Happy New Year everyone! What better way to start 2019 by looking back at some of the best books/shows/movies of the previous year. This is also my 1000th post, so it’s somewhat of a double celebration. Anyway, today I want to talk about my top 18 reads of 2018. Since I “only” read 36 books, that list might include some reads I did not love to the moon and back, but that were still enjoyable. And so I hope you will now enjoy this list (All books were rated between 3.5-5 stars):
18. Final Fall (Lock & Mori #3) by Heather W. Petty
The entire Lock and Mori trilogy is a really interesting villain origin story of Moriarty in a contemporary setting. I’ve heard complaints that the drama is too teenager-esque, but the characters are literally teens and it is a YA book, so I had no quarrels with that. It still goes quite dark at times and the end was satisfying to me. Definitely a recommendation for Sherlock fans!
17. The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee
While I laughed a lot during my read of Genie Lo, I also read it pretty early on in the year and have forgotten quite a bit by now, which is probably the reason it’s not higher up on the list. It was fun for sure! I am also really happy that a lot of people saw themselves and their culture represented in the book because that is always a beautiful thing!
16. Beastly Bones (Jackaby #2) by William Ritter
This series is going to show up a couple times over the course of this list, because … well, I love it. I had so much fun getting to know the characters and I hope I will finish the fourth book before leaving for Berlin again. Anyway, this book was great, but in terms of the series my least favourite so far. Maybe it’s the second book syndrome or something?
15. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
To be honest, there’s a lot I’ve forgotten about the Shatter Me series. I remember loving the style of writing and the characters that Tahereh created, but the details? Blurry at best. At lot of it came back to me while reading Restore Me, but a lot of it also felt very different to the original trilogy. I love Kenji though and am way too curious not to continue with the books, but I am not afire for it the same way I used to be.
14. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Everyone loved this book when they read it and I totally understand why. Personally, it was a bit too slow for me at time and I struggled to really get involved, but by the end I was as emotionally distraught as the rest of TSOA’s readership. One day, when I am less confused about my TBR, I will read Circe too.
13. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
So far, there hasn’t been a Morgan Matson book I haven’t enjoyed! The family-focus of this one was especially endearing. I just like reading about siblings and parents and all of them together with only a tinsy bit of romance sprinkled in. Romantic love isn’t all, you know? And somehow Matson managed to balance the two perfectly in this one.
12. Jackaby by William Ritter
As promised, here it is again! Jackaby is quirky and has a main character that feels a lot like the Doctor (from Doctor Who) paired with supernatural elements such as nixies and vampires and whatnot. Totally loved it! Also, who can resist those beautiful covers?
11. Ghostly Echoes (Jackaby #3) by William Ritter
This was my favourite part of the Jackaby series so far! I already told you some about it, so I am going to spare you more rambling.
10. Heart of Gold (Act I) by Eli Baumgartner/Viv Tanner
I am honestly a little surprised that there aren’t more graphic novels on the list, but at least the one that made it is absolutely worthy of it’s place in the ranking. Heart of Gold is one of the most beautiful art out there. It talks about crisis of faith, has LGBT+ representation and is just generally fascinating to divulge.
9. Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Amie Kaufman/Jay Kristoff
This series as a whole was really intense. I think they did great in how they tied all the loose ends together, made the books something special with the way they told it and kept the tension going throughout book #1 to #3. I was almost sad that it was over. (And to think I wasn’t even 100% on board when I first read Illuminae.)
8. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
If this book isn’t on everyone’s top list, then I don’t even know! I am sad that the movie wasn’t released yet where I live, because I really wanted to watch it (it’s the whole Love, Simon debacle again), but I will patiently wait anyway. THUG was some really powerful and necessary story telling. I am glad it got such a wide readership!
7. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
I have said it before and I will say it again, I am 100% in favour of books like Dear Martin being mandatory reading exercises in schools. Just like THUG, it’s tackling the hard topics in a great way. I am so here for more of Nic Stone’s writing!
6. Iron Gold (Red Rising Saga #4) by Pierce Brown
You all know me, I was CRAZY into the Red Rising trilogy, which is now a saga. I am always fascinated by the world Pierce Brown has built, by the cruelty and darkness it inhabits, while it also creates some of the most amazing heroes I can imagine. I am worried where everything will go, because it will get worse before it all can get better again, but I still love every minute of it.
5. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
I have absolutely no clue whatsoever why it took me so long to read this book! I will eventually also read the sequels (especially now that Netflix confirmed they will do another movie), but this is about To All the Boys. It was so much fun, I stayed up reading all night and I haven’t pulled an all-nighter for a book in a long time.
4. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
SIRENS! Super badass sirens! And wannabe pirates that are really princes and a complex Fantasy world, but packed in a standalone book. This was such a refreshing change of pace, because I don’t know if I can invest in more series at the moment. (And again, sirens!!!)
3. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
If you would have told me that a horror-sci-fi book would end up in the top 3 of my favourite books of 2018, I would have laughed at you … loud! But, what can you do? Annihilation was beyond amazing and scientific and creepy. I want to watch the movie but I also want to read the other books. It’s a struggle.
2. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Looking at this entire list, I am happy to see so many different genres and styles of books represented. Born a Crime, a non-fiction autobiography by Trevor Noah, was enlightening and funny and educational and intimate and so very smart. Trevor is an amazing guy and I am glad the world gets to find out more about him and his home through this book.
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer/Annie Barrows
Sometimes love doesn’t have to make sense. It’s the same with me and this book! Guernsey was neither the perfect read nor the most complex one. I am sure there were books on this list with a much more eloquent style of writing even, but this book touched me and I had a blast reading it. I put a gazillion sticky notes in, because there were so many quotes I wanted to remember and I absolutely fell in love with some of the characters. That’s most important, right?
Did any of my favourites make it onto your Top 2018 Reads list as well? Were there some surprises with the books I mentioned? Let’s chat!
Life and Other Disasters 
I can’t wait for Dark Ages to be released. And you are right, Annihilation is an amazing story. I just wish the narrator of the audio book didn’t put me to sleep all the time!
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I still haven’t tried any audiobook whatsoever, so I can’t really attest to that, but I enjoyed reading it in paper format.
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Maybe I should go back and try that someday.
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CONGRATS ON 1000 POSTS KAT 🎉🎉 I really want to read To Kill a Kingdom, but I’m hardly ever in the mood to read fantasy lately and I don’t want that to influence my experience because it sounds so cool. Also so happy to hear you enjoyed TATBILB and THUG! 🙂
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I absolutely loved Guernsey! It is so charming!
I watched Annihilation and it is SO different than the book! I couldn’t believe it!
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I am so glad you are also a Guernsey fan! That book just enchanted me 🙂
And I have to admit that I tried watching Annihilation after finishing the book and I just thought SPOILERS after the first couple minutes and stopped and haven’t resumed it yet haha
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I’m adding some new books to my To Buy List thanks to your post hahaha !!
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Hahaha always happy to hear it! Which ones have caught your eye the most if I may ask?
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The Guernesey and To Kill A Kingdom mainly. But others were already on my radar
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Well, those are definitely GREAT choices hahaha but I am not really objective on that front maybe.
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I love this post and agree with SO MANY THINGS! I loved To Kill a Kingdom (there are not NEARLY enough fantasy books about piracy) and the fact that it was so good and it wasn’t even a series?? Amazing. I watched the Guernsey movie but everyone is talking about how fantastic the book is, so I think I need to read it soon. Great wrap-up!
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The reason I like the Guernsey book so much is that it is told ENTIRELY in letters. I am a big sucker for that kind of storytelling ❤
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To Kill a Kingdom was a great book I also loved! I’m a sucker for anything mermaid or pirate related in fantasy. I am also complete trash for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before! I think it is the cutest book ever and actually nails family dynamics for YA!! Yay sister power! I read Jackaby a while ago and remembered liking it but I have yet to pick up the rest of the series, based on your praise I think I just might have to! Great list and I wish you another great year of reading 🙂
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Jackaby was a good intro to the series in my opinion, but it also works quite well as a standalone. Once you continue with the books though, they have a continuous arc and that’s what keeps you going in my opinion 🙂
I wish you a great year of reading as well!
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All of Nic’s signature dialogue stuff is also in Odd One Out, which I think you should also consider reading. But yes, if I’m being transparent, I saw Epic Crush of Genie Lo and thought I had traveled back in time to 2017 because that was also one of my more memorable books I enjoyed that year.
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I wanted to read Odd One Out SO BAD!!! It is super high up on my list but due to my lack of budget, time and energy, I have really slacked in terms of reading in the last quarter of the year.
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I keep hearing about the Jackaby series, I think it’s about time I add it to my TBR. I hope you get to see The Hate U Give soon, it was definitely one of my favorite movies of 2018, even if it took some different turns from the book 🙂
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I like it when movies take a little bit of liberty with the material to be honest 🙂 sometimes the adaptations that are too faithful get weirdly boring, although that shouldn’t make sense haha
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I know what you mean, it starts to feel stiff sometimes if it’s too close to the book
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This is a great list of books, Kat! ❤ I'm so happy to see To All The Boys, I loved this series so much and am glad you finally read it this year. It deserves all the love and it's just so adorable overall 🙂
I also really liked To Kill A Kingdom and NEED to read Obsidio this year…. I mean… I said I would last year, but I haven't and…. yes I need to finish it haha. I'm terrible with series, I guess.
Here's to hoping for more great reads in 2019! 😀 and congratulations on 1000 blog posts, that's amazing! ❤
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I am not surprised you approve of those books 🙂 we did read To Kill a Kingdom together after all and I think we also thoroughly talked about To All the Boys hahaha I hope we might manage another buddy read this year? I am super terrible at them at the moment, but maybe?
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YES please! I love buddy reading together! I am always available by the way to read Evelyn Hugo sometime together, whenever we find time and you’re feeling it! ❤️
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Looks like you read a lot of amazing books this year! I’m so happy Annihilation and Guernsey are on your list, I loved those a lot too ❤️ I adored Circe, so I need to pick up The Song of Achilles in 2019.
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Thanks, I am glad you like my choices 😀 and I hope you will enjoy The Song of Achilles. Be prepared for the bittersweet heartbreak it brings along.
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Thank you! I like books that destroy me emotionally, so I’m excited 😂
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Me too if I am being honest.
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So so happy to see Save the date on this list! I agree that the family vibes from that one are so sweet! Such a fun, heart warming book! Lovely list, Kat! 🤗
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It really was! I love Matson stories 😀
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I feel the same about The Song of Achilles. And the war bored me, haha, but it was a beautiful read!
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I was disappointed I didn’t love it all the way, because I am usually all there for Greek mythology. Such a shame!
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These are some incredible books Kat. 🙂 I LOVED The Song of Achilles, I mean it completely broke my heart and one day when I’m feeling brave enough I will re-read it but it was just incredible. I really hope you enjoy Circe when you get around to it (although I think given TSOA is on your list in this post you will). Obsidio and Iron Gold were great right?! The date for Dark Age keeps being pushed back though, and although I know it will be worth the wait I just need to know what happens next.
Restore Me is still on my TBR list, but seeing it on your list this week just makes me want to get around to it that little bit sooner!
Great post, and happy reading for 2019! 😀 ❤
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I think I prefer to binge-read Pierce’s books, so I am a little sad that Dark Age gets pushed back and back. My memory ain’t that great and I am really scared of all the stuff I am going to forget haha but yes, the wait will have been worth it. I am sure!
Happy reading to you as well, Beth! Thank you for your thoughtful comments!!
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Yeah I’m the same, I re-read Red Rising and Golden Son before starting Morning Star in Dec 2017, so then I could jump right into Iron Gold when it was released. At the rate things are going I’ll need to re-read all four when Dark Age is released (not that that will be too much of a burden or anything, they’re great books).
Thanks Kat, and that’s all right. 🙂 ❤
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Well, I can’t reread anything. I can’t bring myself to do it, so I just have to live with the memory holes haha
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Ehh, you’ll probably end up remembering more from the series than you think when you come to read Dark Age. 🙂
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I’m so happy to see Restore Me, The Song of Achilles and To Kill a Kingdom on your list! I seriously want to read all of them. 😀 Great list Kat! ❤ Also, it's amazing that you have written sooo many posts. That's such an awesome achievement.
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Thanks, Anna! I hope you have a great time reading all the books and that they’ll be great reads for you as well.
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Oh wow, this was your 1000th post?! That’s incredible!!! I definitely need to get started on the jackaby series- I’m very curious about it. Glad restore me was good! And that you liked song of achilles- I hope you do get to read circe cos it’s even better! And I’m so excited for save the last dance 🙂 I really agree that the illuminae series is super intense as well. Dear martin sounds great. And I’m excited for iron gold. So glad you loved the book for to all the boys as well!! 😀 And to kill a kingdom was wonderful!! And I absolutely fell in love with guernsey as well!! Awesome list!
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Hahaha I think 1000 isn’t that impressive considering how long I’ve been at it haha
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Jackaby. It really worked well for me, but I also understand everyone who thinks it’s more forgettable.
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Honestly it really is!
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Great list, Kat 😊
I also loved To All The Boys I’ve Loved before and the movie was so damn cute, I loved it! I started THUG but I never managed to finish it, I really want to finish it this year and I also want to see the movie!
I’m really interested in reading the Defy Me series and I’m happy to see that you like it. Another author that I really want to read in 2019 is Morgan Matson – I’ve never read anything by Matson before but I know everyone seems to love her books so I’m definitely looking forward to reading some of them this year.
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You’ve never read Morgan Matson!?!?! OMG – start with Since You’ve Been Gone. That’s my fave by her and I’ve read them ALL!
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I know! I have no clue how or why, but I’ve heard her books are really, really good ❤️
I’ll be sure to read Since You’ve Been Gone first. Thanks for the recommendation, Kat xx
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