FaveBooks2015

On this week’s episode of Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast, we asked listeners to tell us what their favorite m/m book(s) of 2015 were and why.

On the broadcast I couldn’t limit myself to one. I’ve been lucky to read a lot of really great books this year. Narrowing it down to one was impossible, so I settled at citing three (even though I feel bad at leaving so many good ones out).

Here are the three that most captured me this year:

The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen: I choked up on the podcast talking about this book because that’s how powerful it is to me. I read this  back in January and the story of two college hockey players who’d been friends before a homophobic incident separated them captured my heart. The story of Graham and Rikker mending their friendship had so many layers and nuances that it was nearly impossible to put this book down. There’s a hospital scene that sticks with me even now, almost a year after reading it. (Here’s my original review and interview with Sarina on PuckBuddys.)

Misplaced Affection by Wade Kelly: Yup, Wade’s a friend but I find her work outstanding and Misplaced Affection is my favorite. The tale of Flynn, Keith and Zach has so many twists and turns, heartbreaks and delights that this was another one that was hard for me to put down. It’s a complex, well told, very “now” sort of story because it’s easy to see how the events in this book could play out for someone in real life. It’ll make you laugh, get angry, cry, be happy and have you repeating it all over again. The audiobook will be out soon and I can wait to revisit this when it does. (Here’s my original review)

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli: It was such a delight meeting Simon earlier this year. Simon’s in a pen pal relationship with someone else at his school. Neither of the boys knows who the other is and neither is out, but yet they’re drawn to each other and sorta, maybe want to meet. Simon, meanwhile, having left an email open on a public computer is getting blackmailed to play matchmaker for someone else. This novel is an interesting look at making connections, as well as the pitfalls, of digital life while also presenting an interesting take on finding your first love. And now I can’t see Oreos without thinking of this book. (Here’s my original review).

There are so many more I could call out for providing me reading enjoyment this past year, but I’ll leave it here as I did on the podcast.

So tell me, what was your favorite m/m read of 2015? Leave it in the comments and it might just get called out on the podcast next week.