Lists

“Most” Books of 2018

Grace21 Comments

These are some of the most outstanding, unique, anticipated, and in some cases disappointing books that I read in 2018. Not all of them were published this year.

Most Anticipated Prequel

Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: When the fairy Lucinda turns Evora, a young healer, into an ogre after she rejects her apprentice’s proposal of marriage, she has 62 days to accept another proposal or forever be an ogre. I found this book rather disappointing in the pacing and character development.  

Most Amusing Fantasy

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson: The three Igiby siblings evade the evil Fangs of Dang while they discover family secrets and search for a hidden treasure. This story is full of character, and is a funny and engaging story with an intriguing world.

Most Remarkable Historical Setting

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani: Nisha receives a diary on her 12th birthday and turns to writing to make sense of her world during the Partition of India in 1947.

Most Genres Mashed into a Historical-Fantasy-Regency-Spy-Mystery

Murder, Magic and What We Wore by Kelly Jones: Annis Whitworth can sew magical garments and uses her talent to leave her privileged lifestyle and open a dressmaking shop as a cover while she investigates her father’s suspicious death.

Most Potential

A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan: Kora must use her ability to sense gold to track down a thief who stole from the kingdom’s treasury in this tale full of pirates, thieves, danger, and gold. This book had a lot of potential, but was lacking in world-building and a good sense of time and place.

Most Powerful Voice

Audacity by Melanie Crowder: Clara Lemlich flees from Russia and begins working in a sweatshop where she is shocked by the horrific working conditions and leads other women in the fight against injustice. This book is written in verse, with powerful voice and a touching story.

Most Realistic Characters

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins: This book follows three generations of Indian-American women and their struggles with culture, friendship, family, love, race, and identity.

Let’s Chat!

Have you read any of these books? What were some of your favorite (or least favorite) books this year?

21 thoughts on ““Most” Books of 2018”

    • That’s certainly true, and I’ve heard several reviewers say the same. However, I didn’t remember most of Ella Enchanted when I read this book, and was disappointed in that the pacing felt off and there were so many places and characters that didn’t get much detail. I did enjoy it, just not as much as I was anticipating! 🙂 Thank you for your comment!
      -Grace

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  4. I haven’t read any of these books, but I like that the characters are from different parts of the globe. One book I was disappointed in is the memoir No Bed of Roses by Joan Fontaine. I love her so much in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca that I was saddened to learn what a petty, flighty, sad little person she is–and she was writing about herself, so I’m sure she chose to make herself look better!

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    • Thank you. One of my passions is finding books that represent people from all over the world interacting with each other in a positive and realistic way, so it’s nice to hear that it’s noticeable.
      That sounds disappointing! I haven’t read either of those books, but I picked up Go Set a Watchman without reading about it first, and was horrified Atticus’s new opinions. It’s terrible to read something and find that a character isn’t what you imagined them to be.

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  5. I surprised that I haven’t heard of a lot of books from this list, which means I definitely need to add them to my TBR. I’m a little interested to see how Ogre Enchanted turns out, because I was really disappointed with Ella Enchanted. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness sounds super mysterious and funny. Happy New year!

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    • I tried to pick books that weren’t going to be on all the lists (as in I avoided putting Cinder on yet another list, although I did include You Bring the Distant Near, which I’m now searching and finding out it’s been in almost every blog post, oh well, I got sidetracked) so people could hear of some new ones.
      I liked Ogre Enchanted fairly well, but I didn’t love it as much as I was hoping to. When a book is hyped up a lot it doesn’t often meet your expectations, I guess.
      Do you usually have a small TBR at the beginning of a year, or a gigantic one? Some people seem to finish up all their books so they can read new releases, and other people just seem to have a gigantic beginning of the year TBR list.
      On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is really funny! The rest of the series is, too. I’m posting a review of it in a week or so.
      Happy new year! Thanks for your comment! 🙂

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      • Yep, I only read the first book, Cinder, but noticed that the book was on almost everyone’s book lists in the blogger community. And I agree with you- I’ll Give You the Sun was one of the most hyped books in the blogosphere and in general, but it didn’t meet up to many people’s expecations, including mine.
        Oh boy, my TBR list has literally over a hundred books. I don’t usually set myself a goal for finishing them by the end of the year or a specific date, but I just take my time with my ever expanding list. In some weird logic, I guess it means that I’ll never run out of books to read?
        Okay, this time I’ll try to read the entire series of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness! I often drop books in the middle of the series (not one of my best traits!) but I will try to stick through it.
        Thank you!

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  7. I think my heart just broke seeing that Ogre Enchanted didn’t live up to expectations. I might still pick it up (book buying isn’t in my budget right now anyway) but it slowly shuffled its way down my TBR. Ah!

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