The Books of 2018
The short interpretation of my book list is I read fewer books this year than I thought I would. But I also started reading magazines again. I definitely was much more selective about what non-fiction books I read because I couldn’t deal with the noise they can make in my head.
With that said, I read 52 books, which conveniently averages to one a week for the year and is close to the same number as I’ve read in recent years. The ones in the picture above are definitely among my favorites, although many of my favorite fiction were on my Kindle or checked out from the library so they didn’t make the picture!
Fiction
- “Comfort & Joy” by Kristin Hannah
- “Every Last Lie” by Mary Kubica
- “The Mailbox” (Sunset Beach #1) by Marybeth Whalen
- “The Perfect Stranger” by Megan Miranda
- “The Fever” by Megan Abbott
- “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
- “Weight of Lies” by Emily Carpenter
- “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls” by Emily Carpenter
- “Picture Perfect” by Jodi Picoult
- “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah
- “Dead Drift” (Chesapeake Valor #4) by Dani Pettrey {Review}
- “Tell Me Three Things” by Julie Buxbaum
- “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace” by Becky Monson
- “Witness in Hiding” (Secret Service Agents Series) by Lisa Phillips
- “The Way Life Should Be” by Christina Baker Kline
- “I Am Watching You” by Teresa Driscoll
- “The Castaways” by Elin Hilderbrand
- “The Light Between the Oceans” by M.L. Stedman
- “A Long Time Gone” by Karen White
- “All the Breaking Waves” by Kerry Lonsdale
- “Looking for Me” by Beth Hoffman
- “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman
- “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah
- “The Things We Do For Love” by Kristin Hannah
- “A Secret to Die For” by Lisa Harris {Review}
- “Whisper Me This” by Kerry Anne King
- “The Other Family” by Joanna Trollope
- “The Almost Sisters” by Joshilyn Jackson
- “Secret Daughter” by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Memoirs
- “A Fierce Love: One Woman’s Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage” by Shauna Shanks
- “In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence” by Kayla Aimee {Review}
- “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J.D. Vance {Review}
- “Why I Hate Green Beans: And Other Confessions about Relationships, Reality TV, and How We See Ourselves” by Lincee Ray {Review}
- “A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging” by Kate Motaung {Review}
- “The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness All Around You” by Shannan Martin {Review}
- “Remember God” by Annie Downs
- “Burden of Hope: I Am More than Barren” by Beth Johnson {Guest Post}
Non-fiction
- “Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250” by Karl Vaters {Review}
- “The Friendship of Women: The Beauty and Power of God’s Plan for Us” by Dee Brestin
- “Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning” by Aaron Niequist
- “White Picket Fences: Turning Toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege” by Amy Julia Becker {Review}
- “It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On & Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible” by Jennifer Dukes Lee {Guest Post}
- “In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character” by Jen Wilkin
- “The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home” by Russell Moore {Review}
- “Letters to the Church” by Francis Chan
Studies & Resources
- “This I Know: Trusting Your Unknown Future to a Known God” by Laura Dingman {Review}
- “100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self” by Annie Downs
- “Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents” by Russell Barkley
- “Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids” by Sandy Silverthorne {Review}
- “Hope Your Heart Needs: 52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You” by Holley Gerth {Review}
- “New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional” by Paul David Tripp
- “Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional” by Paul David Tripp
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I usually leave starred reviews on Goodreads, if you want a quick reference for what I thought about books. I’ve linked all the titles to Amazon and any reviews I’ve shared on my blog. You can always reach out and talk books with me. Here’s my 2017 list, if you’re looking for more recommendations. I also keep a list of favorites on Amazon for easy access.
*****
Merry Christmas, #PorchStories friends! I’ve loved being together this year and look forward to next year. There won’t be a linkup next week because we’ll still in Christmas mode around here. We’ll gather again on Jan. 2, ready for a fresh start.
Such a great book! And you may have not read as much as you thought but you read WAY MORE fiction books than me this year!
I read lots of fiction by the pool this summer. It was really good for me to read more fiction than nonfiction this year. There are so many good books out there. Always glad to see you here, Tara!
That is a great list of books. I like the way you have broken them into the different categories. I might have to look for some books suggestions.
I hope you find some books for your life on this list. Thanks for being here, Beth!
Wow, what a list! I’m always impressed.
InLinkz is getting kind of wiggy.
Yeah, I’m not happy with it right now … but I’m happy that you’re here anyway! xo
You’re sweet to me. xo
I read The Nightingale this summer as well. I found myself bawling while lying in my hammock. I was so emotionally exhausted at the end of that book!!! Good… But too emotional for me! What did you think?
So emotional! But I loved it. Then almost immediately after I read Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, which was equally emotional in a different way. Then I had to take a break and read some really light fiction. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Rachel!
I’m impressed by the number of books you have read, and the variety too! I’ve only read a few of these so it’s good to get some new recommendations.
Thank you, Lesley! I hope you find some that you love on my list. Thanks for being here!
This is an amazing (and varied!) list!
Good work! (And a good resource for future reads!)
Oh, thank you, Michele! That means a lot coming from you, fellow book worm! 🙂
So organized!
I loved this especially…”the noise they can make in my head.” and feel it applies to multiple areas of my life, the things offered us by the world.
Selectivity is wise, I believe.
Thanks for all that comment, Meg! The world sure is noisy sometimes, so I’m thankful I’ve learned how to filter some of that better for myself. It’s been a process, and I’m sure always will be. Thanks for being here!
This is a great list. I’m going to bookmark it so I can come back to it when I need inspiration. I saw “White Picket Fences” on your list. Loved that book!
I really loved “White Picket Fences.” It’s one of those that I wish everyone would read because it was really thought-provoking. Hope you find plenty of inspiration among the other titles! Thanks for being here, Laurie!
What a great resource. laurensparks.net
Thanks, friend!
I know what you mean about limiting non-fiction books. I can only handle so many. I have Jen Wilkin’s book and am eager to plunge into it next year. Have a wonderful Christmas!
We read Jen Wilkin’s book in Bible study this fall. Hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas, Barbara!
Holy smokes, 52 books! That’s incredible. You always amaze me with the quantity of books you’re able to read in a year. Well done! Thanks for sharing your list!
Thanks, Kate! I’m always glad you host the book linkup.
I read The Nightgale too and loved it. I have her other book on my hold list at the library. Hopefully it’ll become available soon! I am currently in the middle of The Ministry of Ordinary Places and it’s just getting better and better.
Love seeing your books here, Kristin. Always fun to me to see what other people are reading.
Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite fiction authors, so I’m glad you’re enjoying her too! And The Ministry of Ordinary Places was one the best from 2018! Thanks for being here!