Studious Saturday: My Top Books of 2018
It’s almost 2019 and time to reflect back on some of the best books I have read this year. As I am writing this I have read 48 books out of my goal of 50 (still 2 weeks to go so I know I can reach my goal!) and it has been incredibly difficult to narrow down my top reads. As I tend to read many backlist books due to my never ending TBR list, I decided to split my choices between the best 5 backlist book and the top 5 books published this year. You can find out my full thoughts on each one by clicking on the links below.
Top backlist books
5. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
2. The Travelling Cat Chronicles
Some of my top reads in this category were from the Historical Fiction and Contemporary Fiction genre and I was extremely pleased to find these four gems, some from recommendations and others at random. Cara Hunter has been my newfound top author in the Crime/Mystery/Thriller category this year. The ending of Close to Home was mind blowing and deserves the top spot here and the second book in the series, In the Dark, didn’t disappoint either.
Top books published in 2018
4. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae
3. In the Dark
1. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
A mixture of books from character-driven stories to the poignant tales of A Spark of Light and The Tattooist of Auschwitz are included here. However, I already knew the winner straight after I had finished this book and it was a very clear choice for me. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is incredibly clever and captivating and deserves to win every possible award. I have been recommending this book to everyone around me (I think some people may be getting quite aggravated by now) and will continue to do so going into next year. No words can do this book justice so you will just have to trust me here and read it, you won’t be disappointed!
It seems that 2018 was a great reading year for me and I can only hope that 2019 continues this way too. I already have my eye on several 2019 releases although there is still a tall pile of books from this year on my TBR list which I hope to eventually get to.
Question time
Have you read any of these books and what did you think of them? What are your top picks of 2018?
10 Comments
Stephen Writes
Great list, Darina! I loved reading both of Cara Hunter’s books and thought The Tattooist of Auschwitz was such a strong powerful read. Some of the others you included are on my TBR, too.
I’m sure by now you have reached 50 books – congrats for that and all the best for 2019. 😊
facingthestory
Thank you, Stephen! I hope that you also managed to reach your goal and that 2019 is a great reading year for you! 🙂
Jodi Fisher
Great article! You read so many books, that’s amazing!
I’ve heard about We Were The Lucky Ones. Hoping to check that out in 2019.
My favorite book read of 2018 was YOU by Caroline Kepnes. Other favorites were Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler and Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.
Currently reading To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. Hoping to read Love, Simon next.
Happy New Year!
facingthestory
Thanks, Jodi! I’ve heard great things about Celeste Ng’s books so I’ll have to check them out. Hope your current read and next one is just as good!
jennifertarheelreader
This is such a fantastic list, Darina! I’ve read about half and now I want to read all the rest because our taste is so similar. Happy New Year! 🎆
facingthestory
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I have also noticed that we have similar taste and I’ve gotten so many good recommendations on books from your blog. I hope that 2019 is a great reading and blogging year for you!
brunchingbookworms
Great list! I have only read one on there though, the tattooist of Auschwitz which I really liked. I have heard the travelling cat chronicles is a good read and the deaths of Evelyn hardcastle they are on my list to read this year ☺️
facingthestory
Thanks so much! The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is an amazing book, I hope you enjoy it!
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