2018 And The Books I Read In The Year

I did a wrap up of my reads last year (2017) for the first time and I decided it was a tradition I should keep up with this year as well.

Though the year ends tomorrow, I have already finished reading my last read for the year. So here goes my 2018 in Books.

At the start of the year, I put up a challenge (for myself) on Goodreads to read 52 books. I ended up reading 70 instead!

Following is a snapshot of all the books (not all really as many did not have book covers on Goodreads) that I read during the year. After that I will talk a little bit about them all as well.

All the 70 books that I read in 2018

For the books, I will link back to either my Book Review Blog (Hina Loves To Read) or Goodreads if I had posted a review there in addition to adding a paragraph or so about my feelings towards a title.

All ratings are out of 5 and I’d recommend you all to go read the full reviews (if posted) as well.

So, without further ado, let’s begin with the trip down the book lane.

 

January

1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Genre: Children’s Fiction

It’s a simple story. It tells us how we have stopped looking and caring about the small things in life. Small things that are very, very important. It talks about how we are running after something we don’t even know or if we do, we don’t really want.

In short, this book is a bundle of joy.

 

2. Alamut by Vladimir Bartol

Genre: Historical Fiction

This one was very informative and what it made it more interesting for me, were the discussion I had with my friend in regards to the content of this book.

 

3. Stranded With Her Greek Tycoon by Kandy Shepherd

Genre: Romance

This one reinforces the idea that however difficult the hurdles, if one has enough will and strength, everything is achievable.

 

Fiery Tales series byLila DiPasqua (first 9 books) 

Genre: Historical Romance

4. A Midnight Dance

5. Undone

6. The Duke’s Match Girl

7. Sleeping Beau

8. Sleeping Red Writing

9. Bewitching in Boots

10. The Marquis’s New Clothes

11. The Lovely Duckling

12. The Princess and The Diamonds

As can be seen from the stars, the series was Okayish. If you do not read it, you are not really missing out on anything.

 

13. Secret Baby, Second Chance by Jane Godman

Genre: Romance

Beth and Vincente did not seem to be fictional characters for the most part because not everything about them was good. These were real people with negative traits and were riddled with insecurities that made them feel unworthy.

 

14. Potpourri by Anusha V.R.

Genre: Poetry / Short Stories

Not something I will pick up again.

 

February

15. The Historian and The Hunter by Zeenat Mahal

Genre: Fantasy

The characters are well thought out and very realistic. The banter between the young people brings many smiles. At the same time it makes you think of your own youth as well.

The part that I loved the best is the local setting. 

 

16. Reunited with her Parisian Surgeon by Annie O’Neil

Genre: Medical Romance

It talks about: however aloof your family is, most of the time, they truly do love you, even if it does not seem that way, if you love someone, just tell them, and TAKE RISKS

I enjoyed reading this story.

 

17. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult

Though the story has a strong message and engaging plot-line, it is not completely out of the world or the only the book of it’s kind as it was made out to be when it released.

 

March

18. The Assassin Legends: Myths of the Isma’ilis by Farhad Daftary

Genre: History / Religion

There were times when I wanted to just give up on the book and shelve it for life. But, I’m glad it persevered. A mid tier rating because there were instances that left me feeling frustrated with the writing and the language.

 

19. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

This story showed how life is fickle and will abandon you at any moment but it also showed that life is profound and is to be lived in a way that there are no regrets. It showed how some relationships are worth investing yourselves in while some can be discarded without thought. It showed that people may be have faults but that does not necessarily make them bad human beings.

 

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy

20. The Final Empire

2. The Well of Ascension

22. The Hero of Ages

 

April

23. Secret History  

In the beginning, and throughout the books, it w as annoying when metals were mentioned again and again. I kept telling myself, OK dude, I get which metal is used for what. Move on already! But as the story moved on, I understood why it was important to mention those details again and again. I was still annoyed, but I understood.

A few things I’d like to emphasize from the books are:

• Gender Equality
• Racism
• Being Yourself
• Not forcing Stuff

 

24. Tales From The Treasure Chest by Ayesha Marfani

Genre: Children’s book

Okay-ish. A one time read for me.

 

25. Paradise by Judith McNaught

Genre: Romance

The characters are all multi-dimensional with their stories all tying up in the main plot of the story. McNaught knows the art of making you fall in love with her characters and making you hate some of her characters. Though you hate some characters, she also makes you understand why they did, what they did. And, that humanizes the characters for her readers.

As if all that was not enough for an entertaining read, she throws in some very real life problem that we face in our daily lives.

 

26. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The story in itself is nothing one may not have read before, but what made this book awesome for me are the characters who are at the heart of the story. Though one is their leader, but all are equally important to the story. Cut any one of them out and the heist, along with this book, is doomed.

 

May

27. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

I loved it! I was saddened about a few incidents. I loved Kaz Brekker (pity he is just a teenager). Inej’s confidence is goals. Three subtle love stories (and not all of them happily ever afters) and my heart goes out to them.

 

28. The With of Duva by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The story was perfect. Not completely a fairytale and neither completely a nightmare. Some of both. And that is what made it perfect.

 

The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

29. The Demon in the Wood

30. Shadow and Bone

31. The Tailor

32. Siege and Storm

33. Ruin and Rising

I thoroughly enjoyed this one with its ups and downs. A few characters became more real.

 

34. The Too-Clever Fox by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Fantasy

Just a short story to explain the myths in the Grisha world.

 

35. Little Knife by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Fantasy

Just a short story to explain the myths in the Grisha world.

 

36. Lies by T.M. Morgan

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Loved every moment of it! Kept me guessing until everything was revealed. Though, I’m proud to say I was there at least 75% of the way on my own. 

 

August

37. Awakening The Shifter by Jane Godman

Genre: Paranormal Romance

An okay-ish shifter story.

 

38. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Genre: Young Adult Romance

It was boring and it rambled.

 

September

39. Best Man and the Run Away Bride by Kandy Shepherd

Genre: Romance

It was a fun read. What I liked best was how they both went out and found themselves and fell in love in the process.

 

October

40. The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Genre: Retellings

Talking about the story, it is all about how appearances could be deceiving. It showed that ‘Trust’ is something very important but not everyone ought to be trusted. A few things will kick you out of the blue leaving your jaw hanging.

The mystery kept me engrossed all he way to the revelation and I wanted to read more and more of these characters.

 

41. Charlotte Holmes and The Locked Box by Sherry Thomas

Genre: Retellings

It was an OKay-ish short story.

 

November

42. Love in Chakiwara by Muhammad Khalid Akhtar

Genre: Short Stories

Not much of an opinion on this. Was a one time read for me.

 

The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh

Genre: Paranormal Romance

43. Angel’s Dance

44. Angel’s Judgement

45. Angel’s Pawn

46. Angel’s Blood

47. Archangel’s Kiss

48. Weapon’s Training

49. Archangel’s Consort

50. Angel’s Wolf

51. Archangel’s Blade

52. Archangel’s Storm

53. Knives and Sheaths

54. Archangel’s Legion

55. Zoe’s Workshop

56. A Sip of Eternity

57. Archangel’s Shadows

58. A Walk on the Cliffs

59. A Small Fairy Tale

60. Fairy Balloons

61. Archangel’s Enigma

62. One Night at the Refuge

63. Secret Things

64. Archangel’s Heart

65. An Unexpected Guest

66. Elena’s School of Horror

67. Archangel’s Viper

68. Archangel’s Prophecy

I enjoyed the series very much.

 

December

69. A Daddy Sent by Santa by Susan Carlisle

Genre: Medical Romance

The thing that I loved the most about this one was the fact that Paxton was, while being a macho guy and all that, he was also human enough to be vulnerable. It was not the presence of Lauren that brought out that vulnerability in him per se. He felt even before he met her. That is something that endeared not just the character, but also the story to me.

Lauren had a steel backbone and knew how to stand up for herself. It is amazing reading about women who are not damsels in distress and have the capabilities of being the knights. Shining armor not necessarily required.

 

70. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithti

Genre: Autobiography

A book that was described as melancholy to me, but one that I found filled with hope.

 

***

That is all folks. 

How was your 2018 when it comes to reading? What were your favorites this year? Which ones did you reread? Anything from my list? I am always up for a book discussion.

Happy New Year!

Ciao