It's that time of the year when I like to look back over all of the amazing books I read and pick out my favorites! This year I read 50 books - well below the 80 I had aimed for, and faaaar below my stretch goal of 100. This was probably my most uneven year of reading. Some times weeks would go by where I'd read nothing, while at other times I'd speed through a 600-page monster in 2 days. I also learned that, without a doubt, I'm a mood reader and will quickly abandon reading challenges that direct me to read in a very narrowly focused fashion.
Heading into 2019, my reading goals are: read 60 books, read more diversely (more POC authors, more queer authors, more translated books, etc.), and to be more active on Litsy (I'm @angitron over there if you want to check out what I'm reading in real time).
These were my favorite reads of the past year. Most of them fall under science fiction, which is undoubtedly my wheelhouse, but there were a few surprises too. Each one did the tough job of leaving an indelible mark on me.
Here's to another wonderful year of reading ahead! If you have any recommendations of books I should check out in 2019, leave them in the comments!
The Stone Sky - N.K. Jemisin
I mean, how would I not have this on my list? We can't talk about 2018 without bringing up one of the single most incredible trilogies in SFF. I put off reading The Stone Sky again and again, because I simply didn't want the story to end. I'd fallen in love with the characters and the story, and by the final book I didn't want to let them go.
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
This book literally made me weep. It's beautifully written, but the feels didn't hit me until the novel's final moments. Miller's reframes the tale of Achilles and Patroclus as one of romantic love and she writes about love and loss in such a way that you can't help but share the deep sadness of the main characters.
Rosewater - Tade Thompson
An alien visitation novel set in Nigeria? GIMME. Tade Thompson is a great writer, and I loved this book for its fresh setting, fascinating storyline, humor, and memorable characters. Kaaro is the reluctant hero that we've all been wanting, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, which is set to be realeased in March.
Emergent Strategy - Adrienne Maree Brown
This book blew my mind! It's a look at how to change the world, through the lens of science fiction. Brown uses the writing of Octavia Butler as a guide to how we can navigate a world that often leaves people on the margins. Folding Butler's work into an activist framework seems slightly odd, until Brown points out that activism is just practicing science fiction - it's working towards a world that currently doesn't exist. Brown also hosts a bad-ass podcast with her sister, where they look at these themes in more depth.
Bad Blood - John Carreyrou
Absolutely insane is really the only way to describe this one. If you want a book that will absolutely grip you, this is the one to pick up. It's an almost unbelievable account of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her blood testing company, Theranos. It's an amazing look at how far privilege, money, intelligence and charm can take you.
This, by far, was the most unexpected delight of my reading year. I honestly bought this one after seeing it pop up as a suggestion on Amazon. After reading the description I figured I'd give it a whirl, having no idea how much I'd fall in love with this book. The Measurements of Decay left me completely stunned in a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. I feel so lucky that this book "found" me.
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