Weekly Lists #140: Best Books of 2018 (So Far)

The year is half way done and you know what? I’m actually quite happy with what I’ve read so far! (This is not something that happens on a regular basis, trust me) So here are some of the best books of 2018! (Well, so far at least)

Now, of course I’ve read way more books than just these… These are just the ones I can think of right now… By Friday, this might have changed (and guess what, on Friday, you can probably find out, because I think I’m going to be doing the #MidYearBookFreakout Tag then! 🙂 )

1. De Tragedie van Swerthout-Wittebeek

What? I’m starting out with a Dutch one? Yes, that’s right. Now, this book tells the story of one particular Belgian village near the end of the second World War. The son of collaborators is murdered by the resistance, at which point his family swears vengeance. That vengeance turns out to be one of the bloodiest, most “too little known” tragedies of the entire war – approximately the entire male population of that village did not survive those last days.

Now, that sounds like something that is absolutely horrible to read… And it easily could have been – if it hadn’t been for the author. She manages to frame this story in such an amazing (at times: tear-inducing) way… Honestly, it knocked me out for a good little while. If you speak/read Dutch? Get this one, read it, and discover some history that (especially at this point of time!) is so incredibly relevant.

(Find it on Goodreads)

2. The Pinhoe Egg

This is the last book in the Chrestomanci-series but – for some reason – I had never read it. This past Easter break, though, I re-read the entire series and added any books or short stories I had never gotten to before. You guys… It took me a week to read anything after that. And that’s really all I’m going to say about that, other than: go check it out on Goodreads!

3. The Princess Saves Herself In This One

This is basically a bit of a “cult classic” already, so I don’t really know why it took me until this year to read it. But you know, I did, I fell in love, I bought, read and reviewed the sequel…

Also, I’d been wanting to read more poetry this year – and with this one? That hope was only re-affirmed.

4. Am I Normal Yet?

Because I always like to read books about people that suffer.

Ha, no but seriously – the way OCD is portrayed in this book while also tackling issues like feminism, femininity, friendship and all the likes? It’s admirable. It’s also continued excellently throughout the rest of the series. Just check it out on Goodreads, and then add it to your TBR!

5. A Short History of Nearly Everything

Look, I love history and sciences and this book manages to combine that in the most perfect way. Also, this was the first book I read this year and I’m honestly convinced that is kind of what set me off so perfectly for the rest of this year’s reading. Start off as you intend to continue and all that jazz, right? (Goodreads)

What are some of the best books you’ve read this year? Any I might like as well? Or you just think I ought to read? Be sure to let me know below!

-Saar