2018 Year in Review Reading Survey

Reading is my favorite, but reminiscing about the books I've read is almost as good. The end of the year is the perfect time to engage in some literary reflection, and I was delighted to discover this Reading Survey by Jamie from the Perpetual Page Turner.

2018 Reading Stats

Number of Books Read: 84

Number of Re-Reads: 10

Number of Books with Female Authors: 52

Number of Books with Diverse Authors: 10

Genre You Read the Most From: Fiction! Just a few short years ago I read almost no fiction. Falling in love with novels again has been a recent (and very welcome) development in my reading life.

Best in Books

Best Book You Read in 2018

The book I've thought most fondly about months after reading was The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. If you're a lover of books and reading, and you don't mind heavy themes (it's the story of the final months Will shared with his mother, Mary Anne, as she battled cancer), I'd highly recommend this book. Mary Anne's tireless advocacy for vulnerable women and children is inspiring, and the way mother and son used reading to process their wrestling with death is fascinating and ultimately uplifting.

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More, But Didn't

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I have loved Ann Patchett's non-fiction, and I had heard other readers rave about this novel of hers. I adored the middle of the book, but hate hate hated the ending.

Book You Pushed the Most People To Read

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin. I very rarely pay money for my books. I'm a library girl all the way. But I actually paid to add this book to my collection, and then bought three more copies for friends.

Best Series You Read in 2018

The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Our whole family was completely drawn in to this series from the five-year-old little one to my supposedly book-hating husband. This series has become part of our shared family culture, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2018

Hilary Yancey of Forgiving God. This raw and holy memoir was a favorite of mine. Following Hilary on Instagram has been a treat. I can't wait to read more of her writing in the future.

Most Un-Put-Down-Able Book of the Year

Educated by Tara Westover. This coming of age memoir about a homeschooled girl raised by an abusive, survivalist family in rural Idaho who went on to earn a PhD from Cambridge was so gripping I read it in less than 48 hours and completely neglected all other responsibilities until I finished. Kind of like witnessing the horror of a car wreck, I wanted to stop reading but just couldn't look away.

Book You Read in 2018 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year

Pilgrimage of a Soul by Phileena Heuertz. This is a wonderful book for slow, reflective reading that will lead you into deeper connection with God and deeper awareness of your true self. I loved reading about the pilgrimage she and her husband made along the Camino in Spain and I can't wait to soak up her rich insights again. But probably not until after I read her new book, Mindful Silence.

Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2018

Stretched Too Thin by Jessica Turner. The colors are just so cheery! I've kept it on my desk long after finishing because looking at it brings a smile to my face.

Most Beautifully Written Book of 2018

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar. This book intertwines the tale of a modern day Syrian refugee with an 800 year old legend of an adventurous mapmaker's apprentice. The writing is so hauntingly beautiful it's hard to believe this is the author's first book.

Most Life-Changing Book of 2018

I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown. If there is one book I could insist everyone in my life would read, it would be this one. My eyes were opened to the extent of my privilege in ways I've never considered, and I got a glimpse into the unfairness Brown has experienced from childhood throughout her working life as a woman of color. Highly, highly recommended.

Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2018 to Finally Read

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. This sure seems like the type of book I would have read as a horse-loving kiddo (My Friend Flicka and the Black Stallion series were the lynchpins of my early reading life), but somehow I never connected with Marguerite Henry until I reading them to my own children.

Favorite Quote from a Book You Read in 2018

From Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist:

Celebration when your plan is working? Anyone can do that. But when you realize the story of your life could be told a thousand different ways, that you could tell it over and over again as a tragedy, but you choose to call it an epic, that's when you start to learn what celebration is. When what you see in front of you is so far outside of what you dreamed, but you have the belief, the boldness, the courage to call it beautiful instead of calling it wrong, that's celebration.

Shortest and Longest Books You Read in 2018

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry was the shortest at 88 pages.

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb was the longest with 901 pages.

Favorite Book You Read in 2018 From an Author You've Read Previously

Rethinking School by Susan Wise Bauer. I love every word Susan has written or spoken about homeschooling, but I'd say this book on how to take charge of your child's education and help them thrive in school whether it's public, private, charter or at home is her finest.

Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. This book will immerse you in the rugged landscape of 1970s Alaska. After reading the vivid descriptions of this wild and dangerous countryside, I feel quite certain I'll only be visiting Alaska through the pages of a book!

Book That Was the Most Fun to Read

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch was an adorable story of a cute teenage couple in love and their rollicking Italian adventures.

Hidden Gem of the Year

Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L'Engle ended up being one of my very favorite reads of the year. The book traces the grief of Madeleine's final years together with her husband, Hugh, as he battles cancer. Despite being very sad, it is filled with deep insights into faith and family life.

Your Blogging/Bookish Life

New Favorite Book Blog/Bookstagram You Discovered in 2018

Jessica Turner's Instagram account @booksnobbery

Favorite Post You Wrote in 2018

Life-Giving Water for the Homeschool Mom

Favorite Bookish Photo You Took in 2018

Has to be this cutie and her pile of picture books by the lake!

Your Most Popular Blog Post of 2018

A Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 7- and a 5-year-old)

Looking Ahead

One Book You Didn't Get to in 2018 That Will be #1 on Your List in 2019

Remember God by Annie F. Downs. I've been hearing Annie on every podcast under the sun, it seems, and I follow her hilarious Instagram account, but I've never made it around to reading any of her books. This one is top of the list for 2019.

2019 Debut You are Most Anticipating

I'm so excited to get my hands on I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening) by Sarah & Beth of Pantsuit Politics. I think their way of engaging in thoughtful dialogue around emotionally charged political issues is so desperately needed in our culture.

If you'd like to join in the end of the year bookish fun, head over to Jamie's to join in the survey!