5 star Reads / Books That Changed My Life
Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies and Alison Leslie Gold was a story that I was not expecting to emotionally impact me the way it did. This novel was beautiful and Miep Gies' personal story is inspiring and thought-provoking. Check out my review here.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys was a novel that I knew I would love because I loved Between Shades of Gray, but this novel blew me away. It tore at my heart and made me hate and love humanity all at the same time. The characters in this story are so profound and I have a feeling their journeys will stick with me for a very long time.
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman is an absolute 5 star read for me.
It is a wonderful journey that focuses on Tess accepting her past,
healing, and finding herself. I thought it was heart-wrenching and
beautiful. I love this novel so much and I can't recommend it enough to
fans of novels that focus on character journeys with intense themes.
Check out my review here.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas made me think. It stopped me in my tracks and broke my heart. This novel is so important and it tells an important story about speaking up or keeping quiet and how sometimes you are the only voice that can be heard.
Reign the Earth by A.C. Gaughen shook me to my core. This is my new favorite fantasy series. It blew ACOTAR out of its place for me. I loved the characters so much and the story emotionally impacted and following Shalia along on her journey was inspiring and empowering. Check out my review here.
The Long Walk by Stephen King is one of my favorite King novels and it has such a thought-provoking and horrifying plot. My feet were hurting while reading this novel and this is something that I feel will stick with me forever. I don't know if it changed my life, but it did get me thinking about humanity. Although if I'm being honest, I think that is is my favorite novel of 2018 of the books that I read in the first quarter.
Almost 5 star Books/ Still a New Favorite
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (4.5 stars) is an audiobook that I think everyone needs to listen to. The book is wonderful and the story is strong, heartbreaking, and gives important social commentary. This story follows Ray, Celestial, and Andre three close friends at some point in their lives. Ray and Celestial get married and are in Louisiana visiting Roy's family. They decide to stay at a hotel instead of his house and it becomes one of the worst decisions of his life. One day Roy is a free man with the world at his taking and the next he is being charged with a rape he didn't commit. As Celestial and Roy are separated the loneliness of being a convict's wife becomes too much and she turns to her oldest friend, Andre, for comfort.
A Devil in Scotland by Suzanne Enoch (4.5 stars) is one my favorite historical romances that I've read in a long time. I was so invested in this plot for revenge and with the tension between this couple. Check out my review here.
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (4.25 stars) was almost a series I gave up on. I decided to checkout the audiobook from the library to see if it was worth finishing the series and I was greatly surprised. I know this series has its problems, especially this book, but I enjoyed this immensely. It was fast-paced and the stakes were higher. A lot happens in 300 pages. Is it as good as The 5th Wave? No, but it holds its own ground.
The Last Star by Rick Yancey (4.5 stars) is an epic ender to a trilogy. It is a slow start though, but that ending was a bang. I really loved and respected how Yancey ended the series. Highly recommend it, but don't go in with super high expectations if you loved The 5th Wave, otherwise you will be disappointed.
The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton (4.25 stars) was a wonderful novel that focuses on a generation of witches on a secluded island and the curse that plagues them. I wish that it had more generational background on each of the women in the family and their power because it would have made Nor's abilities. Check out my review here.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (4.25 stars) was an emotional thing to experience in audio form. It really cements Anne's reality and it makes her a real person instead of a historical figure. However, Anne is not the kindest person and some of her entries were petty and cruel. Check out my review here.
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey (4.25 stars) was almost a series I gave up on. I decided to checkout the audiobook from the library to see if it was worth finishing the series and I was greatly surprised. I know this series has its problems, especially this book, but I enjoyed this immensely. It was fast-paced and the stakes were higher. A lot happens in 300 pages. Is it as good as The 5th Wave? No, but it holds its own ground.
The Last Star by Rick Yancey (4.5 stars) is an epic ender to a trilogy. It is a slow start though, but that ending was a bang. I really loved and respected how Yancey ended the series. Highly recommend it, but don't go in with super high expectations if you loved The 5th Wave, otherwise you will be disappointed.
The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton (4.25 stars) was a wonderful novel that focuses on a generation of witches on a secluded island and the curse that plagues them. I wish that it had more generational background on each of the women in the family and their power because it would have made Nor's abilities. Check out my review here.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (4.25 stars) was an emotional thing to experience in audio form. It really cements Anne's reality and it makes her a real person instead of a historical figure. However, Anne is not the kindest person and some of her entries were petty and cruel. Check out my review here.
Not A New Favorite But A Great Read
Manga Classics: The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe (4 stars) is a great visualization to some of the most famous of Poe's work. I love Poe, but not all of his work translates beautifully off of the page. Check out my review here.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (4 stars) I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator wasn't the best, but the world was atmospheric and I loved the incorporation of Greek mythology into the world that Nyx lives in.
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Dr. Robert E. Coleman (4 stars) looks at discipleship through many lenses and is a great motivator and guide to anyone who wants to become a leader to others in Christ.
The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg (3.75 stars) is a fantastic horror retelling short story collection that focuses on beloved tales in a grim light. Check out my review here.
The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran (3.75 stars) was a surprising treat and I really enjoyed the fact that Duran wasn't afraid to focus on darker topics. Check out my review here.
What are some of your favorite books that you read in the first quarter of 2018? Have you read any of these novels? What is a novel that I need to get to before the end of the year? Let me know down below in the comments!
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