Every year I set a goal on Goodreads to read more books. Every year I don’t hit my goal mostly because as I’ve gotten older I’ve stopped reading books I’m not enjoying. When I was younger I never quit a book. I would always push through till the end. I think that comes from being a literature major and having to finish books for class.
Though as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized I don’t have time to waste on a bad book. This year I’ve factored the books I quit into my goal. Because the goal isn’t about finishing more books it’s about reading more, even if I couldn’t get through it.
With 4 days left till the New Year I still haven’t hit my goal, but I’m pretty close and I’ll likely set a goal for next year.
Best Books of 2018 and Some Misses
My Favorites
A timely and poignant story with characters that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. The Hate You Give is the story of Starr a teenager who witnesses her friend being shot by a cop at a routine traffic stop. The Hate You Give tackles racism, classism in a beautifully told coming of age story.
When Bernadette disappears, her daughter Bee sets out to find where she has gone. This story was so unexpected and wonderful and one that I regularly find myself thinking about. Bernadette is not your typical suburban mom, she doesn’t have friends, she doesn’t fit in and she just might be a bit crazy. Bee is a pre-teen determined to go to Antartica, when she finally gets the grades to go, the planning for the trip sets off a series of events that are unexpected. After reading this book I immediately wanted to plan a trip to Antartica and then immediately realized I can’t afford that. But it was fun to dream.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
This was the year I finally got into Harry Potter. After reading the first 3 books with Jack last year I finished the series on my own this year and I can’t wait to read it again with him. While I mostly loved all of the books (except Order of the Phoenix) this one was a favorite. Filled with characters from all the books that I loved, along with slightly more mature themes this book was such a wonderful ending to a great series. And now I feel like I finally get all the Harry Potter inside jokes.
Worth Reading
Four siblings see a psychic that predicts when they will die are their lives shaped by these predictions or do the predictions shape their lives? This book was really different and at times I was disappointed by the turns it took but it’s definitely worth reading and a great pick for book clubs.
A little on the long side this book turned
When Life Gives You Lululemons
Miriam a high-powered lawyer turned
Books I Couldn’t Finish
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
This was my pick for book club and I just couldn’t get through it. Other people in my club liked the book and it was one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks but this one just wasn’t for me.
This book had all the makings of a book I would love. Strong female protagonist returns to her hometown and sets out to win an election against a lifetime politician in rural Pennsylvannia. And yet I tried twice to get into this book and I just couldn’t.
The Comfort Food Diaries: My Quest for the Perfect Food to Mend a Broken Heart
Again there were so many ways I could have loved this book and had hopes that it would be like Eat, Pray, Love. Instead, I found myself bored as the author traveled to West Virginia to enjoy family recipes. This book could have been so much better.
As the year ends I’ve started a few new books and finished up some. What did you read this year?
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