My Top Ten Albums of 2015

SURPRISE! I got this post done! (Yes, it was late, and, yes, it took me a few days to get it all pieced together once I started...but it's HERE.)

I love listening to music. And over the past two years I’ve found quite a plethora of Christian artists whose music I’m a fan of. Just in this last year we’ve accumulated quite a few more albums, some of which I really loved, some of which I enjoyed, and some of which have made it on this list of the top ten albums from 2015. 

Hopefully you’ll find some new music from this list that will brighten up your January!

Note: The below ‘ratings’ are semi-accurate. I say ‘semi’ just because I had a bit of trouble really deciding which albums deserved which place. ;) The two that I am absolutely positive on? Places #1 and #2. 

10. Casey Darnell

This album has an almost-country track titled ‘When You Smile’ that became one of my favorite songs from Mr. Darnell. It’s a completely adorable love song. And this CD is full of fun and deep songs about God’s grace.

9. Chris August: The Maker

When I think of Chris August’s The Maker, I remember four songs in particular: Superhero (a hilarious love song with lyrics that remind you of Superman/Lois Lane and Mr. Incredible), I’m in Love with You (THIS SONG is just so cute), Find You to Find Me (a lovely song describing how, in order to find out who we are, we have to find God), and He’s Still Here (depicting how Jesus is still working among us. He’s still as near to us as He was when He lived as a man). 

 

8. Rend Collective: The Art of Celebration

Can we talk about incredibly joyful? Rend Collective has taken praise music to a whole other level. They have this fun, quirky style that is kind of endearing. ;)

7. Unspoken

All the songs on this CD are good. That is all. (Okay, fine. Two favorites? Good Fight and the second rendition of Tomorrow.)

 

6.Francesca Battistelli: Hundred More Years

There are so many tracks on this album that are just fun, upbeat, and touching. Hundred More Years is a particular favorite, as is Trampoline. (And Francesca has a beautiful voice!)

 

5. Among the Thirsty: Who You Say I Am

When I first heard these guys, we were traveling many miles to visit my grandparents’ in Iowa. Sitting in the car, hearing their tracks depicting God’s grace and life’s goodness, I started tearing up some. The whole CD is good. Literally – every. single. song. From slower, very deep songs to a few simply about doing good and life’s beauty, I loved Among the Thirsty’s newest album.

4. Hawk Nelson: Diamonds

There are many lovely songs on this one. When I heard for the first time, I was slightly surprised. Hawk Nelson has never been this good, and I was taken aback. (The lead singer changed…and the difference in the type of music they play is pretty amazing.) Live Like You’re Loved fast became a favorite on the album.
 

 

3. MercyMe: Welcome to the New 

Can we just stop a moment and grin? This was not my first taste of Mercy Me, but it was the first time I really, really liked them. They’ve  grown in their music. I mean, this CD is so fun (many of the songs are impromptu-dancing-material), but the message is so profound. This album is just about grace. That’s the root of every single one of the songs. And it’s beautiful.

 

2. Stars Go Dim

This is one of my current favorite albums (and bands). I love this CD! It has songs with this fun, happy feel that is just so enjoyable to listen to over and over again. I really like so many of the tracks on this album…I’m just not going to pick a favorite! And I love the lead singer’s voice.

 

1. Sidewalk Prophets

So incredibly great. This was the first album from Sidewalk Prophets that I’ve bought. And I was not sorry in the least. Songs on this CD are simply fantastic. Everything in Awe, Prodigal, If You Only Knew, Come to the Table (which reminded me of Narnia), and Impossible are all songs I highly enjoyed, among…well, almost every song on the CD. Just buy it. ;) (So good!!!)

And...that's it! All of these CDs are good and come recommended! Enjoy your newly found music... ;)

Happy reading (and listening, o' course)!

~Micaiah K.~

My Top Ten Books of 2015

Christmas is right around the corner. So is New Years. Because of that, I thought maybe I should drop by and give you the best books I read in the year of 2015...

10. Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke

One of the best I've read from Mrs. Oke. This book had little pieces of wisdom I enjoyed stumbling upon. And that Christmas scene with Edward and the scarf? Yeah, that was fun.



9. Secret of the Lost Settlement by John J. Horn

I reread this in August, I think. I was again brought to tears and impressed by the amazing message. It was gritty, adventurous, heart-pounding, and even humorous in rare moments.

 




















8. The Island Queen by R.M. Ballantyne

When three ship-wrecked siblings end up on an island that's deserted, more castaways show up, and a 'government' forms, you're in for a fun ride! I liked this book a lot - it's one of the best of Ballantyne's! It was very humorous and lots of fun! I smiled through almost a whole chapter. Yup. That happened. ;)



7. Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliot

This book was really cool! The main characters were, interestingly enough, brother and sister. They're broken relationship needs mending - little do they think that a horrible accident will become the starting point. I really enjoyed the story and some of the characters. It was funny, touching, and sweet.



6. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Man, this book. I cried multiple times. I saw World War II in a whole new light - it changed my perspective on the time. The Hiding Place was highly interesting, engaging, touching, and had such a great message.



5. The Heart of Arcrea by Nicole Sager

Surprisingly, this one made it on the list. I say surprisingly because as I read each book in the Arcrean Conquest series, the one I had just finished became my favorite Arcrean book. However, after months of not really thinking about the books, I thought about them again and ended up realizing that the first novel in the series, The Heart of Arcrea, was, honestly, the best. We're introduced to fun characters and taken along a sometimes agonizing but interesting and life-changing journey. I loved the way that Druet, the hero of the tale, followed God's leading. Not many books have that in it, and I thought it was really cool. Plus, it's fantasy - a really fun, non-magical fantasy in a land that is seriously unique. You won't forget it.



4. Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade by R.M. Ballantyne

A book about the London Fire Brigade in the mid-1800s? How cool is that!? I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the story and Willie Willders, one of the main characters. It was interesting and fun and one of the best by Ballantyne I've read.

 


 
















3. Millie's Steadfast Love by Martha Finley

Granted, I did re-read this one, (okay, okay! And the one below...), but I loved it all over again. The characters and the story are so fun. I adore this book. The Millie Keith series holds a special place on my ever burgeoning bookshelves.



2. Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon by John J. Horn

This book has been one of my favorite novels for a few years now. It still holds a very special place in my heart and is one of the best books I have read to date. Fun, heart-pounding adventure, charming characters, exotic locations... It's incredibly fun, and I'm so looking forward to rereading it AGAIN with my younger brother.



















1. To Get to You by Joanne Bischoff

This book is all about redemption, grace, and second chances. Though the message isn't forced, it seeps into the crevasses of the story (and your heart). I enjoyed it a lot! The characters were fun, and the whole road-trip/broken-son-and-father-relationship story was fantastic and really well done. Intertwined was an adorable romance between the unlikely hero and the homeschooled heroine. (Yes, she's homeschooled.) Super cute.



And theeeeeeeere you have it! The top ten books that I read this year. Totally check 'em all out, and totally let me know if you do. (Or if you've already read any of the above books, and if you liked them as much as I did!) ;)

They all come recommended (and I've reviewed most of them too. Either here, on my blog, or on Goodreads.)

That's all for now, but be on the lookout for another 'Top Ten' post!

Merry Christmas!

~Micaiah K.~