My Fave Reads of 2018

I always like seeing what my favorite authors are reading, and I figured my readers might enjoy knowing the kinds of books that stood out to me in 2018. I read pretty widely, although I’ve focused more on cozy mysteries this year, since I’m currently writing book three of a 3-book cozy series that’ll start releasing in June 2019 (the first is Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass, and you can preorder it for only $3.99/Kindle here).

If you want to see a complete listing of all the books I’ve read this year, please be sure to follow me on Goodreads here. There are SO many great books out there. I’m just going to weed it down to my very top reads in the categories I did read this year.

The number one book that stood out in my mind this year was The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. Very few books tick all the boxes of things I like to read about (roughing it in a snowy place like Alaska, strong female protagonist, family relationships), but this one surely did. *Please note, this book does have language and some graphic situations, so if you typically read primarily Christian fiction, this one isn’t for you.*

Here’s my review, but you don’t have to take my word for it, because it just won Goodreads Best Historical Novel of 2018, as well:

There are some books that just get into your system, that pull you into their worlds so completely, you’ll never forget them. This book was like that, and it just blasted its way to my top fave reads ever (as I read it nonstop for 3 days straight, unable to put it down). Yes, there were times I was frustrated with some of the characters, but it was so realistically portrayed, and characters stayed true to character, so you FELT the reality of the situations (yes, I know it’s fiction, but these things happen sometimes). Strong women will always pull me in, and this book perfectly portrays them–Large Marge is just such a fantastic character, among others. This book moved me, and precious few books do that. The mother/daughter relationship. The townspeople and their close relationships. Kudos to Kristin Hannah for writing such a gripping and unforgettable book.

MYSTERY:

Although I’m hooked on a couple of mystery series (Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache and Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden), both the books I read in those were a bit more disappointing this year and would require spoiler alerts if I explained why 😉 . Another series I enjoy is Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series, but I wasn’t able to get caught up with her latest this year. *Please note, none of the aforementioned series are clean/Christian.* I did find some new series I’m enjoying. The first two mentioned are mainstream mysteries, and the last is Christian fiction:

The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams is a first-in-series mystery that’s cute, and although somewhat predictable, I enjoyed the characters, concept, and setting. I’ll be picking up the next one. This one is mainstream fiction, but fairly clean, since it’s like a cozy mystery. This is actually the publisher my first cozy mystery will release with (Kensington Books, although mine is the Lyrical line).

Dying to Remember by Karin Kaufman is a shorter, first-in-series cozy mystery I was able to endorse this year. Karin is one of the most skilled mystery authors I know. I’m kind of picky about the paranormal books I read, and I was pleased with the way Karin portrayed the whimsical element of a fairy cohort in this one. Book two, Dead and Buried, just released.

Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens is a first-in-series #Christian suspense novel I got FREE when I signed up for her newsletter here. If you check it out today, you might be able to load it up free, too (limited time deal). I haven’t finished it yet, but it’s the kind of book I will be finishing because it sucked me right into the pages. It’s written in first-person, so if you like my mysteries, I think you’ll like this one.

YOUNG ADULT FANTASY:

If you know me, you know this isn’t my most-read category by any means. I haven’t gotten sucked into a young adult series since The Hunger Games. However! I was able to meet the sweet Morgan Busse at The Christy Award Gala this year (and her lovely mother!).

She handed me a copy of her latest novel, Mark of the Raven, and I got home and started reading it. I was swept right into the fantasy world and I liked the strong female protagonist. Also, Morgan writes such deep third person point of view, I felt like I was reading first POV (my fave), so I really felt I got to know the characters. It’s the kind of book I’ll be recommending again and again, to a wide range of ages, because it dove into moral themes without getting preachy, even though it is a Christian book.

CHRISTIAN FICTION (Romance):

I’ve read so many great books by my Christian author friends this year, I couldn’t possibly name them all! Again, please check out my Goodreads page under the 2018 reads to see which ones I’ve been reading and what I thought of them!

The Hope of Azure Springs by debut author Rachel Fordham was a really enjoyable romance that was out-of-the-box, yet still very Christian in tone. I’d gotten to know Rachel (a fellow foster parent) online, so I was thrilled when I won a softcover copy of her much-buzzed-about novel. It lived up to the hype, and I sense a talented new romance author on the scene!

If you all have hung around my blog long enough, you’ll know I’m a Joanne Bischof fan and I’m glad to be her friend, as well. Joanne has a love for many of the same things I do–namely, Appalachian things and Viking things. 😉 Joanne melded both these concepts in her Appalachian-set romance that features three Norwegian brothers. I can’t imagine how much research Joanne did to get her deaf scenes correct, not to mention the cider-making scenes, but her research lends the book an air of authenticity. Not to mention, it tackles the very real issue of alcoholism and portrays a main character struggling to overcome it. This is the first in a romance series and the next, Daughters of Northern Shores,  is up for preorder now.

CHRISTIAN FICTION (General):

If you’re looking for out-of-the box Christian fiction that feels more mainstream and more like women’s fiction, you’ll want to check out these two reads by my author friends:

Ramble and Roar by Catie Cordero is a 1920s-set novel featured the Irish mob and a prodigal story I won’t soon forget. Catie’s a talented author I was pleased to meet at the Breathe Writers conference last October.

I’d read Shadow Sister by Katherine Scott Jones years ago, and I was so glad it was finally published. This intriguing story features sisters, secrets, and a vineyard. This book is partially set internationally, as well, so it adds to the uniqueness.

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I’m still discovering books in 2018! One I’m reading now and really enjoying is If We Make it Home by Christina Suzann Nelson. I’m sure I’ll be reviewing this one, because it’s out-of-the-box Christian fiction and it’s set in the wilderness in Oregon!

***Now it’s YOUR turn! Tell me what your THREE FAVORITE BOOKS of 2018 were and why!***