Blogging is all about interaction and community. During the course of 2018 I have stumbled across all kinds of varied, interesting people. All with relevant and inspiring stories. I’m hoping to find, and interact with, many more in 2019 and beyond. To encourage this intent, I’m going to run a festive themed blog series over the next twelve days which I have imaginatively titled…..cue drum roll……
The 12 Questions of Christmas!!!
Catchy, huh?
Each day I will ask a question. All you have to do is comment and engage with other like minded bloggers. Who knows, your new blogging best friend could be out there just waiting to hear from you. The Lennon to your McCartney, the Simon to your Garfunkel, the Sonny to your Cher. Okay then, maybe not the last one, but you get my drift.
So, without further ado, here’s today’s question.
What’s the best book you read in 2018 and why?
For me, it has to be ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman. Startlingly original. Dark, funny, quirky, heart wrenching. Just a few of the words to describe the debut novel which stood head and shoulders over anything else on my Kindle. With honourable mentions to ‘Dark Places’ by Gillian Flynn and ‘Bonfire’ by Krysten Ritter. Anyway, enough of me. Over to you….
Black Thoughts 
The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles-Skelly’s Square. 😁
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Can’t say I’ve heard of it. Any good?
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I was hooked from the first word!
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I agree!
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Oh youuuuu 😊
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😁
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I want to read this book!
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I want you to read it.
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“A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson. It’s a fascinating stroll through science.
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That sounds very interesting. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
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What a great idea! My favorite of 2018 “It’s OK that you’re not OK” by Megan Devine and “First, We Make the Beast Beautiful” by Sarah Wilson. Admittedly, both are from the self help genre, not my favorite genre but necessary for me this year. For more of an escape my all time favorites: “Shantaram”, “One Thousand White Women”, “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats” and the entire “Game of Thrones” series. When is the next one coming out??!!!!
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Great list. Thank you. The next GOT book? I have a theory that he’s made his money and has no intention to write another one.
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Sigh…… I hope not. I tried to HBO series and liked but didn’t love it so stopped watching. I guess if I am left with no choice than I will have to just watch. I heard or read he was in the middle of writing the next book but that was a while back.
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You can read my book when it comes out. That will keep you going. I have a few GOT references scattered through it.
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I will!
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Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren 🙂
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Thank you Esther. I will have to google both of them.
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Sadly I have not read a book in 2018!! Gasp. But what I have discovered podcasts and I have to say that one, in particular, has literally changed my life. I will not share just in case this is a question later down the 12 days.
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It’s not so please DO share 😊
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Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations on Spotify
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It’s the book I’m reading right now … “Katherine of Aragon” by Jean Plaidy … Jean Plaidy is one of the pen names of Elinor Hibbert, one of the most prolific writers in twentieth-century English … she is also known as Victoria Holt & Phillipa Carr & at least four other pen names. I have been reading her novels since I was an early teen … I haven’t seen any of them in the library for quite a long time & the joys of ordering books online is bringing these books back into my life.
One thing I’m noticing is how much Henry VIII is like our current orange monster of a president. Uncanny. I know this is a novel but still.
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😆 really?!
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Wow! I never knew any of that. Henry VIII had better hair 😂
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Jean Lee’s Fallen Princeborn – Stolen
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That sounds interesting. Is it a fantasy novel?
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Uh… no books, sadly. Started a few. This is a goal for 2019.
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Yes I want to give myself more time to read, I miss doing that.
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Most definitely!
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So far the best book I’ve read and still go back to it some times “Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormi Omartin. Although, I’m not married, a friend recommended to me and I discover some truth to marriage I didn’t know before. It was a bit difficult to get through because I found out some things about myself and family in the process of reading. But in the end I was able to find who I am and what marriage is about. But everyone’s definition of marriage is different. So I still learn on my bible to fill in confusion.
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I had a couple of hemorrhagic strokes due to an AVM a few years ago. My short-term memory was affected because of the location. I don’t feel bad though. Heck, it gave me a whole new library I already had! That being said, I’ve reread several as well as added a few new ones to the collection.
I read a lot of non-fiction, particularly of a spiritual nature. The latest addition is “Scary Close” by Donald Miller. As for non-fiction, I’m plowing through rereads by my favorite authors. One of my recent favorite rereads is “Still Life with Woodpecker” by Tom Robbins. I find ‘choice’ to be always a great topic.
You all take care and have a great holiday.
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Thank you. Hope you are keeping well 🙏🏻
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The Stoker Manuscript was pretty good. Well, it had a creep factor for sure. I haven’t been wowed by a book this year. I’ve read lots of just okay ones. So it will be good to get some suggestions from here.
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There are loads to choose from
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It’s an old story, certainly not a book published this year, but I am presently reading, and thoroughly enjoying James Herriot’s “All creatures great and small”.
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How very British of you 😊
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LOL – I do have a few British ancestors, but also Irish and Native Canadian – so there hahaha
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When Breath Becomes Air. A marvelous memoir of his dying by Paul Kalanithi. Not depressing unless you count the loss of someone so brilliant. A real loss to the world. This is a beautiful book.
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I’m currently reading Grace for the Afflicted and it’s amazing! It’s by Matthew S. Stanford and he talks about mental health and Christianity, going into depth about several different mental disorders, including bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD and more…..its excellent research for my book! 🙂
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No particular favorite for 2018, but currently reading Jackie Chan’s autobiography “Never Grow Up”. I spent most of my reading time enjoying reading your blog and other people’s blogs.
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Thank you Antin. I’m sure Jackie Chan has had an amazing life.
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I originally was going to say some diaries I read. One was from the civil war and another was from a girl who lived in the Victorian Age I believe.
But the book I probably liked the most and found the most intriguing aside from the various things I’ve learned from scripture this year was a book about the Donner party. The Donner party lived in the Oregon trail days of America. When people traveled by wagon in the 1800s to Oregon. What media and people who know little of the story is there was a group of people who got caught traveling in winter with little supplies. There was a party of people “Donner” who went out to get supplies and became cannibals.
The book was written by the daughter of the father who was in the Donner party. She reveals the truth. It was not gruesome in the sense of what media portrayed. There was a little bit of cannibalism but spoiler it was after people had died and they were desperate. No crazy details or anything like that, thank goodness. She explains what led up to it and then the aftermath. She and her sister were sent away and her father who was very sick could not leave with them. Their mother stayed behind and eventually died there as well. They then lived with a couple for a while and some interesting things happened, I won’t spoil it. The book is free on Amazon Kindle, that’s where I got it.
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I’ve read quite a few good ones this year because of my book club but I have to say a few of my favorites were “Lillian Boxfish Take a Walk” “Lily and the Octopus” (pull out LOTS of tissues for that one), “The Taster” by V.S. Alexander and “Snowflower and the Secret Fan”
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I haven’t heard of any of them. So many books, so little time.
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I have a tie…just can’t decide between these two.
The first is Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent. It’s a psychological thriller with about five narrators. I listened to the book and the performances were outstanding. The author used unusual devices to tell the story and your opinion of Oliver will test your ethics. Just brilliant storytelling.
The second is Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. I listened to this about four months ago and I still cannot stop thinking about the story. It wrecked me emotionally when the “secret” was revealed. I thought myself too clever to be this surprised and gobsmacked but…
There you have it.
FYI, I loved Eleanor and thought that Flynn book was dark but so well done.
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I will have to add them to my list as we seem to have similar literary tastes. Thank you for the suggestions.
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I think you’ll enjoy them!
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I have read a number of books this year, but the most striking was Andrew Wommack’s “Living in God’s Best: Don’t Settle for Less”. It speaks about most believers continually praying for one miracle or another to get them out of the ditch they have gotten into. Andrew’s message in this book is that Jesus’ intended to get us past needing a miracle, to a fruitful, productive life full of purpose provisioned and empowered by His resources. If anyone doesn’t think this is a needed message, think of the times we, or friends we know and care about, keep repeating the same self-limiting behaviors while wishing for a better outcome.
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Yes. That’s a very sound message. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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_The Hidden Life of Trees_. Natural poetry in the science and love of nature.
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Thank you. So many great suggestions on this list.
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Well, the most memorable read was Paradise Lost.
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I’ve never read that. A classic I’m sure.
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While at home this week, ill and grumbling about all my plans being changed I read Footprints in the Snow by Julie Hill. An inspiring true story about Julies transition from being able bodied to becoming a paraplegic after a car accident in 1990 and her incredible journey in her new life.
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It sounds like an inspiring and humbling read. Thank you.
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Oo I love how we’re all in the festive mood!!! I’ve just posted my 2018 Naughty and Nice list from the books I’ve read this year! I think the best book I read this year was How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. I’m really intrigued by his non fiction, which im keen to get stuck into next. I like to leave have a non fiction on the go the same time as a fiction book, it keeps me balanced! All the light we cannot see was a fantastic book and would probably taken centre stage if it weren’t so long and overwritten. Have you read it? I’m looking forward to reading The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, I’m hoping I’ve got it for Christmas!! What about you?
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Oh I love Claire North! The Sudden Appearance of Hope was my favourite. I’ve had Matt Haig on my list for some time as I read a lot of mental health related non fiction. Harry August is a great book as well. Very clever and complex. I’ll be sure to read your post. Haven’t read All The Light. Another one for my ever increasing list.
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Thank you!!! All the light took me most of the summer to read – I’d be really interested in your thoughts on it when you get to round to it. It was a love hate for me- love for the story and characters but hate for the overwriting!! I’m even more excited to read it now, I’ll be sure to let you know once I’ve read it, I love a clever book. I’ve bought my friend Notes on a Nervous Planet and had to stop myself from reading it in its entirety before it was even wrapped! He’s a very clever writer.
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I’m going to read your blog post now. It’s been ages since you’ve posted. Must have been busy reading all those books 🙂
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Thank you! I know, far too long!! I struggled to finish a ‘meh’ book and refused to start another until I’d finished it (I’m far too stubborn for my own good sometimes!) However now I’m into a lovely book that I’ll be sure to post a review of after xmas!
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Stephen, My favorite book for this year was the same one it’s been for quite some time now, the Bible! It’s daily teaching, inspiration and challenges keep me motivated to keep digging for more!
This season of life has allowed me more time for leisure reading as well with World War II history being my primary pursuit. My favorite for this year was Target Tokyo, an in-depth look at Doolittle’s daring retaliatory strike at Japan with carrier-based B-25 bombers in April of 1942. It was well researched, and explained in detail the struggles of the men attempting to get to friendly soil after ditching their planes.
Chuck
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I also have an interest in military history but there are so many books and so little time. The last one I read was about the Battle of Waterloo.
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Gotta second the Bible for non-fiction. As for fiction, I’m not sure. One of my kids has me reading the Flavia De Luce books (an 11-year-old amateur sleuth in 1950s England. Very fun.) I’ve also loved Ravi Zacharias’s book, Can Man Live Without God? for nonfiction and Tosca Lee’s Demon. Very interesting. I feel like I’m forgetting one or five, but there’s life with chronic migraine for ya.
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A very eclectic mix. I hope the migraine situation improves 🙏🏻
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Thanks. It’s a neat excuse for my holey memory, anyway…
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A Place Called Winter OR (a reread) of Notes from an Exhibition, both by Patrick Gale. A wonderful, wonderful writer. I will read your recommenbdation next year – I think I have avoided it because of all the hype around it, I was afraid I’d be disappointed!
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No. It merits the hype in my humble opinion.
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Well, this will sound so cliche, but the Bible. I haven’t read any other books this year. I have a bunch in my closet that I want to read though. The Bible is always my go to book every day–can’t live without it! God bless!
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You’re not the first to nominate The Bible. A book I don’t read anywhere near often enough.
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Has to be Elinor, without a doubt!
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I’m glad I have found a fellow fan 🙂
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The girl with the red ribbon is one of my favourites. It was a really gripping story that just made you want everything to work out for the main character. Sorry I’m late!
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Better late than never. Is it in your community library?
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Yes it is, unless anyone has borrowed it.
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The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton. I love all her books.
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I’ve never heard of that author. Thank you for the recommendation.
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She weaves the past and the present together going from one period of time to the other keeping you guessing. She is from Australia but got her degree from Trinity College in London.
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I think my favourite genres aren’t aligned with yours, but my favourite recent books were:
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
The Mummy Bloggers by Holly Wainwright
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I’ll have to look those titles up. The fact you prefer different genres makes it even better you are editing the book. You can approach it from a completely different angle. I’m really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
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To be frank, I didn’t read many books this year. But my favourite would be ‘the last curtain’ by Agatha Christie. She s my favorite author and the one who inspires me to write. I think thisbook made a connect with me as it was last of Hercule Poirot’s cases.
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Thank you. I’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel. Perhaps now is the time to start.
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😮 you shud
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Start with ‘murder is easy’ and ‘endless night’.. but if you don’t like murder mysteries, even then, you can definitely read ‘and then there were none’ .. it’s the best 🙂
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Ok. Thank you.
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