It is very rare for me to have the time and inclination to make a top books of the year post. However 2018 has been an amazing year for books, and since I do have some time today, here are some of the highlights of the year for me.
According to my Goodreads challenge I read 300 books in 2018, which is the lowest amount I've read in a year since starting my blog, but given my blog tour organising business has been going from strength to strength, its hardly surprising that I don't have as much time to read.
I have loved almost everything I featured last year (some may have been read tail end of 2017, so doing this as a highlights of books that were on my blog in 2018!). As I have been a keen reader for my whole life, its very rare that I will pick books that I'm unlikely to enjoy, and even some of those when it does happen is probably just me reading the wrong book at the wrong time.
That is about as negative as I will be today - as its New Year's Day and its all about postivity, looking back on the previous year and looking forward to even more books in 2019!!
Although I have made a top 15 books of the year, I have also done a few other Top lists for other books that have captured my imagination this year.
According to my Goodreads challenge I read 300 books in 2018, which is the lowest amount I've read in a year since starting my blog, but given my blog tour organising business has been going from strength to strength, its hardly surprising that I don't have as much time to read.
I have loved almost everything I featured last year (some may have been read tail end of 2017, so doing this as a highlights of books that were on my blog in 2018!). As I have been a keen reader for my whole life, its very rare that I will pick books that I'm unlikely to enjoy, and even some of those when it does happen is probably just me reading the wrong book at the wrong time.
That is about as negative as I will be today - as its New Year's Day and its all about postivity, looking back on the previous year and looking forward to even more books in 2019!!
Although I have made a top 15 books of the year, I have also done a few other Top lists for other books that have captured my imagination this year.
These are my top 15 Books of 2018 (in alphabetical order).
A Home at Honeysuckle Farm by Christie Barlow - 5 Star Review
A Miracle on Hope Street by Emma Heatherington - 5 Star Review
A Summer Scandal by Kat French - 5 Star Review
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan - 5 Star Review
Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland - 5 Star Review
Five Years From Now by Paige Toon - 5 Star Review
Forget Her Name by Jane Holland - 5 Star Review
Forgive Me Not by Samantha Tonge - 5 Star Review
One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk - 5 Star Review
One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom - 5 Star Review
Our House by Louise Candlish - 5 Star Review
The Affair by Sheryl Browne - 5 Star Review
The Confession by Jo Spain - 5 Star Review
The Corner Shop on Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May - 5 Star Review
The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan - 5 Star Review
Top 12 Books that had me dreaming of my next holiday in 2018! (in alphabetical order)
A Winter Beneath The Stars by Jo Thomas - 5 Star Review
Desperately Seeking Summer by Mandy Baggot - 5 Star Review
Dreaming of Florence by T. A. Williams - 5 Star Review
Last of the Summer Vines by Romy Sommer - 5 Star Review
My Big Greek Summer by Sue Roberts - 5 Star Review
My Mamma Mia Summer by Annie Robertson - 5 Star Review
One Summer in Rome by Samantha Tonge - 5 Star Review
Poppy's Place in the Sun by Lorraine Wilson - 4.5 Star Review
The Backpacking Housewife by Janice Horton - 5 Star Review
The French Escape by Suzie Tullett - 5 Star Review
The Little Perfume Shop Off The Champs Elysee by Rebecca Raisin - 5 Star Review
The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant - 5 Star Review
Top 8 New Series that I was enjoying in 2018 (in no particular order)
Meadowbrook Manor by Faith Bleasdale
The Little Cottage Series by Emma Davies
The Little Cottage on the Hill | Summer at the Little Cottage on the Hill | Return to the Little Cottage on the Hill | Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill
Maddy and Leanne by Susanne O' Leary
An Adorable Fat Girl by Bernice Bloom
Diary of an Adorable Fat Girl | Cruise with an Adorable Fat Girl | Adorable Fat Girl and the Mysterious Invitation
Little Duck Pond Cafe by Rosie Green
Spring at the Little Duck Pond Cafe | Summer at the Little Duck Pond Cafe | Christmas at the Little Duck Pond Cafe | Snowed In at the Little Duck Pond Cafe
Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke
Romantic Escapes by Julie Caplin
Sandcastle Bay by Holly Martin
Plus of course M A Comley and all the assorted series of hers I've been reading of hers. Could almost be a category in itself there are so many. So check her out on Amazon instsead!
My Top 10 Favourite Christmas Books from 2018 (in alphabetical order)
25 Days Til Christmas by Poppy Alexander - 5 Star Review
An Island Christmas by Jenny Colgan - 5 Star Review
Bells and Bows on Mistletoe Row by Emily Harvale - 5 Star Review
I'm Glad I Found You This Christmas by CP Ward - 5 Star Review
It's A Wonderful Night by Jaimie Admans - 5 Star Review
No One Cancels Christmas by Zara Stoneley - 5 Star Review
Not Just For Christmas by Natalie Cox - 5 Star Review
The Christmas Lights by Karen Swan- 5 Star Review
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan - 5 Star Review
The Mother of All Christmases by Milly Johnson - 5 Star Review
As you can see 2018 has been a year filled with wonderful books.
What were your favourite books of the year? Have you read any of these?
What are you looking forward to reading in 2019?
I'd love to hear from you and Happy New Year!
What a fabulous set of lists and I am beyond thrilled to be featured in your Top 15. Thank you so very much, Rachel xx
ReplyDeleteOnly 300? As well as running a blog tour organising business? *Faints*. Thanks so much, Rachel. You're an amazing, dedicated person! Thrilled that The Affair features as one of you top 15! Have fabulous is that? Happy New Year, lovely! :) xx
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great list of recommendations. I used to read loads and then became 'too busy after being laid up with illness for 2 weeks over Christmas I read 2 books and realised what I've been missing. But like you as an experienced reader I know what I like and only read books I would give a 5 starvp review to
ReplyDeleteI should clarify there are 4 star reviews on my blog, and even a few 3 stars from time to time. Still love the 4 stars books, its just for this sort of post I was highlighting the creme da la creme!!
DeleteSorry to hear you have been laid up over Christmas and Happy New Year.
I loved the Hope Street books and Endless Beach. Little Cafe in Copehzgen was just delightful and Its a Wonderful Night and Christmas Lights were 2 of my all time favourite romance novels with or without Christmas
ReplyDeleteThere's many of my favourites here too.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, what a lot of books you've read, Rachel! And thank you, I feel honoured to be chosen and for my books to be listed amongst such other great ones.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Sam Tonge x
I'm honoured and thrilled to be in you list of books that made you dream of your next holiday with The Backpacking Housewife and I'm in great company - what a fabulous list! Thanks Rachel. So... where are you planning to go for your next holiday?
ReplyDelete