Top 5 Books I Read in 2015

I loved each one and hope you do, too!

1. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony. My friend Michele lent me this book early in the year when I started talking non-stop about elephants. Lawrence Anthony is a conservationist, philanthropist and great humanitarian and this book details his process in creating a safe place for wild elephants to live in South Africa. He shares the good, the bad and the ugly of all his characters – himself, the elephants and the members of the communities surrounding his reserve. His intelligence, determination and dedication shine through at every turn.
2. Babylon’s Ark by Lawrence Anthony. After the Elephant Whisperer, I wanted to read everything Lawrence Anthony wrote and I picked up Babylon’s Ark at my local library. Wow. Inspired by the atrocities of war affecting the animals at the zoo in the middle of Baghdad, Lawrence gave himself the job of saving them and ensuring their safety and health into the future. Admirable does not begin to describe this man and the work he does. This book was captivating, heartbreaking and inspiring.
3. The Dolphin in the Mirror by Diana Reiss. Diana was my mentor and advisor for my master’s degree and helped me get started on my PhD research way back in the nineties. This book details her journey from wide-eyed would-be graduate student to internationally acclaimed scientist and dedicated dolphin conservationist. I have always loved, admired and respected Diana and she can tell a story like no one else can. Her engaging personality comes through on each page and reminds me of how dang smart and dedicated scientists can be and how endlessly fascinating animals (especially dolphins in this case) are. The book title is a great metaphor – can you guess who the dolphin in the mirror is?
4. Fatal Fortune by Victoria Laurie. I am a mystery buff and Victoria Laurie is a master – PLUS her heroine is a psychic who is smart, stubborn and trying not to swear so much. I have totally given up on not swearing, so I couldn’t relate to that, but I love these books and devour them as soon as they come out. I highly recommend starting the series at the beginning (there are 12 books now) and savoring each one!
5. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. Every once in a while, a book comes around that touches you so deeply that you can’t remember who you are and how you lived before you read this book. Leaving Time was on of those books for me and I had to take a few weeks off from reading (shocker! unheard of in my world!) to digest all the levels and intricacies of this book and just absorb the experience. Some authors were born to write and Jodi Picoult is one of them. She weaves so many themes through this book so seamlessly and so brilliantly that you are living in the world she created on the page immersed in the journey and enjoying her characters. I don’t think I have ever been more transported while reading a book and I am finally ready to read another by her, six months after I read this one. She is an author to be celebrated, savored, and shared.

I’d love to know what you’re reading, too. What were your favorite books of 2015? Leave a title in the comments below so we can all find our next great book to read!