2018 is the first year that I’ve read a LOT of books, 53 to be exact! My husband would argue that I didn’t “read” them all, but rather “listened” to most of them on Audible or Overdrive. Today I’m excited to share my favorite books of 2018. **This post contains affiliate links**
My Favorite Books of 2018
- Running for My Life– This is a book that both my husband and I really enjoyed. I’ve recommended it to so many people! I don’t want to give much away, but this book is just SO good!
- Waking Up White– This book was a game changer for me. I found myself nodding my head and identifying with the author through the entire read. This was my gateway book to learning more about my white privilege and how I can use it for good. I REALLY think it’s a MUST read for everyone, no matter what their political and racial opinions are!
- Small Great Things– This book was SO good. One of those books that you think about LONG after you’re done reading it. Possibly my top recommendation of this year! I’ve heard some dissension about how it’s a white woman writing a black woman’s perspective on race, sort of “stealing” her story. With that said though, I think she wrote the black and white perspectives beautifully.
- The Great Alone– This is another Kristin Hannah book that I couldn’t read fast enough! I found myself wanting to head to Alaska as I read this one! If you’re looking for realistic fiction with lots of emotion and suspense this is it!
-
- Winter Garden– This is ANOTHER Kristin Hannah book that I loved every bit as much as her others.
- Americanuh– This book is written by a black Nigerian woman living in America and gave stories from her perspective on life in both Nigeria and America. It was really funny and enlightening at the same time.
- The Girl You Left Behind– This is another historical fiction that had me really curious about how the stories were going to intertwine. Once I figured it out I couldn’t stop reading!
- The Personal History of Rachel Dupree– This story is written from the perspective of the first black homesteader in South Dakota. It sort of combined my love of American Pioneer stories, with stories of race.
-
- The Light Between Oceans– This is one of those books that where you identify so much with the main character, that even when they’re doing something wrong you want them to succeed! Until you hear the other side! I don’t want to spoil it, but as a mother, and an adoptive mother, this one had me torn in both directions.
- The House Girl– Another historical fiction that dates back to slavery and intertwines with a modern day story.
- The Sound of Gravel– I went into this book unsure about where it would go, but I love that it taught me so much about a different perspective of American life and poverty. It’s a memoir and I found myself wanting to know even more once it was over.
- A Memory of Violets– I love how this book tied two different timelines together. I also love how the author portrayed the girls as quirky and wonderful, despite their varying special needs.
Books I Wish I’d Skipped
One of my very least favorite things is taking the time to read a book that I hate. These two are books that came highly recommended and I thought were terrible.
- Water for Elephants– This book has a really good story, but was just too crude and vulgar for me. It’s sort of like a movie with sex scenes and swearing that do nothing for the movie.
- The Goldfinch– This book was so highly recommended but I HATED it! I know it came out as a movie last year and I sort of want to see it just to confirm what a terrible book it was!
You also might like my favorite books of 2019 and my favorite books of 2017. Also I wrote this post about “How to Start a Book Club” if you that’s your goal for the New Year!