All the Books I Read in 2018
Hello! Yes, I’m alive! I’ve been slowly getting back to a sense of “normal” since our wedding in October, and I am finally ready to try to tackle getting back to posting regularly. There are so many posts that I haven’t written this year to catch up on, but as 2019 approaches, I wanted to reflect a little first. While I did fall behind on a lot of things I would consider “regular” parts of my daily life, I did not fail to complete my reading challenge this year.
Every year Goodreads gives you the opportunity to set a reading goal for the year. I usually am too enthusiastic, and set the bar way too high. This year, I challenged myself to read 25 books, which is roughly two books per month. I actually was shocked to read 26 books in 2018! I did this between actual reading and my Audible subscription. It is safe to say that having an escape through reading has really helped to keep me sane over the past twelve months.
You can, of course, just check out the books I read on my Goodreads profile, but I wanted to briefly reflect on the list. Below is each book I read this year, and a short review of how I felt about the read. Before we get started, please note that this post is in no way sponsored. I am writing this to simply reflect and give honest feedback on each book I read.
Books I Read in 2018
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Kindle
A friend of mine recommended this book to me, and it was a great book to kickoff the year with. If you like stories about faeries, and really dynamic characters then this is a great book for you. Warning: Don’t be like me and go looking for fanart because you will spoil things for yourself. For all purposes moving forward, I will be referring to this series as the ACOTAR series throughout this blog post.
The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst
Format: Audible
This series was recommended to me by another author to hold me over until her third book came out, and I LOVED the first book in this series (The Queen of Blood). The second book in this series was harder for me because I didn’t connect as much with the second main character that was introduced. By the end I enjoyed the relationship that was built between the new and old characters, and looked forward to the final book in the trilogy.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Format: Audible
My best friend recommended this to me. I love cathedrals, and this was a great read that showcased the trials and tribulations of building a cathedral. I enjoyed this because you get the architecture, the sense of time it takes, and the drama that went on behind the scenes of such a task. I am happy that I listened to this book because it is a bit slow compared to the stories I would typically choose for myself, but overall it was a good book.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Kindle
This was probably the easiest read of 2018 for me. Hands down, the best in this series by S. J. Mass. You can’t help but fall in love with every character she creates. I will say, I don’t think these books should be classified as “Young Adult” because of some very explicit sex scenes. I do hope that any girl who reads these books realizes that the she deserves to be in a relationship where she gets treated like Feyre does in this book.
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Format: Audible
Let me tell you that I will NEVER read this book again. This book was so slow, and not at all as adventurous as I expected this story to be. I can’t tell you if that is just because it took so long to get to a point that I often forgot about where we were in the story. In the future, I will stick to the film adaptations of this story.
Creatures of Light by Emily B. Martin
Format: Paperback
STANDING OVATION. I am certain that if you have read the few blog posts I have written this year that you no doubt know how much I love Emily’s books. This final installment of her trilogy did not disappoint. I eagerly await her next series. GO READ ALL OF THEM NOW.
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Format: Kindle
I’m a huge sucker for pretty much any version of Cinderella. Geekerella mixes my love of cosplay with my love of classic fairytales into a brand new adventure. This was a very easy read, and it was simply adorable. Great for any age.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin
Format: Audible
I am admittedly a huge fan of the Game of Thrones HBO series, but I have only read the first book in the series it is based off of. George R.R. is a great fantasy author, but he writes a bit slow for my taste. I also am not so enthusiastic to invest more time in the books until he finishes the final book in the series. This book is a happy medium because it is a stand alone story that takes place before the timeline of the HBO show. Dunc and Egg are delightful characters, and I think listening to the audiobook was definitely a good call. If you like Game of Thrones or just like classic tales of knights and adventure then you will probably be easily taken by this book.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Audible
This series was one of my top series I read this year. You really fall in love with the characters. Who doesn’t love a good swindling? Kaz Brekker? Yes please! This was my first adventure in Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy world, and she has really created a world I’ve grown to love to escape to.
The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst
Format: Audible
The third and final book in the Queens of Renthia trilogy. I have to say that as much as I loved the first book, I would not recommend this series to people after finishing the third book. I think this was probably the biggest let down in reading for me this year. I had such high hopes, but it did not deliver.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Hardcover
The final installment in the ACOTAR trilogy was epic, but somewhat disappointing. I’ve become very picky about endings of books, and this one had some flaws for me. Overall, I think Maas did a great job of completing the initial three books in her truly wonderful series, and I would happily read them all over again given the chance.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Audible
I’m always worried that when I really love the first book in a series that I will just be let down moving forward, but this second book did not disappoint. I feel like this duology focused more on adult readers because it was a great ending, but not necessarily what you would call a completely happy ending. The older I get, the more I appreciate authors who can end a book well without everything working out perfectly in the end.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Hardcover
This novela in the ACOTAR series was a really fast read, and very enjoyable. If you fell in love with Maas’ characters from the original trilogy then I definitely recommend picking this one up. It doesn’t really have an overarching plot to it like the other books do, but rather just a nice story about the lives of all of the characters to see how they are doing after the first three books have ended.
Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Format; Audible
This was one of my favorite listens this year. I really loved the narrator, and the story was awesome. I think my favorite part of this book was that it was told from two different perspectives, but those perspectives were from past and present leading up to how they link together. I cannot wait to read the next book when it comes out next year.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Format: Audible
Bossypants has been on my to-be-read list for way too long. Several people told me that listening to it read by Tina Fey was the right way to go, and there was really no question because she is awesome. This is definitely one that I would recommend for everyone. It is entertaining, witty, and has some really great advice.
Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini
Format: Audible
I chose this book because Josh’s grandma had said I needed to read it.This book was interesting, but it definitely wasn’t what I expected. I expected this book to be more about the dressmaking and outfits made by Elizabeth Keckley. Instead, it was a behind the scenes story of President Lincoln’s time in office from the perspective of Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker. Entertaining and informational for someone who isn’t that into history unless it is told as historical fiction (ME), but definitely a one-time read.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
Holly Black has been writing fairy stories for far too long for this to be the first book by her I have read, but it is true. This book is a great book for anyone who read the ACOTAR series, and needs more juicy fantasy, high fae stories to satisfy them. I’m really looking forward to the sequel, The Wicked King coming out next year.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Audible
The imagery in Shadow and Bone was some of my favorite this year. I’m a sucker for all things light and dark. I enjoyed this listen so much that I bought three extra credits from Audible to have the second and third book right away.
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Audible
Sadly, I did not think Seige and Storm was better than Shadow and Bone. I held strong knowing that sometimes I struggle with the middle books in series, but it often ends up being worth it for a great ending. Also, one of my favorite characters was introduced in this book, which made it worth the other things that weren’t my favorite in it.
Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis
Format: Hardcover
After meeting Beth at Electric City Comic Con this summer, I knew I had to read one of her books. Rather than reading one of her Star Wars books, I patiently waited for Give the Dark my Love to arrive on shelves because I’ve very clearly been on a fantasy kick this year. This book read a bit slow for me, but I honestly think that is because I was trying to read this in the height of wedding finalization. The intricate plotline and alchemic form of magic really made this one interesting for me, and I would definitely give this book as a gift.
Suck Less by Willam Belli
Format: Audible
I selected this book because it was in the “top downloads” section, and it sounded hilarious. I was sorely disappointed by this book. The beginning had me laughing on my drive into work, but laughs quickly turned to utter disgust. I don’t recommend this book to anyone. In no universe is recommending people having an eating disorder as a means to lose weight justifiable in any way. Not only did I not enjoy the last 2/3 of this book, but I really don’t have any respect left for Willam.
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Audible
What can I say? I was not happy with the ending of this trilogy. It wasn’t bad, but it goes back to what I said in my review of Leigh’s other series: a book doesn’t always have to have a completely happy ending for it to have a good ending. If you enjoy books that go against all sense to make sure there is a happy ending then you would probably enjoy this book more than I did.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Paperback
The other famous series by S. J. Maas was finished this year, so I decided it was definitely time to start reading them since I loved her other series so much. I read this book in less than 24 hours. I haven’t had a chance to read anymore of this series yet, but I think if I only had to compare the first book in each series that I enjoyed this first book more than A Court of Thorns and Roses. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of these books.
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Format: Audible
Brandon Sanderson is an author that I think I’m going to binge read in 2019 because he does not disappoint. I loved the first trilogy I read by him, The Final Empire, and Skyward, his newest series, is simply put, badass. I did not want to stop listening to this book throughout December. The best thing about Sanderson as an author is that I feel like you are never kept waiting long for the next book in a series he is working on, which does great things for impatient me. If you like Star Wars, Aliens, Airforce stories, or just sci-fi in general, then I really think you’ll appreciate this book.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Format: Paperback
I probably already said this before, but I am a sucker for re-tellings of classic fairy tales. If you like The Little Mermaid then you will probably enjoy this refreshing new spin on the classic tale. The twist of telling this from the perspective of a siren rather than a standard mermaid gave our main character’s alluring voice a completely different motive.
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off by Michael Caine
Format: Audible
I just finished this before writing this post. Michael Caine is one of my all-time favorite actors, and I knew I wanted to listen to this because he was narrating it himself. The big picture of this book is a journey through his road to stardom, but he gives tons of great advice. I found this refreshing, relaxing, and inspiring. It was a good book to listen to heading into the new year.
There were a lot of personal goals I fell flat on this year, but I’m really happy to have accomplished my reading goal. Hopefully, this list will lead a few of you to great reads, or help you steer clear of some bad ones. Have you read any of these books? Share what you thought below! What are some books you would recommend I add to my future reading list? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to subscribe via email or Bloglovin’ to never miss a post!