2018 Book review

And the total for 2018: 51 books read!  Not as many as I would have liked, but a good amount. This year I have utilized Audible more than ever and found a satisfaction in listening to books more than I have in the past.

I liked most of the books I read and/or listened to this year with only three ending up in the dislike pile. There were, of course, many books that I started and disliked them enough to quit after four of five chapters. I did not keep a list of those titles. I find it extremely freeing to be able to decide not to finish a book if I don't like it, maybe from the years of school where I didn't have a choice.

I haven't included The Book of Mormon on my list, having read it a couple of times this last year and as always, one of the most important books in my life.

So with that, here is my 2018 list.

Dislike (I hate to use the word hate!)

Talon by Julie Kagawa.
Fantasy dragon book published in 2014. This book got mediocre reviews, but I don't like to always trust the reviews as I have disagreed with some in the past. I took a chance and was disappointed. I listened to this audio book which is the only reason I finished it. I just let it keep playing as I was doing mundane tasks, too lazy to turn it off. The plot had problems. This is first in a series of 5 books. Thankfully I don't have to wade through the remaining four.

The Bishop's Wife by Robert Nathan.
This was an older book, published in 1928. I listened to the audio version and yes, this is the book the movie starring Cary Grant is based on. Take my advice and watch the movie. The book was depressing and nothing was resolved or made better. I felt sorry for the wife and was left very disappointed. This is one of those rare times the movie improved the book.

Soulless by Gail Carriger.
It is with great sadness that I put this one on my dislike list. I listened to this on Audible, as I have most of Gail Carriger's books. I absolutely love her steampunk fiction, but the immoral language got uncomfortable for me and I found myself skipping a large section. Her Young Adult novels don't have this problem, so I'm going to have to realize her adult fiction is just too racy for me. 

Middle ground books (or ones that are okay, not bad, but not a favorite either)

Adult Fiction
Becoming Lucy by Martha Rogers.
This was an historical Christian Romance novel and first in the series Winds Across the Prairie. The only thing I have to say about it is that it was slow and slightly boring.

Guide Me Home: A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer.
This was supposed to be a romance novel, but I would classify it more historical with a bit of flat romance. There were some interesting things about Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, but the romance aspect was not intriguing and a little dull.

Junior Fiction
The Darkdeep by Ally Condie.
I'm a big fan of Ally Condie, but this first book in a new series slightly disappointed me. It would be classified as horror, but it's not really that scary. The story did not flow well for me and I won't be reading the next installments.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi.
This is an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. It contains all the strangeness of Alice, but it is so strange that I couldn't keep track of what was happening. The plot moved slowly as well which didn't help me follow where it was going.

The Girl in the Tower by Lisa Schroeder.
This fairy tale retelling of Rapunzel was a quick read with an easy plot and simple characters. Very predictable, of course, since we all know the story, but left me feeling as if I hadn't read anything. Too simple.

The Gallery by Laura Marx Fitzgerald.
This was an historical mystery, which sounded awesome to me since I'm a sucker for mystery books. A young girl becomes a maid in a home where the mistress is imprisoned in her room and the clues to help her are in the art work that hangs in the mansion where she lives. It was a fine story, I just didn't love it.

Non-Fiction
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli.
My husband and I read very different books. He reads almost solely non-fiction. So one day we decided I would pick a book for him to read and he would pick one for me. I picked To Kill a Mockingbird for him. I knew he loved the movie and I wanted something he wouldn't have a hard time finishing. He loved it so much he decided to pick another work of fiction and read 1984 which he didn't love as much. He chose The Prince for me because it was short, surely I wouldn't have a problem finishing it, and because he knew it well having studied it in college as part of his degree in Political Science. Well. I had a very hard time finishing it and actually had to start over at one point to grasp all the people in history discussed in the book. Being written in 1532 didn't help me either. I am proud to say I finished it, but please don't ask me to carry on an intelligent conversation about the nuances of the book!  I can tell you that if you have aspirations to become an evil overlord you should read this book.

Young Adult Fiction
Wolves and Roses by Christina Bauer.
First in the series of Fairy Tales of the Magicorum.This was not a bad fairy tale retelling, had some good twists and turns that were not expected. I didn't make a connection with the characters and had no desire to read further books in the series.

The Novice by Taren Matharu.
This is book #1 of the Summoner series. Typical fantasy series involving war with orcs and elves and dwarves. A little too typical and I wasn't interesting enough to finish the series.

The Long Game: A Fixer Novel by Jennifer Lyn Barnes.
This is book #2 in the Fixer series. I listened to the audio version on Audible. It's about political intrigue and even though I liked the first book in the series, Fixer, this one was over the top for me with too much intrigue for it to believable and way too much angst.

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen.
I like most of Sarah Dessen's realistic YA books. This one had a good story, but the immorality distracted me from the story too much.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon.
Another teen dating book. This one is about two Indian teens whose parents are arranging a marriage for them. Good story, but like the previous one the immorality detracted from the story for me.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia.
I put this in the okay category and I can't remember why!  It's a realistic fiction book about a girl who is the creator of an online comic series that becomes wildly popular. She keeps her identity hidden until her parents innocently let it out of the bag and create huge problems for her since she is hugely famous for her comics. The parents in this story are a little clueless and naïve which could be why it made the okay list.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman.
This is first in the Arc of a Scythe series. It's dystopian science fiction, which I enjoy, but it was very violent with many deaths. In fact death is a subject of the book since to be a Scythe you must kill people to maintain population control. Great story telling, but the killing took the joy out of it for me.


Yes, I liked these

Adult fiction
Heir to Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.
This short story is a prequel to the novel Edenbrooke which is a wonderful historical romance novel. This one is from the man's (Phillip) point of view. I highly recommend both of these books!

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden.
Sarah M. Eden is another historical romance writer whose books are a little predictable but highly enjoyable. This one is set in the West and was a nice relaxing read.

Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden.
Another nice relaxing Regency romance read.

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer.
Heyer wrote historical romance novels in the 1950s. I listened to this one and it was pleasantly witty and was reminiscent of Jane Austen.

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter.
First in the Hawthorne House series, a Regency romance. Another nice quick read.

The Vicar's Daughter: A Proper Romance Josi Kilpack.
Easy read. It seems I read a few historical romances this year!  This one was just as enjoyable as the others!

Miss Wilton's Waltz: A Proper Romance by Josi Kilpack.
This book's main character is the sister of Kilpack's previous book. I liked the first book better, but this one was nice too.

Still Life by Louise Penny.
My good friend recommended this author to me and I am forever grateful!  She is the Agatha Christie of Canada. Her mysteries take place just outside of Montreal with Inspector Gamache as the witty, bright, noble inspector. I listened to this on Audible and enjoyed every minute.

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny.
Second book in the Inspector Gamache series. I love how the reader is led along with just enough knowledge to guess at the murderer, but never enough to get it right. Never predictable and always engaging.

Junior Fiction
The Golden Tower by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.
This is the fifth and final book in the Magisterium series. I've read all of these out loud to my children and we love love them. Many times when I read the last in a fantasy series book I'm disappointed with how everything is resolved, but this one ended perfectly!  It wasn't predictable and it didn't tie everything up nice and neatly and unrealistically. Very satisfying ending to a wonderful series.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis.
This story is an interesting story about a young dragon who gets turned into a human. The plot moved along nicely and it was an overall enjoyable experience.

Goldeline by Jimmy Cajoleas.
A young girl is orphaned when her mother, who was a witch, is killed. I couldn't tell which direction this plot was going, but that wasn't a bad thing. Nice story.

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan.
Lots of magic with mysterious deaths thrown in there to make an enjoyable story. Lots of action.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
This is a sequel to The War That Saved My Life. It's historical fiction and a wonderful story that takes place during World War II in England. I loved this book better than the first one that won a Newbery Honor Medal. This explores prejudice and shows the best sides of people facing hard times. Really a great book with lots of good things to discuss with others. Perfect book for a book group.

The Inquisitors Tale by Adam Gidwitz.
I listened to this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lovely story following several children who end up together because of very different unusual circumstances. The kind of book that left me smiling.

A Taste for Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby.
This is an historical novel based loosely on the lives of the real Elephant Man and Jack the Ripper. Very interesting!  I really enjoyed the main character, she had courage and spunk and was very believable.

Hello, Universe Erin Entrada Kelly.
2018 Newbery Medal winner. Told from the perspective of four middle school students as one of them becomes trapped in a well. Quick but good read.

Masterminds by Gordan Korman
I read all three of these books:  Masterminds, Criminal Destiny, and Payback out loud to my kids. Great adventure books that had me reading as fast as I could to find out what happened. I won't tell you the plot so it won't ruin it for those who want to read them. Great books.

Non-fiction
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
My daughter recommended this book to me and it was laugh out loud funny. It follows Bryson as he hikes the Appalachian Trail. He shares the ups and downs and all the in betweens. A great look at a part of America I would like to visit someday.

Young Adult Fiction
Finding Sophie by Sophie Kinsella.
Audrey has an anxiety disorder and as she works through it with a counselor her brother's friend starts hanging around and helps her to deal with her feelings in a positive way. Nice story with family ties that are important and friends that help and don't judge.

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Allen Campbell.
Another steampunk novel that I enjoyed. Steampunk novels have that science fiction element I enjoy with a bit of fantasy thrown in as well. This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a well done one.

The Lost Frost Girl by Amy Wilson.
A girl discovers she is Jack Frost's daughter and is pulled into his world. Great story with a fun plot.

The Fixer by Jennifer Lyn Barnes.
I already talked about the sequel to this book that I didn't like. This first book in the Fixer series was great!  I loved the non stop action and the characters. Lot's of political intrigue.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum.
This is a realistic fiction with a nice amount of romance. It told a great story. There is a bit of immoral talk.

Letters to the Lost by Bridgid Kemmerer.
Two teens exchange letters about the loss in their lives without knowing who each other is and find strength in each other. Nice story about friendship and being there for people.

Geekarella by Ashley Poston.
This is a retelling of Cinderella, yet it isn't typical. I really enjoyed the twists and the strength of the main characters. Enjoyable read.

What You Always Wanted by Kristin Rae.
Gene Kelly is this teen's idol and also her ideal man. Next to him no one compares. Nice teen romance story.

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith.
This is a teen romance story about impossible love. It wasn't too trite so I enjoyed it.

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West.
Typical teenage romance novel. Poor girl and rich boy try to make it work together. It was a clean and a fun read.

By Your Side by Kasie West.
I liked the first book I read by Kasie West and so I tried two more. This one is about a boy and a girl who get locked in a library overnight.

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West.
Again, typical teen romance, but I enjoyed it. It wasn't as sappy as some authors and kept me reading until the end.

There they all are. It seemed I was into romance novels more this past year than other genres. Here's to more books, wonderful time curled up on the couch immersed in a story, and discovering new ideas!