Oh, 2018, where did you go? This year I felt like I didn't do very much but at the same time I also did a lot. I had a gap year! I went through the worst reading slump I've ever gone through in my life (started in October 2017 and didn't properly leave until September 2018...). Survived said awful reading slump and still managed to read over 100 books. Restarted and renamed this blog. Got my restricted license. And I FINISHED my first novel!!! I'm still shocked that I actually did it but also SO PROUD. I did it!!
It's the end of the year so here's my 2018 bookish/blogging wrap up! I'm joining in Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner's End of Year Survey so make sure you go check out her original post! I'm only using some of the questions though because a) I'm lazy and b) I know I'd answer so many questions with just the same book lmao.
R E A D I N G S T A T S :
Number Of Books You Read: 108!!! Considering I started 2018 in a horrific reading slump which lifted for a week in April before dragging me back into its depths until July and then only properly left in September, I was convinced there was no way I'd read 100 books this year BUT I DID. And I'm so happy. But I'm also just so relieved I can enjoy reading again and want to read again, y'know?
Number of Re-Reads: I think only 3?? And considering I am the REREADING QUEEN, I am so surprised by this!
My reading average: Goodreads tells me its 3.6 which I really want to try and get higher in 2019!
B E S T I N B O O K S :
Best Book You Read In 2018?
I've lain awake at night thinking about this and it is so so so hard. I feel like the older I get the harder it is as well?? I have to say on differing days, my fav book that I read in 2018 is WINTERSONG or THE MIME ORDER. Some days I can choose between them, some days I can't. They both mean so much to me on different levels but also the same levels which makes it confusing. They both also tore out my heart and wrecked me completely so there's that as well.
Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
It physically hurts me to say this but A TREACHEROUS CURSE. It just...wasn't good. Hopefully the next book is better.
Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I could not stop reading IN THE WOODS which didn't let me breathe for pretty much the entire time I was reading it but then the end did a complete 180 on me and ruined everything (I'm bitter) but before all that, it was GRIPPING.
Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2018/crushed my soul?
THE SERPENT KINGwrecked me. I sobbed for so long after finishing it you have no idea.
Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2018?
“Words are everything. Words give wings even to those who have been stamped upon, broken beyond all hope of repair.”
----THE MIME ORDER, aka the book that murdered my soul and laughed while doing it.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?
WINTERSONG is probably my favourite cover but I also adore the cover (and insides!) of THE TEA DRAGON SOCIETY. So pretty!! Definitely pick it up if you're looking for a satisfying, sweet and wholesome read with the most gorgeous illustrations!
OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2018?
I REALLY neglected reading blogs this year and found it hard enough to read my usual favs, let alone get my lazy arse to find new ones. But The Quiet Pond has quickly become an absolute FAV as has The Quiet People (I am spotting a theme...)! On Youtube, I'm really enjoying xreadingsolacex, WhittyNovels, chami, and A Frolic Through Fiction. I also discovered readwithcindy last week and she is hands down the funniest bookish person I've discovered this year.Check her out!
Also shout out to my baes Lara and Shanti and Shar! I still can't believe I met you all IRL, it's crazy!
Favorite post you wrote in 2018?
Probably my interview with Lucy Parker! I was SO nervous about approaching her and was absolutely over the moon when she not only kindly agreed but so sweetly answered every one of my questions with such in depth and thoughtful answers...I WAS SHOOK. I've realized from that that I really love interviewing so one of my blogging goals for 2019 is to interview some more authors and some bloggers as well!
L O O K I N G A H E A D :
One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?
I missed out on reading so many new and old releases this year due to my awful reading slump, so I am DESPERATE to get to as many of them as I can in 2019! Really excited to get into CIRCE which I've heard nothing but good things about it and features Greek mythology, WITCHES and also matches my pillowcase below so perfectly I think it's some sort of sorcery.
Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2019 (non-debut)?
Look I'm not being dramatic but if COURTING DARKNESS doesn't live up to DARK TRIUMPH -- the book that broke my 15-year-old brain and is still one of my fondest favourite books ever -- I will not be okay. I'm not expecting CD to beat DT but if its not GOOD I am going to be so, so, so bitterly disappointed. I'm also pathetically counting down the actual days to A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION...my...heart...is...not..ready. I'm also unholy excited for THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE, THE AUSTEN PLAYBOOK (*screams*) and IN AN ABSENT DREAM.
One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2019?
Read 100 books hopefully but as I'm starting uni next year I'm not sure how possible that will be! I'm also keen to interview some more authors and start some new blog features!
A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
Hmmm, I think the only 2019 release I've read already is 99 PERCENT MINE by Sally Thorne1 Think I enjoyed Sally's first book, THE HATING GAME a tiny bit more but 99 PERCENT MINE was great. It's got a Marshmallow Man + Sharp and Snarky Woman romance which is always a mix I WILL DIE FOR.
aaaaand, that's a wrap! thanks for reading and happy new year, everyone! i'd love to hear what your best read of 2018 was and WHY and any reading/blogging goals you have for 2019!!
