I had planned on doing this like a week ago. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be more productive and stick to plans. Guess that lasted well.

I’m deciding to embrace my chaotic, unorganised self instead of beating myself up over it. But that’s another post entirely. We’re here to talk about books. Interestingly, another one of my resolutions is to read a lot more. Stephen King said a good writer “writes a lot and reads a lot”. He couldn’t be more right. I became a writer because I was a reader first. Books give me almost as much sustenance as chocolate and coffee combined. I’ll be (hopefully) doing a monthly roundup of some of my favourite books by category so I wanted to kick January off with a list of my 2018 favs.

Without further ado…

I Am Pilgrim

Terry Hayes

Oh my fuck. This book. My mum first recommended it to me and I don’t think I would’ve picked it up otherwise. I do love to read thrillers but I don’t pick them up when I’m book shopping. This changed everything. I lived and breathed this book. When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about reading it. Seriously, even if thrillers aren’t your usual jam, I highly recommend you give this a try. The writing is beyond excellent, the plot is engaging and you will not be able to forget about it when you put it down. If I had to pick an ultimate favourite of the year it would be this one.

Buy here.

Girl, Wash Your Face

Rachel Hollis

This is a nonfiction one. I hesitate to call it ‘self-help’ since a lot of people seem to cringe away from books once they read that. But personal improvement books are definitely becoming more popular, and I’m so fucking happy about that. I don’t want to be dramatic, but this book saved me. I was going through a really hard and isolating time when I first moved to London and I really needed a pep talk. I wasn’t strong enough to give myself one and this book did the job. Whatever you’re going through right now, even if you’re not going through anything, I think this book is vital to have in your library.

Buy here.

Circe

Madeline Miller

This was recommended to me by my girl, Jessica Gadziala. She never steers me wrong and she went oh so right on this one. I bought the paperback because it’s so darn beautiful. I’m such a sucker for Greek Mythology (fun fact, I studied it at university) and this is such a fresh and unique take on it. I feel like it’s also very feminist in all the best ways. It’s also super intelligent and creative at the same time.

Buy here.

The Coppersmith Farmhouse

Devney Perry

Okay, first I need to tell you I’m obsessed with Devney. I want to put every single one of her books up here, because each is equally amazing. I’m putting this one because it started the binge of the entire series. Devney has such an amazing, personable and engaging writing style. I fall in love with all of her characters and their stories. Nuff said.

Buy here.

The Ghost  (Professionals #2)

Jessica Gadziala

Jessica is in the same boat. EVERYTHING she writes is epic. Her MC series is one of my top reads in the genre. She does an amazing PNR, Into the Green. Just go and read all her books, actually. She continuously writes amazing books with unique stories and characters. This is actually book two in the Professionals series, and The Fixer is absolutely kick ass too, I just had to chose this one because I read it in one sitting (most of the rest I have too) and it started a total binge. Side note: 367 Days is also fucking GREAT and it’s book one in her Investigators series.

Buy here.

You

Caroline Kepnes

This is now on Netflix featuring Dan Humphrey as Joe and it’s good but you need to read this first. It’s so twisted and fucked up and amazing.

Buy here.

Year One

Nora Roberts

If you’re a fan of Nora Roberts you need to read this. If you like post-apocalyptic fiction you need to read this. If you like PNR you need to read this. Just read it.

Buy here.

Mud Vein

Tarryn Fisher

This book introduced me to Tarryn. Well, I already knew who she was, but I’d never read her, just stalked her kick ass Instagram. I know, I know, how could I only start reading her NOW? I honestly can’t tell you. But I binged every single one of her other books after this. I Can Be a Better You is almost tied with Mud Vein as my favourite from her, but I still can’t stop thinking about this and I read it in FEBRUARY. Tarryn is crazy talented and I’ll read her till the day I die.

Buy here.

 

Honorable mentions

Verity by Colleen Hoover – Do I need to say anything else?

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan – UGLY CRY BOOK

The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels Book 1) by Kerrigan Byrne – One of the best historical romances I’ve ever read

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – I’m so behind, everyone’s already read and become obsessed with this

I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll – Another AMAZING Thriller