Best and Worst Reads of 2018

I have been thinking about how I wanted to do this. Every year I have a surge of posts in December. The final wrap up, thoughts, goals for next year, and of course this. The best and worst reads for me for the year. I think I will do the same thing I did last year. My five worst and my ten best. I have to take a little and think about what books are going on the list. There are a few obvious ones.

I will start with my five worst books of the year, get those out of the way and then move on to the ten best that I have. They are, of course, in no particular order, just how I happened to come across them.


1. Hummingbirds by Daniel Lipari - This book was just a waste of time. I understand what they were trying to do when they made the little book series, but seriously it did not do a good job of it. There are so many types of hummingbird in the world (mostly the southern hemisphere) that even a fully trade sized 150-odd page book would not have been enough space to fill it. I just found the book to be a perfect waste of time and space.

2. My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara - Another weird childrens' book that was not at all what I thought it was going to be. I had checked it out in the school library a few times and must not have been remembering the right story when I asked for it for....Easter 2018? Christmas 2017? I don't remember off hand. Any way this lovely story I was expecting about a horse and his boy turned out to be garbage about a spoiled kid who didn't do anything his was told to do by his parents and they still gave him what he wanted. His dad thought it would teach him responsibility, but it really just taught him that even if he misbehaved he could still be rewarded. Bad bad bad.

3. Slaughter by James Beltz - It wasn't even that it was bad, it was just boring. The fight scenes read like he was watching a Liam Neeson film while writing and literally just wrote down what he was looking at. Over done to death. Not my cup of tea and likely not an author I am going to read again.

4. Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman - I'm sorry, even if he just compiled them, I don't understand seeing an English name on a book of Chinese fairy stories (even for children). The stories were passable, but clearly made for less intelligent children. I didn't much care for them and will definitely NOT be rereading this one.

5. Butterflies by Diana Ajjan - I didn't like this one either. It was another of the small books like the hummingbird one. Though it did somehow manage to cover more than the hummingbird book, it still didn't cover enough. I am glad I got them for $0.25 each.


Now for the top ten (in no order) books I read in 2018~ This does not include any manga that I've read, I rate nearly all of them 5/5 stars so it's sort of unfair. Anyway, for the list:


1. Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman - Definitely top of the favorite list. I loved the way each story was it's own little world and concise in them. My favorite (obviously) was the Sherlock Holmes short but they were all good in their own right. I may either buy or borrow this to read it again.

2. Of Dice & Men by David M. Ewalt - I play Pathfinder with my friends, which is the slightly dumbed down version of Dungeons & Dragons (not nice, but accurate) and I found this on sale on Book Outlet and needed it. I love how he interspersed the history of the game from it's very concept and GreyHawk with himself playing the game at various conventions. Worth the re-read if I ever relocate my copy.

3. A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - I love Sherlock Holmes, and no not just the Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock by the BBC, I love the original stories as well. So when I heard about this being a series coming out about the descendants of Holmes (famously asexual) and Watson (possibly gay, he frequented what amounted to a 1890s gay bar), I just had to read it. I love how she made Jamie very intelligent and not just Holmes's sidekick. He actually was smart in his own way and helped her figure out clues. I will be continuing this series definitely!! I hear a new volume is coming out in 2019 and I will get my hands on it.

4. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - How could I not love this? How could anybody not love this? It's a very good book about being proud of who you are and the way you were made and not letting anybody else dictate how you should live your life. I did figure out really easily who Blue was, but I also (see above) am a fan of Sherlock Holmes, so I read a lot about solving mysteries. I will leave it unknown for those of you who want to read the book and haven't watched the film yet.

5. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - This book is about a woman who is diagnosed with EOA or Early-Onset Alzheimer's, a form of dementia that strikes people around age fifty. She doesn't want to believe she has it at first until she starts to lose some of her memories and language skills. One of the biggest symptoms of EOA is the sudden loss of words. She eventually comes to terms with this and learns (sort of) that she will be in good hands with her care givers. I work in a secure dementia ward and it was interesting to see the parallels of someone actually with dementia as well as it could be related as there is no way we would ever truly know what is happening in the mind of someone with the disease.

6. Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini - This follows a young girl who accidentally finds herself in an alternate universe version of Salem after wishing hard to just get away. She finds out that instead of science, magic prospered and that the world view didn't shift very much out of the olde English version of Salem. She ends up going up against that universe's version of herself and trying to stop her from doing some pretty bad things. It was very well written and I was nearly on the edge of my seat wondering if Lily would be mistaken for Lilith every time someone new came around. I could have done without the romance part of it, but I understand why it was there. It's just weird for an asexual to read about romance. This one goes on the list of potential rereads.

7. From Holmes to Sherlock by Mattias Boström - One of the two nonfiction that ended up here, this book is sort of a biography of Arthur Conan Doyle and sort of a biography of Sherlock Holmes. It talks about the life of the author and how he came up with the idea of Holmes, his vexations with the detective and how Sherlock Holmes has lived on decades after the death of the original author. I love Sherlock Holmes. I have multiple copies of the books, some in languages I cannot read, comics, magazines about him, figurines, even some plaques and pillows that people wouldn't guess were fandom related (they are bees because he started an apiary after he retired. It took me a bit to read it because it was so big, but I loved every minute of it. Boström is a great author. I liked the stories.

8. The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland - A linguist gets roped into making a time machine and breaking a lot of obscure laws in the process, nearly tearing apart time and space as we know it in the process. It was a fun and wild ride that some how had naked Vikings ransacking a Walmart. Oh if only I could have seen that. This is definitely a book I would love to see turned into a movie. Though I bet they would cut out the Vikings part. Oh well. People really should read this one and just try to imagine what it would be like if we actually had that technology at our finger tips. I think if I could go back to a different strand and do anything....I would prevent the burning of the Library at Alexandria.

9. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett - Girl in online relationship with boy. Girl moves in with father in same city as boy. Girl meets boy and has no idea?! This one was definitely different. I don't really read YA contemporaries, and I have no clue why I picked it up and thought I would like it, but I did. I get why she didn't associate Porter with Alex. They have two entirely different personalities, and I'm pretty sure I know which one is the fake one. I loved the story and the way it was told. I think Porter figured out that she was the girl from the chat room right away, her personality in both is the same. That said, it was worth the read to figure out this sort of thing.

10. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - Susan Ryeland is an editor for Cloverleaf books responsible for editing the books by famed mystery writer Alan Conway. They get his book in the post and she reads it. How was she supposed to know what would happen after she did. We read a brief introduction by her and then we actually get to read Conway's book. I figured out who the killer was both times, but not why it was done. They gave us the how right off. I mean, they investigate the crime(s). I enjoyed this one very much and plan to read more by Horowitz when the new year starts.


That is my top best and worst books of 2018. I am fairly surprised that this year yielded 0 1-star books. I'm hoping for a great run next year, maybe even nothing but 3+ star ratings! Until then, see you next time!!

Top 5 Wednesday: Books You Didn't Get to in 2018

I'm not entirely sure what this topic means...the tag line is: "Discuss the books you didn't quite get around to this year but are at the top of your list for 2019!" I assume that means we are to pick more or less a 5-book TBR for next year? I guess....anyway, I just picked five books that are on my shelves that looked good that I didn't pick up this year. I'm a mood reader so I don't really do TBRs. Hmmm....well....let's see what the future holds!

1. The Magicians by Lev Grossman - I bought this for myself as part of the trilogy a few weeks (read: months) ago and I never actually got to it. I've seen a good amount of the series and I wanted to read the source material for the television series to see how closely they put it with the original works. Plus it comes off as like college for Harry Potter.

2. A List of Cages by Robin Roe - Someone somewhere was talking about this on BookTube and when I saw it on sale at Walmart, I just had to had to have it. I remembered the plot being about two boys and their relationship. One has a minor developmental issue, and the other is definitely a sad boy. They have a shared history and it just looked like a very interesting read.

3. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco - I like weird things. I also really need to watch less BookTube. I see these books that are being talked about and if they are interesting, I write them down in a notebook that I then carry with me to the bookstore. If I see the book on my list at the bookstore, I have a terrible habit of buying it.

4. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - I have had this book for a year or better (I can't remember) and I think I started it once, made it to maybe page five, and then put it down and didn't pick it up again. I know! I know! I have problems. Anyway, this is another one that I want to get to some time in 2019, so it's going on the list for this week's T5W.

5. The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom by John Pomfret - I have an obsession with China lately and this is a nonfiction book about the history of China and America and their relations with each other. During Empress Cixi's reign, China opened it's doors to the other major world powers, America among them, and began sending her countrymen out to learn and study abroad. Hopefully I can learn something really good from this particular book. I bought it late in the year with the goal of starting it right away and ended up starting something else instead. Let's read this one in 2019. 

Top 5 Wednesday: Most Anticipated 2019 Releases

I sort of forgot that I used to do the T5W posts, so I figured I would hop back in now with the 19th and work my way forward from there. Let's see what we have for this week. It's the top five books we are the most excited for in 2019. I don't normally do the new releases unless they're for someone else. The most recent “new” release I bought was a book for my mother for Christmas because it is by her favorite author and it came out in October. Does that count?

Let's see what I can come up with for the books I am excited for in 2019!!

1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – I absolutely loved the Mime Order series (I don't remember the series name and kind of think it may have been Mime Order) and when my friend went off to Book Con or whatever she did, she got the arc or it and showed me. I was very excited to see that there was a new Samantha Shannon book coming out. I really really enjoyed the previous books and I am looking forward to finding a copy of this to read when it comes out next year.

2. Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss – I know it's a stretch that we will even get it, but it's on the list of 2019 releases. I'm not even really excited for myself to get my hands on this, I'm excited for a friend who doesn't read much and actually read both of the previous books in the series. If Doors of Stone actually does come out in 2019 like it says it will, I'll probably get it for my bestie, KS, as a just because present.

3. Bone Season #4 by Samantha Shannon – As yet unnamed (and it turns out the series is called Bone Season!), this book is definitely on my list. I think I may even get myself the three preceding books, Bone Season, Mime Order, and The Song Rising before this one comes out and re-read them. I read them before and I love them.

4. A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro – I love Sherlock Holmes. I loved A Study in Charlotte. I own (but haven't read) The Last of August and A Case for Jamie, but that won't stop me from buying the fourth Charlotte Holmes book. I love the way the characters interact with each other. Even though they didn't want anything to do with each other or their shared family history, they still end up getting along and being friends. It's an interesting dynamic that I am excited to read more of (eventually….)

5. Gumiho by Kat Cho – I can explain! I know this one is super random. Everything else on this list are books by authors I've already read or have books by them, and then this one. A dark horse coming up to end the list. I have been a huge fan of a lot of Asian or Asian inspired books. My friends are all into Korea and Korean things. So this book on the list of books coming out next year has definitely flagged my attention. I roleplay as kitsune a lot in tabletop games, I roleplay in chat form as people interacting with nine-tailed foxes all the time, and in general I love this kind of thing, so this book seems perfectly up my alley for books to read.

November Haul/Wrap Up & December TBR

I figure that I will start doing both things at the same time. I will only list the books I bought in the month with a synopsis because I usually just buy because pretty. I rarely have any reasoning...

With no further adieu, let's begin with November's Haul. They are in no particular order, I put them in the list as I remember them.

November Book Haul

1. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan - When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

2. Ikigai by Yukari Mitsuhashi - Ikigai is a traditional Japanese concept that embodies happiness in living. It is, essentially, the reason that you get up in the morning. This book is about finding your ikigai - identifying your purpose or passion and using this knowledge to achieve greater happiness in your life. Your ikigai doesn't have to be some grand ambition or highly noble life's purpose - it can be something simple and humble, like tending your garden or walking your dog. Having grown up in Japan, Yukari Mitsuhashi understands first hand what ikigai means to Japanese people. Now living in Los Angeles, she has written this book to introduce the traditional concept to a new audience. This is not a 'one size fits all' book. Instead, Ikigai encourages you to look at the details of your life and appreciate the everyday moments as you learn to identify your own personal ikigai. The book includes case studies from a range of people sharing their ikigai, from university lecturers and writers to doctors. With its refreshingly simple philosophy and liberating concepts, this beautifully presented book will be a guide you will return to again and again.

3. Attack on Titan v7 by Hajime Isayama - TURNING ON THEIR OWN! The Survey Corps sets a cunning trap to capture the mysterious Abnormal Titan that broke through their ranks. As Armin tries to determine the grotesque creature's identity and purpose, scouts report Titans closing in on all sides! But they don't seem to be after the humans - instead they're targeting the Titan!

4. Attack on Titan v8 by Hajime Isayama - BLOOD ON HIS HANDS, the expedition outside the wall was Eren's chance to prove himself. But it failed, and the female Titan is free once more! With his squad dead, Eren faces a royal summons. Will Mikasa and Armin have to betray their king to save their friend? And can they discover the female Titan's identity before she kills again?

5. Kiss Him Not Me v2 by Junko - Hi there! It's Kae again. When I go to school every day, it feels like I’m walking into a real life dating game. Four of the hottest guys in my school are with me everywhere I go! The school festival is coming up and I’ve been put in charge of making the boys outfits for a cosplay café. Do you know what this means? That’s right, I get to see them all in costume! I have lived for this day, and this day alone. I’m brimming with excitement to go full-throttle fujoshi on those boys! But wait! Last night before the festival, Igarashi-kun was acting kind of weird, wasn’t he? And now, it’s the day of the event and crazy things keep happening to me with these four beautiful boys! My heart won’t stop pounding! This is way too real for me. I want to go back to my fantasies!!

6. Kiss Him Not Me v3 by Junko - Hi there! It's Kae again. Recently I made a new friend. Her name is Shima, and she's the most handsome girl I've ever met in my life! ...And guess what else? She also happens to be one of my favorite doujin authors ever! I mean, how much cooler can you get? But it doesn't stop there--she invited me over to her house and the most unbelievable thing happened!! It looks like the boys have some tough competition. Let's see if they can keep up...

7. The Seven Deadly Sins v1 by Nakaba Suzuki - When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth - the Sins were framed by the king's guard, the Holy Knights - too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn't even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins' strength been exaggerated...?

8. The Seven Deadly Sins v2 by Nakaba Suzuki - To save her kingdom, Princess Elizabeth has pinned her last hope on the infamous traitors, “The Seven Deadly Sins” and has set out on a journey with Meliodas—the Dragon Sin of Wrath—to seek out the rest of his fellow knights and former friends. Deep within an uninviting forest they find Diane, the Serpent Sin of Envy. Before they can celebrate their reunion, they must deal with an attack from Gilthunder, an electrifying Holy Knight!

9. Fairy Tail v2 by Hiro Mashima - Beautiful celestial wizard Lucy has teamed up with the crazy fire wizard Natsu and his bizarre flying cat, Happy. Their job: to steal a book from the notorious Duke Everlue. But the eccentric Everlue has killed wizards before, and Lucy’s team is walking right into his death trap!

10. Fairy Tail v3 by Hiro Mashima - The evil members of the Dark Guild Eisenwald have found a cursed flute that can murder anyone who hears its music–and now they’ve taken over a midtown train station with a very loud public address system. Only Natsu and his crazy friends (including a flying cat) can stop them!

November Wrap Up

1. Seven Deadly Sins v1 by Nakaba Suzuki - 5/5, I adored this manga. I had seen the anime a while ago and recently rewatched it and when I saw it on the shelf at Books-a-Million (my local BN is closed for repair after a tornado), I had to read it. I love how oblivious they all can be at certain moments. Like when Elizabeth asks him his name and he nonchalantly says "Meliodas" and is somehow goes in one ear and right back out the other that she was looking at that Meliodas. She didn't figure it out until she saw the tattoo on his shoulder. How silly can a person be?

2. Seven Deadly Sins v2 by Nakaba Suzuki - 5/5, Holy god. This one introduces my favorite character in the entire show. I love Ban the Undead. I have think it's his extremely arrogant nature, that just air of him knowing he's better than you that draws my attention to him. Anyway. I loved the way they introduced us to Diane and Ban. Elizabeth is getting a bit smarter, and we see just how powerful Meliodas is (currently). I am looking forward to reading the next few volumes in the series. 

3. Kiss Him, Not Me v2 by Junko - 5/5, I love the art and the series from what I watched on television not that long ago. She's just like me in that she ships boys together, real and fake, it was just perfect. I love how the story takes place after she starved herself pretty. That part was definitely unbelievable. There is no way starving oneself for six days is going to make one that pretty. Pretty enough that four boys will fight over her? I'm pretty sure that one is incredibly oblivious, too. He has no idea what's going on.

4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - 4/5, my review from last year hasn't changed much at all since I read the book last year. Picked up the book as part of a read-along for the Dragon's Den Reading Group on Instagram and was just not into it this year around. Maybe it's knowing what I do now about the series and the way it ends that makes it different. I doubt I would read this again. 

December To-Be-Read

1) The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins

2) Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

3) Queen of the Star Pirates by Stephen Landis

4) Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley 

5) The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

6) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

7) A Court of Thrones and Roses by Sarah J Maas

8) A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss

9) Ikigai by Yukari Mitsuhashi 

10) Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en 

11) IT by Stephen King

12) The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

I know I won't get to all (or likely even half) of this list, but even if I don't, that's still okay with me. I surpassed my total goal for the year so there's not really that much that I need to read. It's all for pleasure now. Maybe I'll start reading the ebooks again. 

With that, I conclude my Wrap Up & TBR list this time.