The 13 Best Books of 2018: A Journey Through Inspiring Reads and Timeless Stories
Dive into a curated list of the thirteen most impactful books read in 2018, spanning compelling historical fiction, heartwarming lighthearted novels, astonishing nonfiction that proves truth is stranger than fiction, enriching Christian living guides, and much more. Discover your next favorite read and reignite your passion for books!
It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year again! As the calendar flips, I get to revisit and share the very best books that enriched my life during the previous year. Writing these articles has become a cherished tradition, especially now that I’ve re-embraced my identity as an avid reader. The joy of discovering new worlds, compelling characters, and profound insights, and then sharing those experiences with you, is simply unparalleled. If you’re curious about my journey back into reading, this article detailing my 2015 goals sheds some light on how it all began.
And speaking of journeys, want to know something that still leaves me utterly amazed? In 2018, I actually managed to read a staggering 86 books! This is, by far, the most I’ve ever read in a single year, and it feels like an incredible achievement. From reading next to nothing for a long time, to devouring nearly 90 books – it’s a transformation I still marvel at!
Essential Book Reading Tips to Boost Your Reading Habit
Many people ask me how I find the time to read so many books. It might seem daunting, but with a few simple strategies, anyone can cultivate a thriving reading habit. These are the tips that have been instrumental in helping me become the reader I always aspired to be:
- Always Have a Book Ready to Read: This is perhaps the most crucial tip. Eliminate any excuses by ensuring you always have a book easily accessible. My personal strategy involves having physical books on my bedside table, a selection loaded onto my Kindle for travel or quiet moments, an array of options on my library app (like Hoopla or Libby), and a robust queue in my Audible account. This way, whether I have five minutes or an hour, I’m never without a story or a lesson waiting to be absorbed. The convenience of multiple formats ensures that reading seamlessly integrates into every part of my day.
- Embrace Audiobooks Wholeheartedly: This single tip has been the absolute game-changer for my reading volume. More than half of the books I completed in 2018 were audiobooks. They are incredibly versatile, allowing me to “read” while multitasking. I love listening to them when I’m walking my dog, tending to my garden, preparing meals, or tackling DIY projects around the house. Audiobooks transform otherwise mundane or physically demanding activities into enriching reading experiences. And for those who wonder if listening counts as “cheating,” rest assured: our minds process them in a remarkably similar way to traditional reading. While some genres, like complex nonfiction requiring deep contemplation or re-reading, might be better suited to print, fiction often shines in audio format. Furthermore, my husband, Brian, and I have started listening to audiobooks together in the car, whether it’s for our quick 20-minute trips to town or longer road adventures – it’s a fantastic way to utilize travel time productively and enjoy stories together.
- Set Achievable Reading Goals: The power of a goal cannot be overstated. Ever since I set my initial goal in 2015 to read just one book a month, my reading output has skyrocketed. Having a target provides a clear incentive and keeps reading at the forefront of my mind. It transforms casual reading into a mindful pursuit. When faced with the choice between passively watching a mindless TV program or engaging with a captivating book, my goal consistently nudges me towards reading every single time. It’s about making intentional choices that align with your aspirations.
- Meticulously Track Your Reads: The satisfaction of seeing your progress accumulate is a powerful motivator. I personally use the simple Notes app on my phone to jot down titles as I finish them, but my next step is to integrate this into the Lists section of my Flexible Planner. Regardless of your method, keeping a record of the books you’ve read offers immense benefits. It not only provides a wonderful visual representation of your accomplishment but also serves as a handy memory aid for recalling specific titles and stories – which, let’s be honest, can be surprisingly difficult after a while!
Before diving into the list itself, I should clarify the types of books you’ll typically find on my “Best Books Read” lists, including this 2018 selection (and my other Best Books Lists). My absolute favorite genre is historical – encompassing both fiction and nonfiction. I am utterly fascinated by history; I believe it offers invaluable lessons and insights into the human condition, if only we take the time to remember and learn from it. Beyond history, I have a soft spot for sweet fiction stories that offer uplifting narratives and, ideally, happy endings. I also enjoy what I term “light” sci-fi – the kind of science fiction that sparks thought and features a compelling story, but without veering into overly dark or terrifying territory.
Conversely, what you definitively won’t find on my lists are books that are dark or scary. If a book is categorized as a “thriller” or features themes of kidnapping, murder, or violence, I steer clear. My personal preference leans towards stories that inspire, entertain, and uplift, rather than those that provoke anxiety or distress. While a few popular contemporary books have made my lists in previous years, none of the widely acclaimed titles I read in 2018 managed to capture my interest enough to be included. I often find myself disappointed by the narrative choices, the excessive use of harsh language, or the relentless, often forced, plot twists that seem to be a prevalent trend in modern fiction. For instance, while I read and somewhat enjoyed The Jane Austin Project and Big Little Lies, they didn’t resonate deeply enough to earn a spot here. Similarly, The Selection series, though clean, fun, and likely appealing to YA audiences, was pure fluff and wouldn’t make a “best-of” compilation, despite its entertainment value.
Hopefully, I’ve managed to convince you that becoming a more dedicated reader is an achievable goal, regardless of your current habits. Now, let’s get to the main event: a curated selection of the best from the 86 books I immersed myself in last year. I’ve chosen 13 titles – a true baker’s dozen – based on their lasting impact; these are the stories and ideas that still resonate with me and provoke thought, long after I turned the final page.
A quick note: this list of the best books read in 2018 is simply presented in the order I read them. It’s not a ranking from least to most favorite, as attempting to rank them felt impossible. Each of these books is exceptional in its own right, and I’m confident that if the subject matter appeals to you, you’ll find them just as rewarding as I did!
My Top 13 Books: The Best Reads of 2018
Hannah Coulter, Wendell Berry. My journey into Wendell Berry’s Port William universe began with Hannah Coulter, and I was instantly captivated. This book became such a profound experience that it inspired me to read through his entire Port William series. While I thoroughly enjoyed the subsequent books (with the exception of Nathan Coulter, which wasn’t quite for me – you can read my thoughts on that here), Hannah Coulter remains the standout. Hannah’s narrative is a simple, yet deeply moving, recounting of her life as an old woman looking back. Through her eyes, we experience the quiet rhythms of Port William and its inhabitants, witnessing a life lived with grace, resilience, and profound connection to land and community. Berry’s prose is beautifully understated, evoking a powerful sense of joy, nostalgia, and heartache, celebrating the simple pleasures of family and enduring friendships that define this fictional town. It’s a testament to a well-lived life, deeply rooted and profoundly meaningful.
The Great Train Robbery, Michael Crichton. This book is a quintessential example of how truth can be far stranger and more thrilling than any fiction. Crichton masterfully tells the real-life story of the first-ever robbery of a moving train, an audacious event that took place in 1850s London. What makes this account truly astonishing is the sheer meticulousness and years of planning involved – a classic “long con.” The culprits went to incredible lengths, even romancing the daughter of a key railroad official, to execute their elaborate scheme. The intricate details of their stratagem are almost unbelievable, making for an absolutely gripping read. I have a particular fondness for historical accounts that read like a thrilling novel, and this one certainly delivered, proving once again that reality often holds the most captivating stories.
Red Rising, Pierce Brown (and the next two in the original trilogy). This was an absolute standout, and it was a joy to listen to it with Brian. Red Rising, and indeed the entire original trilogy (though the first book shines brightest for me), plunges readers into an exciting and thrilling sci-fi narrative, yet it’s imbued with an incredible amount of emotion and depth. Set in a dystopian future on an inhabited Mars, society is rigidly divided into color-coded castes. The “Reds” occupy the lowest rung, condemned to brutal slave labor under the false promise that they are terraforming the planet for future generations. Our protagonist, Darrow, though only 16, is married and faces a harsh, short life, a reflection of the brutal realities of his caste. When Darrow uncovers the devastating truth – that his people have been systematically lied to – he embarks on a journey of rebellion and transformation. The story that unfolds is spectacular, blending the high stakes of The Hunger Games with the epic scope and heroic trials reminiscent of Homer’s Iliad. It’s a compelling tale of survival, identity, and the fight for freedom.
The Saturday Evening Girls Club, Jane Healy. This book was such a delightful and unexpected surprise! It tells the heartwarming story of four friends, daughters of immigrants, growing up in early twentieth-century Boston. Their bond is forged at a local girls’ club, a sanctuary where they nurture their ambitions, talents, and enduring friendship. The narrative is quiet and reflective, yet deeply engaging, depicting their lives as young women striving for individuality and connection amidst societal expectations. It’s a testament to the power of female camaraderie and resilience. Learning after reading that the club was based on a true organization and some characters were actual historical figures only added to its charm. My only slight disappointment was the somewhat open-ended conclusion, leaving the girls’ futures unconfirmed, especially since the author has no plans for a sequel. Despite this, it’s a wonderfully life-affirming read.
The Professor and the Madman, Simon Winchester. This was another fantastic audiobook that Brian and I thoroughly enjoyed together. We both found it utterly captivating. It unearths a little-known, yet incredibly significant, slice of history: the compelling and often dramatic tale behind the creation of the first comprehensive Oxford English Dictionary. On paper, the subject might not immediately scream “page-turner,” but Simon Winchester is a masterful storyteller. He possesses an exceptional ability to extract and highlight fascinating details, breathing vibrant life into the historical narrative. His prose made the arduous, decades-long process of compiling the dictionary, and the unlikely collaboration at its heart, feel like a thrilling mystery. This book was so engaging that it inspired us to seek out other works by Winchester, whose talent for transforming seemingly insignificant historical footnotes into crucial, illuminating stories is truly remarkable.
My Dear Hamilton, Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie. I was absolutely thrilled to find this title available on my library’s Hoopla App (which, by the way, is hands-down the best library app – seriously, check if your library offers it, it’s far superior to Overdrive-Libby with no waiting lists!). My excitement stemmed from my deep admiration for the authors’ previous collaboration and, of course, my fascination with all things Hamilton. And this book did not disappoint! It’s a meticulously researched and beautifully novelized account of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s extraordinary life. From her fervent patriotism to her profound personal losses and her tireless work to preserve her husband’s legacy, Eliza’s journey is truly astonishing. Much like their previous work, I deeply appreciated the authors’ note at the end, where they thoughtfully discuss their creative process, detailing what elements they drew directly from historical records, what they fictionalized, and what they inferred. There were moments in this book that moved me to tears as Eliza navigated unimaginable death and heartache. It’s a story of immense resilience and love, so powerful that I anticipate re-reading it someday.
The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis. In 2018, I set a personal goal to listen to all of C.S. Lewis’s available works through my library app during my morning routine. While every one of his books is rich with profound insights, The Four Loves emerged as my favorite. In this classic, Lewis meticulously examines four distinct varieties of human love: Affection (Storge), the most fundamental and unassuming form; Friendship (Philia), which he considers the rarest and perhaps most insightful; Eros, representing passionate love; and Charity (Agape), the highest and most selfless form of love. I was particularly struck by his profound observations on friendship and its indispensable importance in our lives. As Lewis eloquently states, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” This powerful realization directly influenced my personal goals for the following year, which is why you’ll find a friendship-focused objective among my goals for 2019!
Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis, George Sayer. After immersing myself in the entirety of C.S. Lewis’s literary works, my curiosity naturally led me to seek a deeper understanding of the man himself and his remarkable life. This particular biography comes highly recommended by Lewis’s own stepson, Douglas Gresham, as the most accurate and true-to-life portrayal of “Jack” (Lewis’s nickname). The author, George Sayer, was a close friend of Lewis, providing a wealth of firsthand experiences and personal anecdotes that bring the narrative to life. Furthermore, Sayer drew extensively from the vast collection of letters preserved in the Lewis family trust, allowing him to illuminate Lewis’s formative early years with unparalleled detail. Having previously read Lewis’s autobiography, Surprised By Joy, and being somewhat taken aback by his stark descriptions of boarding school, Sayer’s biography offers a more nuanced and gentler perspective, suggesting that Lewis may have exaggerated certain aspects for dramatic effect. It also sheds invaluable light on his complex relationship with Mrs. Moore, positing that she fulfilled a maternal role in his life. For anyone interested in the life of this iconic thinker, this biography is an essential and highly recommended read.
Alas, Babylon, Pat Frank. This is yet another compelling audiobook that Brian and I listened to together, and it’s quite telling that three of our shared listening experiences made it onto my top list! Written in the late 1950s during the tense height of the Cold War, the novel’s premise is chillingly plausible: Russia launches nuclear warheads against the United States, obliterating much of the country. The story then zeroes in on a small, fictional town in Florida that miraculously escapes the direct impact. Through the eyes of its residents, we witness the mounting Cold War anxieties, the immediate aftermath of the attacks, and the arduous year that follows as they struggle to survive in a world irrevocably altered. Imagine major cities gone, the government in disarray, and the complete collapse of essential services like water, power, and food supplies once existing stores run out. What becomes of humanity in such dire circumstances? How do people adapt, or fail to adapt? Who do they become when stripped of modern comforts and societal structures? This book was an exceptionally thought-provoking listen, and its powerful questions and vivid portrayal of human resilience (and fragility) have lingered in my thoughts for months afterward.
Middlemarch, George Eliot. This was a literary classic I had surprisingly never read; I recall my college English class opting for Eliot’s Silas Marner instead (and honestly, I can barely remember my impressions of that one, which might say something!). Middlemarch, however, is widely considered Eliot’s undisputed masterpiece and consistently ranks high on lists of the greatest novels of all time. And it is indeed a loooooong book! I primarily listened to this epic while engaged in outdoor chores, cleaning, and cooking, and it still clocked in at over 35 hours of listening time. It offers an incredibly rich and insightful look into the intricate lives of various families residing in a small town in the English countryside during the early 19th century. The novel masterfully explores the complexities of love and marriage among several couples, revealing how pervasive social pressures, expectations, and gossip profoundly shaped (and sometimes shattered) lives. It also subtly weaves in elements of the political landscape and the social changes of the era. I found myself laughing aloud at points, and gasping at others, completely drawn into the drama. Despite being over 150 years old, this book holds up remarkably well, and I’m now eager to find and watch the old PBS series adaptation!
Carnegie’s Maid, Marie Benedict. After seeing this book mentioned on a few blogs, I decided to pick it up during an Audible sale and began listening to it while preparing our farmhouse for a wedding. I honestly wasn’t expecting much, but I was quickly and thoroughly engrossed in this fictionalized account. The story follows Clara Kelley, an Irish farmer’s daughter who, upon arriving in America, is mistakenly identified as a lady’s maid and subsequently placed in the household of Andrew Carnegie’s mother. As with truly excellent historical fiction, the narrative skillfully integrates numerous real places and historical events, forming a robust framework for Clara’s compelling journey. The author injects just enough realism into the maid’s fictional story to make it entirely believable, even to its poignant ending, which, while not as joyous as I might have hoped, remained true to the historical context. The book brilliantly attempts to answer a profound historical question: What prompted Andrew Carnegie, who dedicated much of his life to amassing immense wealth, to then embark on a mission to give almost all of it away?
To Sir With Love, E.R. Braithwaite. Are you surprised to see this iconic 1960s book on my list? So was I, to be honest! This title popped up in my library app, and remembering my fondness for the film adaptation from years ago, I decided to listen and discover the original true story. And yes, according to Mr. Braithwaite himself, this is indeed a true account. It is one of those incredibly inspirational and deeply feel-good stories that leaves you profoundly glad to have experienced it. The author, a first-year teacher with no prior experience or specialized degree (just a college education), secures a teaching position in a notoriously tough part of London where schools struggle to retain staff. The book vividly portrays the immense challenges he faces, alongside his truly novel and compassionate approach to connecting with and educating his students. The issues raised and Braithwaite’s innovative teaching methods still resonate with me. Naturally, after listening, I’m now eager to re-watch the movie!
The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard. This profound and insightful Christian classic had long been on my radar, extensively discussed in various Christian circles, but I had never actually read it. I finally began listening to it as part of my morning devotionals, and I can confidently say that listening alone is not enough; this is a book I absolutely need to revisit and read slowly, savoring every single insight. Willard’s work is a masterful exploration of not only the Bible and the teachings of Jesus but also a critical analysis of our contemporary society and culture. Though written in the 1990s, the issues he addresses – such as Christian consumerism, the relentless pace of modern life, and spiritual superficiality – have only intensified over time. This book profoundly challenged me to re-examine my own life and strive to live authentically as Jesus intended within today’s complex context. It’s a transformative read for anyone seeking deeper spiritual understanding and practical application of faith.
One of my absolute favorite quotes from the book, which I’ve been pondering frequently, is:
“Who teaches you? Whose disciple are you? Honestly. One thing is sure: You are somebody’s disciple. You learned how to live from somebody else. There are no exceptions to this rule, for human beings are just the kind of creatures that have to learn and keep learning from others how to live.”
And there you have it – my top reads from an incredible year of reading in 2018! I’m already well underway with my 2019 book list, maintaining the momentum. I’ve set a goal of 75 books for this year (still unsure if 86 was a fluke or a new standard!), and I’ve already notched two onto my finished list. Currently, I’m halfway through a surprisingly enthralling biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a Christmas gift from my daughter, which is proving to be an unexpected delight.
What about you? I’d love to hear which books made the biggest impression on you in 2018. Share your favorites in the comments below!