All The Books I Read in 2018

When I put together my Book Survey for 2018, I realized that I couldn’t include every single book that I read. I often see “Best Of” lists this time of year, but I thought it would be fun to share short, one sentence or less, reviews of ALL the books I finished in 2018. I’m generally not great at rating or reviewing books on Goodreads and I don’t get to mention everything here on the blog. So, here’s a post that contains every single book I read.

*I added a linkup at the end of this post if anyone wants to share their list of 2018 books as well!

Fiction:

1. Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak (ebook from library) – Technically a Christmas novel, but not exactly full of good cheer.
2. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (Book of the Month club) – My expectations were too high since this didn’t live up to her other novels.
3. Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy (Complimentary copy for a book tour) – An unexpected surprise that took me straight back to Green Gables and the fascinating characters that L.M. Montgomery originally created.
4. Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan (free copy from publisher) – It’s hard to believe an author could go wrong writing about a bookshop in Paris, but this story was just plain strange and not at all engaging.
5. The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (NetGalley copy for review) – Intriguing concept (actually meeting the five people dead or alive you’d choose to have dinner with) but sadly rather boring in execution.
6. Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood (NetGalley copy for review) – Definitely creepy and gross, especially since it’s based on a true story!
7. The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (audiobook from Scribd) – The cover is gorgeous and the story is quite pretty too.
8. The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton (NetGalley copy for review) – Let’s just say you should stick to Kate Morton’s other novels…
9. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (book from library) – Lots of readers loved this book and while I enjoyed the supporting characters, I just couldn’t get behind the two main characters.
10. Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (book from library) – So many tears but such an incredible follow up story.
11. The Circle by Dave Eggars (book we own) – It’s scary that I can see this happening in the not too distant future.
12. By Invitation Only by Dorothea Benton Frank (audiobook from Scribd) – I’ve heard her older novels are better and I’m hoping that’s the case…
13. Lighthouse Beach by Sherry Noble (Complimentary copy for a book tour) – Average story about four women who establish a friendship during an unexpected road trip to the beach.
14. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman (Audiobook from Scribd) – Backman, you’ve done it again – stop making me cry!!
15. A Storied Life by Leigh Kramer (complimentary copy from the author) – I love any chance to support a fellow blogger and it was ridiculously exciting to help spread the word about Leigh’s charming story.
16. The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson (complimentary copy for a book tour) – I was blown away by this story and it became one of my favorite reads of the year.
17. Still Me by JoJo Moyes (audiobook from Scribd) – A satisfying wrap up for this series.
18. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (audiobook from Scribd) – An unusual story with quite a cast of characters that was a bit slow at times.
19. Where Hope Begins by Catherine West (complimentary copy for a book tour) – I adored this Christian tale about redemption and hope.
20. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (book we own) – Even better than I remembered
21. The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford (book we own) – An epic historical fiction saga that was the perfect read before our trip to Ireland in June
22. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (book we own) – Obviously I loved reading about an introverted accountant who reads at her desk during lunch each day…
23. To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey (eBook from library) – I had high hopes for this, but I just didn’t find the story that interesting.
24. Beartown by Fredrik Backman (book from library) – I read this in less than 24 hours and it’s probably my absolute favorite book I read this year.
25. The Biographies of Ordinary People by Nicole Dieker (IndieReader copy for review) – A not awful family drama.
26. The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble (book we own) – An impulse purchase from a used book sale that was just ok.
27. The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C Morais – This made me realize I should read more foodie books because I typically love them.
28. True Grandeur by Cal R Barnes (IndieReader copy for review) – Horrible – easily the worst book I reviewed this year.
29. One Match by J.Y. Chung (IndieReader copy for review) – A sweet unconventional love story.
30. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (book we own) – A beautiful fairy tale like story about a young girl made of snow that I will definitely be reading again.
31. Goner by Ann Goethe (IndieReader copy for review) – I think this wasn’t awful?
32. Dubliners by James Joyce (book from library) – Another book I read in preparation for our Ireland trip.
33. The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes McCoy (eBook from Scribd) – I honestly thought this would be better than it was, unfortunately.
34. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (book from library) – Didn’t live up to the hype
35. An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor (book from library) – Not bad, but I didn’t feel the need to continue the series
36. The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck (book we own) – A different take on the World War II historical fiction craze, but it’s worth passing over in favor of other WWII novels.

 

Fantasy:

38. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (book we own) – Jay suggested this fantasy and while it’s not my favorite fantasy, I still thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns of the story.
39. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas (book from library) – A completely unnecessary addition to a series I adored
40. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas (book from library) – Major book hangover after finishing this!
41. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (eBook from Scribd) – Easily my favorite of the series
42. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas (eBook from Scribd) – Looking back after knowing how the plot turns out is a lot of fun with this one.
43. Home: Interstellar by Ray Strong (IndieReader copy for review) – Just average sci fi.
44. The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien (book we own) – A thrilling end to the series
45. Exhumation by S.A. Chapman (IndieReader copy for review) – Bad. So Bad
46. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (book we own) – Possibly my favorite of the three?
47. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (book we own) – Rereading this series made me want to visit it more often than once every ten years or so
48. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (book we own) – This was unlike anything I’d read before and I was completely entranced by the mix of wilderness living and Russian folklore.
49. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (book we own) – Jay recommended this fantasy and I’m so glad because it’s amazing!!

 

Nonfiction:

50. Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon (audiobook from Scribd) – Reese is delightful narrating her memoir / recipe book about growing up in the South.
51. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (audiobook from Scribd) – Super short essay about Adichie’s experiences and her case for being a feminist.
52. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (audiobook from Scribd) – Apparently this is controversial but in my opinion she’s an engaging writer and has lots of practical advice and funny stories.
53. As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes (audiobook from Scribd) – Elwes shares endearing stories from behind the scenes of this beloved movie.
54. Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (audiobook from Scribd) – At times fascinating and at times terribly boring.
55. Home Life Around the World by Anita Martinez Beijer (IndieReader copy for review) – The pictures and stories of international homes were surprisingly interesting to read through.
56. Love Does by Bob Goff (borrowed from my mom) – Sadly, I just didn’t connect with the stories Bob shares and thought he was a bit “out there.”
57. Nabakov’s Favorite Word is Mauve by Ben Blatt (book from library)– An intriguing mashup of statistics and reading made this a nonfiction book perfectly suited to my interests.
58. Cleaving by Julie Powell (book we own) – Seriously disappointing follow up to Julie and Julia.

 

Chick Lit:

58. Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber (eBook from the library) – A cute, cheesy Hallmark movie in book form.
59. One Day in December by Josie Silver (eBook from the library) – While technically set during the holidays and involving a romantic relationship, this has more depth and distress than your typical Christmas love story.
60. Heart Land by Kimberly Stuart (eBook from the library) – Big city fashion girl gets swept off her feet by her former flame after returning to her Midwestern hometown – just ok.
61. The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan (eBook from Scribd) – Classic Jenny Colgan in this endearing Christmas story.
62. Christmas at the Rosie Hopkin’s Sweet Shop by Jenny Colgan (eBook from Scribd) – Another Christmas story from Jenny so obviously I loved this one too!
63. Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella (book from library) – As an avid fan of hers, I wanted to like this more than I actually did.
64. When Life Gives you Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger (audiobook from Scribd) – An enjoyable enough addition to the Devil Wears Prada series. 
65. Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge (audiobook from Scribd) – I normally gobble up Jane Austin retellings but this fell a little flat for me.
66. The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash (Complimentary copy for a book tour) – A young woman is unexpectedly invited to her ex’s wedding in Paris and classic rom com events ensue.
67. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (eBook from library) – For some reason the writing fell flat and I don’t quite understand why so many others rave about it.
68. The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne (book we own) – Oh dear I don’t remember anything about this but I think I liked it!
69. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (eBook from Scribd) – This office romance completely won me over and I can’t wait to read her next novel.
70. SnapDragon by Kilby Blades (IndieReader copy for review) – A surprisingly sexy, fun read!

 

Young Adult:

71. You’d be Mine by Erin Hahn (eBook from library) – Toward the end of my short Young Adult phase I started to get tired of the unending drama, even with this unique country singer aspect.
72. The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin (eBook from library) – Oh for pete’s sake just talk to each other, say how you feel, and this book could have been 10 pages long.
73. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon (book from library) – Actually better than expected with a twist at the end I probably should have seen coming but totally didn’t.
74. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han (eBook from Scribd) – A sweet ending to a series that I absolutely adored.
75. The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick (book from library) – I like the general idea of the story but it just wasn’t a terrific read.
76. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (eBook from Scribd) – Young love in Italy that I completely devoured.
77. Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner (book from library) – A bit heavy handed with the man-bashing, but overall a unique geeky story that I absolutely enjoyed reading.
78. Hatchet by Gary Paulson (audiobook from Scribd) – Listening to this made for a unique experience and I can see why it’s a children’s classic.
79. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy (book from library) – Not quite sure it lives up to the massive hype but I thought it was a fun young adult read nonetheless
80. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (book we own) – The Little House on the Prairie series will forever hold a special place in my reading life.
81. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (book from library) – This slipped through my radar in middle school, but I still found it fascinating as an adult.
82. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (book we own) – I’d previously never made it past the first book in the series, so I was quite happy to find I liked this just as much.
83. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (book from library) – This was the talk of the town for good reason.
84. Riven by Jane Alvey Harris (IndieReader copy for review) – I’m still not sure exactly what happened in this one…
85. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (book from library) – This was…weird
86. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (book from library) – Gosh I loved this so much and recommend it to everyone!

 

Mystery:

87. Running from Scissors by T.C. Wescott (IndieReader copy for review) – A murder mystery that I mostly skimmed through.
88. Death of an Angel by Jackie Smith (IndieReader copy for review) – Another murder book that wasn’t as bad as I expected. 
89. Lake Girl by Cynthia Kumanchik (IndieReader copy for review) – Apparently I read mostly murder mysteries for these reviews…
90. The Dry by Jane Harper (book we own) – Not my normal cup of tea, but the desert setting and intriguing investigation kept me hooked.

Inlinkz Link Party

*Disclosure – I earn a tiny commission for any purchases through the links in the post at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my book blog!