I Can’t Even… The 10 Best Books I Read In 2018

I’ve never in my life managed to read as many books as I did this year. 106 until now, and we still have three days left. The plot thickens!

I’m still wondering how I actually pulled this off, because I’m still watching TV series and true crime documentaries like my life depended on it, I went on holidays and hung out with my friends like before. Must be the insomnia or something. If I’m honest, I’d rather be sleeping.

#1 Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Such an emotional rollercoaster this was! It was one of the first books I’ve read this year, but I’ve never stopped singing its praises. Beartown is not about happy endings. This is what I love so much about Scandinavian authors, TV series, and films. They are not afraid of the dark. They embrace it, and make it okay somehow.

#2 Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

A brilliant sequel to Beartown, Us Against You left my emotions in tatters. I still couldn’t bring myself to finish my review, but there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the story and the people of this little town. Fredrik Backman is such an observant and skillful narrator.

#3 Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

ittle Fires Everywhere is a sensitive, insightful novel set in Shaker Heights, a perfectly planned suburb near Cleveland. This is a story filled with small town politics, complex mother-daughter relationships, budding teenage friendships, and some heavy questions.

#4 The Retreat by Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards is my go-to guy for suspense. He just gets it. This was the perfect spooky read for Autumn! Fast paced, gripping, and the sort of dark story that makes you want to burrow deeper into your blankie nest.

#5 The Outsider by Stephen King

The Master of horror and storytelling has been my favourite authors of all time ever since I came across him at age 14. The Outsider was a pretty solid mystery with a touch of paranormal, and as usual, filled with brilliantly drawn characters.

#6 Ragdoll by Daniel Cole

A bunch of wiseass cops on the hunt for a brutal killer. Ragdoll was so much fun to read, and it’s nearly impossible to not fall madly in love with the crew. The banter between Wolf and Baxter was brilliant, (Edmund) Edmunds is the best eager rookie, and the murderer is just creepy as fuck.

#7 The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

Split between 1986 and our present days, evoking Stand By Me with a bit of It, The Chalk Man was an excellent, and atmospheric thriller, that didn’t really feel like a debut.

#8 We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Such lyrical and dreamy writing, oh my… Just wanted to wrap these pretty words around me. So eerie.

#9 The Woman In the Window by A.J. Finn

Just like a Hitchcock movie, The Woman in the Window is a subtle, slowly unfolding mystery that will send goosebumps down your arms. Absolutely addictive.

#10 In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards

A heart pounding suspense, In Her Shadow was a totally engrossing mystery involving a four year old who knows way too much about her aunt. The aunt who died before the child was even born. Kept me on my toes, this one!

Have you read any of my favourites? Do we have anything in common on our lists?