I pride myself in being a huge book nerd. From "Hooked on Phonics" at age 2 to exceeding my goal to read 225 books this year, I think it is fair to say that I have quite a bit of inside knowledge on the book trends. Since I have received a fair amount of recommendations in the past few weeks and Christmas break is one of the best times to catch up on reading, here are the 15 best books I read this year. Go forth and feed your mind, heart, and soul.

1. The Robert Langdon Series by Dan Brown

I guess it's not fair to start the list with a series, but this one certainly deserves it. Best known for its second volume, "The Da Vinci Code," the adventures of symbolist Robert Langdon carry him from Rome to Washington D.C. and back again with suspense and surprises at every turn. You will stay awake at night trying to figure out the puzzle of each volume.

2. The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer

While this is not necessarily a book (rather, it's a Tony Award-winning play), this piece of art has touched me so much in the past year that I had to put in on this list. As three different groups deal with the terminal illness of their loved ones at a hospice center, it reminds us of the truth about life, death, love, and how we must have always hope through it all.

3. Carrie by Stephen King

My first exposure to Stephen King exceeded all of my expectations. Having only seen the film version, I was expecting a terror-filled cautionary tale about the perils of bullying. While it certainly fits that description, it is also an incredibly dark look about what it means to be different and how far people will go to make you fit in.

4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling is a girl after my own heart. A nonconventional girl in a male-dominated entertainment industry, Kaling waxes poetic on her childhood as a chubby girl, choosing food over men, and the ups and downs of writing for "The Office," one of America's most beloved shows. Every twenty-something girl needs to pick up this book and remind themselves that while it may not get any easier, it's still good to laugh about.

5. How to Be a Heroine (Or What I've Learned From Reading Too Much) by Samantha Ellis

This book goes out to all the girls who found themselves more in love with literature than with real life. A perfect mix of humor and heartbreak, it is a study of how books touch our lives in every stage. Whether that means bringing us comfort during a breakup or just taking us on an adventure, each one has a different lesson to give. In the end, it also reminds us that the only heroine we should want to be is the one in our own story.

6. The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

You expect all young adult books to follow a certain formula: cute boy meets pretty girl, they fall in love despite all obstacles, and kiss while they promise forever. This book breaks all of those expectations in the most poignant way. A heartbreaking look at growing up and falling in love, it is one of the most realistic love stories that I have ever encountered. You may find yourself thinking of your own first love, the one that got away, or the uncertainty of your path while immersed in its pages.

7. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I cannot believe it took me 20 years of my life to finally pick up this book. Combining aspects from several different genres, it is an incredible reminder of the will of the human spirit to survive even in the bleakest circumstances. Not without its surprises, "Pi" will leave you thinking about its surprising conclusion long after you put the book down.

8. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

We live in a world where we are taught to feel self-conscious, unloved, and out of touch with the rest of the world. Jen Sincero combats all of these concepts with an amazing sense of humor as she puts you on the path to self-awareness. This book is an unparalleled reminder about the uniqueness of every human being and that you are indeed a badass.

9. Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

The cycles of history tend to repeat themselves, and no story gives more sway to that theory than "Ragtime." An epic tale of three families trying to live and love in the early 20th century, it boasts a cast of historical figures such as Emma Goldman, J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, and Henry Ford that intertwine in a narrative of poverty, injustice, and ultimate unity.

10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

There are those of us, young and old, who never quite stopped believing in magic. Morgenstern balances the feeling of wanting to belong to the mystery of the circus while showing the human cost and pain behind the tent. A surprisingly dark look at your childhood memories, it will awaken the child in you in ways that you never expected.

11. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

With the rise of the book to movie franchise, there is a unique population of teenagers known as fangirls who obsessively follow their beloved novels (sometimes to the point of ignoring real life). Rainbow Rowell uncovers the ways in which people can hide behind their obsessions and how life can often be just sweeter when you actually live it.

12. City of Women by David R. Gillham

Secrets are not only the occupation of men during times of war. The women who are left behind at the home front are often the keepers of deceit and lies. Set in Germany during World War II, "City of Women" is the unforgettable story of one such woman who chooses to create her own life under the iron grip of a dictator.

13. I Am Abraham by Jerome Charyn

History often paints our country's leaders as gods who guided lowly mortals through times of great turmoil. "I Am Abraham" reduces our great 16th president to what he truly was: a plainspoken man from Illinois who stood up for what he believed in despite the doubts of many. Covering from his boyhood to his assassination at Ford's Theatre, this comprehensive look at Lincoln's life will bring back to earth the godlike figure of the Civil War.

14. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

There have been few events in our country's history that have shaped our future quite like the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara puts the monumental event into a deeply human perspective as the battle is told through the eyes of both Union and Confederate soldiers. A unique memorial to the lives lost during the battlefield, it begs us to remember the physical and emotional cost of war for the men fighting it.

As 2015 comes to an end, pick up one of these titles and discover a new favorite!