All The Books I’ve Read So Far In 2018

I got the idea for this post from a YouTuber (a dash of ash) who did the same thing. I think it’s an excellent idea to show all the books since it is close to mid year. Also, I don’t talk about every book I read so I thought this would be informative. In this post you’ll see all 15 books I’ve read thus far this year, why I chose to read them, and what I thought.

 

1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Why I Chose The Book: This book came out when I was still in college AKA not reading or following new releases at all. At first I wasn’t interested but I heard it was going to be a longer series so I thought they wouldn’t make a bad book have such a long series, right? I then read the Amazon preview and was interested.

My Thoughts:I was just disappointing when I finished this book. Romances are pretty important and these did not fit my tastes. I didn’t think this book was going to be the deepest book I had ever read but the action also didn’t grip me. With some distance, I’m thinking about picking up the sequel however because I do find myself wanting to know how things turn out. 3/5 stars

2. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Why I Chose The Book: This was a complete impulse buy! I had just started watching BookTube and the YouTuber SuperSpaceChick raved about this book. I have tried reading Holly Black books before and they didn’t click with me but I picked this up and read it very quickly.

My Thoughts: What a wild ride. This book completely took me by surprise. I agree with SuperSpaceChick wholeheartedly that this book is epic. It is full of intrigue and secrets which was very stressful but entirely addicting. I loved the main character, Jude. I loved how she stood up for herself against all odds and was brave even though the reader could tell she had a lot of fears. 5/5 stars

3. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

Why I Chose The Book: I picked this with my Book Of The Month subscription. Last year and this year I have gotten more obsessed with mystery thrillers and the description said it was for fans of Stranger Things, which I totally am.

My Thoughts: I have a full non-spoiler review if you want to check that out but, shortly, this was just okay. 3/5 stars

4. Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Why I Chose The Book: I enjoyed Laini Taylor’s first trilogy, Daughter of Smoke and Bone and her short story collection Lips Touch: Three Times. This book sounded musical and whimsical and dark. Plus the cover is gorgeous so I knew that I would like it.

My Thoughts: Although this book was everything I thought it would be, I did find one small problem. Personally, the romance was just too close to being Instalove. It is natural that the two characters would be drawn to each other but to me it felt like they were far more interested in their physical relationship too quickly. It also felt like Laini Taylor’s writing was just too indulgent at times. All of it was pretty, but I wish it would have been cut back slightly. I was still a 5/5 star book

5. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Why I Chose The Book: Another YouTuber, Reagan from PeruseProject, recommended this book around Valentines Day. I was in the mood for some romance and so I picked it up on my kindle.

My Thoughts: This book does have some steamy scenes and is a really quick read but it was very much the start of a series. It set up the characters and how the world works. I think that it will probably get better as the series goes on. The one thing I did really enjoy was that Mac does grow a lot throughout the book. 4/5 stars

 

6. The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Why I Chose The Book: This is the last in a very beloved series of mine. Rutkoski is the queen of tearing my two precious characters apart. I needed to know what happens!

My Thoughts: Marie Rutkoski knew her characters so well. They were so fleshed out they felt like real people (which is probably why I love them so much). Each of their emotions are very nuanced and Rutkoski writes this so well. Dear reader, if you want my advice about books. Try this series out! 5/5 stars

7. The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

Why I Chose The Book: My boss actually recommended this to me. He had read it and loved it and I needed another mystery thriller to read.

My Thoughts: I have a full non-spoiler review of this so check out my thoughts there! 5/5 stars

8. The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Why I Chose The Book: The book community went wild for this one. I saw it everywhere. Then I was book shopping and the Barnes and Noble bookseller recommended it to me so I had to get it. It was winter which was the perfect time to read this.

My Thoughts: My favorite things about books are little details about the world in which the character lives. I want to feel like it’s a place I could be. This was exactly like that! I loved that, although this story is about Vasya, you get to hear from all of her family. Not only did I know Vasya better but I felt how close her family was which gave this book a warmth even though it was mostly set in deep winter. I can’t wait to read the next! 5/5 stars

9. The Cellar by Natasha Preston

Why I Chose The Book: I wanted another book like one of my favorites from last year, The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison. I think kidnapping stories are grossly fascinating. I also wanted to see how a Wattpad writer translated to a published book.

My Thoughts: To me, this wasn’t as good as The Butterfly Garden but it was a pretty good read. I didn’t really care about the perspective of her boyfriend trying to find her for most of the book because it wasn’t really interesting until he actually found the right person. Also the ending felt too easy although I liked how the author chose to say that the girls weren’t going to be totally fine for a while. 4/5 stars

10. The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

Why I Chose The Book: I had seen a lot of initial interest in this book and that made me interested as well. Also it was about dragons!

My Thoughts: This book is really good and think Kristen Ciccarelli is just going to get better! Asha’s perspective seemed choppy to me at first but this is just portraying that she is not connected to her own emotions. She carries around a lot of guilt which I thought was heartbreaking and beautiful. I look forward to the next book a lot! 5/5 stars

 

11. The Dry by Jane Harper

Why I Chose The Book: The second novel and my current read, Force of Nature had just come out and everyone was raving about both. I needed to continue my mystery reads and did so with this book.

My Thoughts: I have another review of this book up on my blog so go check that out! However, I will say that Jane Harper is an exquisite writer and she really looks at human nature in her books. I didn’t know who was responsible until the very end! 5/5 stars

12. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

Why I Chose The Book: I needed to see what happened next for the character of the Shatter Me series. I was so excited that I preordered a signed copy of this. Barnes & Noble lost my order however so I just got it on Kindle.

My Thoughts: To me, this was not a good book. I felt like not enough happened for it to be it’s own story. I can’t wait for the next one because the ending was killer but I am disappointing. I gave it a 5/5 star rating because although I felt it didn’t do the last book justice, I did like it and I want everyone to read it too. I know it doesn’t make much sense but that’s where I’m at!

13. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Why I Chose The Book: I had been wanting to read this book for a long time but when I saw the movie coming, I knew I had to finally do it.

My Thoughts:

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I wasn’t rushing to see the movie. I knew liked the 80s culture but I felt Cline’s explanations of some things were way too much. I’m glad this book exists though because it really appeals to people like my fiance who plans on reading this soon. 4/5 stars

14. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Why I Chose The Book: This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I loved that it was set in a rainy and mountainous west coast which seems perfect for witches!

My Thoughts: This book definitely lived up to my expectations. It had those lovely little details about the town of Sparrow that I love. I also really enjoyed getting to look inside the Swan sister’s minds. Also, this book was surprisingly deeper than I thought it was going to be. 5/5 stars

15. Sky in The Deep by Adrienne Young

Why I Chose The Book: It’s about vikings! How could you not pick this book up?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. The writing is sparse and reflects Eelyn’s viking culture. I enjoyed getting tastes of both the Aska and the Riki clans. Eelyn wasn’t a typical “strong female character” but an actual one. She was scared and flawed but would do anything for her people. The next one is supposed to be a companion novel and I have no clue who it would be about but I’m excited. 5/5 stars

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About Leah

Hi! I'm Leah. I like books, TV, and plants. I love writing about it all. Earnest Hemmingway said "Write hard and clear about what hurts," and I aspire to do just that. Thanks for reading!

15 Responses

  1. Oh; love this post!
    I absolutely loved The Cruel Prince. I even got three different copies of the book because whyyy not.
    The Last Namsara, The Chalk Man and The Wicked Deep are all still on my TBR but I’m hoping to at least read The Wicked Deep this month. Fingers crossed because I’ve heard amazing things about it. 🙂

    Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Wow, you have had an amazing reading year so far! I am hoping to read all of the last 4 on your list so it’s good to hear you liked them! I liked Strange the Dreamer a LOT, but I think I am one of the only people on earth who didn’t love The Cruel Prince? I am glad you did though!!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I haven’t read any of these yet, but I’m currently #22 on the waiting list to read The Red Queen (I was #36 when I first put it on hold). I would also like to read Ready Player One. Actually, there are a couple others here that I’d like to read as well.

    Liked by 1 person

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