One of my favorite things to do before the New Year is to reflect on the books I’ve read over the past year. Looking back, I’m able to mark the season or time of year by what I read at the time. This year my favorite reads (not all of which were published in 2018) were eye-opening and full of heart.

In no particular order…

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

My expectations couldn’t have been higher for this book because The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite books, but somehow The Great Alone still managed to exceed my expectations and surprise me. The story was compelling from the headstrong main heroine who moves to Alaska with her parents to the ruthlessly beautiful Alaskan terrain that she found herself in. If you take anything from this post, try out this book.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

This story seemed take the world by storm this year. In The Power, women become the dominant gender due to the ability to release electric shocks from their fingers. While there are incidents in this book that I don’t necessarily agree with, it has stuck with me for the conversations it evoked and for the female dominated plot.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I’m late to the game here, as I know this has been a popular book for years, but I couldn’t help but adore this story and the old man’s grumbly personality. A story of hope and that it’s never too late to build a life worth living.

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford

Jamie Ford has a beautiful writing style, it’s gentle and vibrantly descriptive. Emotional, but not overpoweringly so. Inspired by a true story, this book centers around Ernest, who is sold at the Seattle World’s Fair as a young boy in 1909. He’s auctioned off to a high-class brothel, where he becomes the new houseboy. I loved the historic Seattle setting!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was one of the best books I could have picked out for a beach vacation. It was witty, fun and yet also managed to pack a punch and teach some strong lessons. I don’t want to categorize it as a “beach read” because it was so much more than that. I couldn’t put it down!

Circe by Madeline Miller

I really enjoy Greek mythology and after reading Madeline Miller’s Achilles, I couldn’t wait to read more of her work. This story stars a powerful, independent female god in a universe ruled by males. She paves her own path and I was rooting for her the whole time.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeymoon

The perfect combination of heartbreaking and sweetly funny. I don’t know how Gail Honeymoon did it, but I felt like I was smiling and grimacing along with Eleanor’s journey the whole time.

Some of these books were provided to me for free from publishers – thank you for the opportunity to review these stories. Cheers to another year of wonderful books!