As of today, I’ve read 45 books in 2018, which means I’m five short of my goal. I blame podcasts for taking the time where a few audiobooks might have fit instead. Except I really enjoy those podcasts so “blame” isn’t quite the right word.
Instead of my typical random list of favorites, I’m going to name the “winning” books in specific categories. See below!
NOVEL
I recommended Eternal Life by Dara Horn all year long. The story of a woman whose soul continues to live in new lives, but never forgets the husbands, children, and friends she’s known in each one absolutely fascinated me.
Runner up: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.
MEMOIR
I listened to Educated by Tara Westover (she didn’t do the audio by the way.) I cannot believe the childhood Westover experienced and the life she created both despite that childhood and because of it.
Runner up: I loved reading both of Samantha Irby’s essay collections–Meaty and We Are Never Meeting In Real Life. But I’m putting them in the memoir category because the two collections together felt like a memoir.
ESSAY COLLECTION
It’s hard to compare any other collections when David Sedaris has a new release. Calypso did not disappoint.
Runner up: How to Write An Autobiographical Novel: Essays by Alexander Chee
SHORT STORY COLLECTION
Okay, fine–I only read one short story collection this year. But it was excellent! I highly recommend You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld.
YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas is a powerful book about racial profiling by police and about identity. Readers watch as the main character acts differently in her neighborhood vs her posh private school in another part of town.
MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie is a smart and sweet read about a young girl who moves with her family from NYC to her parents’ home town in Iowa because her dad hopes the familiar people and places will heal his wife’s brain trauma.
SELF-HELP
Several of the self-help books I’ve read over the past few years quote from Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit. I was glad to read the source material. Very interesting stuff! And I now change into my workout clothes first thing in the morning, which helps a ton. Thanks, Mr. Duhigg.
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6 Responses
I also adored “You Think It, I’ll Say It.” I wonder if it was because so many of the characters were Midwestern. I’m tired of reading about the coastals, which seemed to dominate a lot of my novels and short stories earlier this year.
And how did I not read Seders’ new collection?? AH! Heading to my library’s site to reserve it now.
Love how you did this post, thank you!
Eternal Life going on my list NOW. xox
I read two of these books on your recommendation, so thank you! I am considering doing a reading challenge this year, where you have to read books in certain categories. It would expand my reading comfort zone, but it would also make choosing books to read more work. Either way, I hope to read more in 2019, and I always love discovering new books through your blog!
We had many favorites in common this year. Calypso was my first Sedaris book (can you believe that?). I love him and have read two more. Working on my2019 favorites right now:).
This is funny because in a lot of ways our tastes in books are aligned, but not in others… I really didn’t like The Hate U Give! I did however LOVE Calypso and You Think It I’ll Say It. I couldn’t get into Guineviere. LOVED Educated (you know it made my list, too!). I’m going to check out the habit one for sure!
Educated and The power of habit are both on my list of books to read this year! I didn’t love The Hate u Give (I think I gave it 3.5 stars)though.