As I'm trying to get myself back into the habit of sharing a few blog posts here, I hope you guys will be patient with me. Because I've been doing exactly what you see above. Well, maybe if you put a Kindle in her hands or some wireless headphones in her ears. Ha!
I guess what I'm saying is that this one will be short and sweet. Not too much detail, but some links if you'd like to find out more about the books that appear on my 'favorites of 2018' list.
I didn't keep detailed statistics about my reading for 2018. Just my reading journal. I did take time to note title, author, date finished, and the first and last sentence. The first and last was something I tried this year and I like it. Helps me remember more about the book.
I read a few less books this year - 138. Still, that was a decent number. I remember the years when 40 or so were amazing. Many of the 138 were audiobooks or read/listen combos. I'm liking that at times. I suspect that close to 50% of my reading is in audio format. I know that it's tough for some to concentrate or whatever, but I really like listening while walking or driving or folding clothes. It might take practice, but if you haven't gotten into audiobooks, you might consider them.
OK, let's get to the list of 'favorites'. These are in no particular order and the link included is to my thoughts on the book in another post.
by Anne Bogel
If I had to pick a most favorite, this would be it.
by Ann Hood
by Eowyn Ivey
by Gail Honeyman
This is the only book that's not linked to a review by me. I didn't write one as this was a book I read much later in the year. It was for a book group discussion that I ended up not getting to attend. I loved this book. So quirky and different. Funny, sad, emotional. It was especially interesting for me as the guy who 'taught' Eleanor how to relate to others was a IT guy. I'm married to a IT guy and though he is not as 'typical' as many of his staff over the years have been, these individuals are often just not as good at relating to people. They are great with software. If you get a chance to 'meet' Eleanor and Raymond, take it!
by A.J. Pearce
by Kate Morton
by Maureen Johnson
by Lori Rader-Day
by Robert Galbraith
by Nicci French
That's my 'top 10' - have you read any of them or do you think you might? If you do, hope you enjoy them. I've had a good time seeing what others have put on their lists. Now, it's 2019 and it's time to get back to reading...where did I put my Kindle?
I've only read three books from your list so now I need to check the others as well. I read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine in 2017 and that's one of my favourite books as well. It's such a moving and inspiring book, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt was very moving. I wasn't sure what I'd think of it, but a librarian friend of mine practically shoved it in my hands and told me to just read it. Ha!
DeleteI haven't read any of those but have several 'on my radar' so to speak. To the Bright Edge of the World for instance and The Clockmaker's Daughter. A few others I will definitely look into. 138 sounds like an excellent total to me. Yes, 2019... I do love the start of a new reading year.
ReplyDeleteCath, with your love of reading about other countries and settings, I think you would really like Bright Edge Of The World. It really gives a good sense of Alaska and also the area between Oregon and Washington.
DeleteI've only read Eleanor Oliphant and it charmed me so I'm making note of your other books. I see several I want to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that others felt like I did about Eleanor Oliphant, Kathy, and I'm not surprised. It's a gem of a book.
DeleteI loved Dear Mrs. Bird! So charming. And I really enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter, too - I know a lot of people didn't, but knowing her writing, I thought it was solid.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dear Mrs. Bird really needs to be better known - in my opinion anyway.
DeleteGood list, some different titles to check out-- though I've heard of all of them(only have read the lori rader-day-- I liked her previous 2, but this one not so much).
ReplyDeleteI actually do have the Anne Bogel; I'll add it to my read list this week, I think. I downloaded it after you mentioned it "last year". I enjoy Ann Hood so I'll look for that one at my library.
Thanks for sharing... and look forward to reading whatever/whenever you write about this year. Enjoy your reads!
Thanks, Rita. When I went back through the list and thought about the ones that seemed to touch me the most, this is the list I came up with. And it's not all crime novels. Ha!
DeleteI have a few of those on my TBR list. I really want to read "I'd Rather Be Reading". How many times do I say that? I think with my new find of listening to books, I may be able to get to more on my list.
ReplyDeleteGayle, I think that I'd Rather Be Reading is available on Hoopla as an audio. Not sure if you've thought about trying that, but you just download an app on your phone and use your library card to get to the audio. With Hoopla you are limited to a certain number to check out per month (4, I think), but the items are always available.
DeleteI've read a few of these. I really liked UNDER A DARK SKY and TRULY DEVIOUS. As you know, I was lukewarm about THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER. It's my least favorite of Morton's book, but it's still by Morton, so ... I liked it well enough, just didn't love it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you're aware that the next book in the Truly Devious trilogy is coming out next month (I think). Can't wait!
DeleteI loved the character of Eleanor Oliphant. She seemed completely real, deeply flawed, and unaware of how she impacted other people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your list. I have read three others on your list, and I will look for some of the others.
Yes, Eleanor Oliphant was unique and I just loved that book. As I said above, I had a librarian friend who shoved the book at me and 'ordered' me to read it. Ha! Amazing to get good recs from librarians, right? ;-)
DeleteI never did get around to Eleanor Oliphant and am woefully behind on the Robert Strike series. However, I LOVED Maureen Johnson's newest series and am so excited for the release of the next novel!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I can see that you'd like the Johnson series. I've been recommending it to my nieces and others. I've told people to not be worried that it's classified as YA. Ha!
DeleteI have not read a single one, but several are on my list. I really must get to the library!
ReplyDeleteYou have time, Jenclair - your library will still be there waiting for you. Ha!
DeleteThe Clockmaker's Daughter is the only one we have in common, and I see that you liked it even more than I did. :-)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing what books you enjoy in 2019.
As I do yours, Cathy. :-)
DeleteI loved I'd Rather Be Reading and Dear Mrs. Bird, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI really think that Dear Mrs. Bird needs to be better known. I suspect a lot of people would like it.
DeleteI’m definitely going to have to read some Ann Hood! And I need to get back to the Cormoran Strike series. So good! This was a very interesting list! My TBR list is getting bigger and bigger!
ReplyDeleteRobin, the TBR list growing is a definite side effect of reading these lists, isn't it? Ha!
DeleteI haven't read any of them but would like to read The Clockmaker's Daughter, and someday I will get around to reading the Robert Galbraith books... some day!! Hope you find loads of good books in 2019!
ReplyDeleteOh, I will. Don't worry. I can always find lots of good books to try. ;-)
DeleteYay we shared a favorite book :) I need to read Lethal White, although I think I've listened to the others so I may go that way.
ReplyDeleteMy guy is not an IT guy but he is a numbers guy so I can relate in many ways :)
Yes, it was just interesting to have the IT guy be the more socially engaged person. Lethal White was great on audio. That narrator does an excellent job.
Delete138 is decent? I'd say it's AMAZING! Especially compared to my 37 for 2018. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved both Eleanor Oliphant (I listened and can still picture where I was walking during certain scenes) and The Book That Matters Most. I have them on my keeper shelf for re-reads in the coming years.
I am so anxious to get a copy of I'd Rather Be Reading since I've heard nothing but great things about it. This will be one I purchase in print rather than audio, as these type of books are always the ones I want on my shelf. Maybe I'll get a copy next time I'm in McMinnville at Third Street Books... I'm going to read Dear Mrs. Bird (speaking of Third Street Books' purchases) now that my mom is finished with it. And To the Bright Edge of the World is one that I might recommend to my book group.
I hope to get my Top Ten list posted in the coming week or two. I'm actually caught up on all my book reviews, but I've scheduled one a day to post on my blog so I don't overwhelm everyone with so many reviews. Oh, and I like your idea of the first and last lines. I did something like that with my monthly summaries, which unfortunately I didn't keep up with during the last three months of the year.
Les, you're still settling in and you guys traveled so much this last year. I think your number is great considering how busy you were. Jealous that you get to visit Third Street Books again and I'm hoping you like any of these that you decide to try.
DeleteNot if I live to be over 100 will I think 138 is just decent! I will be amazed if I ever reach 100! I'm sorry to say that I haven't read any of your top books.
ReplyDeleteNan, you've been very busy too with grandkids. I think our reading number is just that - a number. As I said, mine has increased a lot in recent years, but the audios have helped.
DeleteI've read and enjoyed a couple of these - I'd Rather Be Reading and Eleanor Oliphant. To the Bright Edge of the World is on my kindle and I'm looking forward to trying that author. Happy 2019, Kay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn! Hope you like the Ivey book.
DeleteI want to read all the books on your list! Congratulations on 138 books read. That is fantastic. I'm really glad I "discovered" audio books finally and hopefully they will continue to be a part of my reading. Here's to a year of great books!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are adjusting to audiobooks too. They are a lot of fun for me.
DeleteI actually have I’d Rather Be Reading on hold at the library - I can’t wait till it comes in! I’m adding a bunch of these to my TBR list since if you loved them I bet I will too!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for stopping by. I'll watch for what you think about I'd Rather Be Reading. Hope you love it.
DeleteI'd Rather Be Reading is a great book, and I am so glad you enjoyed it, Kay. I haven't read any of your other favorites, but several are on my wishlist and a couple even already on my TBR pile. It sounds like you had a great reading year. Here's to another great year in books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good wishes, Wendy! I know it will be a good year for both of us in the reading department.
DeleteHappy New Year Kay!
ReplyDeleteSome great reads and in 2018 I finally got the hang of audio books and although my take-up of the format could be called steady at best I do enjoy the way they speed my walk home from work.
I've read The Kate Morton and Dear Mrs Bird, Eleanor is a probable audio choice for 2019 and I am going to be reading Day of the Dead very soon I hope.
I'm betting you're going to like Day of the Dead. I'll miss Frieda, but I'm very curious what will come next. Good luck with your audios - they might take a bit of practice, but I really love my time with them.
DeleteI liked The Book That Matters Most more than I thought I would. It was a book club pick and I didn't think we'd have too much to say about it but I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact that Ann Hood talked to a lot of people about what they considered their 'book that mattered most' while she was writing it. :-)
DeleteI would like to read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, it does sound like a good story. I also will eventually get to Lethal White. So far have only read the first book in that series.
ReplyDeleteTwo good books in your future, Tracy. No rush, right?
Delete