
2018 has been an interesting year of reading. I read 125 books so far this year from a wide-range of genres and discovered some new all time favourite novels. It was too difficult for me to narrow it down to just ten, so I didn’t. Here are my top 11 books of 2018! This list is in no particular order- I love them all!
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
If you asked me my favourite book of the year I would not hesitate in saying that it was Never Let Me Go. It was one of the first books that I read at the beginning of the year, and it is the one book that I continue to think about. The writing is stunning, and I appreciated that the story is both plot and character-driven. Ishiguro brings up a lot of moral and ethical questions that I am still wrestling with. I can not think of another book that has impacted me in quite the same way as Never Let Me Go.
You have to accept that sometimes that’s how things happen in this world. People’s opinions, their feelings, they go one way, then the other. It just so happens you grew up at a certain point in this process.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
This is not just another WWII fiction novel! I have read so many of them, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz has managed to stand out. I love that it is based on true story and that the author conducted interviews with one of the people who inspired her character. It is a moving love story that brings hope to an otherwise hopeless situation. It was gut-wrenching but also beautiful.
How can someone do this to another human being? He wonders if for the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment, this irregular number: 32407.
Woman Talking by Mariam Toews
I discovered Miriam Toews this year (I am currently reading another one of her novels- All My Puny Sorrows) and I am so thrilled that I did! It always makes me happy when I fall in love a book written by a Canadian author. Women Talking is not for everyone- it is a very disturbing and painful read, but it is powerful. It is based on a true story and gives victims a voice. It felt like I was in the room with these women deciding our next move and where to go from here. It was interesting to see their discussion and how they ultimately come to their final decision. Powerful doesn’t even begin to describe it!
Earnest puts his head on her shoulder and she smooths his wild, white hair. He asks if the women are devils. No, says Agata, we are your friends. He asks if the women are plotting to burn down his barn.
No, Ernie, says Agata, there’s no plot, we’re only women talking.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
I am so happy that a fantasy novel has ended up on my best books list this year! Fantasy is not a genre that I am normally drawn to, so it takes a special book for me to truly fall in love with it. The Poppy War was a special book! The writing was fantastic, as was the world-building. I love that it is based on Chinese history, and has sparked my interest in a part of history that I knew nothing about. The characters are also dynamic and memorable. I can not wait for the sequel!
I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.
A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet has been very hyped, and it deserves it! There is something so special about this book and I have never read anything quite like it. It reminded me how brilliant SciFi can be! This is a book that is all about the characters and I adored each and every one. It was so interesting to see their dynamics and how, because each of them is a different species, their behaviours and their viewpoints are vastly different.
Humans’ preoccupation with ‘being happy’ was something he had never been able to figure out. No sapient could sustain happiness all of the time, just as no one could live permanently within anger, or boredom, or grief.
The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
This book was just so stinking charming! I think I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it! There were also some heartbreaking moments, but overall it is a sweet and heartwarming novel. I love that the story is told through a series of letters which made it feel as though these were real characters- and I wish that they were! I also appreciated the role that books played in the story.
Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Kiss Quotient has become my favourite romance! It is so adorable and the two characters have such great chemistry. What I truly appreciated about this novel is that I loved the characters both as individuals, and as a couple. It was so entertaining to read about their dynamic and to see how they navigated their feelings for one another. There were some moments of severe second-hand embarrassment, but that just made it all the more relatable!
Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her favorite.
Tin Man by Sarah Waters
When I read Tin Man back in May I predicted that it would end up on this list, and now here we are! There is something about this novel that is so quietly beautiful. It is an almost love story, which is not something I read about very often, but is something a lot of us have probably experienced. I also loved that while it is about romantic love, it is also about the power of friendship. There is so much heart and emotion packed in to this short little novel!
I haven’t cried. But sometimes I feel as if my veins are leaking, as if my body is overwhelmed, as if I’m drowning from the inside.
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
When I picked up The Names They Gave Us I was not expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did! I have discovered that I like books set at summer camps- which this one was. The characters are flawed and so damn real! It was interesting to see them navigate their friendships. Do not let the setting fool you- this is an extremely emotional read! There is something about this book that just rang so honest and true.
The world moves twice as fast. Or twice as slow. It’s hard to tell when it feels like you’re watching your own life instead of living it.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor has become one of my all time favourite characters! It was such a joy to live inside her head for awhile. I loved reading her thoughts and seeing her character growth. I laugh with her, cried with her, and cheered for her. I also loved her sense of humour, which caught me completely off guard. Her inner dialogue was often hysterical! This is one of the few books that I would read again and again! I have recommended it to a few people and everyone who has read it has loved it as well!
Although it’s good to try new things and to keep an open mind, it’s also extremely important to stay true to who you really are.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
You are probably not surprised to see The Poet X on this list! I have talked about this book so many times since I read it this summer. I am so thrilled that is it appearing on a lot of Best Book of the Year lists and it even won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature- so well-deserved! I am often hesitant about books written in verse, but The Poet X could not have been told another way- it was perfect! I loved seeing Xiomara Batista discovering her strength and her voice.
I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing experience of my life. It has brought me the most light. And isn’t that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark.
Reflecting back on my favourite books truly highlighted what a great reading year it has been for me! I am thrilled that such a variety of genres ended up on my favourites this year- including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction!
What were your favourite books of the year?
I have read, and loved, Eleanor Oliphant too! <3 And I have The Poppy War and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet on my wish list, I hope to read them!
Ohh you will love them! Amazing books!
I ordered The Poppy War from the library
Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I did!
Great list! There are some books I loved on here, and some others I’m very excited to try. I hope you have a great reading year in 2019 🙂
Excellent list, Kristin!
Thanks! Really happy with the books I read this year!
This looks like a wonderful list, and I plan to read “The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society” sometime soon!
Oh can’t wait to see what you think!
I have to agree that Eleanor Oliphant was amazing! I was so sad when it ended.
So was I! So fantastic!
Such a great list! I LOVE Never Let Me Go, The Poppy War, and Tin Man!
Such good ones! Those three really stand out to me as special!
Eleanor Oliphant was one of my top ten favorites this year, too!! Such an awesome book. The Poet X is on my TBR for 2019 so I’m excited to dive into that one soon, and I bought A Poppy War on a Kindle sale recently, though I’m very nervous to read it—giant fantasy novels like that are not my thing. Everyone I know has said it’s great though, so I feel like I should try it!
It really is. I can not wait for you to read Poet X. I was intimidated by The Poppy War for the same reason but it reads a lot quicker than I was expecting and it never felt heavy handed!
This looks like a great list! I read Never Let Me Go a few years ago and I still think about it constantly…I guess it has never let me go 😉 And many of these books are ones that I look forward to reading, so I’m glad to hear that you loved them! Eleanor Oliphant is my mom’s favorite book so she’s been pestering me to read it 😂
Never Let Me Go is definitely a book that stays with you!
I truly think you’ll love Eleanor. Your mom has great taste!
So many of those are on my TBR, or sitting lonely on my Kindle… I have to get going! Great list!
You do! These are good ones to gave sitting waiting to be read!
I haven’t read any of these books but I have the Kiss Quotient and The Poppy War on my TBR list.
Both amazing books! I hope you enjoy them!
Great list! The Poet X was excellent – so glad it won the NBA for Young People’s Literature!
Thanks! I am really glad too! It really deserves all the attention that it is getting!
I so agree on The Kiss Quotient and The Literary … !
Both so amazing and charming!
This is a great list 🙂 I get that struggle of trying to choose between books. I’m so excited to read The Poet X when it comes in the mail. I haven’t heard of The Tattooist of Auschwitz before but it sounds like a moving read
Thanks! Ohhh I think you will love The Poet X! I think everyone should read The Tattooist of Auschwitz.. it is brilliant!
Great article!
I heard of so many of these books, but haven’t read any of them yet. Never Let Me Go is a book I always see at the bookstore. Next time I’m at the bookstore I’m definitely going to pick up a copy. I bought Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine over the summer. Hoping to read that in 2019 too. I heard there will be a movie adaptation of it at some point.
My favorite book read of 2018 was YOU by Caroline Kepnes.
Thanks! I think you will love both Never Let Me Go and Eleanor Oliphant. They are very unique books!
I also read and enjoyed You this year! It was a very intense experience!
Wow, I had to had The Tattooist of Auschwitz to my TBR list after reading that description/quote. It sounds like it will be quite the emotional read.
It really is. Emotional but hopeful too!
Oh I definitely think I need to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz now!!
You do! It is really great!
Brilliant list! I loved never let me go, eleanor oliphant and guernsey. I really want to read poppy war as well 🙂
Thanks! Amazing books! I am really excited for you to read The Poppy War!
You’re welcome! Thank you 🙂
The Long Way to a Small, Angry planet ended up on my Top 10 too! SO AMAZING!!!
It was even better than I was expecting!
So so good! There is something so special about it!
Never read Never Let Me Go but the movie was heartbreaking. Also 125? Wow.
I have yet to watch the movie!
It’s good – Andrew Garfield, Kiera Knightley, and Carey Mulligan.
All actors I love!
Great list! I also read Eleanor Oliphant and The Kiss Quotient this year and I loved them too. 🙂 Happy reading in 2019!
Thank you! Both excellent reads! Same to you!
Love Never Let Me Go! Loved Eleanor! Still not sure how I feel about Raymond, but I was surprised to find the author didn’t understand that the opposite of a ‘nice guy’ means violence considering she’s a female author. But Eleanor is hilarious! I normally don’t get swayed by fantasy, but seeing as you aren’t a fantasy person either, I think I’ll trust your opinion that The Poppy War is good. 🙂
I completely see what you mean about Raymond. I truly think everyone would love The Poppy War. It is really a special book!