My Top Reads of 2018

This year has been great in so many ways. I finally started taking my blog seriously, I graduated high school, and I’m now in a wonderful university. I’ve tried so many new things this year and branched out of my comfort zone numerous times.

Of the 23 books I read this year, I gave nine of them five stars. Click on the titles to be sent to my official review.

My Five Star Reads:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

This was actually my first book of the year and I’m grateful for that. This book was published back when I was elementary school and it’s had buzz ever since. I actually found it at a thrift shop and saw that as a sign that I should stop putting it off.

Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist

I love Josh Sundquist, I’ve been subscribed to his YouTube channel for several years now. We Should Hang Out Sometime was one of the books that got me into memoirs in the first place. I was ecstatic to see that he was writing fiction. Love and First Sight is absolutely wonderful!

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

So… many… feelings! I found myself laughing, crying, and screaming over the course of a few pages. Henry and Claire’s relationship transcended time and space. Henry’s condition was unlike anything that I’ve read before. It was a beautiful story that makes me emotional just thinking of it.

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

First Everything, Everything and now The Sun is Also a Star. I can’t wait for the movie, especially considering how much I LOVE Yara Shahidi. Nicola Yoon is definitely doing something right. I plan on devouring any other books she writes.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

This book was AMAZING! I’m usually not one for long books, but listening to it as an audiobook helped. I love the action and adventure. I hadn’t read historical fiction in quite a while, so this was a nice refresher. It was also my first book from an LGBT main character perspective.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Wow, this year had a lot of firsts for me. Long Way Down was the first book of poetry I listened to as an audiobook. It’s no surprise that Jason Reynolds is making it on this list. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jason Reynolds is the next Walter Dean Myers.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

John Green is back! His books have meant so much to me over the past few years. John Green did a wonderful job of creating main character who is more than her mental illness, but still struggling constantly with that mental illness. Aza wasn’t a damsel in distress that yearned to be saved, she was just in distress and that was okay. Her struggle with OCD was honest, and at times, disorienting. The mystery of Russell Pickett wove in to Aza’s story incredibly well.

What’s Eating Up Your Time?: The Full 24 by J. R. Rivera

This was my first book on time management. It taught me some great tips that I’m still using today. It also helped put some things in perspective. This book is part of the reason that I’m back to blogging (somewhat) regularly.

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxanne Gay

This book left me shattered. Listening to Roxane Gay read it herself as an audiobook was the extra nail in the coffin. The sheer transparency in describing these events was just… I have no words.

Have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts?

What were some of your favorite reads of 2018?

What are some new releases you’re excited for?

Let me know in the comments down below!

Advertisement