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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
I still haven't read a whole 5 stars book this year! :'( Hopefully, it'll happen soon…
I FOUND MY FIRST 5 stars!! (in October 😂)
[bc:Sugar Spells|37173530|Sugar Spells (The Spellwork Syndicate, #2)|Lola Dodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535778081s/37173530.jpg|58950730]
Nontheless, here are all my 4 stars and 4.5 stars that are pretty cool and I would still 100% recommend :D
[bc:Deadly Sweet|34970554|Deadly Sweet (The Spellwork Syndicate, #1)|Lola Dodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504757434s/34970554.jpg|56245603][bc:Since You've Been Gone|18189606|Since You've Been Gone|Morgan Matson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377702326s/18189606.jpg|25591533][bc:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)|Ernest Cline|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500930947s/9969571.jpg|14863741][bc:Scattered Plume|34209217|Scattered Plume (Fallen Flame, #2)|J.M. Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535631278s/34209217.jpg|55256274][bc:Create Your Me Movement: An Empowering Guided Journal for Girls|36547230|Create Your Me Movement An Empowering Guided Journal for Girls|Patricia Wooster|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1523739822s/36547230.jpg|58278827][bc:George|40948486|George|Alex Gino|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532559186s/40948486.jpg|44165520][bc:Queen Takes Knights|36434365|Queen Takes Knights (Their Vampire Queen, #1)|Joely Sue Burkhart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508335484s/36434365.jpg|58134973][bc:Save the Date|34452419|Save the Date|Annabeth Albert|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488512606s/34452419.jpg|55565386][bc:Illusions|39663105|Illusions|Madeline J. Reynolds|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536341459s/39663105.jpg|61237302][bc:City of Fallen Angels|6752378|City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369452302s/6752378.jpg|6948844][bc:The Lost Hero|7736182|The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201003s/7736182.jpg|10107891][bc:Until You|35080710|Until You|Bridie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494302230s/35080710.jpg|56380957][bc:The Son of Neptune|9520360|The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201114s/9520360.jpg|14406312]
I FOUND MY FIRST 5 stars!! (in October 😂)
[bc:Sugar Spells|37173530|Sugar Spells (The Spellwork Syndicate, #2)|Lola Dodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535778081s/37173530.jpg|58950730]
Nontheless, here are all my 4 stars and 4.5 stars that are pretty cool and I would still 100% recommend :D
[bc:Deadly Sweet|34970554|Deadly Sweet (The Spellwork Syndicate, #1)|Lola Dodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504757434s/34970554.jpg|56245603][bc:Since You've Been Gone|18189606|Since You've Been Gone|Morgan Matson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377702326s/18189606.jpg|25591533][bc:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)|Ernest Cline|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500930947s/9969571.jpg|14863741][bc:Scattered Plume|34209217|Scattered Plume (Fallen Flame, #2)|J.M. Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535631278s/34209217.jpg|55256274][bc:Create Your Me Movement: An Empowering Guided Journal for Girls|36547230|Create Your Me Movement An Empowering Guided Journal for Girls|Patricia Wooster|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1523739822s/36547230.jpg|58278827][bc:George|40948486|George|Alex Gino|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532559186s/40948486.jpg|44165520][bc:Queen Takes Knights|36434365|Queen Takes Knights (Their Vampire Queen, #1)|Joely Sue Burkhart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508335484s/36434365.jpg|58134973][bc:Save the Date|34452419|Save the Date|Annabeth Albert|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488512606s/34452419.jpg|55565386][bc:Illusions|39663105|Illusions|Madeline J. Reynolds|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536341459s/39663105.jpg|61237302][bc:City of Fallen Angels|6752378|City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369452302s/6752378.jpg|6948844][bc:The Lost Hero|7736182|The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201003s/7736182.jpg|10107891][bc:Until You|35080710|Until You|Bridie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494302230s/35080710.jpg|56380957][bc:The Son of Neptune|9520360|The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464201114s/9520360.jpg|14406312]
Although I’ve been a GR member for many years, 2018 marked my first attempts at reviewing here. I expected to find an outlet for my frustrations with pieces I hated and a way to share my passion for those I loved. What I didn’t expect was to find a community of like-minded bookworms, eager to also share their own experiences. It has been validating and exciting to make such profound connections. In addition, I’ve also discovered that by accepting the responsibility to review, I’ve paid far more attention to what I read. I notice details and nuances that I would have missed just a year ago. With all of that said, I’m sharing my top 10 reads for 2018, and I’m sending a heartfelt Happy New Year to each and every one of you! Thank you for teaching me the secret handshake and accepting me into the fold.
10. Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen
9. The Way the World Ends by Jess Walter
8. The Great Escape by Jo Watson
7. Method 15/33 by Shannon Kirk
6. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
5. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
4. The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
3. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
2. The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter
1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ~ This was the most profound read of the year for me. It overwhelmed me to the point of not even being able to pen a review for fear of not doing it justice. If you haven’t read this, you absolutely MUST!
10. Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen
9. The Way the World Ends by Jess Walter
8. The Great Escape by Jo Watson
7. Method 15/33 by Shannon Kirk
6. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
5. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
4. The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
3. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
2. The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter
1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ~ This was the most profound read of the year for me. It overwhelmed me to the point of not even being able to pen a review for fear of not doing it justice. If you haven’t read this, you absolutely MUST!
رحلة القراءة لعام 2018 – عام من الجمال؟
مستحيل ألا نشعر بالشجن عندما ننتهي من الرحلات الجميلة، فجمال تلك الرحلات لا يكمن في نهايتها بل في تفاصيلها. أرى الكتب التي قرأتها على مر العام المنصرم، وأستطيع معرفة فصول العام أو تحديد شهور السنة من خلال الكتب. ما أشبه اليوم بالبارحة، ما زلت أشعر ببرودة كانون الثاني مع رحلة تريفر نوح في كتابه المُلهم الشهير Born a crime، وتفتّحت أزهار ربيعي على عروس كتب العام " ظل الريح"، ولا يأبى نيسان أن يمر إلا بإكمال الجمال بإزابيلا "لعبة الملاك" وسامية "لا تقولي إنك خائفة" باختلاف ألوانهما كاختلاف ألوان الربيع. ليأتي أيار ببرودة تغزو القلب رغم حرارة الجو بثقل "الساعة الخامسة والعشرون" والمدعو كاف بحالته الحرجة التي أنهيتها في آخر يوم قبل شهر رمضان الفضيل. ليأتي العيد فأقابل غيوم ميسو في سنترال بارك، واقابل الفقير الذي ظل حبيساً في خزانة إيكيا ليحكي لي عن رحلته الممتعة. يأتي تموز بحرارته فأستظل "بقواعد العشق الأربعون" وأسافر على جناح حمامة باتريك زوسكند التي أرهقته رعباً. قبعت في منزل الطبيبة بطلة " امرأة في النافذة" في آب، وأراقب رهابها الذي لم أسمع عنه سابقاً. وعندما أتى أيلول جبت أوروبا سريعاً مع محمد بريشة "كعب داير في أوروبا" قبل أن ألاعب ستيفان زفايج في "لاعب الشطرنج" استعداداً لقراءة الكتاب الأكبر في حياتي ألا وهو " مقدمة ابن خلدون" ذو الألف ومائة صحفة والذي استنفذ طاقتي لألتقط أنفاسي مع هولدن " الحارس في حقل الشوفان" فما زادني إلى سخطاً على حاله. انتظرني تشرين الأول بالإثارة التي بدأتها مع تيدي في "الجزيرة المغلقة" "Shutter Island"، وقمت برحلة فانتازيا مع تامر إبراهيم " صانع الظلام" قبل أن أعود لعالم الواقع بقراءة كتابين رائعين " قلق السعي إلى المكانة" و" إغواء العقل الباطن". أما شهر المتعة الفكرية والعقلية فكان تشرين الثاني والذي غصت في الأعماق لأعرف " ماذا تعرفه السمكة – الحياة الداخلية للأسماك" ثم ألتقي لقاء متأخراً جداً مع الرائع الذي ترتاح الروح لكلماته علي الطنطاوي في كتابه " فصول في الثقافة والأدب"، وكلقاء أخير لشهر جميل قدره أن يكون آخر من يقابلني من أشهر العام ليرتبط اسمه بالوداع، كان كانون الأول هو شهر القصص القصيرة، ضمت أفونشو كروش البرتغالي الذي قابلته في " الكتب التي التهمت والدي" ثم الرائع نيكولاي غوغول في" المذهلة المعطف" وفرانز كافكا المُقبض في " المسخ" قبل أن أنهي العام برواية قصيرة "حدث في برلين" في مصافحة أولى لكاتب ممتاز هو هشام الخَشِن.
أنظر إلى الكتب ورحلاتي معها وعلى وجهي ملامح تتأرجح ما بين سعادة لقراءتها وبين حزن لفراقها.
وإلى عام جديد ورحلة جديدة في عام 2019.
أحمد
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2236607816?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2258407142?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266298951?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266302980?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266301458?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2298121193?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2300952607?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2310701001?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2323644267?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2340480148?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2291924176?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364812796?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2340439827?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2313985274?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2527568812?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2427293782?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2429381838?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2437993756?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440485798?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440485477?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449498557?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435008843?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2470895625?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2458622845?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2479495760?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2508006754?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2514500008?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2517230186?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2520839632?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2508854377?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2544830253?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2538660276?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2551252991?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2569297898?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2569660833?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2529173884?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2583129233?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2578301889?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2595522455?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2596554043?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2606623144?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2590850879?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2608622047?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2612154299?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2615170174?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2620262946?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2630351656?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2615988758?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2636620622?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
مستحيل ألا نشعر بالشجن عندما ننتهي من الرحلات الجميلة، فجمال تلك الرحلات لا يكمن في نهايتها بل في تفاصيلها. أرى الكتب التي قرأتها على مر العام المنصرم، وأستطيع معرفة فصول العام أو تحديد شهور السنة من خلال الكتب. ما أشبه اليوم بالبارحة، ما زلت أشعر ببرودة كانون الثاني مع رحلة تريفر نوح في كتابه المُلهم الشهير Born a crime، وتفتّحت أزهار ربيعي على عروس كتب العام " ظل الريح"، ولا يأبى نيسان أن يمر إلا بإكمال الجمال بإزابيلا "لعبة الملاك" وسامية "لا تقولي إنك خائفة" باختلاف ألوانهما كاختلاف ألوان الربيع. ليأتي أيار ببرودة تغزو القلب رغم حرارة الجو بثقل "الساعة الخامسة والعشرون" والمدعو كاف بحالته الحرجة التي أنهيتها في آخر يوم قبل شهر رمضان الفضيل. ليأتي العيد فأقابل غيوم ميسو في سنترال بارك، واقابل الفقير الذي ظل حبيساً في خزانة إيكيا ليحكي لي عن رحلته الممتعة. يأتي تموز بحرارته فأستظل "بقواعد العشق الأربعون" وأسافر على جناح حمامة باتريك زوسكند التي أرهقته رعباً. قبعت في منزل الطبيبة بطلة " امرأة في النافذة" في آب، وأراقب رهابها الذي لم أسمع عنه سابقاً. وعندما أتى أيلول جبت أوروبا سريعاً مع محمد بريشة "كعب داير في أوروبا" قبل أن ألاعب ستيفان زفايج في "لاعب الشطرنج" استعداداً لقراءة الكتاب الأكبر في حياتي ألا وهو " مقدمة ابن خلدون" ذو الألف ومائة صحفة والذي استنفذ طاقتي لألتقط أنفاسي مع هولدن " الحارس في حقل الشوفان" فما زادني إلى سخطاً على حاله. انتظرني تشرين الأول بالإثارة التي بدأتها مع تيدي في "الجزيرة المغلقة" "Shutter Island"، وقمت برحلة فانتازيا مع تامر إبراهيم " صانع الظلام" قبل أن أعود لعالم الواقع بقراءة كتابين رائعين " قلق السعي إلى المكانة" و" إغواء العقل الباطن". أما شهر المتعة الفكرية والعقلية فكان تشرين الثاني والذي غصت في الأعماق لأعرف " ماذا تعرفه السمكة – الحياة الداخلية للأسماك" ثم ألتقي لقاء متأخراً جداً مع الرائع الذي ترتاح الروح لكلماته علي الطنطاوي في كتابه " فصول في الثقافة والأدب"، وكلقاء أخير لشهر جميل قدره أن يكون آخر من يقابلني من أشهر العام ليرتبط اسمه بالوداع، كان كانون الأول هو شهر القصص القصيرة، ضمت أفونشو كروش البرتغالي الذي قابلته في " الكتب التي التهمت والدي" ثم الرائع نيكولاي غوغول في" المذهلة المعطف" وفرانز كافكا المُقبض في " المسخ" قبل أن أنهي العام برواية قصيرة "حدث في برلين" في مصافحة أولى لكاتب ممتاز هو هشام الخَشِن.
أنظر إلى الكتب ورحلاتي معها وعلى وجهي ملامح تتأرجح ما بين سعادة لقراءتها وبين حزن لفراقها.
وإلى عام جديد ورحلة جديدة في عام 2019.
أحمد
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2236607816?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2258407142?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266298951?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266302980?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2266301458?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2298121193?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2300952607?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2310701001?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2323644267?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2340480148?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2291924176?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2364812796?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2340439827?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2313985274?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2527568812?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2427293782?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2429381838?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2437993756?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440485798?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440485477?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449498557?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435008843?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2470895625?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2458622845?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2479495760?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2508006754?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2514500008?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2517230186?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2520839632?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2508854377?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2544830253?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2538660276?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2551252991?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2569297898?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2569660833?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2529173884?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2583129233?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2578301889?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2595522455?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2596554043?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2606623144?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2590850879?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2608622047?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2612154299?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2615170174?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2620262946?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2630351656?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2615988758?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2636620622?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
I read 1,416 books in 2018 and gave 5-stars to 6 of them:
[bc:Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|23129944|Rad American Women A-Z Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|Kate Schatz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418788322l/23129944._SX50_.jpg|42677759]
[b:Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|23129944|Rad American Women A-Z Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|Kate Schatz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418788322l/23129944._SX50_.jpg|42677759]
by [a:Kate Schatz|165150|Kate Schatz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1615332023p2/165150.jpg]
[bc:The Cardboard Kingdom|30623090|The Cardboard Kingdom|Chad Sell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511473063l/30623090._SX50_.jpg|51155086]
[b:The Cardboard Kingdom|30623090|The Cardboard Kingdom|Chad Sell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511473063l/30623090._SX50_.jpg|51155086]
by [a:Chad Sell|8248050|Chad Sell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|293595|Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|Bill Martin Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348384871l/293595._SX50_.jpg|680304]
[b:Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|293595|Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|Bill Martin Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348384871l/293595._SX50_.jpg|680304]
by [a:Bill Martin Jr.|5086768|Bill Martin Jr.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411248095p2/5086768.jpg]
[bc:The Night Gardener|25785698|The Night Gardener|Terry Fan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468946l/25785698._SX50_.jpg|45636399]
[b:The Night Gardener|25785698|The Night Gardener|Terry Fan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468946l/25785698._SX50_.jpg|45636399]
by [a:Terry Fan|7031735|Terry Fan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Good Dog|36544887|Good Dog|Cori Doerrfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515931045l/36544887._SX50_.jpg|58276322]
[b:Good Dog|36544887|Good Dog|Cori Doerrfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515931045l/36544887._SX50_.jpg|58276322]
by [a:Cori Doerrfeld|2851649|Cori Doerrfeld|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Dreamers|39651067|Dreamers|Yuyi Morales|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523445744l/39651067._SX50_.jpg|61220853]
[b:Dreamers|39651067|Dreamers|Yuyi Morales|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523445744l/39651067._SX50_.jpg|61220853]
by [a:Yuyi Morales|389601|Yuyi Morales|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277838968p2/389601.jpg]
[bc:Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|23129944|Rad American Women A-Z Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|Kate Schatz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418788322l/23129944._SX50_.jpg|42677759]
[b:Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|23129944|Rad American Women A-Z Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!|Kate Schatz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418788322l/23129944._SX50_.jpg|42677759]
by [a:Kate Schatz|165150|Kate Schatz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1615332023p2/165150.jpg]
[bc:The Cardboard Kingdom|30623090|The Cardboard Kingdom|Chad Sell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511473063l/30623090._SX50_.jpg|51155086]
[b:The Cardboard Kingdom|30623090|The Cardboard Kingdom|Chad Sell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511473063l/30623090._SX50_.jpg|51155086]
by [a:Chad Sell|8248050|Chad Sell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|293595|Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|Bill Martin Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348384871l/293595._SX50_.jpg|680304]
[b:Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|293595|Chicka Chicka Boom Boom|Bill Martin Jr.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348384871l/293595._SX50_.jpg|680304]
by [a:Bill Martin Jr.|5086768|Bill Martin Jr.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411248095p2/5086768.jpg]
[bc:The Night Gardener|25785698|The Night Gardener|Terry Fan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468946l/25785698._SX50_.jpg|45636399]
[b:The Night Gardener|25785698|The Night Gardener|Terry Fan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455468946l/25785698._SX50_.jpg|45636399]
by [a:Terry Fan|7031735|Terry Fan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Good Dog|36544887|Good Dog|Cori Doerrfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515931045l/36544887._SX50_.jpg|58276322]
[b:Good Dog|36544887|Good Dog|Cori Doerrfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515931045l/36544887._SX50_.jpg|58276322]
by [a:Cori Doerrfeld|2851649|Cori Doerrfeld|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
[bc:Dreamers|39651067|Dreamers|Yuyi Morales|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523445744l/39651067._SX50_.jpg|61220853]
[b:Dreamers|39651067|Dreamers|Yuyi Morales|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523445744l/39651067._SX50_.jpg|61220853]
by [a:Yuyi Morales|389601|Yuyi Morales|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277838968p2/389601.jpg]
My year in books.... Different first year on Goodreads and a swell one it has been... since there are 7 days in a week I thought top seven nooks sounds fair (the real tea is I couldn't cut it to 5...) Not being allowed 2 from the same series here goes... from my faves plz feel free to tell me some recs for next year also... if u agree or not here goes.... so much .... whateves.... In order? You decide.
*Mistressof all evil - Serena Valentino
*Eliza Rose - Lucy Worsley
*Alices adventures in wonderland - Lewis Carrol
*The End (ASOUE) - Lemony Snicket
*Goblet of fire - J.K Rowling
*The plot thickens - R.A Spratt
*As old as time - Liz ( nice name gurl) Braswell
Do what U will with this list thx for a great reading year and welcoming platform a hope y'all had a stellar year too!!! XOXO
*Mistressof all evil - Serena Valentino
*Eliza Rose - Lucy Worsley
*Alices adventures in wonderland - Lewis Carrol
*The End (ASOUE) - Lemony Snicket
*Goblet of fire - J.K Rowling
*The plot thickens - R.A Spratt
*As old as time - Liz ( nice name gurl) Braswell
Do what U will with this list thx for a great reading year and welcoming platform a hope y'all had a stellar year too!!! XOXO
2018, my first full year on Goodreads
This is all the books I rated 4-5 stars (and honorable three stars) in the order I read them.
Note: novellas under a hundred pages and rereads do not count for best of the month. Any book with an * to the right of it is a reread.
Reading goal=50 books
January: in which I create an extremely unrealistic release tbr.
[bc:Daughter of the Pirate King|33643994|Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1)|Tricia Levenseller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483132546s/33643994.jpg|46636002][bc:The Wrath of Mulgarath|277190|The Wrath of Mulgarath|Tony DiTerlizzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358702186s/277190.jpg|1322254][bc:Winter|13206900|Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057036s/13206900.jpg|18390887][bc:The Rose Society|23846013|The Rose Society (The Young Elites, #2)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443368070s/23846013.jpg|42990051][bc:The Midnight Star|28588345|The Midnight Star (The Young Elites, #3)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461260409s/28588345.jpg|42990052]
Number of books read=4+2 novellas
Best book of the month=[bc:Winter|13206900|Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057036s/13206900.jpg|18390887]
February: in which I read instead of watching the super bowl.
[bc:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642][bc:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325][bc:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493047153s/26032825.jpg|45959123][bc:The Scorch Trials|7631105|The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner, #2)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388240248s/7631105.jpg|6574198]
Number of books read=5+a novella
Best book of the month=[bc:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493047153s/26032825.jpg|45959123]
March: in which I am blessed with the power to read ten books in one month.
[bc:Siege and Storm|14061955|Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362166252s/14061955.jpg|19699752][bc:The Death Cure|7864437|The Death Cure (The Maze Runner, #3)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1303997647s/7864437.jpg|11022464][bc:Daughter of the Siren Queen|36682619|Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King, #2)|Tricia Levenseller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511933735s/36682619.jpg|55803833][bc:Wires and Nerve|29772863|Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470414564s/29772863.jpg|49043263][bc:Ruin and Rising|14061957|Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #3)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392398530s/14061957.jpg|19699754][bc:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899][bc:The Epic Crush of Genie Lo|30116958|The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (The Epic Crush of Genie Lo #1)|F.C. Yee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493219399s/30116958.jpg|50541441][bc:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|3|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474154022s/3.jpg|4640799]
Number of books read=10
Best book of the month=[bc:The Epic Crush of Genie Lo|30116958|The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (The Epic Crush of Genie Lo #1)|F.C. Yee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493219399s/30116958.jpg|50541441]
April: in which theatre takes away that blessing and Infinity War destroys my life.
[bc:Blood and Sand|30975382|Blood and Sand (Blood and Sand, #1)|C.V. Wyk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494977161s/30975382.jpg|51594934][bc:Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056][bc:The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic|34076952|The Language of Thorns Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (Grisha Verse, #0.5, #2.5, #2.6)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491842507s/34076952.jpg|55087763][bc:Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets|15881|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474169725s/15881.jpg|6231171]
Number of books read=5
Best book of the month=[bc:Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056]
May: in which an update for Crooked Kingdom gets me from under ten friends to over thirty (thanks friends!
This is all the books I rated 4-5 stars (and honorable three stars) in the order I read them.
Note: novellas under a hundred pages and rereads do not count for best of the month. Any book with an * to the right of it is a reread.
Reading goal=50 books
January: in which I create an extremely unrealistic release tbr.
[bc:Daughter of the Pirate King|33643994|Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1)|Tricia Levenseller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483132546s/33643994.jpg|46636002][bc:The Wrath of Mulgarath|277190|The Wrath of Mulgarath|Tony DiTerlizzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1358702186s/277190.jpg|1322254][bc:Winter|13206900|Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057036s/13206900.jpg|18390887][bc:The Rose Society|23846013|The Rose Society (The Young Elites, #2)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443368070s/23846013.jpg|42990051][bc:The Midnight Star|28588345|The Midnight Star (The Young Elites, #3)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461260409s/28588345.jpg|42990052]
Number of books read=4+2 novellas
Best book of the month=[bc:Winter|13206900|Winter (The Lunar Chronicles, #4)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470057036s/13206900.jpg|18390887]
February: in which I read instead of watching the super bowl.
[bc:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642][bc:Shadow and Bone|10194157|Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339533695s/10194157.jpg|15093325][bc:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493047153s/26032825.jpg|45959123][bc:The Scorch Trials|7631105|The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner, #2)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388240248s/7631105.jpg|6574198]
Number of books read=5+a novella
Best book of the month=[bc:The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)|Holly Black|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493047153s/26032825.jpg|45959123]
March: in which I am blessed with the power to read ten books in one month.
[bc:Siege and Storm|14061955|Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #2)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362166252s/14061955.jpg|19699752][bc:The Death Cure|7864437|The Death Cure (The Maze Runner, #3)|James Dashner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1303997647s/7864437.jpg|11022464][bc:Daughter of the Siren Queen|36682619|Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King, #2)|Tricia Levenseller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511933735s/36682619.jpg|55803833][bc:Wires and Nerve|29772863|Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470414564s/29772863.jpg|49043263][bc:Ruin and Rising|14061957|Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #3)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392398530s/14061957.jpg|19699754][bc:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899][bc:The Epic Crush of Genie Lo|30116958|The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (The Epic Crush of Genie Lo #1)|F.C. Yee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493219399s/30116958.jpg|50541441][bc:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone|3|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474154022s/3.jpg|4640799]
Number of books read=10
Best book of the month=[bc:The Epic Crush of Genie Lo|30116958|The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (The Epic Crush of Genie Lo #1)|F.C. Yee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493219399s/30116958.jpg|50541441]
April: in which theatre takes away that blessing and Infinity War destroys my life.
[bc:Blood and Sand|30975382|Blood and Sand (Blood and Sand, #1)|C.V. Wyk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494977161s/30975382.jpg|51594934][bc:Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056][bc:The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic|34076952|The Language of Thorns Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (Grisha Verse, #0.5, #2.5, #2.6)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1491842507s/34076952.jpg|55087763][bc:Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets|15881|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474169725s/15881.jpg|6231171]
Number of books read=5
Best book of the month=[bc:Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056]
May: in which an update for Crooked Kingdom gets me from under ten friends to over thirty (thanks friends!
في عام صعب ويموج بالتغيُّرات والتي طالت الكثير منها حياتي، كانت القراءة ثابتي .
لكن متى لم تكن القراءة ثابتي؟
كانت الجزء المثالي من العام، المثالي للغايَّة ..
ممتنة لكل كتاب من كتب هذا العام ...
هذه الكتب أنارت عامي .. كل كتاب ... تلك التي أزعجتني والتي لم تعجبني ..
وتلكَ التي أحببتها وخلبت لبِّي وأضفت الكثير من الجمال على هذا العام ولذا ستظل حيّة في قلبي دائمًا .
قرأت بانتظام على مدار العام تقريبًا وهو ما كان مختلفًا عن المعتاد .
عادة لا أقرأ كثيرًا في بداية كل عام وفي الصيف ..
بدأت كتب هذا العام بدأت بـ "امرأة في برلين" عمل مؤثر ولا يتكرر عن الحروب وضحاياها ..
وتتالت الكتب بعدها ..
في نهاية مارس شاركت بـ تحدّي سبعة كتب في سبعة أيام ..
بدأت بـ "يوميات بيسوا" وأنهيته بـ الرواية الديستوبية "نحن" لـ يفغيني زامياتن .
في الصيف وخلال المونديال، قرأت ثلاثة كتب عن كرة القدم وسحرها:
"أغرب حكايات المونديال" و"حكاية عامل غرف: مختارات من أدب كرة القدم الأرجنتيني" و "كرة القدم بين الشمس والظل " ..
وفي نهاية يوليو قرأت "فيزياء الحزن" الكتاب الذي يستحيل الحديث عنه .
في أغسطس بدأت سلسلة إيلينا فيرانتي وقرأت أول جزئين وعدت لاحقًا لإكمالها في ديسمبر .
في نهاية سبتمبر التقيت بـ ممدوح عدوان وكتابه العظيم "حيونة الإنسان" والذي أرجو أن يكون مترجمًا إلى الإنجليزية لأني أنوي ترشيحه لأصدقاء كثيرين من كل أنحاء العالم .
في نوفمبر قرأت "الإخوة كارامازوف" ولا أبالغ إن قلت إن هذه رواية تغير حياة المرء ..
وأنهيت كذلك "هكذا تكلم زرادشت" الذي رافقني خلال الأعوام الثلاثة الماضية .
خلال نهاية العام التقيت بـ كارل أوفه كناوسغارد ويون كالمان ستيفنسن كاتبان من النرويج وآيسلندا ..
وعدت والتقيت من جديد بـ شاندور ماراي في رواية مختلفة وعظيمة .
هذا العام قرأت الكثير من الأدب الساخر بدءً بـ "خالي العزيز نابليون" ومرورًا بهتلر الذي يجد نفسه في الحاضر في " Look Who's Back" وسلسلة الجندي الطيب شفيك لـ ياروسلاف هاشيك .
كما أعدت قراءة عملين قرأتهما من قبل : الحرافيش لمحفوظ والمعطف لغوغول .
وواصلت تقليدًا بدأته قبل ثلاثة أعوام وهو أن أقرأ 10% أو أكثر من كتب العام باللغة الإنجليزية .
~
ربمّا يقلل من مثاليته؛ أني لم أكتب ما يكفي من المراجعات، لم أكتب بقدر ما أريد. كثير من الكتب التي أحببتها لم أستطع الحديث عنها، وبعضها كتبت لها مراجعات قصيرة للغايّة .
جزء من هذا يعود لسطوة وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي التي تحتّم عليَّ أحيانًا كتابة تعليقات قصيرة للغايّة حول الكتب التي أنهي قراءتها ..
أرجو أن أتغلب على هذه السطوة خلال العام القادم وأحاول كتابة عدد أكبر من المراجعات الطويلة .
أصدقاء القراءة في كلِّ مكان، أرجو أن تكونوا قد حظيتم بعام عظيم، وأرجو لكم عام قراءة قادم أعظم .
لكن متى لم تكن القراءة ثابتي؟
كانت الجزء المثالي من العام، المثالي للغايَّة ..
ممتنة لكل كتاب من كتب هذا العام ...
هذه الكتب أنارت عامي .. كل كتاب ... تلك التي أزعجتني والتي لم تعجبني ..
وتلكَ التي أحببتها وخلبت لبِّي وأضفت الكثير من الجمال على هذا العام ولذا ستظل حيّة في قلبي دائمًا .
قرأت بانتظام على مدار العام تقريبًا وهو ما كان مختلفًا عن المعتاد .
عادة لا أقرأ كثيرًا في بداية كل عام وفي الصيف ..
بدأت كتب هذا العام بدأت بـ "امرأة في برلين" عمل مؤثر ولا يتكرر عن الحروب وضحاياها ..
وتتالت الكتب بعدها ..
في نهاية مارس شاركت بـ تحدّي سبعة كتب في سبعة أيام ..
بدأت بـ "يوميات بيسوا" وأنهيته بـ الرواية الديستوبية "نحن" لـ يفغيني زامياتن .
في الصيف وخلال المونديال، قرأت ثلاثة كتب عن كرة القدم وسحرها:
"أغرب حكايات المونديال" و"حكاية عامل غرف: مختارات من أدب كرة القدم الأرجنتيني" و "كرة القدم بين الشمس والظل " ..
وفي نهاية يوليو قرأت "فيزياء الحزن" الكتاب الذي يستحيل الحديث عنه .
في أغسطس بدأت سلسلة إيلينا فيرانتي وقرأت أول جزئين وعدت لاحقًا لإكمالها في ديسمبر .
في نهاية سبتمبر التقيت بـ ممدوح عدوان وكتابه العظيم "حيونة الإنسان" والذي أرجو أن يكون مترجمًا إلى الإنجليزية لأني أنوي ترشيحه لأصدقاء كثيرين من كل أنحاء العالم .
في نوفمبر قرأت "الإخوة كارامازوف" ولا أبالغ إن قلت إن هذه رواية تغير حياة المرء ..
وأنهيت كذلك "هكذا تكلم زرادشت" الذي رافقني خلال الأعوام الثلاثة الماضية .
خلال نهاية العام التقيت بـ كارل أوفه كناوسغارد ويون كالمان ستيفنسن كاتبان من النرويج وآيسلندا ..
وعدت والتقيت من جديد بـ شاندور ماراي في رواية مختلفة وعظيمة .
هذا العام قرأت الكثير من الأدب الساخر بدءً بـ "خالي العزيز نابليون" ومرورًا بهتلر الذي يجد نفسه في الحاضر في " Look Who's Back" وسلسلة الجندي الطيب شفيك لـ ياروسلاف هاشيك .
كما أعدت قراءة عملين قرأتهما من قبل : الحرافيش لمحفوظ والمعطف لغوغول .
وواصلت تقليدًا بدأته قبل ثلاثة أعوام وهو أن أقرأ 10% أو أكثر من كتب العام باللغة الإنجليزية .
~
ربمّا يقلل من مثاليته؛ أني لم أكتب ما يكفي من المراجعات، لم أكتب بقدر ما أريد. كثير من الكتب التي أحببتها لم أستطع الحديث عنها، وبعضها كتبت لها مراجعات قصيرة للغايّة .
جزء من هذا يعود لسطوة وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي التي تحتّم عليَّ أحيانًا كتابة تعليقات قصيرة للغايّة حول الكتب التي أنهي قراءتها ..
أرجو أن أتغلب على هذه السطوة خلال العام القادم وأحاول كتابة عدد أكبر من المراجعات الطويلة .
أصدقاء القراءة في كلِّ مكان، أرجو أن تكونوا قد حظيتم بعام عظيم، وأرجو لكم عام قراءة قادم أعظم .
I'm not good at reading. Scratch that. I read quickly, and I enjoy reading, but I'm not good at making myself do it unless forced to not work, forced to take downtime. Otherwise, there are always things to do, whether that's working, catching up on business tasks, running, skiing, biking, paddling, playing with our puppy...I'm just not very good at forced downtime.
I think I read fully half of the 52 books I read this year in a few bursts—a week here, a week there. Quite literally, actually, as we made a point of taking off for a week at a few points this past year, spending a week at a time in the back of our truck. Forced to not work, and only fit enough to spend so many hours active each day, we read and played cribbage.
That will be one of my favorite memories of 2018, actually: warm summer days spent soaking in a river or lake after time on trails, interspersed with cribbage games and reading in the sun or napping in the back of the truck.
I'm setting a lower goal for 2019, not because I necessarily want to read less, but because I'm aware that having adopted a puppy in October, the needs of a dog already force more downtime in the form of time with her; she's a bundle of energy enough to need a few hours of go time each day, and she's still not very good at letting us read in bed, constantly needing to be the center of attention and all.
But three books a month seems doable, and not that much less than a book a week, and maybe I'll even do a better job of consistently reading this next year, of spreading them out. And if not, well I can always make another plan next year, right?
I think I read fully half of the 52 books I read this year in a few bursts—a week here, a week there. Quite literally, actually, as we made a point of taking off for a week at a few points this past year, spending a week at a time in the back of our truck. Forced to not work, and only fit enough to spend so many hours active each day, we read and played cribbage.
That will be one of my favorite memories of 2018, actually: warm summer days spent soaking in a river or lake after time on trails, interspersed with cribbage games and reading in the sun or napping in the back of the truck.
I'm setting a lower goal for 2019, not because I necessarily want to read less, but because I'm aware that having adopted a puppy in October, the needs of a dog already force more downtime in the form of time with her; she's a bundle of energy enough to need a few hours of go time each day, and she's still not very good at letting us read in bed, constantly needing to be the center of attention and all.
But three books a month seems doable, and not that much less than a book a week, and maybe I'll even do a better job of consistently reading this next year, of spreading them out. And if not, well I can always make another plan next year, right?
Wow! the year flew by fast.
This year i was lucky to make more friends and read some of the most amazing books. Thanks for your friendships and for putting great books on my radar.
This year i also found my new all time favorite series and favorite couple. Sorry Logan and Tate, Ty and Zane but you are no longer at the top, you have been replaced.
Top 10 All time Favorite Couples as at December 2018
1. Hazard and Somerset - [b:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
2. Achilles and Patroclus - [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
3. Jack and Ethan - [b:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
4. Logan and Tate - [b:Try|17798649|Try (Temptation, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186s/17798649.jpg|24898058]
5. Ty and Zane - [b:Cut & Run|5199022|Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1)|Abigail Roux|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327894486s/5199022.jpg|5266173]
6. Alexei and Sean - [b:In the Shadows|36108948|In the Shadows (Metahuman Files, #3)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503477277s/36108948.jpg|57462338]
7. Jamie and Kyle - [b:In the Wreckage|34346535|In the Wreckage (Metahuman Files, #1)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487558253s/34346535.jpg|55421219]
8. Jamie and Hunter - [b:Infamous|35285733|Infamous (Famous, #2)|Jenny Holiday|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496780998s/35285733.jpg|56647995]
9. Snow and Jude - [b:Shatter|28801469|Shatter (Unbreakable Bonds, #2)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455899300s/28801469.jpg|49013425]
10. Lucas and Andrei - [b:Shiver|26695561|Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds, #1)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464122774s/26695561.jpg|46723077]
Top 15 All time Favorite Characters as at December 2018
1. Hazard - [b:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
2. Alexei - [b:In the Shadows|36108948|In the Shadows (Metahuman Files, #3)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503477277s/36108948.jpg|57462338]
3. Logan - [b:Try|17798649|Try (Temptation, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186s/17798649.jpg|24898058]
4. Hiroku - [b:Hiroku|40123971|Hiroku|Laura Lascarso|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526359903s/40123971.jpg|62228513]
5. Matt - [b:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
6. Adrien with an E - [b:Fatal Shadows|1274861|Fatal Shadows (The Adrien English Mysteries, #1)|Josh Lanyon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1363734106s/1274861.jpg|2815045]
7. Patroclus - [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
8. Nikolai - [b:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
9. Ethan - [b:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
10. Laurent - [b:Captive Prince|9305362|Captive Prince (Captive Prince, #1)|C.S. Pacat|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356028113s/9305362.jpg|14188292]
11. Priest - [b:Priest|37664469|Priest (Confessions, #3)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533216583s/37664469.jpg|59266346]
12. Rikker - [b:The Understatement of the Year|22701480|The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3)|Sarina Bowen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408448387s/22701480.jpg|42221194]
13. Darian the Glitter Pirate - [b:Glitterland|25638048|Glitterland (Glitterland, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433092813s/25638048.jpg|24797122]
14. Corbin - [b:The Remaking of Corbin Wale|39347033|The Remaking of Corbin Wale|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521734437s/39347033.jpg|58042835]
15. Robbie - [b:Robbie|37664461|Robbie (Confessions, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519320115s/37664461.jpg|59266335]
2018 Favorite reads.
[bc:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
Hazard and Somers stole my heart. I was Obsessed with the amazing series and characters that Gregory Ashe created.
[bc:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
Jack and Ethan! *Le Sigh* These two took me on an amazing Journey, hands down the best Spy/Action MM series i have ever read. I can't wait to reads more about them.
[bc:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
Gaaaaaaaaaaah! still up to date, Gaaaaah!
[bc:Hiroku|40123971|Hiroku|Laura Lascarso|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526359903s/40123971.jpg|62228513]
Laura gave me the best YA book, i will ever read. Hiroku will forever remain the most complex, realistic character ever.
[bc:Call Me By Your Name|36336078|Call Me By Your Name|André Aciman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519203520s/36336078.jpg|1363157]
Elio! Elio! Elio!
[bc:Kogitsune|42902528|Kogitsune|Xia Xia Lake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1542801110s/42902528.jpg|66689821]
This short book makes my list because, it really made me happy.
My dark passenger was awaken this year and i found myself being swallowed by some great dark reads. Some that stood out are:
[bc:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
The Flesh Cartel series, put me through the ringer, made me cry, made me sad, made me want to punch something, Nikolai gave me nightmares, Matt gave me hope.
[bc:Claustrophilia|42358645|Claustrophilia|Ezra Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539661562s/42358645.jpg|64298038]
AORTA! The Damn! Aorta.
[bc:Waiting in the Throes|15784986|Waiting in the Throes|Maddox Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356092666s/15784986.jpg|21503114]
I hope Maddox Grey comes out of retirement soon and bless us with more Dark jujus.
I was lucky to have Eargasm too, with the help of:
Bad Behavior Series Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
Cole McGinnis Series Narrated by Greg Tremblay
Forever Wilde Series Narrated by Michael Pauley
Glitterland Narrated by Nicholas Boulton
They say Laughter is an instant vacation and these books took me to Maldives.
[bc:Bartender, PI|22036069|Bartender, PI|Ethan Stone|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399162915s/22036069.jpg|19092059] [bc:Fake Out|39298105|Fake Out (Fake Boyfriend #1)|Eden Finley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521219468s/39298105.jpg|59985533] [bc:Trick Play|39863941|Trick Play (Fake Boyfriend, #2)|Eden Finley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528369474s/39863941.jpg|61660535] [bc:The Blueprint|38504190|The Blueprint (Rules of Possession, #1)|S.E. Harmon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1518510633s/38504190.jpg|60143416] [bc:Rule Breaker|35826972|Rule Breaker (Mixed Messages, #1)|Lily Morton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501008277s/35826972.jpg|57330979]
[bc:Deal Maker|36801370|Deal Maker (Mixed Messages, #2)|Lily Morton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1512304277s/36801370.jpg|58581823] [bc:Unbreakable Stories: Snow|33642364|Unbreakable Stories Snow (Unbreakable Bonds, #2.5)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483120283s/33642364.jpg|54494774][bc:Transposition|37569723|Transposition (Hazard and Somerset, #2)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513649770s/37569723.jpg|59181080][bc:Paternity Case|38478348|Paternity Case (Hazard and Somerset #3)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1518288966s/38478348.jpg|60110759]
Overall , it was an enjoyable read year.
Happy reading my peeps! Hope 2019 brings more Goodreads.
This year i was lucky to make more friends and read some of the most amazing books. Thanks for your friendships and for putting great books on my radar.
This year i also found my new all time favorite series and favorite couple. Sorry Logan and Tate, Ty and Zane but you are no longer at the top, you have been replaced.
Top 10 All time Favorite Couples as at December 2018
1. Hazard and Somerset - [b:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
2. Achilles and Patroclus - [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
3. Jack and Ethan - [b:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
4. Logan and Tate - [b:Try|17798649|Try (Temptation, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186s/17798649.jpg|24898058]
5. Ty and Zane - [b:Cut & Run|5199022|Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1)|Abigail Roux|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327894486s/5199022.jpg|5266173]
6. Alexei and Sean - [b:In the Shadows|36108948|In the Shadows (Metahuman Files, #3)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503477277s/36108948.jpg|57462338]
7. Jamie and Kyle - [b:In the Wreckage|34346535|In the Wreckage (Metahuman Files, #1)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487558253s/34346535.jpg|55421219]
8. Jamie and Hunter - [b:Infamous|35285733|Infamous (Famous, #2)|Jenny Holiday|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496780998s/35285733.jpg|56647995]
9. Snow and Jude - [b:Shatter|28801469|Shatter (Unbreakable Bonds, #2)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455899300s/28801469.jpg|49013425]
10. Lucas and Andrei - [b:Shiver|26695561|Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds, #1)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464122774s/26695561.jpg|46723077]
Top 15 All time Favorite Characters as at December 2018
1. Hazard - [b:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
2. Alexei - [b:In the Shadows|36108948|In the Shadows (Metahuman Files, #3)|Hailey Turner|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503477277s/36108948.jpg|57462338]
3. Logan - [b:Try|17798649|Try (Temptation, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1375230186s/17798649.jpg|24898058]
4. Hiroku - [b:Hiroku|40123971|Hiroku|Laura Lascarso|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526359903s/40123971.jpg|62228513]
5. Matt - [b:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
6. Adrien with an E - [b:Fatal Shadows|1274861|Fatal Shadows (The Adrien English Mysteries, #1)|Josh Lanyon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1363734106s/1274861.jpg|2815045]
7. Patroclus - [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
8. Nikolai - [b:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
9. Ethan - [b:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
10. Laurent - [b:Captive Prince|9305362|Captive Prince (Captive Prince, #1)|C.S. Pacat|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356028113s/9305362.jpg|14188292]
11. Priest - [b:Priest|37664469|Priest (Confessions, #3)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533216583s/37664469.jpg|59266346]
12. Rikker - [b:The Understatement of the Year|22701480|The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3)|Sarina Bowen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1408448387s/22701480.jpg|42221194]
13. Darian the Glitter Pirate - [b:Glitterland|25638048|Glitterland (Glitterland, #1)|Alexis Hall|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433092813s/25638048.jpg|24797122]
14. Corbin - [b:The Remaking of Corbin Wale|39347033|The Remaking of Corbin Wale|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521734437s/39347033.jpg|58042835]
15. Robbie - [b:Robbie|37664461|Robbie (Confessions, #1)|Ella Frank|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519320115s/37664461.jpg|59266335]
2018 Favorite reads.
[bc:Pretty Pretty Boys|36623175|Pretty Pretty Boys (Hazard and Somerset, #1)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1511094676s/36623175.jpg|58383961]
Hazard and Somers stole my heart. I was Obsessed with the amazing series and characters that Gregory Ashe created.
[bc:Where Death Meets the Devil|37647452|Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1)|L.J. Hayward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513876342s/37647452.jpg|59238129]
Jack and Ethan! *Le Sigh* These two took me on an amazing Journey, hands down the best Spy/Action MM series i have ever read. I can't wait to reads more about them.
[bc:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331154660s/11250317.jpg|16176791]
Gaaaaaaaaaaah! still up to date, Gaaaaah!
[bc:Hiroku|40123971|Hiroku|Laura Lascarso|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526359903s/40123971.jpg|62228513]
Laura gave me the best YA book, i will ever read. Hiroku will forever remain the most complex, realistic character ever.
[bc:Call Me By Your Name|36336078|Call Me By Your Name|André Aciman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519203520s/36336078.jpg|1363157]
Elio! Elio! Elio!
[bc:Kogitsune|42902528|Kogitsune|Xia Xia Lake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1542801110s/42902528.jpg|66689821]
This short book makes my list because, it really made me happy.
My dark passenger was awaken this year and i found myself being swallowed by some great dark reads. Some that stood out are:
[bc:Capture|15986924|Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1)|Rachel Haimowitz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346752258s/15986924.jpg|21742008]
The Flesh Cartel series, put me through the ringer, made me cry, made me sad, made me want to punch something, Nikolai gave me nightmares, Matt gave me hope.
[bc:Claustrophilia|42358645|Claustrophilia|Ezra Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539661562s/42358645.jpg|64298038]
AORTA! The Damn! Aorta.
[bc:Waiting in the Throes|15784986|Waiting in the Throes|Maddox Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356092666s/15784986.jpg|21503114]
I hope Maddox Grey comes out of retirement soon and bless us with more Dark jujus.
I was lucky to have Eargasm too, with the help of:
Bad Behavior Series Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
Cole McGinnis Series Narrated by Greg Tremblay
Forever Wilde Series Narrated by Michael Pauley
Glitterland Narrated by Nicholas Boulton
They say Laughter is an instant vacation and these books took me to Maldives.
[bc:Bartender, PI|22036069|Bartender, PI|Ethan Stone|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399162915s/22036069.jpg|19092059] [bc:Fake Out|39298105|Fake Out (Fake Boyfriend #1)|Eden Finley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521219468s/39298105.jpg|59985533] [bc:Trick Play|39863941|Trick Play (Fake Boyfriend, #2)|Eden Finley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528369474s/39863941.jpg|61660535] [bc:The Blueprint|38504190|The Blueprint (Rules of Possession, #1)|S.E. Harmon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1518510633s/38504190.jpg|60143416] [bc:Rule Breaker|35826972|Rule Breaker (Mixed Messages, #1)|Lily Morton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501008277s/35826972.jpg|57330979]
[bc:Deal Maker|36801370|Deal Maker (Mixed Messages, #2)|Lily Morton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1512304277s/36801370.jpg|58581823] [bc:Unbreakable Stories: Snow|33642364|Unbreakable Stories Snow (Unbreakable Bonds, #2.5)|Jocelynn Drake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483120283s/33642364.jpg|54494774][bc:Transposition|37569723|Transposition (Hazard and Somerset, #2)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513649770s/37569723.jpg|59181080][bc:Paternity Case|38478348|Paternity Case (Hazard and Somerset #3)|Gregory Ashe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1518288966s/38478348.jpg|60110759]
Overall , it was an enjoyable read year.
Happy reading my peeps! Hope 2019 brings more Goodreads.
As far as a Year in Books goes, 2018 was highly successful with 87,251 pages read across 192 books making an average of 452 pages per book. Admittedly, that includes some entire trilogies that have also been recorded individually... I may need to think about that particular aspect of my recording for this next year. By and large, I have made an effort to put some semblance of a review together for every book read this year, although some of them are admittedly short reviews indeed.
It was also a year for carefully laid plans and then the complete destruction of these upon the loss of the kindle. But for the first two thirds of the year at least, I was reading on a schedule with each month having a different rule. It made for interesting reading and forced me to focus my attention each month, but not so specifically that it became tiresome or tedious. January and July were for physical books only, February and August re-reads of old favourites focusing on Lois Bujold's fantastic worlds and Robin Hobb respectively. March, June and September had me focusing on random numbers in my unread kindle collection drawn from a group forum, April had a goal of three non-fictions and May was dedicated to books that are 'out of my comfort zone'.
This had some excellent aspects and some distinctly more annoying ones. I certainly read many more books that I either wouldn't have gotten around to or was simply ignoring, I also read many that were so far out of my comfort zone and yet were really very good. The random numbers months didn't work so well however and in fact ended up being some of my lowest rated months. I did however learn an important lesson; stop buying or downloading cheap/free crap from Bookbubs and other similar sites. Chances are there is a reason it is cheap or free and that reason is that it is crap. Ok, I found a few diamonds, but they were vastly outweighed by the dross I had to wade through in those months.
There are a few special books or series that merit a specific mention however. I started the year with Peter Hamilton's books, The Abyss Beyond Dreams and Night Without Stars which are two stunningly perfect science fiction novels. Also in the land of science fiction, Leviathan Wakes by James S.A Corey and Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky both deserve a special mention with the former being a wonderfully drawn complex science fiction epic and Dogs of War being both thought provoking and harrowing in a slightly more young adult way. I enjoyed A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, although the first wasn't as engaging as this sequel, but little in fantasy/science fiction could compare with The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison which blew my mind. It is a rich tapestry of humans in a desolate and hopeless world, excellently written and wonderfully executed.
Any books by Luis Bujold or Robin Hobb are also always worth a look, and I really enjoyed my re-reads of the Vorkosigan saga and the Farseer trilogy respectively. I also re-read The Lies of Locke Lamora and sequel by Scott Lynch, which are fantastic novels despite his potty mouth and The Sword of Truth early series by Terry Goodkind. I was originally disappointed by the first in this series, but thankfully the next three books were as good as I remembered them, although somehow I had forgotten the sexual violence. My first read of the New Year is to be the final book out in the Lock Lamora series and I am currently thoroughly enjoying it. Of course, my re-read of The Stand cannot be forgotten; that is a book that will remain at the top of my lists.
The Only Witness by Pamela Beason was an interesting take on the crime and court genre and was a surprisingly good read, but in the crime genre The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund came out on top, although it is both disturbing and morbid with a focus on paedophilia and child trade that some will find excessively uncomfortable reading. The Lizzy Gardner series by T.R. Ragen is also a disturbing but excellently written crime series, with a focus on serial killers. Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry also takes a focus on sexual offenders, but in a very different context as you meet Noah, a teenage boy whose family is destroyed when he admits to molesting young girls. This was a book that truly forced me to re-consider some of my deepest held preconceptions.
Us Against You by Frederik Bearman is a worthy successor to the powerful and emotive Beartown and is beautifully written and stunningly translated. For a book about ice hockey in a small town, it somehow ends up being so very much more. Backman's writing makes most other authors look clumsy in comparison and his characterisations can make you weep. It isn't a 'young adult' book at heart, but the focus on the teenage characters would also make it eminently suitable for the older teenage reader. Other young adult novels worthy of note this year are Faceless by Alyssa B. Sheinmel and A Bitter Pill by Tiffany Gholar, both of which focus on adolescent mental health but in very different ways I flew through both of these novels in a day.
And somewhere along the lines, I also managed to fit in some historical fiction with Ken Follett playing a significant role. I was enthralled by the second in his Century Trilogy; Winter of the World, so it was a pity I found the finale so tiresome. Mad Blood Stirring by Simon Mayo is a well written and interesting view of an often forgotten period of English and American history, whilst Maureen Jennings writes some really fascinating murder mysteries in the Murdoch Mysteries, set in late nineteenth century Canada. Finally Wild Cards, an anthology orchestrated by George R.R. Martin blurs the lines between historical and fantasy, as he takes you into a history where an alien virus struck the Earth in the aftermath of World War II. Super heroes have never been as realistically covered as they are here and the historical depth only adds layers of brilliance to the world.
And that just about sums 2018 as a reading year up nicely. I still need to get around to reading the remainder of The Walking Dead graphic novel, as indeed do I need to get around to Palestine and Death Note, both of which were set as potentials for May in out of my comfort zone. Bad Pharma is a frightening non-fiction look at the pharmaceutical industry, that will ensure you never look at drugs in the same way again. I re-discovered a young adults horror that gave me nightmares as a teenage in Bobby's Watching (Scared to Death) by Ted Pickford, a book I had been trying to remember the name of and locate for the better part of ten years! And of course there were some awful books, of which I cannot be bothered to mention by name here...
So here's to a splendid year of reading in 2019.
It was also a year for carefully laid plans and then the complete destruction of these upon the loss of the kindle. But for the first two thirds of the year at least, I was reading on a schedule with each month having a different rule. It made for interesting reading and forced me to focus my attention each month, but not so specifically that it became tiresome or tedious. January and July were for physical books only, February and August re-reads of old favourites focusing on Lois Bujold's fantastic worlds and Robin Hobb respectively. March, June and September had me focusing on random numbers in my unread kindle collection drawn from a group forum, April had a goal of three non-fictions and May was dedicated to books that are 'out of my comfort zone'.
This had some excellent aspects and some distinctly more annoying ones. I certainly read many more books that I either wouldn't have gotten around to or was simply ignoring, I also read many that were so far out of my comfort zone and yet were really very good. The random numbers months didn't work so well however and in fact ended up being some of my lowest rated months. I did however learn an important lesson; stop buying or downloading cheap/free crap from Bookbubs and other similar sites. Chances are there is a reason it is cheap or free and that reason is that it is crap. Ok, I found a few diamonds, but they were vastly outweighed by the dross I had to wade through in those months.
There are a few special books or series that merit a specific mention however. I started the year with Peter Hamilton's books, The Abyss Beyond Dreams and Night Without Stars which are two stunningly perfect science fiction novels. Also in the land of science fiction, Leviathan Wakes by James S.A Corey and Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky both deserve a special mention with the former being a wonderfully drawn complex science fiction epic and Dogs of War being both thought provoking and harrowing in a slightly more young adult way. I enjoyed A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, although the first wasn't as engaging as this sequel, but little in fantasy/science fiction could compare with The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison which blew my mind. It is a rich tapestry of humans in a desolate and hopeless world, excellently written and wonderfully executed.
Any books by Luis Bujold or Robin Hobb are also always worth a look, and I really enjoyed my re-reads of the Vorkosigan saga and the Farseer trilogy respectively. I also re-read The Lies of Locke Lamora and sequel by Scott Lynch, which are fantastic novels despite his potty mouth and The Sword of Truth early series by Terry Goodkind. I was originally disappointed by the first in this series, but thankfully the next three books were as good as I remembered them, although somehow I had forgotten the sexual violence. My first read of the New Year is to be the final book out in the Lock Lamora series and I am currently thoroughly enjoying it. Of course, my re-read of The Stand cannot be forgotten; that is a book that will remain at the top of my lists.
The Only Witness by Pamela Beason was an interesting take on the crime and court genre and was a surprisingly good read, but in the crime genre The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund came out on top, although it is both disturbing and morbid with a focus on paedophilia and child trade that some will find excessively uncomfortable reading. The Lizzy Gardner series by T.R. Ragen is also a disturbing but excellently written crime series, with a focus on serial killers. Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry also takes a focus on sexual offenders, but in a very different context as you meet Noah, a teenage boy whose family is destroyed when he admits to molesting young girls. This was a book that truly forced me to re-consider some of my deepest held preconceptions.
Us Against You by Frederik Bearman is a worthy successor to the powerful and emotive Beartown and is beautifully written and stunningly translated. For a book about ice hockey in a small town, it somehow ends up being so very much more. Backman's writing makes most other authors look clumsy in comparison and his characterisations can make you weep. It isn't a 'young adult' book at heart, but the focus on the teenage characters would also make it eminently suitable for the older teenage reader. Other young adult novels worthy of note this year are Faceless by Alyssa B. Sheinmel and A Bitter Pill by Tiffany Gholar, both of which focus on adolescent mental health but in very different ways I flew through both of these novels in a day.
And somewhere along the lines, I also managed to fit in some historical fiction with Ken Follett playing a significant role. I was enthralled by the second in his Century Trilogy; Winter of the World, so it was a pity I found the finale so tiresome. Mad Blood Stirring by Simon Mayo is a well written and interesting view of an often forgotten period of English and American history, whilst Maureen Jennings writes some really fascinating murder mysteries in the Murdoch Mysteries, set in late nineteenth century Canada. Finally Wild Cards, an anthology orchestrated by George R.R. Martin blurs the lines between historical and fantasy, as he takes you into a history where an alien virus struck the Earth in the aftermath of World War II. Super heroes have never been as realistically covered as they are here and the historical depth only adds layers of brilliance to the world.
And that just about sums 2018 as a reading year up nicely. I still need to get around to reading the remainder of The Walking Dead graphic novel, as indeed do I need to get around to Palestine and Death Note, both of which were set as potentials for May in out of my comfort zone. Bad Pharma is a frightening non-fiction look at the pharmaceutical industry, that will ensure you never look at drugs in the same way again. I re-discovered a young adults horror that gave me nightmares as a teenage in Bobby's Watching (Scared to Death) by Ted Pickford, a book I had been trying to remember the name of and locate for the better part of ten years! And of course there were some awful books, of which I cannot be bothered to mention by name here...
So here's to a splendid year of reading in 2019.