I read 71 Books in 2018 and how! It did indeed has been an extremely life changing year for me. I moved countries, I changed my Job, I was literally a mess in my personal life. But I have come through and have had some amazing books to cherish for a life time.
This probably is one of my favorite kind of posts, where I share my thoughts and do a quick review on my reading stats. 😀 😀 yayyayayya 😀 😀
Even though I did not read a huge amount. Even with a list of 10, I still feel I enjoyed and read a lot of books that still deserve a mention like the most personal and emotional book like Queen of Geeks by Jen Wilde or the much essential comfort re-read of the Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling and The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.
I also deliberately want to mention the amazing short story – The Lady or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton. Absolutely loved how this books lets you decide the end… it could be a gory ending or a happy one. Which one do you think is appropriate? Would you let your jealousy and negative thoughts win or let your true love triumph. I love this story, kept me wondering for days.
And then there is The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. I always wondered what was so special about it, since every body kept recommending me that book as one of the best morals they have learnt from and they think everyone should. And I finally know why does it get the praise it does.
Just read it, like stop everything and read go read that book. 😛
Anyway, this is my list of top ten reads of 2018, which I loved, and indeed surprised with the Level Nine Emotional Wreck I was after turning the last page of each of these.
In no particular order:
Wonder – R.J. Palacio
I literally bawled my eyes . One of those rare books that changes your perspective on otherwise unaddressed emotions. Teaches and important lesson of being kinder than necessary and not judging people based on how they look. I never wanted this book to end. Can you tell?
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The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton
Pony boy’s intelligence, Johnny’s sensitivity, Soda pop’s Charm, Two- Bit’s humor, Dally’s toughness and Darry’s loyalty. All these characters and their strengths makes this story a classic and and an all time favorite to me. After all it’s the person’s character and not their circumstances that define them.
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Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
This book made me like pigs, rats and gooses. Oh and literally cry over a death of a spider. I basically wished I had the power of understanding animal language. Also the friendship[ between Wilbur and Charlotte is goals.
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Simon vs the Homo-sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli
I loved this book for its gay representation and Harry Potter references. I love how the author makes it sound so casual and normal being gay. Such a light coming of age gay love story which also underlies such a serious issue.
P.S – Simon’s Family is Goals.
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The Hate You Give – Angie Thomas
Such an essential read that teaches us the importance of raising your voice and speaking up. Inspired by the black Lives Matter Movement, this book is a beautiful yet sad story that depicts the truth about police brutality, racism and injustice. I absolutely adored her writing style, and the way the story makes you wonder about the world’s situation today. Also the Harry Potter reference were an absolute delight.
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The Catcher In The Rye – J.D. Salinger
A book that portrays teen angst, the phase where you try to figure out the worldly things and try to understand people and the society in general. I adored this book for its monologue and the utter craving for saving the innocence in you.
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The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing – Rumi
Poems filled with grief and ecstatic sentience are both subtle and univalent. Written 800 years ago in a radically different culture and language and yet every word comes through.. A book not about romantic love, or love between two people. It is something way beyond worldly emotions and relationships. This book is magical if it comes to you at the right time. The wisdom you get out of it doesn’t depend on the book but how ripe you are for it.
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The Ship of the Dead – Rick Riordan
Third and the final book in the Magnus Chase Trilogy is fast paced and full of adventurous quest. Even though this book is extremely hilarious at times, it still is such a diverse read if you want to learn more about Norse Mythology and Muslim Culture. It also features a dumb and deaf character and you get an insight into the basics of sign language, a transgender and the struggle with his identity. All this while enjoying an extremely amazing story.
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Darius The Great is Not Okay – Adib Khorram
This book made me fall in love with tea, even though I have always been a coffee person. And says something. It made me crave for Food and desserts , and taught me so much about Iran, Darius the great and it’s culture.
However, what truly made this book special is the portrayal of having depression or someone you love that is depressed. This story is as real as it can get for me, especially when it came to the self pity talks that Darius had with himself, or the need of being accepted by his father. The need of having a best friend.
I have so many things to say about this, and I cant just stop raving about this book.
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Circe – Madeline Miller
I loved this authors ability to tell a story with intricately layered and complex characters from the Greek mythology that portray love, jealousy, wrath and solitary so beautifully.
What were your favorite books of 2018?
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