2018: My year in Books

A new year, a new Goodread’s challenge! This year, I’m setting myself a target of 90 books. It feels a lot, but the past two years has seen me ending the year on 92 for both, so it should be do-able. Commuting has an advantage!

Besides, it’s not a challenge unless it’s challenging, right?

I’m hoping to get on top of reviews this year – I’m in a good place for that right now, so need to keep reading. But I’m also hoping to address my extensive TBR pile that aren’t necessarily review books. I’ve left them sitting there for years, prioritising blog books. Time to pay them some attention!

Before I start addressing this year’s challenge, I want look back at last year. Not only focusing on the books that I’ve read, but the ones that have really stood out for me, and the ones you guys have enjoyed hearing about the most.

I’m using ‘My Year in Books’ from Goodreads for a lot of my statistics here (my memory isn’t that good!)

Books: 92

Pages:  34,811

Shortest book: Danger Rising by E.D Richards

Longest book: Fool’s Fate by Robin Hobb

Average length: 378 pages

First review of the year: The Eden Paradox by Barry Kirwan

Last review of the year: Darien by C.F Iggulden

That was my Goodread’s summary. Here are the books that have really stuck with me this year:

Favourite stand-alone book (the impossible question)

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton. I read this quite near the beginning of the year and it has still stuck with me. I literally needed to rant to someone about this book because I couldn’t believe what was happening. I’m not sure another book has affected me the same way since.

Favourite series

I started a few thoroughly good series this year. The one I’m going to go for is the Godblind trilogy (Godblind and Darksoul are currently out) by Anna Stephens. I got completely swept up and immersed in this world and can’t wait for more.

Favourite new author

I’m limiting myself on this question that I can’t have read anything by this author in previous years. I’m going to go with Matt Haig. Notes on a Nervous Planet literally left me wanting to change my life, so kudos where kudos is due.

Favourite re-discovered author

This is split between a childhood author and one I read as an adult. Anthony Horowitz is definitely a rediscovered author: I’ve just stumbled across his adult books, loved them, and started re-reading a childhood favourite.

Robin Hobb is the second one. I read her first trilogy a few years ago and finally got around to more and instantly fell completely in love again. Definitely not leaving it as long next time.

My most popular book review on here (for the second year running) is Friend Request by Laura Marshall.

It’s been fantastic getting more engagement for book reviews as a whole this year though – let’s spread the book love as far as possible.

Are you pleased with 2018 – reading or otherwise? Do you have goals for this year?

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