THANK YOU, 2018!

With respect to reading, 2018 was a good year. I’ve read 45 books in all, 21 out of that were five-starred. I know my numbers are measly compared to other readers, but I am really happy with my results. No one or two stars. Yay!

If you want to see My Year 2018 in Books via Goodreads, give it a click here.

Here are my most favored reads, in no particular order:

• PEACHES FOR MONSIEUR LE CURÉ by Joanne Harris (Chocolat #3) – Going back to Lansquenet and joining all the old and new characters were a wonderful experience. Ms. Harris’ words are always so tasteful, I enjoyed them very much.
• A MEMOIR OF AN ADVENTURE: The Argentine Tango Chronicles of Senor Don Roberto Juan Carlos Fuljumero y Suipacha by Robert Fulghum – One of my favorite authors. I knew Tango was exquisite, but it is even more so in Fulghum’s writing. As always, gleaning precious insights from Robert Fulghum's writing is a gift.
• THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF NICOLO ZEN by Nicholas Christopher – A boy pretending to be a girl and deceiving Master Vivaldi, I was instantly intrigued by the premise.
• THE INEXPLICABLE LOGIC OF MY LIFE by Benjamin Alire Sáenz – This was nominated for various awards, and rightly so. I love how Sáenz fleshed-out his characters; I love their goodness, their flaws, their pain, and their connections.
• HERO AT THE FALL by Alwyn Hamilton (Rebel of the Sands #3) – The whole series will stay with me for a long time. It’s magical!
• MURDER GAMES by James Patterson, Howard Roughan – An exceptionally satisfying read. I loved Dr. Dylan Reinhart from the very beginning.
• GOOD TIME COMING by C.S Harris – A hauntingly beautiful coming-of-age tale.  Louisiana 1862, a time when children cannot be children and adults will never be the same.
• BEAR TOWN by Fredrik Backman (Björnstad #1) – This was a departure from Backman’s usual whimsical stories. The premise was heavy with a moral dilemma and no one can easily forget this one.
• WHO KILL THE INNOCENT by C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #13) – I thought that it would be difficult to top Where the Dead Lie, but C.S. Harris has proven me wrong, yet again. I love, love this series!
• LABYRINTH OF THE SPIRITS by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (El Cementerio de Los Libros Olvidados #4) - Reading this installment is like taking a long exhale, unraveling everything slowly. Book #4 is worth the wait if only to read Fermin's witty dialogues again.
• SPEECHLESS by Adam P. Schmitt - One of the many reasons I love Middle-Grade books is that they give me a whole new set of lenses to look through. It is a very well-written, memorable story.
• BRIDGE OF CLAY by Markus Zusak - It's beautiful! It's sad, lyrical, and beautiful.
• WHEN ALL IS SAID by Anne Griffin – An absolutely brilliant read, coming this January 24th. Do put this one on your TBR.

Now, of course, I have special mentions:

• HELLO, UNIVERSE by Erin Entrada Kelly – Winner of the 2018 Newbery Medal. A tugging tale, replete with diversity.
• NEWS OF OUR LOVED ONES by Abigail DeWitt – A compelling read, perfect for historical fiction lovers.
• BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE by Fredrik Backman – Another charming book – it can be funny and heartwarming, other times, it can be sad.
• HOUSEKEEPING by Marilynn Robinson – It’s the absolute quietness of this book paralleled to the turbulent emotions it evoked inside that struck me. It is tragedy enveloped with disturbing calmness. Ms. Robinson snags me every time.
• EUPHORIA by Lily King – Special thanks to Tin who gave me a copy. This story will shift something inside of you. The melancholy was absolute.

My 2018 wish was fully realized, I’ve read some really satisfying books. I wish the same for this year. And maybe, more books in the mail, please and thank you.

It’s THE PAGE WALKER’S 6th bloggy birthday. Thank you for following, for the emails, and bounce rates!

Happy 2019, everybody!