This annual survey was developed by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner.
**2018 READING STATS**
Number Of Books You Read: 147
Number of Re-Reads: 8
Genre You Read The Most From: Mystery/Thriller and Romance/Contemporary
**These are the stats as of 12/26/18, it’s likely to go up by one or two before the end of the year
1. Best Book You Read In 2018?
I can’t pick one, so here are the three that I gave 4.5 Stars in 2018: Close to Home by Cara Hunter, Beartown and Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
My Plain Jane by the Lady Janies. I absolutely adored My Lady Jane and I expected to love this one just as much, but it was probably my biggest disappointment of the year.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
I mean come on, does Let’s Get Textual by Tegan Hunter look like a book I would enjoy? But I totally did enjoy it. I read it in a day and laughed all the way through it.
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
So I don’t actually feel like I pushed many books on people this year. I will say that I told my mother about Healing from Hidden Abuse by Shannon Thomas and then when I started sharing some quotes with her she said she wanted to read it so I bought it for her for Christmas.
5. Best series you started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018? Best Series Ender of 2018?
Started: Beartown by Fredrik Backman, Sequel: What You want to See (Roxane Weary #2) by Kristen Lepionka, Ender On Magnolia Lane (Blue Ridge #3) by Denise Hunter.
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?
Cara Hunter and Fredrik Backman
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. I don’t read a lot of horror and while I had my issues with this one, I mostly enjoyed it.
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I can’t really think of any books that were really action-packed, so I’m going with one of my re-reads for this year, Golden Son (Red Rising #2) by Pierce Brown.
9. Book You Read In 2018 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Beartown
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?
The Promise (DS Imogen Grey #4) by Katerina Diamond
11. Most memorable character of 2018?
Benji from Beartown
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2018?
I mean, not to sound like a broken record, but Beartown.
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2018?
There were a lot of good lessons in the The Faithful devotional.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2018 to finally read?
Without Merit by Colleen Hoover. Brandie bought me a copy for my birthday in 2017 and it was almost a year later before I read it and I really enjoyed it.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2018?
“When we decide that boundaries are needed, they can be hard to set – and maintain – if we doubt ourselves and our assessment of the situation. Survivors often wonder if they are overreacting or being too sensitive…Another reason setting boundaries is difficult to do? We internally worry that we are withholding forgiveness and staying resentful. Boundaries have nothing to do with forgiveness or resentment. They have everything to do with the quality of our interactions with the people in our lives.” – Healing from Hidden Abuse by Shannon Thomas.
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2018?
Shortest: My Sweet Friend by H.A. Leuschel
Longest: Oblivion by JLA (this was a re-read!)
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)
The subtle twist at the end of Our House by Louise Candlish is probably my favorite shock of the year.
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Bellarke forever!!! This is more about the show than the book, but I’m counting it.
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
The group of friends in My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren.
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2018 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
The Smallest Part by Amy Harmon
21. Best Book You Read In 2018 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.:
Have to go with Beartown again. I wouldn’t have ever picked it up if Brandie hadn’t lent it to me.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2018?
Chase from One Small Thing by Erin Watt.
23. Best 2018 debut you read?
Close to Home by Cara Hunter.
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Iron Gold (Red Rising #4) by Pierce Brown
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Let’s Get Textual by Tegan Hunter.
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2018?
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash.
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Beartown and Us Against You
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2018?
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) by Tahereh Mafi. I was so excited for this series to continue, but the majority of this book was just the characters taking major steps back and rehashing old drama. It seemed like really lazy writing and it made me mad because I expect more from this author.
1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2018?
I always feel too bad to answer these questions. Add to that I always forget how long I’ve been following someone, so I’m going to skip this question. I love you all, though!
2. Favorite post you wrote in 2018?
Favorite Mysteries and Thrillers
3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2018:?
This beautiful book-themed cake my former co-worker made me for my goodbye party.
4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
This year I went to events for Linda Castillo, Karin Slaughter, and Linwood Barclay and they were all fun.
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2018?
I hit over 1,000 blog posts and reached over 1,000 followers.
6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
Due to real life, I ended up taking two month-long (or almost month-long) hiatuses.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
My review of Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
I mean, honestly, all of them.
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I don’t really feel like I made a bookish discovery this year?
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I did the Good Reads reading challenge with a goal of 105 books and I surpassed that (147 at the time of writing this, but it will probably go up before the end of the year).
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?
I don’t think it will be my number one priority, but I really wanted to read Archenemies by Marissa Meyer. I got it from the library, but my hold came in at a bad time and it expired before I got to it.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2019 (non-debut)?
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.
3. 2019 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
The Winter Sister by Megan Collins
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2019?
Dark Age (Red Rising #5) by Pierce Brown
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2019?
Review more books. It feels like I only properly review ARCS and a few select other books and I want to get back into reviewing the majority of what I read again.
6. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing and I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
Stephanie's Book Reviews 
I love all the Beartown love. What I love even more is that you loved Let’s Get Textual! That was a big surprise. Congrats on such s big year.
Thank you! I got a little annoyed with myself for all the times I used Beartown, but I can’t help it. It’s so good! Let’s Get Textual which such a fun surprise for me, too. That whole series has made me laugh.
I can’t believe it’s almost a year now since iron gold came out! I am looking forward to dark age 😍 well done on your reading year – I’m struggling to hit 52 books for the year.🙂
Thank you! Good luck on reaching your reading goal, too! Though, if you don’t, it’s ok! I’m really looking forward to Dark Age, too. I’m bummed that it got pushed back to July!
I didn’t know it got pushed back! 🙁 Oh well, I’m sure it will be worth the wait. 🙂
This is a great round up of some terrific reads!! I hope 2019 is even better for you!!
Thank you! I hope 2019 treats you well, also!
I honestly love this tag, even if it takes forever to do :]
It is a monster of a post to draft, for sure! I couldn’t do it all at one time.
Oh no, deff not. I had to break mine down a bit to get it completely filled in. But I am always happy I have it once it is finally completed, you know?
Agreed!
Great post! It’s great to see Fredrik Backman, The Smallest Part and Without Merit on here; they are among my favorites as well. And I’m looking forward to read The Winter Sister too! 🙂
Thanks! I hope to read more Fredrik Backman this year. I hope we both enjoy The Winter Sister, too! I’m planning on reading it pretty soon.
There are so many things I have to say about this post. 😀
First of all, it makes me SO happy you read and loved Beartown. I love when I recommend to a friend and they end up loving it – it’s a great feeling!!! So glad you gave it a chance. Benji…just thinking about him makes me want to cry. I loved him.
I really need to pick up Close to Home. I bought a copy after you posted your review and still haven’t read it! Ugh. Bookworm fail.
You have me excited to read Our House – another book I keep putting off.
I’m going to try I Owe You One because I trust your judgement. That author is always hit or miss for me. I put My Lovely Wife on hold at the library – I hope the audio version is good.
I’m excited to read The Winter Sister. That’s one I was hoping to read asap. Sounds really good.
So glad you liked Without Merit, too. It’s so different from CoHo’s normal books – it’s probably her least popular book, too. But I loved it.
I really enjoyed My Favorite Half-Night Stand, even though it’s getting a lot of mixed reviews. That group of friends was awesome. And you know I love Amy Harmon. I have finally read all her books. She’s amazing.
You never steer me wrong – I’m going to read all these books you’ve recommended! And I’m going to get to the Pierce Brown series in 2019. I’m making it a goal!
I am so grateful that you lent me Beartown! I absolutely would never have read it otherwise and now all I want to do is read it again! I hope that you like all the books you’re trying because of me! I think you will, though 🙂 I Owe You One is more I’ve Got Your Number than Shopaholic, so hopefully you will like it. And the first book in the Red Rising series took me awhile to get into, but then it’s SO worth it. I can’t wait to hear what you think of My Lovely Wife and Close to Home. I’m down to two books left by Amy Harmon (the purgatory duet), but it’s my goal to get to them before my Kindle Unlimited deal expires. Happy 2019 🙂
If you don’t get to them, I have the paperbacks! We’ll meet up again. 🙂
147 books is amazing. Great job, Stephanie! I’ve been eyeing Into the Drowning Deep. I’ve heard lots of good things and have enjoyed her novella series Wayward Children. Glad to see it was still a good read for you even though it was out of your comfort zone. Yes to Bellarke! That hug was not platonic. Whoa, I’m super intrigued by My sister, the Serial Killer. Congrats on 1000 followers! I need that second Erin Morgenstern book now. I hope your 2019 is filled with lots of amazing books!
Thank you! If you read Into the Drowning Deep prepare yourself for LOTS of science-y stuff. If you can be ok with that, I think you’ll enjoy it. I haven’t read anything else by that author yet. I’m so happy you’re a Bellarke shipper, too. Hopefully 2019 will be out year! I definitely recommend My Sister, The Serial Killer. It was different and fun (and the chapters are so short!). I have no chill about Morgenstern’s next book. It seems so far away! I hope you have a wonderful 2019, as well!
I’d probably skim the sciency stuff, haha. Yes, please, my shipper heart can’t take it much longer. I don’t even know what Morgenstern’s book is about, but I’m pretty excited. Thank you!
Wow, I’m going to have to read Beartown. I’ve read 2 Backman books, but not that one! What a great survey. I enjoyed going through your year of books with you. I’m pretty sure I read Baby Teeth based on your review (thanks!). Happy New Year, Stephanie!
Thanks! I can’t wait for you to read the Beartown books! Baby Teeth seemed to be everywhere this year. I’m glad you got to read it, too!
You make me sad that I gave away (gasp!) my copy of Beartown to a fan. Maybe I can ask for it back?
I thought Paris Wedding was quite lovely, too.
Here’s to a wonderful 2019!
You should definitely ask to borrow Beartown – or get it from the library! And I’m glad to see someone else enjoy The Paris Wedding! More people need to read it.
Great post! I also love the cover for Katerina DIamond’s 😀 2019 will be the year when I read Beartown, I can feel it lol
Thanks! I can’t wait for you to read Beartown!
Oh, shame about My Plain Jane – I loved the first one too but haven’t got round to this yet. And yay for Archenemies – I’m currently waiting on a library hold 🙂
Yeah, I was super disappointed in My Plain Jane. I thought the humor was really forced and I just didn’t like the characters or the story. Hopefully their next one is better!
Love this fun post Stephanie! You need to try some historical fiction! (I didn’t see one). I’m going to read Beartown in 2019 (I know I know). Also I want to read Cara Hunter. You are the only one I’ve seen suggest the new Kinsella which I don’t have. I just started listening to My Sister is a Serial Killer on Audible. I saw an intriguing review for it and the narrator has a beautiful accent.
Thanks! I do need to get back into historical fiction. I think I only read one and it wasn’t my favorite (From Sand and ash by Amy Harmon – also my least favorite Harmon novel). I can’t wait for you to read Beartown and Cara Hunter! I know the Kinsella book doesn’t have a bunch of great reviews yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think My Sister the Serial Killer would be fun to listen to in audio. The accent is probably awesome.
Yes, I’m def reading those two! Some historical fiction is so good that it reads just as fast as a suspense novel. Hope you read some in 2019. I like to be the outlier sometimes for a book that no one else loves….and it has happened!! ❤
Love this post! I’m planning to do this post at the end of this month! I’m also hoping to read Arch-Enemies in 2019.. I haven’t read Restore me but I will soon.
Thanks! I can’t wait to read yours, too! I hope you enjoy Arch-Enemies. I was thinking of maybe waiting a little longer to read it until the third book comes out and then binge them, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait that long. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about Restore Me.
Healing from Hidden Abuse sounds intriguing! I’m going to check it out soon.
I thought it was definitely helpful. I hope you find it so, as well.
I just picked up a copy of Archenemies for Christmas and I can’t wait to jump in!
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haha I feel like I really need to read Beartown! I’m also SUPER excited about Erin Morgenstern’s new book – and kind of nervous, too!
You should absolutely read Beartown!! I’m nervous about Morgenstern’s book. There is a lot of hype to live up to, but I think she can do it!
It’s the second novel that’s so scary, because it isn’t just whether or not the author is a “good” writer, but more like is she still going to be “my kind” of writer. Like when I super loved Uprooted, but then didn’t really love Spinning Silver. It wasn’t because SS was a bad book, but it just wasn’t for me. So we’ll see what happens with Morgenstern’s. I’m still cautiously excited!!!
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