The 5 Best Books of 2018 (so far…)

It’s already the end of August, so I thought I better check out my Goodreads challenge to see how I am doing.  I have set reading goals for myself for 5 years now, and not once have I ever actually achieved it. I’ve come close, but this year, I feel like I really  have a chance.

My goal was to read 52 books in 2018.  As of today, I have read 35 books or 67% of my goal.  Not bad, considering I have 33% of the year left! Which means, if I keep it up, I will reach my Goodreads goal for the first time, ever!

Here are the 5 best  books I read this year – so far:

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones- This sad and powerful book is about Celestial and Roy, a couple of newlyweds who face unbelievable and horrific circumstances that test their marriage and their theories about themselves.  This book pushed against my comfort zone (which is what an excellent book should do) and made me question myself as well. What would I have done in that situation?

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir- This book is about a teenage girl who grew up on a reality TV show starring her evangelical father and her uncompromising mother.  When Essie gets pregnant, her family’s lives turn upside down and Essie has to decide whether to go along with their plans, or break out on her own. This book was very easy to read.  I couldn’t put it down!

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent – One of the best thrillers I read this summer, Lying in Wait tells the story of Laurence, a teenage boy, who becomes suspicious of his dad when he realizes that there is a connection between him and a missing girl.  Tension mounts as evidence becomes more and more clear that his dad was involved. Will he be able to keep it from his mom? This book is full of surprises and will keep you guessing until the shocking end!

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – So different from The Nightingale (which I also loved) but beautiful in a completely different way.  Hannah describes the Alaskan frontier so vividly, you feel as if you are there.  I read that she actually lived in Alaska for a while, so it’s no wonder it rings true.  In this story, Leni and her mom and dad move to remote Alaska. Dad has just returned from Vietnam and is not the same.  Will her family survive the winter? I had a little bit of trouble with how the book ended (I won’t spoil anything here).   But other than that, I absolutely loved it.  Definitely a favorite of mine!

The Dry by Jane Harper – This book is kind of a cheat, because it was published in 2016 not 2018, but I am counting it anyways!  I originally picked it up because Harper’s new book, Force of Nature, (the 2nd in the Adam Falk series) was being released and I am a stickler for reading things in order.  I am so glad I did! In The Dry, (1st book in Adam Falk series)  Adam returns home to attend the funeral of his best childhood best friend, Luke.  While there, he uncovers secrets that have been long buried in his hometown. I liked Force of Nature, but The Dry had me completely hooked.  This book made me an instant Jane Harper groupie.  If you haven’t read it, you should try it out!

Those were the best 5 books I’ve read so far this year.  To see all 35 titles, follow me on Goodreads at this link!

What are your 5 favorites of 2018?

Thanks for reading this post!  Until next time!