Books I've Read in 2018 + GIVEAWAY*

So I typically create a post at the beginning of each year listing the books I read the previous year. Since I started doing this, I’ve realized this is probably one of the most boring posts I write so I’ve added a few things to ‘spice up’ this year’s list. I won’t stop writing out the list though, I enjoy that part too much.

Looking back on last year’s list, I kept my expectations quite low because I assumed I wouldn’t have much time to read, giving birth to my second child and all. But I was pleasantly surprised when he finally did arrive and he was a wonderful sleeper, so I took advantage of that and dug my nose into a book whenever I had the chance. I’ve started waking up at 6am to get in some reading before the rest of my typically family awaken for the day AND
I’ve significantly reduced the amount of time I watch Netflix, sometimes I’ll go weeks without watching a single thing. These factors allowed me to read a total of 77 books in 2018, not including the short story advent calendar, parenting books, and picture books I read with my kids. That’s 3 more books than I read in 2017-not bad.

Despite some health challenges for the first few months after my son’s birth (I’m totally fine now!), I was also able to conduct some memorable author interviews, and even made my first television appearance to discuss books, so all in all it was a pretty fabulous year. Not including the loss of our beloved Pearl, that still smarts a bit, although Smokey seems pretty over it (the monster). I’m looking forward to what 2019 has in store for my bookshelves.

I didn’t get around to writing a review of every single book I read, but that’s just because I had a few busy weeks where I couldn’t get to them. As a rule, if more than a few weeks pass since I read a book I give up on writing the review because I’m worried it won’t be fresh in my mind.

I wanted to celebrate this new year with a special giveaway too! Comment below with the name of the best book you read in 2018 to enter. This is open to everyone, regardless of location, I will mail this sucker anywhere. The prize is my copy of the 2018 Short Story Advent Calendar-a $70 value, and if you followed along on my youtube channel, you will know this was a great year to be a part of #SSAC2018.

My Favourite Book of the Year: Calypso by David Sedaris (stories)

My Least Favourite Book of the Year (it wasn’t terrible, just ok) : The Only Cafe by Linden MacIntyre

The Book I Recommended Most: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

*Giveaway is now closed, thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations Dustin!!!