The best books I read in 2018 – YA, Sci-Fi, Chick Lit, Dystopian & More
2018 was an exciting year. I visited Australia for the first time for my cousin’s wedding, my best friends grew a human and made me an auntie to the cutest little girl in the world, and my divorced parents got back together after 12 years. It’s safe to say I was a little bit distracted!
That’s why I read fewer books than I’d have liked to. My ever-elusive target of 52 was even further away than usual this year – I read 33 books. Last year I read 41, and the three years prior to that I managed 46 each time.
I’ll still be setting the same 52 book target for 2019, though. One day I’ll reach it!
In 2018 I reread some of my favourite books when I felt like I was struggling to concentrate so I won’t include those in my top 10 again (they were Songs About A Girl, Songs About Us, Illuminae, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and The Knife of Never Letting Go in case you’re wondering).
So, with that in mind, here are the top 10 books I read in 2018, with number one being my absolute favourite.
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10. The Fandom by Anna Day
Essential reading for any YA fan who’s ever wanted to escape to their favourite fictional world. One of the first books I read in 2018 – it didn’t blow me away but it’s fun and captivating, and was a solid four star for me.
Find out more in my full review, add it to your Goodreads list, or view it on Amazon.
9. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
First of all, how stunning is this cover? Absolutely bloody love it. But beyond that, the concept of Scythe is intriguing and I’m excited to read more in Thunderhead.
In a world where everything can be cured, how do we deal with the issue of overpopulation? In this one, Scythes are the only ones who can end a life, and Citra and Rowan have just been chosen to become a Scythe’s apprentice.
Add Scythe to your Goodreads list or view it on Amazon.
8. The One We Fell In Love With by Paige Toon
From here, it’s not going to take you long to realise that the one I fell in love with this year was Paige Toon. Her writing is so easy to absorb, it flows and it’s funny and it’s heartfelt. And her characters are so honest and relatable you’ll feel like they’re real.
I loved The One We Fell In Love with – it’s the first of Paige Toon’s adult books that I read and I promptly went out and purchased every single book she’s published to add to my TBR.
Add to your Goodreads list or view on Amazon.
7. Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
I’ve read lots of Sarah Dessen but I think this one is my favourite of hers. The characters are incredible their relationships are a joy to read about. While Scarlett’s pregnancy is at the centre of this story, this book isn’t about it. It’s about coming of age, it’s about first love. It’s about complicated families and friendship and learning from your mistakes. Loved it.
Read more in my full review, add it to your Goodreads or view on Amazon.
6. Songs About A Boy by Chris Russell
It’s become pretty clear to me that I can’t resist a story about an ordinary person getting swept up by fame and fortune, as you’ll see from the next three entries in this list.
First is Songs About A Boy, which is the third and final book in this brilliant trilogy. I loved all three books, and thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the love triangle and the mystery that ties it all together.
Songs About A Girl, the first book in this series, featured in my top 10 of 2017.
Read my review of the Songs About A Girl trilogy, add this book to your Goodreads or view it on Amazon.
5. Jessie Jefferson Trilogy by Paige Toon
For number five I’m going for an entire trilogy. This is what started my love of Paige Toon this year. I was so surprised by The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson – I’m not the biggest fan of the first cover so I thought I’d find I’m a bit too old to appreciate the story at 28. I was totally wrong, it’s brilliant and I was hooked after just a few pages.
If you think you’d like Paige Toon’s adult novels too, I’d recommend starting with Johnny Be Good and Baby Be Mine and then reading this trilogy afterwards as they feature many of the same characters that you will grow to love.
Read my review of the Jessie Jefferson trilogy, add them to your Goodreads or view them on Amazon.
4. Johnny Be Good & Baby Be Mine by Paige Toon
Half way through Johnny Be Good, when I realised I might finish it within a few more hours, I raced onto Amazon Prime and ordered Baby Be Mine to arrive the next day. It’s one of the most addictive stories I’ve come across in a long time, and when I’d finished Baby Be Mine I even downloaded the ebook Johnny’s Girl to get the most I possibly could out of these characters.
It’s a rollercoaster, there’s a love triangle, there’s heartbreak and sex and rock and roll. It’s bloody brilliant.
Add Johnny Be Good to your Goodreads or view on Amazon.
3. Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Illuminae was one of the very best books I read in 2016. I couldn’t stop talking about it or thinking about it and I’d recommend it to anyone who’d listen. I’m not sure why it took me quite so long to read Gemina, but this year I finally did and, of course, it blew me away.
This writing duo has done it again, with a brand new story that’s just as captivating and clever as the first, transporting us into outerspace where you’ll never guess what’s coming next. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to read Obsidio.
Ah, also, I started listening to the audio book of this with my Husband and it’s actually really good – I wasn’t sure how it would work as Illuminae and Gemina are so visual, but it’s very cleverly done in audio form so if that’s more your cup of tea I’d recommend giving it a go.
Add Gemina to your Goodreads lists or view on Amazon.
2. Paper Avalanche by Lisa Williamson
Paper Avalanche comes out on 3 January, but I was lucky enough to get my hands on it early and boy is it good. I read this in just a couple of sittings, I couldn’t put it down.
It’s such a beautiful and enlightening story that really made me think. I haven’t read Lisa Williamson’s other novels yet but now that I’ve seen what she’s capable of, I can’t wait to get stuck into them. This will be at the top of a huge number of lists just like this one when 2019 comes to an end.
Find out more about Paper Avalanche in my review, add it to Goodreads or view it on Amazon.
1. The Truth of Different Skies by Kate Ling
The Truth of Different Skies was my most anticipated read of 2018, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a prequel to previous favourites The Loneliness of Distant Beings and The Glow of Fallen Stars, but it also stands incredibly well on its own as a well-developed and captivating story about.
This book shattered my heart and I loved it. It’s underrated and deserves to be read by so many more people – if you enjoy an incredible romance, space and sci-fi, read this. I’m sad it’s over but I can’t wait to read more from Kate Ling.
Without doubt my favourite book of the year!
Read my full review of The Truth of Different Skies to find out more, add it to your Goodreads, or view it on Amazon.
Have you read any of the books in my top 10? What were your favourite reads of the year? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to see your blogs posts and watch your videos to add new books to my Goodreads TBR.
