My Best Reads of 2018 (Jan to April)

Janereads

I haven’t been posting many reviews in the last couple of weeks because I’m six books into the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. This series is epic in scale, and I’m loving it, but it’s dominating my reading time at the moment. I don’t want to do a book by book review because of spoilers but I will post something non-spoilery about the series soon.

So to combat my review drought, I have decided to look back at the past four months of reading and pick my favourite books in a few different genres. If you are looking for your next great read, feel free to click on the links below to go to my original review. Happy Reading!

Best Fiction/Literature Reads

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

1 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a novel that deserves all the buckets of praise it’s getting. If you like books with a quirky narrator who is different from any other character you’ve ever read about, then this is a book that will warm your heart. I haven’t encountered a character like Eleanor before. The way she thinks and acts throughout the book had me laughing, cringing and pitying her. I also cheered her on as she opened up more to people and life.

My Verdict: Read this if you want to meet an unforgettable protagonist who gives you all the feels.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

2. Still Me by Jojo Moyes is such a delightful read and the perfect conclusion to the three book series which began with Me Before You and continued with After You. I know it’s rude of me to recommend you read a book that is the third book in a series, but I am urging you to go and read the whole series. If you want to get your heart smashed to pieces and then stuck back together again then please give this series a read.

My Verdict: I don’t give starred reviews on this blog… if I did, this book would get 5 stars. I loved it!

Little Fires Everywhere

3. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is a novel that is popping up everywhere and it’s such a great read that is worthy of all the hype! It’s a story about teenagers, mothers, families, parenting, art, race, class, creativity and love, told from many perspectives. There’s also a court case woven into the story that will have you debating both sides.

My Verdict: An absolute gem of a book that is beautifully written.

Best YA Reads

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

1. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black has everything you want in a fantasy YA novel. There are cruel princes (of course), twisted fairies and other dark creatures, court intrigues, and love/hate romances. After a long time in adult book land, I am really enjoying reading Young Adult books again. All the angst and drama makes for great reading.

My Verdict: A very enjoyable, stabby fantasy read.

 

2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a YA book that took me back to my teenage years. It’s about two teenagers who meet and fall in love but have many personal challenges. It’s an intense, sweet and unforgettable read.

My Verdict: Give this a read if you want a huge dose of the feels, want 80s nostalgia and want to reminisce about your high school crush.

 

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas is the first book in an epic YA fantasy series and I just loved it and the two books that followed. I can’t wait to read the fourth book that comes out in May. This has everything you want in a fantasy series: girls who kick ass, handsome and deadly fae warriors, epic battles, magic, romance and lots of plotting and intrigue. Sarah J Maas has been a wonderful author to discover. Don’t be fooled by this series being YA — it has plenty of adult content! (Hello, book two, I’m looking at you in particular).

My Verdict: Read this series if you want to be swept away to a magical realm where you could happily live forever…

Best Crime/Thriller Reads

The Wife Between Us

1. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is clever, very twisty and the perfect quick read if you like psychological suspense novels. It reminded me of a blend between Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and Big Little Lies.

My Verdict: Read this if you like trying to figure out plot twists and turns before they happen.

 

Force of Nature by Jane Harper

2. Force of Nature by Jane Harper, author of The Dry, is a book which well and truly proves that Jane Harper is more than a one hit wonder. I found it completely engrossing. If you like crime novels where you’re not even sure if a crime has been committed and where a police investigator is on the hunt for clues, then give this book a try.

My Verdict: I highly recommend this book with its thrilling premise and plot that keeps you guessing to the end.

The Ruin

3. The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan is a debut police procedural novel set in Galway, Ireland. I found it to be a brilliant piece of writing for a first time author. The setting, the crimes and the characters were utterly compelling.

Verdict: If you are after a very well written, slow burner crime novel, this book will satisfy your craving.

 

What have been your favourite books so far this year?

28 thoughts on “My Best Reads of 2018 (Jan to April)”

  1. Dana April 13, 2018 / 11:08 am

    I enjoyed The Wife Between Us and Force of Nature as well! I need to read your other thriller choice!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 13, 2018 / 11:09 am

      That’s great! They were such good books weren’t they? Definitely give The Ruin a try if you like Jane Harper.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Ashley @ Book Tales April 13, 2018 / 12:48 pm

    Eeep so happy you included The Cruel Prince in this! I loved that book so much!

    Like

  3. BOOKendra April 13, 2018 / 1:23 pm

    ACOTR is definitely one of those series that surprised me when I fully realized it was YA. Nothing in that book even remotely seems like it would fit the classification, tbh.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 13, 2018 / 1:45 pm

      I agree! I’ve read romance fiction that is positively tame compared to this series. 😁

      Like

        • Janereads April 13, 2018 / 1:47 pm

          I am not complaining about the content but I definitely think this series is for older teens.

          Like

          • BOOKendra April 13, 2018 / 1:48 pm

            Yes, definitely not for younger teens. I would’ve been shocked back then if I read – and not in a good way.

            Liked by 1 person

  4. Priyasha April 13, 2018 / 4:08 pm

    I need to read Still me asap ❣
    Great post 😃

    Liked by 1 person

  5. J Z. Smith April 13, 2018 / 8:26 pm

    My daughter is devouring the Throbe of Glass series and says I have to read it! I have not because series are a huge commitment like you said, but now I think I will have to. And we will have some more books to bond over.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 13, 2018 / 8:33 pm

      It is really worth the time commitment. Each book is better than the last. I am nagging my husband to read it. 😀

      Like

  6. cricketmuse April 13, 2018 / 10:04 pm

    There are some title intrigues on your list. My recent read list included Salt to the Sea, and I am not a war book fan.

    Liked by 1 person

      • cricketmuse April 14, 2018 / 12:55 pm

        I didn’t at first and then it grew on me and I became involved with the characters

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Ileana Barrionuevo April 14, 2018 / 11:58 am

    Interesting readings!!! I love the last ones…! I really love crimes stories.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 15, 2018 / 6:02 am

      That’s great! What’s the best crime book you’ve read recently?

      Like

  8. jessicabookworm April 15, 2018 / 5:33 pm

    Jane, I recently finished reading the brilliant historical fiction, Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen by Alison Weir which is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, so far!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 16, 2018 / 5:10 am

      That sounds great! I’ve read some of Alison Weir’s books in the past and have really enjoyed them. I need to read this book you recommended some time.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Sheree Strange April 26, 2018 / 6:26 pm

    You’ve had such an interesting (and varied!) start to your reading year, and I’m so glad I found your blog to follow along! Almost all of these are on my TBR now, mostly thanks to your reviews 😉 Keep up the great work, Jane!! Woo!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janereads April 26, 2018 / 6:32 pm

      Thank you that’s so lovely of you to say. I do read very widely but I think being on bookstagram is making me pick up a lot of new authors this year. I love your reading list as well and how you are making classics appear fresh and new with your entertaining reviews. I do have a pile of classics I want to read. I just haven’t gotten to them yet 😂.

      Like

  10. bookorbit May 18, 2018 / 3:37 am

    Those are some great books ❤ and hey I m new here 😊😊

    Liked by 1 person

  11. ashareads May 25, 2018 / 11:41 am

    Ooh totally agree with Eleanor and Little Fires! I absolutely loved The Last Mrs. Parrish and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda so far this year 🙂

    Like

    • Janereads May 25, 2018 / 12:49 pm

      Yay! Glad you agree. I will have to check out your recommendations some time. Simon gets a lot of love.

      Liked by 1 person

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