2018 Book Recap

Year 2018 has ended which means an end to my book reading goal of that year. I set 24 books to read for 2018, so that is like 2 books per month, but guess what? I only read 14 books. Same book count in 2017. My reading plans got interrupted because of the months I spent in French school. Now that I am going back to school again from January to June, I don’t know if I will be able to keep up with my set goal of 24. I actually don’t change my book reading goal because I still believe that one day I will be able to make it happen.
Last year, I read all the books that I want to read. If something does not interest me because it is just plain boring, I stop right away.
So here are the 14 books that I read last 2018.
- Why Men Love Bitches – Sherry Argov
Living in the 20th century will tell you how dating world has changed. Everyone is just confusing. You don’t know how to differentiate real and fake connection. It feels like you are in the game field. If you don’t know how to play, you will lose big time. I am not in favour of this type of dating, hence, I stayed single until I find someone worthy, but I did read this book for me to be fully equipped just in case. Everything the author said is true and I am glad that she wrote this book.

“When you meet someone who is truly great, he makes you believe you can be great, too. This is the kind of relationship you want, and it’s the only kind of relationship worth having.”
Rating: 5/5
2. If Tomorrow Comes – Sidney Sheldon
Sheldon will always give you the mind blowing plot. This is surely worth your time reading.

“My ancestors survived famine and plagues and floods, and I’m going to survive this.”
Rating: 4.8/5
3. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
I’ve watched the movie and attended parties in Great Gatsby theme, but I haven’t fully understood the life of the Old Sport until I read the book. One of the few amazing classics that I’ve read.

“No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.”
Rating: 5/5
4. The Winner Stands Alone – Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is the most entertaining writer and author that I know, hence, he is my favourite. I feel emotionally connected with the characters that at the end of the book, I still keep on thinking about it. The ending is just unbelievable.

“The Superclass tries to promote its values. Ordinary people complain
of divine injustice, they envy power, and it pains them to see
others having fun. They don’t understand that no one is having fun,
that everyone is worried and insecure, and that what the jewe
and fat wallets conceal is a huge inferiority complex.”
Rating: 5/5
5. Chasing Harry Winston – Lauren Weisberger
This book is superficial and not appealing to me at all. I use to love The Devil Wears Prada from the same author, but this one is not my cup of tea.

Rating: 3/5
6. #GirlBoss – Sophia Amoruso
Amoruso is witty and I love her humour. Above all I love how she thrived in the world of business. She is a self-made millionaire and truly an inspiration to all women.

Rating: 4/5
7. The Handmaid’s Tail – Margaret Atwood
I have a mixed feelings about this book. I find it well written but poorly thought of. The ending is not what I expected. A friend told me this is a book for feminists, but I don’t see any feminism in it. I guess the series shows feminism which is why I will watch it once I have the time, but the book? Not at all.

“But who can remember pain, once it’s over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Rating: 3.5/5
8. Captivating – John & Stasi Eldredge
Thanks to my friend Olive for giving me this book on my 29th birthday. She said she intend to buy this book for me and at the time of purchase, it was the last book left. I felt like this book is really meant for me to read. A book for women who can’t seem to find their worth. Stasi is a woman of substance. She endured and loved so much. I hope to be as resilient as her in my endeavours.

“When God creates Eve, he calls her an ezer kenegdo. ‘It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him [an ezer kenegdo]’ (Gen. 2:18 Alter).
Rating: 4.5/5
9. The Little Book of Audrey Hepburn – Caroline Jones
There is something about Audrey Hepburn that is so alluring. I have a complete collection of her classic movies and I’ve noticed a grace and demeanour that I’ve never seen with anyone. She is an epitome of classic beauty and I love her for that.

10. Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
I never thought I would read this book. I was in a book sale at that time and if I buy 5 books I get one free, I chose this as my free book just because nothing interest me anymore. Going back to that time, I’m glad that I picked this book up because this is my favourite read for the year 2018. Diana Gabaldon is a great story teller and an amazing narrator. I surely reached Inverness in my imagination because of her!

“Does it ever stop? The wanting you?” “Even when I’ve just left ye. I want you so much my chest feels tight and my fingers ache with wanting to touch ye again.”
Rating: 5/5
11. Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
I cannot imagine how much time and effort in research the author did to make this book. It is well referenced and backed up by studies. I learned a lot of things out of this book, but as a person with strong Christian faith and morals, I would beg to disagree that I did not come from apes. I never believed in Charles Darwin’s theory, and that hasn’t changed one bit even after reading this book.

Rating: 3.9/5
12. The Storyteller – Jodi Picoult
An emotional story of a concentration camp survivor. I love Jodi Picoult’s writing style because the ending is always something you didn’t see coming.

“I believe that the extraordinary trumps the ordinary, any day. I believe that having something to hope for — even if it’s just a better tomorrow — is the most powerful drug on this planet.”
Rating: 4.5/5
13. The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
If you are looking for a real talk, no non-sense BS, then read this. The F word appears frequently, just for you to be reminded that this world really sucks, but it will tell you how to live a life in your own terms. Believe me when I say, I cannot put this book down and this definitely joined my list of best book of the year.

“Unhealthy love is based on two people trying to escape their problems through their emotions for each other—in other words, they’re using each other as an escape. Healthy love is based on two people acknowledging and addressing their own problems with each other’s support.”
Rating: 5/5
14. Crazy Rich Asian – Kevin Kwan
I didn’t read this to understand how Asian parents choose their children’s spouses, I don’t care since I did not come from the upper echelon of Asia. I read this to understand how rich is crazy rich. When Kevin Kwan did his interview, he said this is 110% accurate in terms of Rich Asian’s spending. I am convinced!

“Doing nothing can sometimes be the most effective form of action. If you do nothing, you’ll be sending a clear message: that you’re stronger than they think you are. Not to mention a lot classier. Think about it.”
Rating: 4.9/5