My Top Ten Favorite Books of 2018!

2018 was such a good year for books! I was able to read some of my anticipated books and actually get caught up with some of my 2017 TBR reads. Even though I read a ton of YA last year none made it to my top ten. It’s always so difficult to create this list and figure out what books stood out me. It’s a stressful process…

But somehow I managed to narrow it down to ten books. Here are some notable reads of books I read in 2018 that I enjoyed and/or left a lasting impression on me.

Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim –  This book is a wonderful collection of essays by black women (actresses, authors, poets) expressing their love for literature and reading. I loved how personal each essay was and how the collection focuses on recognizing yourself in literature.

Pas De Deux: A Dance For Two by Lynn Turner –  Pas De Deux is a romance novel set in the world of dance! I loved the dance/theater aspect of this story. You get to experience all of the work that goes into creating a show, see how hard the dancers train. and the entire creation process.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes – Though this book is little, its message is very powerful. By saying “yes” to more things in life, we can grow and have more experiences. It’s not always easy to do, but the sometimes the outcome is worth it.

The Diviners by Libba Bray – I will share my full thoughts in a review soon, but this book made it to the top favorites. This book was a buddy read with Zezee With Books and we enjoyed this paranormal mystery set among the backdrop of the roarin’ 20s. The story was entertaining and I enjoyed the cast of characters.

A River of Stars by Vanessa Hua – This books delves into many themes such as the “American dream”, culture shock, motherhood, immigration, and family. Its complex narrative will enthrall readers and I appreciated how rich in culture the narrative is.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory – This was such a good contemporary romance novel! From the cast of characters to the romance, humor, and sweet tender moments. I adored it all! The plot sounds like something straight out of a Rom-Com, but that’s what makes it so entertaining.

The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike – This spine tingling tale sent shivers down my spine with the constant darting shadows, gusts of chilly wind, and whispering voices which put me on edge. It’s slow-paced horror story and Koike’s writing tactics added to the heightened suspense of the story.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston – What’s fun about this book is that the story is a mashup of if Cinderella went to a comic con.  As a fan girl myself I could really appreciate this book and relate to Elle’s character. Despite some of the crummy stuff that happens in a fandom community it still brings people together at the end of the day.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang – I thought this was a very beautiful story! Not only were the illustration, color, and character/outfit designs eye-catching. but the message of the story is too. It spreads a message of self-acceptance to the audience and tells readers to never be afraid to show the real you.

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to not Dating by Christina Lauren – It’s a cute friends to lovers story as Josh and HazeI start out as tight-knit friends and their relationship develops into something deeper. I loved the relationship dynamic in this book and that’s why it stood out me among other romance reads in 2018.

That concludes my list Top Ten Favorite Books of 2018! I can’t wait for the books 2019 will bring! What books do you have on your own list? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.