Even though it feels like just yesterday that we were saying goodbye to 2017, somehow 2018 is already drawing to a close. Which means it’s time for end-of-year wrap-ups! I started bullet journaling in October of 2017, and pretty much the only “collection” I keep up with is my book log. I list every book I read and rate it on a scale of 1-10. Not all of these books were published this year, but they’re all pretty recent. It’s a rather eclectic collection, but they all ranked 9 or higher, at least according to my tastes!
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Funny and heartwarming, this book will both make you laugh out loud and also keep you thinking about it long after you put it down. Not to mention it won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in fiction.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
An absolutely breathtaking novel, it’s hard to explain why the musings of a British butler on a road trip are so captivating. Ishiguro is a masterful writer, and you don’t have to take my word for it–he won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Another hilarious book that is somehow relatable (who hasn’t brought home the “wrong” person to meet family, or been the wrong person?) but also completely unbelievable in its display of the lavish lifestyle of many of the characters. It was turned into a smash hit film this year, which I reviewed here.
Love & Gelato and Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
These are both super adorable and fun romance stories set in absolutely gorgeous places. I picked up Love & Gelato because I was traveling to Florence and wanted to get a feel for the area, and I fell in love both with the city and Welch’s amazing characters! The sequel is about the main character’s best friend and is set in Ireland, and I just adored it.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
This book was the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud moments, heart-swooning romantic scenes, and inspirational characters. It was also recently adapted into a movie by Netflix, starring Jennifer Aniston and featuring music by Dolly Parton (read my review!).
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
I read this book in one afternoon because once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Think The Breakfast Club, but with murder. It’s so suspenseful, it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Fawkes by Nadine Brandes
I’d never read historical fantasy before, but wow am I glad I decided to branch out and try this one! Centered around the Gunpowder Plot, this novel is amazingly creative and has wonderfully lovable characters.
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
So I could talk about this duology forever, but I’ll restrain myself to saying GO READ IT. It’s a heist story set in a fantasy world that also deals with prejudice, self-worth, and lots of other important topics. It’s also surprisingly funny. The characters are fantastic, and even though it’s a large ensemble cast, Bardugo does an amazing job of giving each character their own voice and backstory so they’re all unique.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Okay, I know I’m super late to this, but I finally started reading the Throne of Glass series this year, and boy have I been missing out! I have to say, I’m not as obsessed with it as a lot of other readers seem to be, but it’s still a captivating story with badass characters and detailed worldbuilding. Also, you’ll probably cry. Just warning you now.
The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth
This is a beautiful and creative debut novel that makes me excited to read whatever Weymouth writes next. It tells the story of three siblings who traveled to a magical, Narnia-like world, and their transition back into the “real” world. I love any book that explores the relationship between sisters, and this one does so in a complicated and realistic way, despite the fantastical elements of the plot.
The Water and the Wild by K.E. Ormsbee
This one is technically middle grade, not YA, but it’s still a delightful portal-fantasy story with a wonderfully creative take on magic and otherworldly creatures. Read my interview with the author here.
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker
Are you looking for a story about badass teenage girls figuring out grief, guilt, and female friendships, all while sailing on the high seas? Even if you didn’t think you were, you still need to read Seafire, because it’s a fantastic book and just plain fun to read.
The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I decided to give this series a try in October since it was recommended as a “spooky but not horror” book. It didn’t end up being all that spooky, but it was still so good! The first book is 2001: A Space Odyssey meets World War Z, and it only gets better from there. Don’t be scared off by the size of the books (they’re all over 600 pages long), because they’re not formatted like a normal novel. Instead, they’re created as a compilation of files (hence the name) comprised of things like video transcriptions, chat logs, journal pages, etc. I was worried the format might feel gimmicky, but really you get used to reading it and it ends up being a cool way to explore different character voices.
Gulp by Mary Roach
Remember that commercial/meme “The Most Interesting Man in the World?” My bookish version of that is, “I don’t always ready non-fiction, but when I do, I read Mary Roach.” This is because Mary Roach is simply perfect. She has the uncanny ability to pick out a topic that sounds weird/boring/gross and dive into it with unfettered curiosity and glee, and bring you along with her until you’re also utterly fascinated. Roach has a clever, dry wit that balances all of her unusual topics and will make you to laugh out loud. Be warned: You’ll end up telling random stories about topics other people find a little unsettling because you read about it in a Mary Roach book and it’s just too good not to share. (Seriously. I spent half of dinner with my husband once talking about the Canadian man who had a hole through his side exposing his digestive functions and the experiments scientists used this for. In my defense, he asked about the book I was reading.)
Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
This is one of my favorite books on writing, because it teaches you how to improve your writing no matter what book you’re reading. My copy of it is covered in notes, and my to-be-read list doubled in size after seeing all of her recommendations!
At Home by Bill Bryson
I picked this book up on a whim, and it ended up being one of my absolute favorite books of the year. Bryson goes room by room in his house and just by exploring what’s inside, he ends up telling you the history of the world. Do you know why salt and pepper are the two spices always on the table? Where did the expression “above board” come from? We take so much for granted, so it’s easy to forget how much of the culture, history, and inventions of the world end up right in our own homes.
From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein
I know, I know. Who wants to read a book about politics during a time like this? But this book is about so much more than just politics. Dorey-Stein explores the tension between having a successful career and a happy relationship (especially when you’re working in politics) and the reasons why we continue to make toxic decisions even when we know they’re bad. It’s a love story, a memoir, and an advice column all wrapped up into one beautifully written book.
(FYI–This post includes affiliate links. I promise to never recommend anything that I haven’t loved and think you should try!)
What are your favorite books you’ve read this year? What 2019 releases are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments!
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