Favourite reads of 2018

 

Holy smokes, is it that time of year already?! The time of year when bookworms around the world start compiling their list of favourite books that they’ve read over the last twelve months? My calendar tells me it is…so here we go! In 2018, I officially read 77 books (so far—there’s still a week and a bit left!), which is 28% more than my goal of 60. You can see the full list and all its related statistics on my Goodreads.

 

Once again, it was a real challenge to nut out which, exactly, were my favourite books, but I think I got there in the end! This post is split into two parts: in the first, I list some of my favourite reads in each genre, and in the second, I announce my top ten favourite reads overall. In order to maintain some diversity, both lists comply with the following golden rule:

 

RULE: Only one book from a series can be included in any given list.

 

So, here we go, and I’d love to hear about all your favourite reads of 2018 (and whether we share any) in the comments below!

 

 

~ FAVOURITE BOOKS BY GENRE ~

 

YOUNG ADULT

 

NEW ADULT

 

LGBT+

 

CONTEMPORARY

 

“HISTORICAL”

 

CRIME / THRILLER

 

ROMANCE

 

EPIC FANTASY

 

HIGH FANTASY

 

LOW FANTASY / PARANORMAL

 

SCI-FI

 

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~ TOP 10 BOOKS OVERALL ~

 

#10 – A List of Cages by Robin Roe

 

When the school psychologist tasks Adam Blake with tracking down a troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, he is ecstatic to be reunited with Julian, the foster brother he hasn’t seen in years. But Julian is keeping secrets, and Adam’s determination to help him could cost both boys their lives…

GENRE: contemporary| YA

SERIES: (stand alone)

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#9 – What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

 

Arthur knows the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. But when the two boys meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

GENRE: contemporary | YA | LGBT

SERIES: (stand alone)

MY THOUGHTS: I’m still trying to process my feelings about the ending, but otherwise I ADORED this book!!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#8 – The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

 

Vin, now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire. An ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope, but no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension…or what manner of power it bestows.

GENRE: epic fantasy

SERIES: Mistborn #2

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#7 – Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

 

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a daring heist, but now they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, they must pull together to rescue one of their own…and root out enemies old and new in a cunning scheme that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

GENRE: high fantasy | YA

SERIES: Six of Crows #2

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#6 – An Echo of Things to Come by James Islington

 

The devastating attack on Ilin Illan was just the beginning. Davian and his new allies hurry north towards the ever-weakening Boundary, while Wirr and Asha are drawn into a web of political intrigue. And as more of Caeden’s memories return, he realises that the motivations of the two sides in this ancient war are not as clear-cut as they seem…

GENRE: epic fantasy

SERIES: The Licanius Trilogy #2

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#5 – A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

 

It has been four months since Kell cast the stone Vitari back into Black London with Holland’s dying body. Now, as Red London prepares for the Element Games, another London comes back to life. But the balance of magic is perilous, and for one city to flourish, another must fall…

GENRE: high fantasy

SERIES: Shades of Magic #2

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#4 – Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

 

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. Now, with one semester of high school to go, there are no obstacles between him and out-of-state college freedom…until he meets Mormon prodigy Sebastian Brother.

GENRE: contemporary | YA | LGBT

SERIES: (stand alone)

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#3 – Half Wild by Sally Green

 

Nathan is an abomination, half White Witch, half Black Witch, and he is being hunted from all sides. With his pursuers hot on his tail, Nathan must not only make a deal with the rebel Alliance to rescue the girl he loves, but learn to control the dark Gift growing within himself.

GENRE: low fantasy | YA

SERIES: Half Bad #2

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#2 – Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

 

Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight if they are to have a chance at a future…and a better world.

GENRE: high fantasy | YA/NA

SERIES: Throne of Glass #7

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

#1 – The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic

 

Neil Josten is out of time, but with his death right around the corner he’s got more reasons than ever to live. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew’s never been the easiest person to walk away from. And since the monsters are already closing in, this may be his only chance.

GENRE: contemporary | NA | LGBT

SERIES: All For the Game #3

MY THOUGHTS: Read them here.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

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What were your favourite reads of 2018? Did you read and enjoy (or not enjoy) any of the books on my list?

 

 

Rebecca Alasdair