Favorite books of 2018

I REALLY missed reading this year. I LOVVVVVE to read, and just didn’t put forth much time to add it into my busy schedule in 2018. Then late this Fall, I took a break from social media and realized how much time I was spending NOT reading books. I have set a new goal for 2019 of finishing 26 books…aka 1 every 2 weeks. I truly wish I could aim higher, but…life…you know?!?

Even though the QUANTITY of books I read this past year wasn’t great…the quality was AMAZING!!! I thought I would share with you 3 of my FAVORITE finishes of 2018; Marilla of Green Gables, The Lost Queen, and The Cruel Prince.

First off, Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah Mccoy. The moment that I saw there was a new Green Gables book out, I HAD TO READ IT ASAP!! But then after the initial excitement wore off, I was honestly a bit nervous to jump into that first chapter for a couple of reasons…

1. Because I already knew how the story ended for Matthew and Marilla (single and living together at Green Gables).

AND

2. It is flippin Anne of Green Gables…how do you add to the perfect story??

But then my 9 year old self knocked some sense into my almost 40 year old self and made me realize a VERY important point…IT IS ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!!! I would read a book about Anne and Gilbert fighting Zombies…on horseback…IN SPACE…as long as they all ended up happy and living in Avonlea. So I dove in and didn’t look back. Spoiler alert…there are no zombies…sorry. But there WAS a lot to like about the book. The writing was lovely, good and decriptive just like any ANNE book should be. Plus, I LOVED getting reacquainted with Matthew and Marilla, but in their youth, along with Rachel Lynde, Mrs. Barry, and of course John Blythe (yep Gilbert’s dad and Marilla’s former beau). It was ALMOST painful to read John and Marilla’s young love story, knowing that it doesn’t have a happy ending. But I just had to keep cheering for them…and hope that SOMEHOW this time they would end up together.

The only real plot fail for me was a small blip in the storyline when Marilla becomes involved with the Underground Railroad. It just seemed very UN-Avonlea-ish and as much as I love to think of Marilla fighting against social injustices, this part of the book just didn’t seem to fit. I mean it was better than fighting zombies I suppose…

All in all, for any ANNE fan, Marilla of Green Gables is a must read. Just do not go in to it expecting it to be THE SAME as the originals and you should come out just fine.

Another of my favorites for last year was THE LOST QUEEN by Signe Pike. The cover describes this one as Outlander meets Camelot…and I would agree that is pretty accurate. It has an epic love story, great historical turmoil, and a bit of magic thrown in for funzies too. It took me a little bit to get into this one and to start a relationship with the characters, but once I did, I flew through in one sitting (technically LAYING in bed with a cold). Two fun facts about the book…1. The main character Languoreth is a long forgotten 6th century Queen of Scotland…who doesn’t love a good Scottish tale?? 2. Languoreth’s twin brother Lailoken inspired the legend of Merlin the Magician (aka the cool guy from The Sword In The Stone). I do not want to spoil ANY of this one for readers, so I will leave it at that. I am sooooo happy that there is a second book in this series coming out…BUT SOOOOO SAD that it is not expected out until the Summer of 2020. THE LOST QUEEN ended on such a cliff hanger that I was in mourning for days when it was over and there was no book 2 to download. Ask my husband…actual moping.

And the book that drug me out of my NON reading rut and back to my roots…The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. So to be totally honest, I NEVER read fantasy or YA fiction. I am a historical fiction/historical romance junkie with the occasional chick lit thrown in for good measure. I like what I like. BUTTTT I am turning over a new leaf after reading THE CRUEL PRINCE. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It had the monarchy vs. servant appeal of a HF book, but in this case it was a Faerie prince and a kidnapped human…not to mention spies, assassination plots, masked balls, and illegitimate heirs. All the things I like…plus fairies!!!

I have never pre-ordered a book, gone to the opening day of a movie, or watched a season premier of a TV show. I just don’t usually care enough to be FIRST. BUT in this case, I have already pre-ordered my copy of THE WICKED KING and cannot wait for it to arrive next week!!!! I will be waiting at the mailbox on January 8th and lucky for me January 9th is my day off …I guarantee I will not be going to sleep until I finish this one!!!

Do you have a reading goal for 2019?? I would love to hear what books are on your TBR list. What were your favorite books of 2018…I would LOVE some suggestions. I have 26 books to read this year and I ONLY want the best!!!!