Though I set my initial reading goal to 50 because I was recovering from a reading slump, somehow I read my way to 100 books. Because I loved so many of the books that I read, it was a challenge list narrow down my list of favorites, but here are some of my bookish highlights from 2018! π
Fiction: YA Fantasy
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (Review | Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)
Treacherous fey + determined heroine = a plot full of intrigue, tension, and surprises. Needless to say, The Wicked King is high on my wishlist for 2019.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (Review | Amazon | Goodreads)
I picked this one up after seeing it compared to Mistborn, which I had read and loved. I love how Leigh Bardugo is able to push forward the plot and tension while developing the five points of view. Needless to say Crooked Kingdom is on my wishlist (and long overdue for a read).
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (Review | Amazon | Goodreads)
I’m a huge fan of Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books. Out of all of her supporting characters, Numair is the one whose backstory I’ve been most interested in learning. Tempests and Slaughter fulfills that desire. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this series π
Fiction: Picture Books & Manga
{Picture Book} Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell (Review |Amazon | Goodreads)
Adrian Simcox is an adorable story about choosing kindness, over being judgmental. It touches on poverty and creativity / imagination. Plus, the illustrations are gorgeous.
{Manga} Sailor Moon Eternal Edition vol. 1 (Amazon | Goodreads)
This book provided the fluff I needed during my first semester back teaching (after a year spent in grad school). I loved Sailor Moon growing up. This book is gorgeous and high quality, the perfect gift (to myself) for a Sailor Moon fan.
Fiction: Fantasy
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderon (Review | Amazon | Goodreads)
I love fantasy books, and I’d heard good things about this series. Mistborn fulfills my love for complex worldbuilding and themes. I especially adore the plot twists. Because it’s such a deep read, I took a break from this series after finishing this book. I’m looking forward to continuing this series in the new year.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Review | Amazon | Goodreads)
The synopsis sold me on this book, and it proved as epic as the synopsis promised. I devoured this book despite its length.
Nonfiction
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Amazon | Goodreads)
This book was seriously life changing for me. I picked it up after seeing it on some recommended teacher-reading lists, but it inspired me to tidy my home space. Organizing my outer life helped organize my inner well-being; now, I love my room. It inspires calm in me, and I am happy to spend time in it.
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass (Amazon | Goodreads)
I read this because Marissa Meyer recommend it for writers on her blog. While it provides great tips for writers, I especially love how it does so through examples of great works of literature (both classic and contemporary books). Because of Maass’s book, I now have a list of novels to check out.
Boundaries for Your Soul by Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller (Review | Amazon | Goodreads)
I got a copy of this (for review) after seeing the blurb on the cover by one of the authors of Boundaries. This book was so good for my soul. I highly recommend it, as I would for any of the books on this list.
The Person Called You by Bill Hendricks (Amazon | Goodreads)
I read this book after attending a workshop led by the author. While there are lots of great personality resources out there, I especially love how this one examines our giftedness through our life stories. Not the ones that we put on our resumes, but the ones that meant something to us. It really made me think about my life and who I am.
Chat With Me
What are your book loves from 2018?
Angie Elle says
I have also read and enjoyed The Cruel Prince. I can’t wait to get to Six of Crows! I’m glad you had such a good reading year!
Crystal says
Thanks, Angie! I purchased the sequels to these books and am looking forward to reading them!
Priya @ Tabula Rasa says
Clutter has always been an issue with me. And this is the third time in the last month that I’ve come across Marie Kondo. I guess it’s time to pick this book up!
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy her book as much as I did, Priya. It really helped me tidy my home!
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
I have a box set of the Sailor Moon Manga series. I had my eye on the Eternal version because they updated the cover and the translations. Love everything Sailor Moon. π
Crystal says
Sailor Moon is fantastic! I love the covers to the Eternal editions; the holographic images are gorgeous. (Though I confess I also like the original covers!)
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
Oh gosh, I’ve had Six of Crows on my shelf for like two years now. I really need to read it already! I also have Cruel Prince on my tbr. The illustrations in that picture book do look really pretty! These all sound like great books π
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy Six of Crows and The Cruel Prince, Kristen! Yes, the illustrations in Adrian Simcox are gorgeous! π
ShootingStarsMag says
Picking favorites is always tough. I want to read more manga – and graphic novels in general – so that’s something I hope to focus on more in 2019.
-lauren
Crystal says
I love manga and graphic novels. I hope you read a lot of good ones in 2019, Lauren!
Melliane says
I love Sanderson but I confess that I haven’t read the others
Kelly @ Wandering Through Books says
The Cruel Prince was on my list of favourites this year as well. Six of Crows is fantastic too… hope you get a chance to read Crooked Kingdom soon!
Sarah @ SWB says
The Cruel Prince has been sitting on my shelf since it was published, I really must actually get around to it!
I’d already posted about my top ten books of 2018 so I’m talking about the books I’d be stuck on a desert island with in this week’s TTT
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy The Cruel Prince, Sarah!
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
I love that cover for The Cruel Prince (although I wasn’t a huge fan of it)! It looks like a movie poster if you ask me. Six of Crows was amazing and I’m glad you enjoyed that as well. I still need to read the sequel, though.
Crystal says
The cover is really cool. That’s half of what drew me to the book.
I still need to read Crooked Kingdom as well. At least I finally got around to checking a copy out from the library π
Brooke Lorren says
I have to read Six of Crows this year. Writing the Breakout Novel looks good too.
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy these books, Brooke!
Sophia Rose says
I want to read The Cruel Prince, more Sanderson and Rothfuss.
Great picks for your Best Of list, Crystal!
Crystal says
Sanderson and Rothfuss are fantastic writers. I love what I’ve read from them!
Thanks, Sophia π