World Magazine selected the following as their 2015 books of the year:
To be eligible for consideration for this year’s awards, books must have been published between May 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015.
[Note: I highly recommend visiting World Magazine's article for more extensive descriptions not only of the winners but also the "runners up," many of which I can easily envision beating the winners.]
Fiction WINNER: The Book of Strange New Things, by Michael Faber
These days, in books from secular publishers, we expect to see pastors depicted as hypocrites and missionaries as agents of exploitation. Instead we find empathy and splendid writing in this poignant work from Michael Faber.
Accessible Theology WINNER: enGendered: God’s Gift of Gender Difference in Relationship, by Sam Andreades
In this insightful work, Andreades skillfully and truthfully guides readers through at least three crucial cultural debates: Are men and women different? How should husbands and wives help each other? What about same-sex marriage?
Current Events/Public Affairs WINNER: America in Retreat, by Bret Stephens
Stephens shows how isolationist rhetoric is on the rise in America along with balance-of-power appeasement. The consequence may be more disorder than we bargained for, including world war and the avoidable sacrifice of countless lives. (Short audio talk)
History/Biography WINNER: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson
Larson masterfully tells the story of those responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania and makes us empathize with the ordinary men, women, and children who were war’s collateral damage. The appeal to emotion as well as intellect makes Dead Wake our history/biography book of the year