Top Reads of 2018!

You all have no idea how excited I am to write this post! I loooove reading almost as much as I love writing and now I get to share my ten (edit: thirteen) most favorite reads from 2018!

The books will be categorized either by genre or (in one case, author status). Almost every single one of these books is rated 5 stars by me on Goodreads, so I have to sort it out for you guys. XD

Without further ado here is the top ten thirteen!

Dystopias

I really do enjoy dystopias. I try to mostly stick to Christian dystopias just because of the need for hope in these sort of stories. They are so powerful and so beautiful and the world building is some of the best things ever.

The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

Ok so I’m only gonna count this as one book, even though technically it’s three bound in one. I got it for my birthday in January and guys I can’t even explain how amazing it is. The plot is so deep and so entwined and so perfect. If you know me you know I don’t tend to read spiritual fiction. But this is one book that I was in awe of. The way good and evil are portrayed, the way The Fall is told and the love and redemption of Elyon and- I can go on and on. To summarize it I’m going to say this. As soon as you turn 17 get yourself a copy. It does get super intense and graphic in some parts, so reader digression is advised, but y’all, this is definitely a reread for 2019. Go here for the Goodreads description and here for my veeerryyy long fangirl review. XD

Note: there is a fourth book that was added on later. It wasn’t originally included in the trilogy and honestly I like it better this way. I haven’t read Green and don’t plan to, the story is well completed with just these three. Just thought I’d mention it.

Dronefall by A. L. Buehrer

So this wasn’t five stars on Goodreads, but I keep coming back to it, wondering when the sequel will be coming out. It’s soooo just dusty and wet and gloomy and tense and beautiful. I loved the world building, the plot line and some of the characters. Even though over all it wasn’t the most stunning book ever it left an impression on me and, unlike even some 5 stars I’ve read, the story and characters are often on my mind. That’s a good thing for a book. 😀 The story is about a girl named Halcyon and her friends. Living in a future Budapest as an undercover Christian AND a drone snipper is enough to keep the government on her tail, not to mention breaking into a top secret facility. No cliche here guys. It’s all original nail biting suspence. Go here for the Goodreads description and here for my review. I got a free ecopy in exchange for a review and wasn’t obligated to write a good one, but I really did enjoy it.

Out of Time Trilogy by Nadine Brandes

This is just the cover of the first book, but there are three. I wasn’t stunned with the first book, slightly disturbed actually, but the memories I have after reading it are so fond. I loved the characters soo much. The character development and actions and personality was so amazing. The plot itself was fast paced and never lagging, and very intricate. And by the end of the third book I loved it. I want this series on my series on my shelf some day.
I do recommend age 16 and up for it as there are multiple slightly graphic scenes and I warn you that Parvin (MC) loses her hand. Which really disturbed me because I wasn’t aware of the fact before time. Suuuuch an interesting trilogy and definitely recommend it for your 2019 TBR! Go here to add them all.

Romances

I usually try to stay away from romance books in general, but it’s hard with the YA genre. Mostly, I’ve found clean, sweet, well diluted romances that carry a plot that balances the romance. Here are a couple of my favorites.

To Get To You by Joanne Bischof

This was suuuch a sweet little thing! I really enjoyed the plot and the MC’s point of view. I’m not used to reading romances of any sort from boy’s point of view, but this one was so fresh and loving and beautiful. I recommend it for girls 16 and up. Click here to check it out and here to read my content review.

This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

Joanne Bischof has really been a good author this year. I’ve loved her work so much and can’t wait to read more! This book, This Quiet Sky is a tear jerker if I ever met one. But I read it knowing that fact, and I adored it so much. The plot was beautiful and painful, the characters soo precious and I just loved it. So much. So. Much. If you’re 16 years or older and don’t mind crying a bit, get this one now! Add it to your TBR here and read my review here.

I Don’t Dance by Jesseca Wheaton

Ok soooo. This book? You can read my help with the blog tour here. But basically it was so good I bought it the day it came out. As part of the beta team (because I know Jesseca Wheaton’s work is NOT TO BE MISSED) I got to read it in its slightly earlier stages but Oh. My. Goodness was it good. The romance was soo cleaan and sweet and I’m out of words to describe it! Basically, if you don’t have it on your shelf you are so. missing. out. Add it here and read my review here!

Indie Published

I’m a hardcore Indie publishing fan. I plan to independently publish my own books and the indie book’s I’ve read so far are amazing. I’ve chosen out a couple of the bestest ones I read last year. I hope you get them into your local library and help out a fellow author. Maybe even get a copy for yourself!

Kiera by Kate Willis

I know a lot of my followers know the Willis clan and have probably already read and bought a copy of this gem but I’m writing this here for anyone who hasn’t. It’s a tiny tiny tad of romance, a bit emphasis on family, love, trusting God. Set in a low key dystopian world with a plot that keeps you flipping pages, I couldn’t help getting a (signed!!!) copy for myself. If you haven’t read it yet DO IT and also read my incoherent review here.

Tales of Tarsurella by Livy Jarmusch

There are currently two books in this series, The Coronation and The Rebellion. The Wedding is coming out soon *crosses fingers*. It’s a mix between something like Princess Diaries and the sweetest family relationship focused on God and oh my heart I can’t even express how much I enjoyed it.
So The Coronation is HIIIIGH INTENSITY and I was literally gasping for breath until the last page. I was exhausted and not sure if my nerves could handle the second book, but I couldn’t turn it down when it came out and I got a copy from my library as soon as possible. The Rebellion is not as suspenseful but just as entertaining and admirable. Both infused with a sweet taste of romance and a large serving of role model princesses (I wish I could be friends with that amazing family) the values that Livy instills is just *happy sigh*.
Another thing I have to say is that Livy, the author, is one of the most interactive fun indie authors I’ve come across. She’s so appreciative of each of her readers and she’s so much fun as a person. Check out the books here and my review here.

Crossroads by Paul Willis

The Willis clan has got themselves a handful of amazing writers and I could never leave out Crossroads. It’s a high intensity dystopia with crazy characters, fast paced plot, and it will challenge your convictions. I love the way that it was so balanced and so clearly explained, but so entertaining and gripping. Recommended for girls 16 and up because of graphic scenes and highly recommended for boys (brothers, friends, etc.) especially. Paul addressed a topic I’d been very indecisive about myself, and I can’t help admiring the stand that he took. Give it a try and read my short review here.

Jesseca Wheaton from the above mentioned book is also an Independently publishing author.

Christian Focused

The next couple books are very very Bible based, very christian concepts, and left an impression on me. I hope you’ll give them a try!

Kristian’s War by Peter Wisan

This book is a Pilgrims Progress retelling and one of the highest books on my to-buy list. You can read my help with the blog tour and author interview here. We talked about the plot, the details and the reasoning behind the book itself. Check it out. I really did enjoy the retelling and appreciate the parts that came through loud and clear, and hidden and searched for. Add it to your TBR here.

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

I haven’t read any other work by Tessa Afshar but I did read this one and I liked the story a lot. Was it morally uplifting and convicting and amazing? Maybe not as much as other christian books I’ve read, but I enjoyed reading about the fiction life of the woman Jesus healed. The author’s note at the end gave a personal touch and I’m really glad I got myself to read this one. I might be exploring more of this series later. You can read more about it here and see my review here.

Contemporaries

We all have to give a nod to those many many many many books out there under one category, contemporary. There is always those one or two that left us scarred and in love, and simply didn’t fall under another label. So here is the place for those.

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

This one was so sweet. And Irishman and a Vineyard, a grandmother with Alzheimer’s. Then a British spy, and a french guard (y’all the conversations between these two? *swoons* the end though *weeps*). And we cannot forget the fair lady, the Prince, and the castle. It’s a classical (can I used that word without knowing what it means? XD) combination resulting in a wonderful wonderful tale. It’s got a bit of romance in it, but it’s clean, lovely, and not distracting from the very very interesting plot and quest. Highly recommended for girls 16 and up. Add it to your TBR here and read my long review here.

Starring Me by Krista McGee

I’ve mentioned this book a couple times before, and this year it was a re-read. I also tried out its two companions and although this one was my favorite, I also enjoyed the other two. Kara’s journey and love for family and eventual love for Christ and Abby’s consistent friendship is just all so sweet. It’s also got a tad of romance (will we ever get away from it?) but nothing cringy (ok there are some cringy parts, but the MC definitely didn’t pretend not to cringe XD) I recommend this to Christian girls 16 and up. 😀 Add it to TBR here and read my tiny review here!

Soooo that’s that. My favorite books from 2018. If you’re interested in seeing what else I read in 2018 you can go here and see everything I read! And if you made it this far in the post comment down below and let me know so I can thank you! X”D

Have you read any of these books? Did you add any of them to your TBR? (If you didn’t WHY NOT?!)
See you next week!
~Libby