The Best Books of 2018!

How is it possible that this year is almost over? Did it seem to fly by for you too? This was the first year I managed to keep track of my reading (for the most part) through www.goodreads.com/challenges/7501-2018-reading-challenge --and I am glad I did, as it makes it easier to look back on my reading year.

I read some truly amazing books this year, so it was difficult to narrow down my top favorites. I decided to limit most of my reading picks to books which were published this year. I rated all of these with 4 or 5 stars (out of 5). So without further ado, here are my five favorite books of 2018!

1. Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield.  Genres: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism. Publication date: December 4, 2018. Atria Books.
This exquisite book wasn't published until December 4, 2018, but I was lucky to receive a free galley from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It may very well become one of my favorite books of all time. My review can be found here: book-review-once-upon-a-river-the-most-enchanting-exquisitely-rendered-fable.html

2. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang. Genre: Magical Realism. Publication date: November 14, 2017. St. Martin's Press.
Magical Realism is by far my favorite genre to read and write, but that being said I find it is rather hit or miss. I was pleasantly surprised by this fantastic book. The characters stayed with me long after I read the last page. My review can be found on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2480950585?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

3. The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay. Publication date: October 30, 2018. St. Martin's Press. Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction. This book was gifted to me by the publishers via NetGalley. The writing was eloquent and hauntingly beautiful. I honestly can't wait to read another book by this author. My review can be found here: the-rain-watcher.html

4. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Publication date: February 8, 2018. Raven Books. Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller.
This was a brilliant book! It was a fresh and unique mystery. It's almost like a more sinister version of the film Groundhog Day. This was another book I was grateful to receive from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. My review can be found here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2521218878?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

5. Circe by Madeline Miller. Publication date: April 10, 2018. Little, Brown and Company. Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Historical Fiction, Mythology. I know I am not alone in listing this as one of the top books of 2018. This book is phenomenal! Review here: book-review-circe-by-madeline-miller.html

Tell me, what were your top five books of the year?