Top 10 Reads in 2018
I read almost 50 books last year. Yay me!
I think it would be proper to share my favorites. I rated the books below 5 out of 5 stars, which means I thought they were exceptional and worth reading again. They fall across various genres, so hopefully one or more spark an interest! There will be NO spoilers.
10. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Mary Roach / 2003 / Nonfiction
Dead bodies. Admit it, you’re curious. Mary Roach is a journalist who does some serious research and then writes all about it. Stiff is just one of her many books. This received 5 stars mainly because she jam-packed my brain with a bunch of knowledge. She also writes in a conversational tone that makes it seem like you’re just having coffee with her while she tells you all about her latest research trip. Although the topic can sometimes make you squeamish, it doesn’t fail to be intriguing, informational, and fun.
“The way I see it, being dead is not terribly far off from being on a cruise ship. Most of your time is spent lying on your back. The brain has shut down. The flesh begins to soften. Nothing much new happens, and nothing is expected of you.”
― Mary Roach, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
9. House of Mirth
Edith Wharton / 1905 / Classic
I didn’t realize this book was a tragedy when I started reading it. I dove in thinking it was going to be similar to a light-hearted Victorian romance, but page after page I became a sad, depressing mess. Not a great way to start off this review, but I did end up giving this book 5 stars. Edith Wharton is a fantastic writer and any story that can make me that emotional is definitely worth reading. It was “beautifully tragic”. I think the ending is the best part, but I’m sure some will disagree.
“Half the trouble in life is caused by pretending there isn't any.”
― Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth
8. Obsidio
Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff / 2018 / Science Fiction
Obsidio is the final book of a trilogy called The Illuminae Files. It’s a story about space, war, teen romance, and some serious, kick-ass, fight scenes. Oh, there is also an evil A.I. These are epistolary novels, so each book is a collection of documents, archived memos, video camera footage, and messages. Starting off, I was a little intimidated thinking I would have to piece together information. However (and I don’t know how they did it), this was an easy read, and also very visually entertaining. The book is quite hypnotic. The books look huge, but don’t be deceived - you’ll get through it quickly! The whole trilogy deserves 5 stars.
“The die is cast. But today we will shake the table upon which it lands.”
― Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Obsidio
7. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Atul Gawande / 2014 / Nonfiction
I’m realizing many of my books were death-focused last year. I’m usually not so depressing! But THIS book - so good, so real. Atul Gawande is a surgeon and public health researcher, and in this book he talks about the struggles of the elderly. A lot of the book focuses on the unfortunate living conditions of nursing homes, but Atul also approaches the uncomfortable conversation most will end up having in their lifetime. The conversation you have with either a loved one, a friend, or even yourself - the conversation of dying. There is only so much medicine can do, and Atul lays out the groundwork of that conversation through his real life experiences and through his research. There were many moments in this book that brought tears to my eyes, but I am so grateful for it. He brings up a subject people tend to avoid, or don’t even know they are avoiding (me until I read this book), and that takes some balls.
“All we ask is to be allowed to remain the writers of our own story. That story is ever changing.”
― Atul Gawande, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
6. Saga, Vol. 9
Brian K. Vaughn, Fiona Staples / 2018 / Graphic Novel
I started reading graphic novels last year, and this was the second series I picked up. Every volume deserves 5 stars, but this one particularly struck a chord in me. The main story includes two warriors from opposing sides of a war falling in love and try to raise a baby in the midst of this intergalactic chaos. Other characters and stories become intertwined, and it’s impossible to put these books down. The clever dialogues and beautiful illustrations make for a captivating and emotional story. This is a must-read.
“Some people hate waiting, but not me. Without anticipation, life can be comfortable, but it'll never be thrilling. Instant gratification is for boring assholes.”
― Brian K. Vaughan, Saga, Vol. 9
5. The Wise Man’s Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicle #2)
Patrick Rothfuss / 2011 / Fantasy
This is the second book of a trilogy I started last year. If your usual taste in books involves fantasy or science fiction, you have most likely read these books. If not, then what are you waiting for?! The first book is further down this list, so more details to come, but it’s basically a mature version of Harry Potter. The reason this book deserves 5 stars is because, like the first book, Patrick Rothfuss has a way of transporting you to this magical world. But he takes it a step further because he doesn’t simply describe what’s happening- he actually leaves a lot of it out. Instead he describes it in a way where the reader fills in the blanks themselves. With that, it’s like we are building our own story and there is no better way of putting it other than, “it’s like you’re there”. I will be reading this again very soon.
“It's the questions we can't answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he'll look for his own answers.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear
4. The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy #1)
Katherine Arden / 2017 / Fantasy
Yet another trilogy. And O-M-G, I love this book so much. A Russian family lives in their cottage near the edge of wilderness, and when the Father brings home a new wife, bad things start to happen within the home and to their crops - in fact, the family and community are in danger of a very big threat. But there is one daughter that must use her gifts to save the people she loves. Think of a badass Russian Cinderella. This was one of those books I ravenously ate with my eyes, and actually had to force myself to stop because I was scared to finish it so quickly. The story is passionate and the writing is beautiful. I gifted this book to my Mother, and although she usually reads mystery and true crime, she is surprised at how much she is enjoying this book (and I don’t think she is only saying that because she is my Mother).
“If this is the last decision I can ever make, at least it is my decision. Let me go, Alyosha. I am not afraid.”
― Katherine Arden, The Bear and the Nightingale
3. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle #1)
Patrick Rothfuss / 2007 / Fantasy
We’re baaaack. I read this book twice this year (yeah, it’s that good). Our main character, Kvothe, recounts his childhood when he traveled in a troupe with his parents to the journey of attending a school of magic. Using his gifts and clever ways, the story turns into a thrilling action story that, in turn, is written very delicately. Not only is this story amazeballs, but it’s a work of art. Patrick Rothfuss is also great on panels and interviews - if you have a chance to see him at a convention, I highly recommend it (he’s the guy with the big beard).
“The best lies about me are the ones I told.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
2. The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
Helen Rappaport / 2014 / Nonfiction
I loved that movie Anastasia growing up. I would dress up like a princess and dance around the house singing “Once Upon a December”. However, this book is not a fairytale. In fact, I don't know why I even wanted to read this - it was absolutely and terribly heartbreaking. Helen Rappaport weaved together a hypnotic and information-packed story revolving around the Romanov sisters. She does a wonderful job describing each sister's personality and how it affected the people around them, as well as themselves. But I loved that we also get to know their brother, Alexey, and their parents, Nicholas and Alexandra. The Romanov story is tragic but one everyone should be familiar with as it shows how far people will go to gain power, and how far a family will go to protect one another.
“Without expecting it, I sensed that we Russian intellectuals, we who claim to be the precursors and the voice of conscience, were responsible for the undignified ridicule to which the Grand Duchesses were subjected … We do not have the right to forget, nor to forgive ourselves for our passivity and failure to do something for them.”
― Helen Rappaport, The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
1. Persuasion
Jane Austen / 1817 / Fiction
Those of you that know me are probably not surprised I chose Austen as my #1 pick. I read her every year, and I always go back and forth between deciding which is my favorite, Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion. The latter won out this year. Persuasion was Austen’s last book, and published posthumously. The main character, Anne Elliot, is her most adult heroine compared to her earlier novels. At an early age, she is engaged but persuaded by others to break it. Now 30 years old, she has lived with this regret and discovers one day that her ex-fiance is returning to town. Dun, dun, dunnnn. With the fun storyline, you can also expect Austen’s satirical humor and clever comments on social matters. As always, it is divine to read. But you’ll also notice the maturity of the heroine. She isn’t the typical “silly” girl in romantic novels (even Elizabeth Bennett had her faults). But Anne is contemplative, sure, and smart. Her patience allows her to be such a strong character and it’s like witnessing a transformation throughout Austen’s novels. She’ll always be my number 1. <3
“One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.”
― Jane Austen, Persuasion