A Year Of Reading 2018

I hope there are readers out there who love books as much as I do. I don't typically talk books on the blog but it's one of my favorite topics. And I enjoy looking back on my reading life over the years.  I love to read and have for my whole life. I think it would be safe to say words are my love language. I don't have many book people in my life so if you are, please let me know in the comments. Also, please feel free to leave any and all book recommendations you have to offer!

2018


In 2018, I read 63 books. My goal was to read 40 books in 2018 which was significantly more than my 2017 goal of 30 books. My final total was a result of changing responsibilities and more time for reading. Of those 63 books, zero were re-reads. All new books this year. I read several new authors this year but Tara Jenkins Reid was my favorite and binge read all her books in 2018. So glad I did. Have you read TJR?

My 2018 book list was equal parts fiction and nonfiction this year with some mix of graphic novels. I was interested in reading recent releases this year, so lots of new reads are listed. I continued to read my mostly from one of my favorite genres, contemporary fiction. I started reading some self improvement/motivation books this year which I enjoyed and will continue in the new year.

1. Best Book You Read In 2018?

I don't feel like I read anything that knocked me off my feet in 2018. My favorite was probably Big Little Lies from Liane Moriarty. 

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

This was easy! And probably an unpopular opinion, The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, was a book I could not wait to read in 2018. In the end, I just did not like it. It was too unbelievable for me and the build up of suspense was so anti-climatic. A big nope from me.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? 

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. My favorite storyline is answering the 'what could have been' question. The Light We Lost was a tough read and I really wasn't sure I would like this one. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised and definitely a top ten from 2018.

 4. Best series you started in 2018? 

The only series I read in 2018 was the children's graphic novel series, Amulet. I was instantly won over. If you have an emerging reader (2nd grade or older), give them these books. The novels have such important themes interwoven in fantasy writing. I loved it. I wish I would have known about these when my kids were younger.

5. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?

Tara Jenkins Reid by far. I read Maybe In Another Life in February and devoured everything else Reid wrote by the end of the year. I can't wait for her next release. I am such a fan. I can't believe I waited this long to read one of her novels.

6. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I don't read classic novels very often, so The Handmaid's Tale would be my choice for this question. It was really good. I read a couple dystopian books this year and this was the best. 

 7. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

My fastest read was One True Loves by Tara Jenkins Reid. So entertaining. 

 8. Book You Read In 2018 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I am most likely to read Believing Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels in 2019. I did a double read of Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis in 2018. I'm definitely in a place of exploring motivation and vision building/goal setting. I imagine 2019 will be more of that! 

9. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?

All the Tara Jenkins Reid books were beautiful covers.

10. Most creatively written book read in 2018?

11/22/63 by Stephen King was the most creative I read. This was my first Stephen King and I was drinking the Kool-Aid for this popular author. My goal is to read another Stephen King this year.

11. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2018?

If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey was probably the book that got me on the path to goal setting and becoming more authentic. This started a year of self assessment and goal setting. 

12. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read? 

Anything from Tara Jenkins Reid. She is that good, people!

13.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2018?

Shortest Book: Sea Prayer, 48 pages

Longest Book: 11/22/63, 849 pages

14. Best Book You Read In 2018 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Every young adult book I read is because my teenagers recommend them to me. One of Us Is Lying was a book my daughter was telling me to read for a long time. A List of Cages was the second book she recommended. I don't read too many YA books but I try to read something my kids are enjoying.

15. Best 2018 debut you read?

The only debut I read this year was The Woman In The Window by A.J Finn and I wasn't a fan. I hope 2019 will bring better debut novels.

16. Books That Made You Cry in 2018?

What the heck, I don't think I cried the year! I rarely cry when reading so it's not a big surprise but last year I cried over two books: Everything I Never Told You and The Mothers. Wow! 

17. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

My hidden gems were the Amulet graphic novels. I was so surprised by  what powerful messages were written in the pages. I would recommend this to all young readers. It is so positive and powerful (in my opinion).

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?

All The Light We Cannot See is on the top of my list. I just keep pushing it down the list every year. 2019 is the year!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2019?

I'm ready for another Tara Jenkins Reid book in March. Daisy and the Six is coming out and I'm ready for it! If Ruta Septys and Celeste Ng want to publish another novel I'm all for that too :)

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading Life In 2019?

I want to read all the books on my shelf.

Now it's time for you to answer some bookish questions. What was your favorite book of 2018? What book are you committed to reading in 2019?

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