I miss you, Mom!
In 2018, I read 97 books. That’s pretty good for me in a year of change and loss. My reading has been a real solace after losing my Mom in July. Dedicating some time each afternoon for some quiet reading was magical and helped to fill the silence of those times when I used to talk with her on the phone each day.
There were some terrific books among those 97 that I read. So I’ve picked out my Best Nine to put together in a collage…And then a photo of the cover of my Number One favorite of the year. Each of those “best of the best” books was a wonderful experience for me. The stories captured me, the writing deeply impressed me, or they were just plain fun to read. Or all of the above!
2018 was also a year I returned to reading challenges. I used to join so many different ones, and loved the variety of reading they introduced into my life. I haven’t participated in as many in recent years, but I enjoyed getting back to some very nice ones this year. I am loving being part of The Classics Club! My 50-books-in-five-years goal is a lot of fun for me. I’m happy to say that since I started the challenge in March 2017, I have read 21 books from my list, although I haven’t finished posting reviews for some of them yet.
I also participated in The Official 2018 TBR Pile Challenge hosted for the eighth year by Adam (@roofbeamreader). Out of my list of 12 books that have been sitting on my shelves for years and years, I managed to read four of them. I’m happy about that even though it may look like another challenge fail for me. It IS four books that would probably still be sitting there, unread, so I consider it a success! I’ve signed up to continue on with this challenge in 2019!
In 2018, I returned to the Readers Imbibing Peril Challenge which I hadn’t participated in for a number of years. It was so much fun this time! I do love reading mysteries, so this turned out to be a terrific way to spend the Fall months. For that challenge I read ten books and completely enjoyed every one of them! I’m looking forward to doing that challenge again in 2019.
The Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thons in April and October were highlights of this reading year for me, and I look forward to repeating those experiences in 2019 along with my other challenges!
My Best Nine of 2018:
And my NUMBER ONE favorite book read in 2018:
…was Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming! I listened to her narrate it on audiobook and loved it. It was a book of hope and dignity, the story of her life so far. For me it was a breath of fresh air, and it renewed my spirit and gave me hope that we can become better individuals, better people, and a better nation. She didn’t preach, she just very honestly shared with us how she became the person she is today. And I admire that person more than ever because of her honesty and integrity.
A Fondness For Reading 
Great year! Becoming made my tops list – I loved the audio. Bravo for your classics book commitment. I do want to read at least 4 in 2019. Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Diane! Happy reading in the New Year!
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I don’t think reading 4 of your TBR 12 is a fail at all – it’s 4 that won’t be making it on to next years list!
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Thanks, Jane! I feel that way, too.
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Tom is reading M’s book right now. Margaret gave it to him for Christmas. I’m with you on Quiet Girl. It is my favorite nonfiction I read this year. I have her Book Girl on order. Should come on the 2nd.
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Nan, I’ll be interested in what Tom thinks of it. I preordered Book Love, too! Did you know that she just had a baby? I follow her on Instagram.
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Becoming was so good! I was very glad Michelle Obama didn’t disappoint. Kindred is also a great book, I’m enjoying working my way through Butler’s works (slowly). Happy reading in 2019!
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Thanks, curlygeek! Happy reading to you in this new year, too! I read Kindred this last year but haven’t written my review on it yet. It was so good, and so powerful!
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I’m so glad you are filling the time that you spent speaking with your Mom each afternoon with joyful reading. Bet she’d be right there with you. I’m planning (except I’m not planning for 2019) on reading Becoming or probably listening to it in upcoming months. So many are impressed. Take care, Robin!
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Thanks, Kay, that special reading time is a wonderful comfort to me. She would have loved it, I know. I hope you enjoy Michelle’s book. I loved hearing her read it so I definitely recommend the audiobook.
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So glad you were able to find comfort in your reading. You were able to read so many – yay!
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Thanks, Iliana.❤️
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I’m currently listening to Becoming and while the first couple of chapters didn’t pull me in, I’m now far enough along that I can’t stop listening! I’m so glad you enjoyed Ready Player One. It’s one of my all-time favorite audio books. I’ve had Kindred on my TBR list forever! I think it was Andi who first mentioned it. Must get to it this year!
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Les, I’m glad you are enjoying Becoming. And yes, I loved Ready Player One. I haven’t seen the movie yet, though. As for Kindred, I read it last year and still have to review it. It was really powerful. I’ll be interested in what you think of it. She was an amazing author, I think.
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Good that you included Simone de Beauvoir on your list.
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