Top Ten Tuesday is an original blog meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. and is currently being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is “Best Books I Read In 2018.” I read some fantastic books in 2018. There were several I added to my “Beloved Books” shelf on Goodreads, which means I didn’t just love them, I LOVED them. And for the first time ever, I had exactly ten five-star reads, which makes this list easy to put together. Covers are linked to Goodreads.
1. Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse – I’m starting this list with my last five star read. Trail of Lightning was all kinds of fun and did such a fantastic job of showing just how rich the Navajo culture is and really had me thinking how much I would love to see more fantasy novels inspired by non-white cultures. I want all of them.
2. Blanca y Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore – Because I am predictable, Anna-Marie McLemore of course makes this list with her latest novel Blanca & Roja. If I could wrap myself in her words like a warm, fuzzy blanket, I would. I do not have the words to describe just how magical her stories always are, but they are and I will continue to come back for more.
3. The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Is there anything this author can’t write? I probably wouldn’t have looked twice at this one if it wasn’t written by Moreno-Garcia, but her previous novel Certain Dark Things impressed me so much, I knew I had to read this one. I can’t decide if the love story or the understated magical elements was my favorite.
4. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon – It took me forever to read this one, but it was also kind of worth it. I think I picked it up at just the right time. When Dimple Met Rishi is one of the most delightful books I’ve ever read and solidified itself as one of my all-time favorite contemporaries.
5. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo – This is one book that I’m sure I will be rereading multiple times in the future. From Acevedo’s poetry to the lead character Xiomara’s struggles, I could not put this one down. I was complete enthralled and this book may have single-handedly changed my view on poetry and novels in verse.
6. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland – If you wanted to know what kind of books appeal to me the most, this is the one I’d probably hand to you. Ireland not only created a character with such a distinct voice, one that felt real and authentic, but she also elevated her story by created a world based on an alternate history that still felt rooted in truth.
7. Saints & Misfits by S.K. Ali – I don’t think I’ve come another character quite like Janna. I wanted to reach into the pages of this one to comfort her. She was extremely relatable and after all these months, I still get choked up when thinking about her story.
8. Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero – This is one of those novels I wish had been around when I was a teen. Have I ever come across a character with a voice quite like Gabi’s? This novel is told in journal entries, but if you told me it was written by a real person, it wouldn’t even make me pause for a moment.
9. peluda by Melissa Lozado-Oliva – Every time I hear this woman recite a poem, I get chills. There’s something incredibly powerful and unique about her delivery and words. I bought this for myself for my birthday and it has not left my bedside table since.
10. Montress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu, Illustrated by Sana Takeda – I am so glad I decided to pick up this graphic novel series. I can see myself revisiting these volumes over and over again.
Last minute addition: I finished Empire of Sand by Tashi Suri yesterday and it also ended up being a five-star read, so wanted to make sure to mention it here.
Are you a fan of any of these like I am? Which 2018 read surprised you the most (in a good way)? Let me know in the comments and be sure to leave me a link to your own TTT post, so I can visit.
I *still* haven’t read ‘Dimple.’ But oh well! When I finally do, I’ve a feeling it’ll end up on my yearly best of list. 🙂
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I think you will love it. I hope you get to it this year.
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I just got Blanca & Roja, I’m real apprehensive about it, I usually have issues with Magical Realism. Happy you liked it, I will definately give it a shot
Here is our TTT for this week:
https://tbrandbeyond.com/2019/01/01/top-ten-tuesday-8-books-i-could-re-read-forever/
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I hope you have better luck with the genre in the future. It’s one of my favorites and one I think that goes underappreciated. Happy reading!
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We read different things, but some of these look neat. Caroline: Little House, Revisited was a nice surprise for me. I hadn’t read that author before, and bringing Ma Ingalls to life is probably challenging. Sarah Miller did a fine job with it.
Hope you have a fabulous 2019 filled with blessings.
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2019/01/top-ten-tuesday-best-books-i-read-in.html
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I’m so glad you enjoyed Little House. Thank you so much. I hope your 2019 is wonderful as well.
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Some very interesting titles, I have seen the Dimple/Rishi book on quite a few lists. Happy New Year!
https://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-most-fave-best-loved-books-of-2018.html
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I have no doubt When Dimple Met Rishi gets a lot of love and it’s so well-deserved. Happy New Year to you too!
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I can’t wait to read Trail of Lightning- it looks great!!
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It is utterly fantastic. Enjoy!
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I haven’t read any of these, but Blanca y Roja seems good. I liked The Weight of Feathers.
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If you liked her first novel, I’m sure you would enjoy her other ones as well. This one and When the Moon Was Ours are my favorites from her.
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When Dimple Met Rishi was super sweet. 🙂 Looks like you’ve read some great books. Happy New Year Alicia!
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Thank you so much, Chrissi. Happy New Year to you too!
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Trail of Lightning is definitely going on my to-read list now! I hope you have a wonderful 2019 🙂
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Oh yay! I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I did. Happy 2019 to you, Jolien!
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Two of these were my faves too – Dimple and Dread Nation. I loved both of those books! Happy New Year, Alicia! 🙂
Megan @ http://www.booksbirds.com/
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Yay, I’m so glad to find another fan of both books. Happy New Year to you too!
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The Poet X was on my list as well. Such a touching story! I can`t wait to read Acevedo`s next book, it sounds so good!
Carmen`s Reading Corner
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I loved The Poet X so much and really want to check out the audio book of it. Yes, I’m so stoked for her next book as well.
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I haven’t read any of these, but I’m glad you loved them!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/01/top-ten-tuesday-192/
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Thank you so much!
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🙂
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All of these are new to me! Happy New Year!
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Glad I could introduce you. Happy New Year to you!
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I’ve heard such good things about When Dimple Met Rishi! I must get around to reading it this year.
My TTT post!
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I hope you do, it is such a delightful novel.
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You are the person who has finally managed to get me to add When Dimple Met Rishi to my scribd tbr. Yey. Looking forward to trying this one out.
All the best for 2019!
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Yes, yay! I need to celebrate by figuratively throwing up a handful of glitter *throws glitter*. I hope you end up loving it!
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Awesome list! So glad to see Monstress on here 🙂 Happy 2019!
My Top 10 Books of 2018
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I love Monstress so much. Can’t wait to get the third volume. Happy New Year, Erica!
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Dread Nation has been on my list forever now!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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Dread Nation is the best!
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I loved when Dimple Met Rishi! I was lucky enough to meet the author this past year and she was sweet and so smart. Happy New Year!!!
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I hear that she is really sweet. So glad you enjoyed that one as well. Happy New Year to you!
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WDMR will forever be a favorite of mine. It is just a most smile inducing book.
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Mine as well. It’s a very happy book.
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This is such a wonderful list of books! Blanca & Roja was one of my favorite reads this year too, I love everything Anna-Marie McLemore writes ❤️ I loved the first volume of Monstress and I’m so excited to keep reading the series!
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Me too. I think we have to wait until 2020 for another novel from her though. Monstress is wonderful. I hope you enjoy the second volume!
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I really need to make Dread Nation a priority — I picked up a copy a couple of months ago, and I’ve been seeing it on a lot of lists today! When Dimple Met Rishi looks adorable — I’ll have to give it a try. Happy New Year!
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I love Dread Nation so much. Dimple is one of those books that will make you smile so much, your face will hurt.
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I need a good smiley book! 🙂
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I started Dread Nation but had to return it to the library before I finished it. Sounds like I’d better get it back. My 2018 Favs Happy New Year!
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Yes, please do! I hope you enjoy it. Happy New Year to you!
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I liked Dread Nation, too. Hopefully I’ll get to The Poet X this year. Happy 2019!
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The Poet X is amazing. I hope you ultimately enjoy it!
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Congrats on a great reading year! I haven’t read any of these yet, but I hope to read at least a couple this year — especially The Poet X.
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Thank you so much! The Poet X made me more open to poetry in general, so it was such a great read to pick up.
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Glad you loved all 10 of these books. I am looking forward to reading Blanca Y Roja this year.
Happy 2019!
Dinh@Arlene’s Book Club
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I hope you enjoy it. It’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Happy New Year!
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I loved When Dimple Met Rishi! I’m so excited for Menon’s other books too! From Twinkle, With Love was also amazing and so full of heart.
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Yay, another fan! I’m so excited for Sweetie.
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Me too!! I love her writing it’s so energetic and fun
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Trail of Lightning was on my list this week too! I read it months ago, and I’m still thinking about it. Definitely looking forward to the sequel!
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I love that one so much. I’m so stoked for the sequel for this one.
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I haven’t read any of these, but Trail of Lightning looks really good! Happy New Year!
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Trail of Lightning was the best. I’m already in need of a reread. Happy New Year to you!
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UGH, YOU HAVE SUCH GOOD TASTE. So many of these I loved in 2018 as well. Others were just SUPER INTRIGUING TO ME and I haven’t gotten to them yet but I really trust your judgment on them so I’m super hyped to get to them in the future. Ah! The Poet X is soo good and compulsively readable. I’m still not over it. So, I am with you on the rereading it a lot in the future thing!
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Oh wow, you’re making me blush. If these are on your TBR, you must have good taste too. I loved The Poet X. I’m thinking about revisiting it with the audio version, since I’ve heard so many good things about it.
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By making you blush it’s kind of like I’m saving you a little money because who needs blush when you can have COMPLIMENTS?? Right?? (Just go with it, I’m SO TIRED and nonsensical when tired.) But daaaaaang now I’M blushing. The Poet X was just… perfect and I bet it’s fantastic as an audiobook, so you definitely should! Just imagine: all that prose, spoken. Swoon.
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It’s narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo herself and she has one heck of a delivery.
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I’m so glad you loved Empire of Sand too!! I still need to read When Dimple Met Rishi and Blanca y Roja but they are high on my list.
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I thought Empire of Sand was just fantastic. I hope you get to those too soon!
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I haven’t read any of these but I am super curious about Trial of lightening. I’ve heard such great things about it!
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I will probably spend 2019 screaming about the perfection that is Trail of Lightning.
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