Whoa.  How is 2015 half over?  Seriously, it seems like every year gets faster and this one is going by in the blink of an eye.  Although I started the year slow and in a major reading rut, I’ve read lots since starting my maternity leave, thanks to the joys of the lap nap (see above).  Seriously, there is nothing better than losing yourself in a good book while a cuddly, warm baby snuggles in your arms.  It’s the best.

And speaking of the best, here – in no particular order – are the best books I’ve read in the first half (seriously, how?) of 2015:

 Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson – This was only my second Erik Larson book (I read In the Garden of Beasts back in 2011 and thought it was wonderful as well).  Larson combines meticulous research with masterful storytelling.  Dead Wake told the story of the Lusitania’s final voyage from a number of different perspectives – the passengers and crew on board, the crew of the submarine that fired the fateful torpedo, and the politicians and intelligence officers in both the U.S. and Great Britain.  I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and I learned a ton.  (Note that I read Dead Wake during the extremely sleep-deprived first days after Nugget’s arrival, and it still held my attention.  That says a lot.)

 All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr – This was a lyrical, haunting, sad novel featuring the stories of a German youth and a French girl during World War II.  The language was stunning, the characters real.  Although it started off rather slowly, it built to a gripping, powerful and stirring conclusion.  Apologies for all of the adjectives, but trust me, this book deserves them.

 The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra, by Helen Rappaport – I’ve always been fascinated by the Romanovs, their gilded lives, and their tragic end.  This biography of the four Grand Duchesses, Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, was beautifully written and was quite unique.  Most chronicles of the family focus on the Imperial couple themselves, the Tsarevich Alexei, and of course Rasputin – the sisters are rarely given much ink between the four of them.  Rappaport changes that in this lovely book about four very special princesses.

 Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel – This dystopia held me in thrall from the very first page.  I loved the tale of the triumph of the human spirit and of the power of art after a flu all but wipes out the human race.  I’ve been recommending it all over the place.

 As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce #7), by Alan Bradley – There were mixed opinions about the latest installment in the Flavia de Luce series; I know several readers who were disappointed that the mystery took place entirely away from Bishop’s Lacey and beloved side characters such as Dogger.  While I did miss the Bishop’s Lacey folk, I find myself getting more and more drawn into the larger plot arc with each addition to the series.

 A Dangerous Place (Maisie Dobbs #11), by Jacqueline Winspear – Another new mystery release makes my list!  I really enjoyed reading about Maisie’s continuing journey.  Without giving anything away, I will just say that Maisie has enjoyed great happiness and endured great tragedy since the tenth volume ended, and that both have changed her.  I love Maisie’s character growth.

Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time, by Brigid Schulte – This nonfiction study of current time use in American culture and around the world was fascinating.  I found myself nodding my head in agreement quite a few times.  While I did fit squarely within the target demographic (busy professional mom here) I think there was a lot of good information for anyone.  I was so interested in these concepts that I wrote two blog posts about the book: see here, and here.

 Yes Please, by Amy Poehler – I’m a huge Amy Poehler fan (Knope We Can!) and I loved her memoir.  Amy sprinkles in memories of her childhood and career, general life wisdom, and lots of laughs.  I normally don’t purchase non-fiction, but my mom got this for me as a Christmas gift and I’m glad it’s on my shelf, because I think I’ll be returning to it again and again.

 The Royal We, by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan – This romance is pure Will and Kate fan-fiction, doesn’t even try to hide that fact, and I love that.  The story opens on the eve of the wedding between “Nick” and “Bex” – so there’s no question about whether they’re going to get together or not.  It’s just straight-up fun while we watch their relationship unfold.  I was glued to this one, turning pages feverishly every chance I had.

 In the Unlikely Event, by Judy Blume – The first Judy Blume novel for adults in some seventeen years was a major media event, but luckily, the book lives up to the hype.  Based on real events from Blume’s childhood, when three planes plummeted from the sky over Blume’s hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, within the span of 58 days, the book focuses on fifteen-year-old Miri Ammerman, her family and friends, as they attempt to make sense of the string of catastrophes.  There were many characters to keep track of, which made things confusing at first, but I soon had everyone straight as the story grabbed hold of me and pulled me in.  Riveting, horrifying, and a total page-turner.

What have been the best books of 2015, so far, for you?