual Vacancy but couldn't finish it. I'll have to try it again sometime.

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  5. I definitely have been wanting to read some John Green books, I've heard fantastic things about them! You'll enjoy 19 Minutes, it is a fantastic book! Definitely adding some of these books onto my list! (BTW, it took me literally 15 minutes to attempt to post this comment, I had to resort to Internet Explorer for some weird reason O.O I'm still confused why because all other blogs I'm commenting on are perfectly fine..) Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  6. I need to do this challenge too! I have so many on my (e-shelf) that I never get to because I end up reading other ones first.

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  7. Bossypants wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be, but it was still funny. I also have NPH's book from B4B to read/review. Although mine's staring at me from on top of my printer and under Batman.

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  8. What a great challenge! I absolutely salute you for doing this!!
    I almost don't buy paper books any more, but I read them on my phone.

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  9. I've read almost all of Ellen Hopkins' books and I have to say I do enjoy her writing. It's different, and you have to get used to it, but it's worth it.

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  10. such a great challenge. I'm not sure what I will be read this year. Right now I'm read the fault in our stars

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  11. You really should join the linkup, this is a great list of books! I'm jealous you actually own them all, I get all mine at the library :)

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  12. I'm currently reading "Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed and I love it. Will be doing a review soon on the blog. After that I'm planning on reading "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr, which is supposed to be fabulous

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  13. I'm doing this too (sort of). I refuse to purchase any more books until I've finished reading the unread ones on my bookshelf.

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  14. Thank you for some reading ideas!! Tina Fey's "Bossypants" is definitely on my list already. :) I loved the Ellen Hopkins books, but be warned, they're super dark stuff. Burned was probably my favorite! I also really liked Identical by her.


    Taylor
    acupoftay.com

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  15. I'm sad to admit that I have both the JK Rowling books and I haven't even opened it yet, especially since she's one of my favourite authors in the world. I think it has something to do with having to accept that JK Rowling is more than just the Harry Potter series and I don't want to be disappointed by her new books (Goodreads showed mixed reviews of The Casual Vacancy).

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  16. Looking for Alaska is forever my favorite book! I hope you enjoy it because I know people who have different opinions on it. I loved Just One Day that I read the sequel and the short novela that follows it in a day haha. I'm the same with Forever! I've had it for a while but haven't cracked it open. I'm going to try reading some in this list too!

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  17. I'm kind of like you...I have a ton of books on my shelf that I haven't read!

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  18. I've read about 1/4 of these, and the one's I've read are awesome! I'm so glad you like adolescent lit, like me ;)

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  19. Looking for Alaska was a good read, but I'm one of the odd ducks who preferred Paper Towns. I really enjoyed Legend too.

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  20. Nineteen Minutes is one of my favorite JP books. She's amazing.

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  21. It's Kind of a Funny Story is wonderful. I was so sad when the author died :( I actually haven't seen the movie yet...I'm usually pretty reluctant to see book movies, though I've heard good things.

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  22. I love this list! When I blog about reading I struggle with the temptation to focus on what's NEW, and I totally ignored all the excellent books I've missed. Thanks for the reminder to check my own shelves!

    -Lindsay from Dearest Darling

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  23. Bossypants was priority on this list, and I just finished reading it last night. Tina Fey is literally my favorite person at the moment. One of the best celebrity memoirs I ever read. I love her so much! I just started Neil Patrick Harris's book, and it's not great so far, but I'm hoping it picks up. I started Casual Vacancy, but I just stopped reading it for some reason. I don't remember why. I hope I can make it through. I only read about a chapter or so when I read it the first time.

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  24. That's what I've heard! I'm really excited to read it. We Were Liars was one of the best books I've read in a long time. I hope you enjoy it!

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  25. I have so many unread books on my Kindle. It's really sad. It's definitely been a challenge already to not read books that I don't have. Why did I do this to myself?!

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  26. I started Casual Vacancy too, and I only read about a chapter or so before I stopped reading it. Hopefully this time, I'll be able to make it through!

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  27. I love John Green! I say that, and I've only read The Fault in Our Stars, but that book absolutely incredible. You should definitely pick it up! I'm really excited about Nineteen Minutes. I've only heard good things about it.


    I don't know why my Disqus is being weird. I know some people were having some trouble with it last week too. :(

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  28. It's already been really hard to discipline myself to stick to the books I have. I know there are tons of good books coming out this year that I'm going to want to read. Sigh.

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  29. I just finished Bossypants and really enjoyed it! Tina Fey is so funny. I just started NPH's, and it's not as great as I want it to be. I'm hoping it gets better though.

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  30. It's already been so hard, and we're only 8 days into the new year! I've been reading some books on my phone too thanks to my library's app, but I'm trying to get away from doing that just for this year.

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  31. Well then I'm really excited to read my Ellen Hopkins books! I've only heard good things about her books, so I can't wait to dive into them!

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  32. The Fault in Our Stars is such a good book, and the movie was great too. I cried so much when I read the book haha.

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  33. I'm so happy you told me about the link-up, Whitney! I'm super pumped to participate now. I've been on a book buying frenzy, and I cheated and bought a few books at the end of the year when I knew I was going to challenge myself to this.

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  34. I haven't read either of the books you've mentioned. I can't wait to check out your Cheryl Strayed review!

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  35. I'm glad we're on the same page, Katie. It's already been a challenge not logging on to my library's app and downloading newer books.

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  36. I just finished Bossypants last night, and it was hilarious! I think you'll really enjoy it. I've heard good things about Ellen Hopkins's books, so I'm excited to read them. I didn't even know what they were about before I bought them, but now I'm intrigued.

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  37. Me too! It's so sad because they've been sitting on my shelf for so long, unread. I'm going to change that this year though! I have the same feelings as you - I'm nervous that it just won't add up to the amazingness that Harry Potter is.

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  38. I'm really looking forward to reading Looking for Alaska! I've heard so many good things about it. I don't even know what Just One Day is about, but I like Gayle Forman, so I have a good feeling about Just One Day. I'm so happy there's a novella too! I love novellas.

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  39. It's become a bit of a problem! I'm hoping to change that this year though!

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  40. Yay! I don't know why I can't make the transition to adult books, but oh well. I just love YA so much!

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  41. I'm looking forward to reading Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns. Who know? Maybe I'll be like you! I just finished Legend, and it was really good! I want to continue reading the series.

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  42. I love Jodi Picoult so much! I have most of her books, but about half of them are on my shelf unread. I just finished her latest book, Leaving Time, and it was incredible!

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  43. I didn't know the author died! That's so sad. The movie was really good, which is why I'm excited for the book. I know it'll be even better.

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  44. I have that same struggle, Lindsay! I always want to review and read books that everyone's talking about now, but I have so many books that I ignore that are sitting right their on my bookshelves. I'm hoping to change that this year though.

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  45. I want to read Neil Patrick Harris' book and so many of these books! As for the John Green books, I loved Paper Towns more than Fault in Our Stars. It might just be because I love mysteries. I still need to read Looking for Alaska though so we'll see how that one rates. Also, I definitely love YA books too, theres just something about them!

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  46. I just started NPH's book, and it's definitely interesting. It's not my favorite so far, but I'm hoping it gets better when I get past the childhood parts. I loved The Fault in Our Stars, which is why I'm really excited to read more from John Green, though honestly speaking, I tried reading An Abundance of Katherines, and I never finished it. I don't know if I'll ever grow out of YA books. I love them so much!

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  47. Ha! I do exactly the same thing! I have so many books I haven't read, yet still I buy more. It's an addiction I tell you. I too have Bossy Pants and I want to read it this year. I think I bought it two years ago now?!?! I do read quite a bit, but I always buy more than I can read. I'm a sucker for a good book with an attractive cover. It looks like we have similar taste in books. I want to read almost all of these!

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  48. Wait. I have so much to say about this post.


    First off... You've owned John Green and JK Rowling books and you haven't read them yet? What?? Read those first (especially Paper Towns since the movie comes out June 5th.. eek!)

    Then read It's Kind of a Funny Story. It's not a book I recommend to everyone because it's so different, but omg this is one of my favorite books to read when I'm stressed out. It makes me feel not so alone and it makes me laugh out loud. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT WAS A MOVIE.


    The Secret LIfe of Bees is one of the best book-turned-movies I've ever seen. The movie kept all of the integrity and most of the plot of the book. Plus, the book is so well written and has such pretty words!


    I haven't read any of the other books on this list, which is weird and makes me feel like I need to add All The Books to my TBR. I'm currently reading a Jodi Picoult book to meet the "Read a book by an author that published more than 10 books" requirement on my winter reading challenge. I love Jodi Picoult as a way to come down between intense books.


    I can't wait to see all of your posts about these books!

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  49. It really is an addiction! I'm glad I'm not the only one who does it. I'm trying to calm down in 2015 though. Or at least until I finish all of these books! I just finished Bosspants a couple days ago, and it was great! You should definitely pick it up soon! I do the same thing as you and judge books by covers. If I'm a thrift store, and I feel like buying books I've never heard of, I skip reading the back or the book sleeve and just buy it if it has a pretty cover. I know they say you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but...oops!

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  50. I know. I know. I'm ashamed. The JK Rowling books have been on my shelf for at least a year, probably more. There really is no excuse for those. Maybe I'm just nervous about post-Potter depression? Sad excuse. I've only had the John Green books for a few months, but still, that's a few months! There's no excuse, really. I need to get on that.


    I'm really excited to read It's A Funny Story, because ever since I posted this, everyone's been telling me how awesome it is. You should definitely see the movie. I don't know how it compares to the book, but I enjoyed it.


    I haven't seen The Secret Life of Bees or read it, but I did intend to see the movies after reading the book, and clearly neither of those things have happened yet.


    I love Jodi Picoult so much! I haven't read a book by her that I didn't like. When I tell people that I love her books, they always ask if I've read Nineteen Minutes. Maybe that's one of her more popular ones? Besides My Sister's Keeper, I suppose.

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  51. I loved Paper Towns! One of my favorites. I have This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl and I've read most of it, and it's good :)

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  52. I'm really excited to read Paper Towns! I've heard awesome things about it. Plus, since it's going to be made into a movie, I definitely have to read it before I see it. I'm also excited to read This Star Won't Go Out, but I don't really know what to expect. I don't know anything about Esther Earl apart from her terminal disease and that John Green dedicated The Fault in Our Stars to her. I'm interested to learn more about her though!

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  53. The Summer I turned Pretty and all the books in the trilogy are really good. Honey Baby Sweetheart is another good one!

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  54. Some great choices! I need to do this - pick books from my bookshelf! Then again, my move helped me clear a lot off!

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  55. That's good to hear! I'm really excited to read the The Summer I Turned Pretty series. That's the only one I have in the series so far, but my sister has them, so I can always borrow them from her. I'm really looking forward to reading Honey, Baby, Sweetheart! I don't even know what it's about, but I love Deb Caletti.

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  56. I have a problem with not being able to get rid of books! When I moved from South Carolina to Louisiana years ago, I donated most of my book collection, and I regret it so much now. So now, I just keep all of the books I have because I don't have the heart to get rid of them again. It's become a problem haha.

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  57. You'll have to let me know if MPH's book is worth reading once you finish!

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