Long Post Ahead!
This End of the Year Survey hosted by The Perpetual Page-Turner has remained a favorite of mine to look forward to every year. This covers reading experiences for the year, not books that are published recently - as long as it's been read in 2018, it counts. I was actually months late with this one - shame on me! I haven't been as active as normal on the site due to things and life and all that jazz, but it's still active and will against get a bounce of posts from yours truly when time and energy permits.
2018 was a GREAT reading year, and I read more in that year since I've started tracking than any other - broke the 300 mold. 333 to be exact.
Overall 2018 Thoughts
My friends and I started a book club (offline) in 2018, The Grim Readers. It's awesome. We meet January to November and focus on Mystery/Thriller/Horror/True Crime. We've now by 2019 grown to 9 members and are at our comfortable limit. Lots of fun books discovered, lots of bummers endured. That's my newest, favorite reading change for 2018.
Other changes - I got rid of most individual reading challenges that aren't team related in Goodreads Groups. I also didn't do a reading themed list on the website due to lack of interest/focus. I started tracking books read as a back-up and for more charts/graphs on Google Sheets called Erin's Book Spreadsheet of Doom. Moving over all those books is still a major work in process and not completely done, but it's fun to keep track of in my spare time.
This year I ended discovering and reading a lot of Reverse Harem Romance novels, especially in the paranormal vein. I don't actually enjoy Erotica novels, so I'm pickier, but I've found some favorites. I became a member of Kindle Unlimited, upgraded to the new Paperwhite because of my favorite reading spot (bathtub) and the waterproofing feature.
Other changes - I got rid of most individual reading challenges that aren't team related in Goodreads Groups. I also didn't do a reading themed list on the website due to lack of interest/focus. I started tracking books read as a back-up and for more charts/graphs on Google Sheets called Erin's Book Spreadsheet of Doom. Moving over all those books is still a major work in process and not completely done, but it's fun to keep track of in my spare time.
 |
| 2018 Yearly At A Glance: Goodreads Snapshot |
2018 READING STATS
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ: 333
NUMBER OF RE-READS: 21
MOST READ GENRE: Romance
BEST IN BOOKS STATS
Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn't
Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read
Runner-Up: Dweller by Jeff Strand for being surprisingly layered and emotional for a horror novel that I thought would end up being only a cheesy *but fun* creature-feature. On the bad surprise, Pretty Little Liars was so awful I'm surprised it's published or liked.
Book you "pushed" the most people to read
I had a few Reverse Harem fans try this series because I enjoyed it so much. The results were mixed, but we all have different likes in this genre so it's not surprising. I ended up re-reading the series in 2019 already, and am waiting for the last two books of the series. The author dishes these out with only one to three months in between.Goodreads link for the first book: Moonlight Desire
Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?
Favorite New Series Discovered:
Jane Yellowrock - Amazing. Read the series in one month, and the new release in 2017. A big favorite, but now I have the end of the series nerves that the author will keep it as enjoyable. First book is Skinwalker. Genre: Urban Fantasy
The Witch and the Wolf Pack - Favorite Reverse Harem Romance Series. All available on Kindle Unlimited as well. Loving this series, currently 9 out. First book of the Series: Moonlight Desire. Genre: RH Romance Paranormal
I Hunt Killers Thriller series - what a ride! Every book has several twists. A brutal finale to a fascinating series. First book: I Hunt Killers. Genre: Mystery (YA)
Best Sequels to a series already started in previous years:
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews, mainly because it's part of the Hidden Legacy and I cannot wait for Cat's full-length.
Best Series Ender:
Not fully perfect, but still of course great - Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews gives a proper send-off to the long-running and much-loved Kate Daniels series.
Favorite New Author discovered in 2017
Of course there are several. Faith Hunter, Kara Thomas, Cece Rose, K.R. Alexander, Barry Lyga
Best book from a genre you don't normally read or outside your comfort zone
I broke a rule of mine and watched the HBO show first. That channel has a knack for creating some of the best shows, and they didn't disappoint with this one - now most of my friends have jumped on the fangirl bandwagon. Excellent show, so of course I had to check out the book. While not quite as good as the show due to the differences, it was still well-written and fascinating. I'm not usually as much of a fan with this type of book, but this turned out to be a favorite of 2018.
Most action-packed, thrilling, unputdownable book you read this year?
I can't - or don't want to - pick just one. There's going to be a few here.
It's sort of like a cross between The Breakfast Club, And Then There Were None, and a YA rebel romance thrown in there. The end wasn't something I would have guessed, and digging in to secrets and intricacies of the four lives of the teens eventually became fascinating.
The Cheerleaders by the same author is another recommended book, although One of Us is Lying is my favorite. There's a sequel soon.
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant is the first full-length novel of a water-horror series. Mermaids....in their true monstrous form. The short prequel is a good introduction to this - if you like atmospheric horror and are interested in the dark world of mermaids, maritime doomed voyages, then check this one out. I went four stars instead of five, but it's still one of the best I've read action-packed, thriller style in 2017.This
is horror that takes itself seriously and isn’t cheesy considering it’s
about killer mermaid creatures out on the great white blue, but like a
cheesy horror book or movie with throw-away red shirt characters and
people who have no common sense, this book had to throw in a few for
good measure too.
Seriously - this book was
amazeballs. Very, very good. Thrilling, well-written, exciting,
psychologically twisted, with some shockers thrown in just for kicks. A five star rating - I'm so behind in reviewing, but it will come up eventually (I hope!)There's twists, surprises, a full mystery, excellent plotting, relatable characters. Worth a read!
Book read in 2018 you are most likely to re-read next year
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018
This is always a stumper. Here are a few favorites, because I can't choose just one.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Most beautifully written book you read in 2018
My answers for 2018 will be a bit unconventional in comparison to the previous year with this one.
I'm going to nominate several again.
THIS book should be read by all. Touted as a horror, werewolf novel - it is not. It's a family drama told through the point of a view of a dog. Seriously, it's not cheesy AT ALL. It's heartwarming, it's intense, it's sweet, it's wonderful. In my top 5 reads of the year. Beautifully written and charming, it's a book I think everyone would enjoy. Thor is an older novel, but it can be read for free on Unlimited, or is only 2.99 to purchase. Get it and read. 
Sharp Objects is a strange one. I keep meaning to check out the HBO version. It was a book club selection. Beautifully written, haunting themes, touching on seldomly approached themes. The main character is a major mess and much of the book is unsettling, but the dreamy writing style fits it perfect and keeps the pacing harmonious.
Thought-provoking or life changing book read in 2018
A unique book. I was stuck
between 3.5 and 4 star rating. The writing is sneaky. You think it's
about murder trial but you slowly figure out that's its not - it's about
different parents reaction to their child being accused. I completely
understand the father's point of view more, I think, due to personality
maybe. Some reviewers have said the last 30 pages weren't needed - I
agree and disagree. I liked it put in even more doubt, but the last few
pages felt incredibly abrupt.It's not perfect, but it's excellent, thought-provoking, and not something you forget. It really makes you think - what you would do or not do for your children.
Book you can't believe you waited until 2018 to FINALLY read
These two thriller classics. Both very enjoyable.
Also: We have always lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Book that shocked you the most
I was disheartened by the lead's stupidity in matters of the heart and his finances. This classic wrenched my heart through the blades, but the ending was a nifty enough twist to soothe it somewhat. It's interesting to compare different reviewers thoughts on it.
OTP of the Year (You will go down with this ship)
Anna Dressed in Blood was an interesting and cant-put-it-down YA about a ghost hunter meeting a ghost who changes his world.
Exhale is a very dark MM Romance that grew on me eventually after it kept pissing me off. The ending is sweet surprisingly.
Storm and Silence is truly long, historical, and fun - not everything is resolved but it's impossible to take your eyes off this couple.
Favorite Non-Romantic Character of the year
There's mixed romance in the series - fun book and series. The bond between the three mages, and then accepting the human into their fold and the bar, is sweet and heart-warming stuff. The friendship keeps evolving and growing throughout the books, so be sure to read them all.
Dweller by Jeff Strand shows a very dysfunctional relationship that you can't look away from.
Dragon's Lair introduces us to a psychological who falls for an manipulative, asexual prisoner inmate in a very unconventional romance.
Best book you read in 2018 SOLELY on a recommendation from someone else
It goes through a lot of the dangers of the media and social media for the innocent who are caught in the crossfire.
Newest fictional crush from 2018
The fun were group from The Witch and her Wolf Pack.
Best World-Building/Most Vivid setting
Jane Yellowrock! Fell in love with her and Beast, their backstory, the way the vamps, shifters, and witch world were so different compared to other series. A new favorite.
Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2018?
Ugh, the animal treatment in Water for Elephants was brutal.
Most unique book read in 2018
These were definitely unique - couldn't pick just one!
 |  |  |  |
Best discussion/non-review post in 2018 you had on your blog
I didn't do many Bookish features other than monthly updates. Two I had fun with were Ten Dewey Read-a-thon Tips and Most Anticipated New Releases.
Best bookish event you participated in
All the Read-a-thons! Had fun with them last year.
Best moment of bookish or blogging life in 2018
Blog-wise I was kind of lax in 2018. I read more than ever and participated in a lot of challenges off-site, but am behind on reviewing, blogging and updating. Moods go through phases :/
Most challenging thing in your reading or blogging life in 2018
Not reviewing like I should - I've had to take a break and got behind. Review burn-out?
Post you wish got a little more love
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals from the beginning of the year
Yes, passed my Goodreads goal and random challenges.
