Thursday, January 10, 2019

Books I Read in 2018

The Goal


Last year my main reading goal wasn't for types or numbers, but simply to track what I read. I bought a cute reading tracker (on Etsy) I printed out. I ended up doing two sheets, one for shorter works and one for more standard books. My main sheet didn't fill out, but I had to print off a second one for shorter works. Read a lot more graphic novels than I expected.

Books Read 2018

Here was my breakdown


  • Graphic Novels: 38
  • Picture Books: 25
  • JE (early readers): 8 (all Owl Diaries, super cute series)
  • JF (Junior Fiction): 2
  • Nonfiction: 5 adult, 4 junior
  • Adult and YF novels (didn't designate between them): 26
  • Story Collection: 1
  • Poetry books (from children, to chapbook, to full collection): 17

A total of 126 books!

I read 20 books for work.
10 books with husband or son.
1 audio book.

I also did a summer reading bingo with my son.

New and Unexpected


The book that I was most surprised to enjoy was "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amore Towles. The description had me thinking it would be a long slow read. Never would have even picked it up if not for my book club. Ended up quickly being immersed into the book and its characters, its philosophy.

A new favorite poet is Atticus. I quickly devoured both his books: "The Dark Between Stars" and "Love Her Wild." Resonating poetry, and gorgeous accompanying black and white photography.

Some other standout books:

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (horror)
Come Sundown by Nora Roberts (romantic suspense)
A Song for Quiet by Cassandra Khaw (horror, Lovecraftian)
Level Up Your Life by Steve Kamb (self-help)
The Beauty (graphic novel series)
Explorer (graphic novel series, anthologies)
Hidden City: Poems of Urban Wildlife (children's poetry)
Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx (picture book)

What did you read last year?