2015 | A Reading Year in Review

[@iamlaurenhannah]

I don't know how you do it, but your excitement always gets ME excited about reading, no matter how bad my reading slump.

[@rue3366]

+Lauren Hannah same goes with me!

[@UniversoParticular]

Lauren Hannah , I like it too about her.

[@HeartFullOfBooks]

The "damn it, you're beautiful, I need you, I'm taking you" is an excellent bookshop philosophy.

[@sofielaser2522]

About your favorite author, Im so glad you finally found and appreciate her. I've enjoyed her work for almost two year now. She's great :)

[@Makreads]

25 books is still great. As long as you're reading, then that's an achievement within itself.

[@LaughingatLarisa]

Damn, I love that you chose yourself as your favourite author! I feel like more people should adopt that attitude, including me. It really made me think about my own writing and how fuck it, I love my own writing too. Thank you for that little boost of confidence you inspired :)

[@Caro-ul7so]

I've been waiting for this so badly

[@laurencastle3112]

"That favourite author... is myself" - I love it! Go Ariel!

[@gracehzhuang]

ARIEL I LOVE YOU OMG

[@tondotkats]

And Author of the Year goes to... Miss Ariel Bissett! *confused applause* No one saw that coming but it's brilliant! You go, Ariel! YAY FOR CREATIVITY AND PRODUCTIVENESS! ^^

[@ClipsByLaura]

Your enthousiasm makes me so happy :) Wishing you a good new reading year!

[@Corneliasundberg]

*Top 3 favourite books of 2015:* 1. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare (can't choose you) 2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 3. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas *Most disappointing book of 2015:* Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard *Favourite cover of 2015:* The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton *Best author of 2015:* Sarah J. Maas

[@santanasg8445]

I loved you saying you were your favorite author, every author and writer should feel the same way for they are creating their own perfect stories that for them they are perfect. I had a lot of favorites this year, I read a lot of amazing books: one of them is Shadow and Bone and I think that one deserves the award for it helped me inspire myself for my own story. The biggest disappointment was Pride and Prejudice, man how much I struggled with that one and how much I hated it. Glad you had the most amazing year, and I hope everything goes for the great this year for you for you deserve it Ariel!

[@radwanomar8114]

I love your energy and enthusiasm - keep up the good work Ariel and cant wait to see what 2016 has in store for this channel and for us all! happy new year!

[@BeyondOpinions]

I just put "SuperMutant Magic Academy" and "Show Your Work" on hold at my library, can't wait to read them. Great video!!

[@ArielBissett]

Yay!!! I hope you like them!!

[@alaneyr.l.1439]

I've only been subbed to you for a few months now but I have to say you were my favorite YT'er of 2015. Your energy is just so contagious that I can watch you on a bad day & know I'll most likely be smiling by the end. Even in the way you talked about writing in your plot twist on this video, it's quite amazing!! Everything is expressed in a way that just pulls you in. I can't wait to see what you do in 2016! :)

[@juliahormayer7255]

Honestly, I love you, you're so inspirational and I love that you're your own favorite author of 2015! I hope I'll get back to writing more (and better and more creative) too.

[@DazzlingBooks]

I was waaaiiiting for this because I love videos like this! 2015 has been the best year of mine too! Wish you a greater 2016 Ariel!

[@willardrenee7118]

I see This Changes Everything peeking out behind you. That book is so big it frightens me in the night time

[@LibrosconPato]

My favorite book of 2015 was Grieta de fátiga by Fabio Morábito. I LOVED YOUR VIDEO. I always feel so connect and inspired for all the things you say. Happy new year!

[@rajis6941]

That plot twist at the end 😂😂😂 good for you Ariel keep writing and I hope for more videos next year 😘

[@Chattermute]

This video was amazing. I loved it! Just you talking makes this entire video feel so inspirational. Seriously.

[@marleighf3681]

I'm so happy that you have done so well with writing this year! It's awesome to hear people who say they are proud of their achievements. Congratulations!! You totally deserve the "award" :)

[@annika8453]

As always, Ariel Bissett....awesome video! Truly inspiring! A booktuber or just a reader that truly takes everything that she reads and experience into heart. May your passion never die down. God bless you and your 2016! Thank you Ariel:-)

[@DH1810]

This is by far my favorite video of yours. I mean I began doing the notebook thing because I saw it in your channel. You are really inspirational Ariel, thank you :) lots of love :D

[@user-fn5ld6dn8l]

I love seeing people rewarding themselves for their hard work!! 👏💕

[@WordsMaiden]

Ariel, I grinned like a maniac throughout this video. You are just so positive, even when you are ranting about ARMADA! : ) As far as books go! My favourite read of the year (and new favourite EVER) was THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros. It profoundly moved me in ways that I never, ever expected -- it was supposed to be a quick, obligatory read, and instead it totally shook me. I highly recommend it! Disappointments? My biggest was BELZHAR by Meg Wolitzer. Such a frustrating book! : ( Happy New Year, Ariel! Can't wait to see what 2016 brings : )

[@HitzujiBooks]

I specially liked your favorite author, unexpected but great. I love all your videos and I think you are an amazing person and booktuber. May the new year bring you great things.

[@juliannemarie3093]

Great video! I'm definitely checking out all of your favourites. My favourite book of the year was The Outsiders. It was so hard to pick a number one favourite, but even nine months after reading that book, I'm still thinking about it. :) Happy new year!

[@MissShotGun1]

wow, i absolutely adored this video! you are so original and really inspiring, it trully give me great pleasure to watch your videos ^-^congrats on your writing! i think it's beautiful that you love your work.

[@aurore9982]

I've not read Show Your Work but I've picked up Steal Like An Artist when I was in London and because you had talked about Austin Kleon and it's the best purchase ever. No doubt the most important and inspirationnal book I've read this year.

[@ArielBissett]

Steal Like An Artist is great too!!

[@marianam.9700]

Damn! Every time I watch this video i end up with a smile on my face and really motivated to go out to explore the world and pick random books to enjoy. You're awesome! I'm so glad you are happy and enjoying life so much. Hugs!

[@SunriseFireberry]

You name yourself favorite author of the year. Are you going to publish your work? Some day you might win the Booker Prize & how ironic that'd be.

[@tulipswift]

I read The Darkest Minds this year and it was definitely my favorite!

[@susiek9569]

OMG YUSSSS

[@lucyejensen]

I loved the "plot twist" at the end! Wishing you the best 2016!

[@annataylor3708]

Best "Best of" video hands down! *gives you award*

[@pixireads]

Thank you! I just added Show Your Work! to my Want to Read list.

[@beepear]

I love show your work! I may have to reread while working on more projects.

[@ArielBissett]

Agreed! I want to reread it too to get an extra boost of motivation!

[@mia.jade.]

So glad you had such a great year. Adore this round up. Have a happy, healthy, productive 2016, Ariel (:

[@erikagallant7927]

I love, love, love your energy! Good for you for naming yourself as your author of the year! :)

[@novamarkuscasander]

Congratulations with your award! Love it.

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

First of all, I LOVED this video. Your excitement was contagious. I needed a self-improvement book for my 2016 Reading Challenge and was like "uh..." and now I have Show your work!! It sounds amazing, I'll buy it as soon as I can *-* Congratulations on your great 2015. I love your videos :3 Happy (late) New Year ♥

[@fallinggravity-6441]

Definitely a few days late for your video, but I've been in a slump lately with reading, and well life. Seeing your videos is a big inspiration, and it always leaves me wanting to get back into reading what I enjoy, writing down my thoughts, and experiencing a bit more of life than usual. This year it is definitely my goal to work myself back into these and enjoying the little things in life like watching your videos. (My favourite book, poetry, is Born in the Year of the Butterfly Knife by Derrick C. Brown. I think you'd enjoy it and the meaning behind it) Thanks Love!

[@anataranu5063]

I wasn't going to comment, and then I decided to do it, because I really wanted to tell you that you are a great inspiration to me. Thank you for existing.

[@peaches3450]

This video was awesome and your personality is infectious 😊

[@josiejump9302]

Awesome video and happy new year! Love the way your channel is developing and can't wait for more in 2016! Whoop :D

[@savilizabeths]

When I realised you were going to give the favourite author award to yourself, I suddenly felt so proud of someone I've never even met. You've inspired me this year, Ariel.

[@ArielBissett]

Thank you so much 💜💜💜

[@caoimhe1212]

Such a great, great video! Always unique, always wonderful! Much love and have a superb 2016.

[@ShaysBookCave]

I totally agree about Armada!! Argh it was frustrating. Also, congrats on winning the award for favorite author ;) I love that you chose yourself. You've inspired me to make 2016 amazing.

[@strangekat2840]

I clicked on this video on a whim. I love it. You are very enthusiastic and lovely and very funny.

[@KristiFoxNelson]

I love your energy and your honesty

[@Teaisfortigger]

Ariel, you truly must read some of Jack Kerouac's work. I suggest reading in order of On the Road, then Dharma Bums, then Big Sur. I think you would really fall in love with his writing.

[@destinyann9932]

I need to get Show your work now!! Sounds awesome!!

[@splitreads]

I looooved SuperMutant Magic Academy and had the same experience constantly sending pictures of it to friends. I picked up Lucy Knisley because of you and read An Age of License and Relish (I liked Relish more but both were really good! Excited for your video with her! I enjoyed her relationship with her mom in Relish.)

[@reynoldswrapped4856]

I have the same book for the worst disappointment and the greatest book a graphic novel "the wicked and the divine" I was expecting something different but I was so entranced by the reading and the illustrations!

[@pastorytime2683]

Aw, lovely review! My favourite book of the year was Hold Still by sally Mann and my least favourite was My Brilliant Friend by elena Ferrante . Happy new year Ariel!!

[@maryhelen7588]

This video made me smile.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

You seem to have had an excellent year girl! SuperMutant Magic Academy sounds so cool!

[@caarolparker]

This vídeo was so good I really need it !

[@fionablackmoore8035]

Gosh Ariel you're so excited about what you talk about and you have so much energy when I look at you I feel dead by comparison :'D

[@ceviliousfrancesco444]

my favourite book of 2015 is wise man's fear.. it was epic!!

[@ninapenny431]

Favorite: All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven Disappointment: Sway, by Kat Spears

[@pocketfullofshellz]

My favourite book of the year was Lord of the Rings, I loved every minute of it and it taught me how to really savour and enjoy reading rather than try to read as much as possible. Really loved the video! I hope you have a great 2016 and you keep up the writing :)

[@BlueEyedBiblio]

This was so wonderful, especially how you choose yourself as the author of the year, yes girl!!!!!!!! I started carrying around notebooks and wrote a lot in 2015 too, actually. That's definitely something I want to bring with me into 2016. Mostly I just write down random thoughts but I want to work on writing actual pieces. For this reason, and the fact that it was your #1 read, I grabbed the nearest notebook and wrote down Show Your Work. I might go buy it now, actually. Thanks for this great vid, can't wait to see more of what you do in 2016:-)

[@KtyJust]

god ariel you are my favorite human being

[@RovingReader]

Ready Player One was a masterpiece! I agree with your review of his newest one...

[@leanzagarcia65]

I really love your pick for favorite author! And I'm definitely adding Show Your Work (and Steal Like and Artist) in my want-to-read pile. My favorite book of the year I'd have to say Flowers for Algernon, it's so fascinating and there are so much feels. My biggest disappointment was a book by a senator (Filipino). It was a collection of her jokes and quotes that I was hoping would be witty but I thought they were mostly corny. I know you will probably never encounter that book but I just thought it might be interesting to share it!

[@dominiceliseo]

Good selection of books! I know this year will be smaller pile of books compare to last year, because of Uni.

[@JocelynBrame]

YES. YES TO ALL OF THE THINGS.

[@nashdome]

Your disappointing read of the year was mine as well :(... so much hope for it. And my favorite read of the year was These Broken Stars.

[@SydneyBrownTravels]

I read around 25-ish books, as well, butI feel pretty good about it simply because school was really hectic this past year. My favorite book of the year was The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan! I had put my favorite books of 2015 video up before I read An Age of License, though. I just got it in the mail yesterday after ordering with my Christmas money, and I read it in an hour or so. Needless to say, An Age of License was probably my favorite book of 2015. I bought it after hearing you talk so highly about it and I'm so glad I did. Thank you. And my most disappointing read of the year was actually a play. Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel. I had to read this play for my novel to film adaptation course and I just wasn't able to get into the story. I was never much of a reader of plays, so I just found this one really hard to follow. However, you may really enjoy it. It's a quick read and has a lot of symbolic meaning throughout the course of the plot. Happy New Year! I can't wait to see your video with Lucy Knisely! Aaahhh!!!

[@NerdAtHeartt]

I saw Austin Kleon speak and he was amazing in every way

[@laurawilson8646]

I read 132 new books this year (not rereads), but I only really loved 20ish.

[@FranniePansDreamcatcher]

I bought Lost in translation this Christmas! I took a sneak peek inside and it was absolutely stunning and so cute and interesting, I cannot wait to dive into it!!

[@TheGriffindor92]

and i'll name you best book tuber of 2015 :)

[@sarahannereads]

I read Show Your Work (and Steal Like an Artist) both in July and they were so great. I'm definitely going to be rereading both of them on a frequent basis (which is super easy because it's so short). The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was actually one of my least favorites of the year, but I think that's largely because I had already done a lot of reading on the topic of minimalism (and in fact, had already started to declutter my house) when I read it, so there was no new information for me and the anthropomorphization of socks and stuff was just...odd.

[@joanshimkusgreen5837]

Ariel, I have to ask, "Have you been smoking?" This is the most animated I have see you and frankly it made me smile. I love passionate people! Keep up the good work!

[@bettyreads222]

this was such a great video. your joy just so comes through and oh man the disappointing read this year will have to go to seeker by arwyn dalton something I don't even remember the authors name because I blocked out the experience.

[@Amberfashion67]

You should have added a "favorite man booker book" category for this year.

[@niamhw2852]

Ariel dang it is 1 in the morning stop inspiring me so much I need sleep !! I got some tiny moleskines for Christmas and I'm so excited to fill them PS all your outfits are so cute where is your shirt from it's great

[@BookQueen1]

Love this video! Hopefully we get to read a book by your favourite author of the year someday! :))

[@keeri120]

HAPPY 2016!!! I now must offically get Super Mutant Magic Academy and An Age of License! I LOVE traveling and I love reading travel blogs, so I can't WAIT to read that! Thank you for all your hard work (even though I'm sure its fun!) and good honest reviews, and making the internet a better place! SEE YOU THIS YEAR! :D *waves*

[@morgantisdall7907]

My favorite book I read in 2015 is "I Hunt Killers" by Barry Lyga and my second favorite book I read in 2015 "Cress" by Merissa Myer

[@lovelyjavid]

Americanah... I was late reading it but I'm so glad I did. It is the best thing I've read all year, followed by Toni Morrison's Beloved.

[@alycigelnik3231]

Pride and prejudice was my disappointment...and you know what the heck, I wrote my first novel this year, IM MY FAVORITE AUTHOR!! Thank you for the inspiration. Love your videos!!!

[@alycigelnik3231]

+Jassmine Brahma thanks! I wrote in during nanowrimo so there are a ton of plot holes, but overall it's about a girl who accidentally kills the murderer of her boyfriends mom. I don't know if that makes any sense but...

[@LittlePrairieLibrary]

I would love to read some works by your favourite author of the year! ;) I will also be picking up Show Your Work based on your recommendations, for myself but even more for my husband. He's an artist but he really struggles with striving for perfection instead of for the sake of creating, and it holds him back a lot. SO I hope that the book will speak to him as much as it did you!

[@louiseliesbet7932]

My biggest dissapointment of the year was definitely outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I remember really looking forward to it, but I didn't like most of the characters and ended up not finishing it. My favorite book was code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, I loved the writing style and the relationship between the two main characters. Also they're not flawless beings without fear, the two girls are both very human, which is the reason the book appealed to me so much, I think.

[@perfectlyfrank8]

My Favourite Books of 2015 and Why 10 Weirdo's War by Michael Coleman; a good boys-will-be-boys story 9 North of Nowhere by Liz Kessler; what a twist! 8 Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull; does fantasy get any more epic than this?! 7 Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan; okay, maybe it does! 6 Holes by Louis Sachar; You don't need big words for big emotion 5 The Children's Crusade by Henry Treece; why don't we study this in history lessons? 4 Torchwood: Trace Memory by David Llwellyn; the first gay romance I've read, and I felt for it! 3 The Child's Elephant by Rachel Campbell-Jonston; some of the most beautiful, poetic writing I've ever read! 2 Doctor Who: Shining Darkness by Mark Michalowski; as funny and imaginative as Douglas Adams! 1 Waiting For Anya by Michael Morpurgo; I actually cried at this one. Disappointments of 2015 and Why 7 Doctor Who: Deep Blue by Mark Morris; Just a mediocre prototype for Mark Morris' best book, Ghosts of India 6 Kernowland: The Crystal Pool by Jack Trelawny; Weird, but weak 5 Humbug by Nina Bawden; Two girls hating each other, just plain unpleasant 4 C.H.A.O.S: Invasion by Jon S. Lewis; dull, cheesy and populated with stereotypical cut-outs 3 Brotherband: The Outcasts by John Flanagan; We've already got a great book series about a weedy Viking boy inventor. It's called How To Train Your Dragon. 2 The Finders by Nigel Hinton; It's too BLAND! 1 The Tiger's Secret by Gordon Volke; I can't describe how much I disliked this book in one line, so you may want to watch my review of it if you're interested. Best Covers North of Nowhere The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett Sky Raiders The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson

[@alexreid1173]

Wow okay I didn't see that coming XD That's fantastic! I hope 2016 is just as good as this year! :D

[@MrNoha11]

Ariel, I'm soooooo happy for u! :D ♥♥♥♥ Lots of love from Egypt! May 2016 be the best for all of us!

[@ayala3261]

I also read Shoe Your Work back in August. I really liked it as well :) The plot twist at the end :P

[@HaleyShealy15]

If you liked Show Your Work, definitely recommend Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert! A creative inspiration for me.

I loved this video so much!

[@leoncita0902]

Whyyy didn't I watch this yesterday?????? I went to Barnes and Noble today and I needed recommendations 😕😕

[@HichemAhmed]

I was thinking that your favorite book of this year will be one of Orwell 's book (hhh) , i will read Show Your Work, my favorite book of this year is the second book of The Maze Runner Serie and also Winger and my least one is Letter to the Dead.

[@imagineworkshop]

By far, the best book I read in 2015 was Lexicon by Max Barry. It's literally my new favorite book. Couldn't recommend more highly.

[@rainac1215]

I read How To Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon and it honestly does have a significant effect on you!

[@cubegirl97]

the book that was my biggest dissapointment this year was Dash & Lily's book of dares. My favorite was I'll give you the sun.

[@ItsThatRebz]

My favourite book of 2015? That's a difficult question but I think my number one favourite is The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Loved it.

[@oldstoriesfortiredeyes8013]

Austin Kleon is the best. Love his erasure poetry!

[@BereanBaker]

I just posted my Dec Wrap Up and Armada was in it... Never read Ready Player One, but by gosh- Armada was not where it's at! So disappointed! Love that you gave yourself the award :)