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The Best Books of the Year (So Far)
Here at Goodreads, we spend a lot of time looking forward to the big books on the horizon. However, with the year halfway done, we decided to take a look backward. Which 2018 books have your fellow readers loved the most? We've got the answer.
To find the cream of the publishing crop published from January to June of this year, we focused on the books that have been added the most to Goodreads members' shelves. But we didn't just want what's popular—we wanted the best. So we narrowed down our list to include only books with at least a four-star average rating.
In other words, brace yourselves for some epic book browsing. Don't forget to add the top-rated titles that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf.
To find the cream of the publishing crop published from January to June of this year, we focused on the books that have been added the most to Goodreads members' shelves. But we didn't just want what's popular—we wanted the best. So we narrowed down our list to include only books with at least a four-star average rating.
In other words, brace yourselves for some epic book browsing. Don't forget to add the top-rated titles that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf.
FICTION
Louisa Clark, the beloved heroine of Me Before You and After You, mixes with New York high society and tries to embrace adventure and romance in this humorous, poignant tale about staying true to yourself.
Check out Moyes' book recommendations here.
Check out Moyes' book recommendations here.
The embodiment of the American dream and the New South, Celestial and Roy have no reason to doubt their bright future. Then disaster strikes, sending Roy to prison for a crime he didn't commit and shaking their relationship to its core.
Discover Jones' book recommendations here.
Discover Jones' book recommendations here.
In this unforgettable follow-up to Beartown, the citizens of a small town in Sweden rally around their local hockey team, even as a hostile rivalry threatens to destroy friendships, families, and the fragile peace of a volatile community.
Find Backman's book recommendations here.
From neuroscientist Genova, the author of Still Alice, comes a heartbreaking exploration of redemption. Richard, once an accomplished pianist, now has ALS. With the help of his ex-wife, Karina, he tries to reconcile the past before it's too late.
Read our interview with Genova here.
Read our interview with Genova here.
MYSTERY & THRILLER
Anna Fox has one lifeline to the real world: her window. Terrified to step outside her home, she spends her days spying on her neighbors—until she witnesses something no one was supposed to see in this chilling Hitchcockian mystery.
Check out our interview with Finn here.
Check out our interview with Finn here.
From the author of The Woman in Cabin 10 and In a Dark, Dark Wood comes a tale of spellbinding menace that sees a struggling tarot card reader lured into a web of intrigue, danger, and betrayal by the promise of a tantalizing fortune.
Find our interview with Ware here.
When journalist Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But then a discovery during the renovations links the death of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden—and a voice that won't be silenced.
A series of grisly murders leaves clues pointing to men with airtight alibis, sending detective Ralph Anderson racing to uncover the identity of the real killer in this riveting psychological thriller from the beloved bestselling author.
YOUNG ADULT
Jude was taken to the treacherous High Court of Faerie as a child, but she doesn't want to escape; she wants to belong. To earn her place, she must defy the king's wickedest son and navigate a deadly civil war.
Read our interview with Black here.
Read our interview with Black here.
This West African-inspired fantasy, which has already been optioned for film, introduces readers to Orïsha, where magic once thrived but is now persecuted—and where one young woman has the power to turn the world upside down.
Discover Adeyemi's book recommendations here.
Discover Adeyemi's book recommendations here.
Step aside, Simon. Here, Leah Burke, the best friend of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda's title character, takes center stage, tackling first love, senior-year angst, her own bisexuality, and a fracturing friend group.
Check out Albertalli's book recommendations here.
Check out Albertalli's book recommendations here.
Leigh is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. Alternating between past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair, this is an enchanting debut about the power and magic of family.
NONFICTION
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
by Michelle McNamara
by Michelle McNamara
The sadistic Golden State Killer terrorized California for more than a decade. This masterful true-crime account traces journalist McNamara's obsession with the mysterious and violent predator and features an introduction by Gillian Flynn.
What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.
Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. She struggles for self-invention in this universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes.
Former FBI director Comey shares his never-before-told experiences from some of the highest-stakes situations of his career, exploring what ethical leadership looks like. His journey provides an unprecedented entry into the corridors of power.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The author of The Nightingale shifts from World War II to Alaska, telling the story of Ernt Allbright, a former POW who returns from the Vietnam War and immediately moves his family to America's last true frontier.
Find our interview with Hannah here.
Find our interview with Hannah here.
Based on a true story, Lale is put to work tattooing his fellow prisoners in the Auschwitz concentration camp. One of them is a young woman, Gita, who steals his heart at first glance. With his life given new purpose, Lale attempts to use his position for good.
German dissenter Franka Gerber hides deep in the Black Forest as World War II spreads across Europe, but her solitary existence is interrupted by the discovery of a wounded airman wearing a Luftwaffe uniform. Their tenuous bond becomes as inseparable as it is dangerous.
ROMANCE
Natalia just wants to get cocky, annoyingly handsome Hunter out of her system. After a couple of flings, first at a wedding and then at a baby shower, she agrees to spend eight weeks with him in New York City—no strings attached.
Check out Keeland's book recommendations here.
Brilliant math whiz Stella decides to practice dating by hiring an escort in this heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: There's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.
Read our interview with Hoang here.
British rock star Alex needs a babysitter, someone who can keep him out of trouble. Enter sweet, responsible Indigo, who is adorably sure she can resist the serial heartbreaker's advances as the two embark on a whirlwind world tour.
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
This is not Odysseus' story. In this reimagining of Homer's Odyssey, the goddess Circe grows up a strange child, finds herself banished to a deserted island, tames wild beasts, and encounters the Minotaur, Daedalus, and Odysseus himself.
Discover Miller's book recommendations here.
Discover Miller's book recommendations here.
Brown returns to Mars (and beyond) in a new trilogy set shortly after the events of his Red Rising books. This time Darrow grapples with mending a galaxy he helped break as new heroes vie for vengeance and redemption.
Find Brown's essay on shaping our world through stories here.
Find Brown's essay on shaping our world through stories here.
Welcome to the Tower of Babel, the greatest marvel in the world. Here, mild-mannered headmaster Thomas searches for his wife in a steampunk world of geniuses and tyrants, navigating madhouses, ballrooms, and burlesque theaters.
Check out our interview with Bancroft here.
What's the best book you've read this year? Tell us in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
Goodreads Employees Share Their Summer Reading Plans
20 Top-Rated Books for Every Kind of Getaway
Choosing Your Vacation Books: Our Readers Share Their Advice
Check out more recent blogs:
Goodreads Employees Share Their Summer Reading Plans
20 Top-Rated Books for Every Kind of Getaway
Choosing Your Vacation Books: Our Readers Share Their Advice
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Melissa
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Jun 21, 2018 07:25PM
Finished "Bel Canto" by Anne Patchette--beyond wonderful. Next up, "The Marsh King's Daughter," then, "Wolf Hall" cuz I LOVED the PBS series. Add a few other novels, and then back to Hamilton.
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The best book I have read this year is " Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" by Gail Honeyman.
Norwegian by night Derek MillerHimself Jesse Kidd
I don't know what I would do without Goodreads and all the readers' comments. I hope I live long enough to read all the books on my list!Yvonne
Sylvia wrote: "The best book I have read this year is " Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" by Gail Honeyman."That's my pick as well. :)
The Boat People by Sharon Bolton was a deeply moving & illuminating read on how North Americans respond to the Immigration crises.Sharon Bolton's Sacrifice, not a new Thriller but very engaging.
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan deserves far more attention by GR's.
Woman in the Window was absolutely the worst book I’ve read in many years’
'Course, then I picked up "The Memory of Water" at the Goodwill...I might have to jiggle things around a little.Christina Baker Kline (Orphan Train) is a friend, so I will add her newest, but that might be a read-in-one-frosty-weekend book.
The Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Wonderful language, story, characters and historically fascinating.
Erica wrote: "Great list! Just wish it was longer"ME TOO!
Carrie wrote: "Erica wrote: "Great list! Just wish it was longer"ME TOO!"
"The Memory Keeper's Daughter," anything by Bill Bryson, Wally Lamb, or Barbara Kingsolver. "All the Light One Cannot See" is awesome, as is "The Lilac Girls." I've just picked up "The Atomic City Girls," so I hope I love it.
All the Light...was great, Lilac Girls great too as was The Memory Keeper's Daughter...love Wally Lamb, was only disappointed once. Bryson is new to me, thanks for the recommendation and I've heard great things about your current book...Happy Reading!
My favorite book of the year so far? Things I Never Told You by Beth K. Vogt.
Marlene wrote: "Best of this year: Less. Also loved The Illusionists, Asymmetry and Ruined House."I love Less (and it won the Pulitzer Prize!) but it came out last year.
I have the ARC of The Kiss Quotient. Loved Leah on the Offbeat and Children of Blood and Bone. I also have the ARC The Woman in the Window and Us Against You
DLingrid wrote: "Rebel Heart and Heir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland... And the Hitman series by Alexis Abbott"I've read six of these and they are excellent. As for the other genres I don't really know much about them such as romance, fantasy so it' s great to see which books are well written in case I want to try something new, all is good :)
Erica wrote: "hello why isn't the year one on here nora Roberts."Probably because it was published in 2017.
. I have read dozens of books so far this year, but a Slow Horses novel will always rise to the top of the heap.
I’ve only bought one book on this list,Stephen Kings The Outsider, and I plan on buying The Woman In The Window soon
Tasha wrote: "Nicko wrote: "Omg Jojo Moyes and best book is oxymoron"How so?? If her writing style was not your taste, say that but don't bash a good writer just because you can. Some people use the reviews of..."
Tasha- I'm going to assume you're not related to Jojo Moyes, and thank you for defending her. As an author, I think we can withstand readers ripping apart specific things about our work or sharing opinions (even if they make us want to assume the fetal position), but it's rough to be written off entirely. <3
Picky Virgo wrote: ". I have read dozens of books so far this year, but a Slow Horses novel will always rise to the top of the heap."Imagine how wise you would turn if read not this nonsense but real books :)
Best book of the year so far.....means books published in 2018. There are lots of wonderful books here that aren’t on the list. Why? They were not published in 2018. The Goodreads details tab has a publication date, if you’re not sure when a book came out. (Goodreads blog authors: you’re contributing to the confusion, by asking “what’s the best book you’ve read this year?” instead of “what’s the best book you’ve read that was published this year?” More wordy, but at least the responses meet the criteria, since not everyone reads brand new books.)
Also, a book has to have a 4-star average to be considered. If your favorite book doesn’t have that average, it’s not going to make this list and is not going to make the end of the year Goodreads awards.
If you’re going to object about something not being included, perhaps you can start with making sure it actually met the criteria.
Peebee wrote: "Best book of the year so far.....means books published in 2018. There are lots of wonderful books here that aren’t on the list. Why? They were not published in 2018. The Goodreads details tab has a..."Thank you for clearing this up! I was, indeed, confused re: what the REAL question was. So often, by the time I buy a book--it is as a trade paperback...my reading list generally is at least a year behind. I will gently leave this convo.
“The Life of Pi”!!! It was so good. I was surprised by how deeply it touched me. Masterful.
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You ThinkFactfulness - is the best book from 2018 I've read so far. And I highly recommend everyone reading it! It's eye-opening.
My favorite book of this year is Recursion by Marion G. Harmon. I love this series. I know it is superhero fiction but this series makes me cry, laugh, hope, and feel like no other series has ever done before.
Hands down the best book I’ve read so far is “A Gentleman in Moscow”. So we’ll written! Just loved it!!
Several books come to mind, but if I had to narrow it down to just one, I guess it would be "The Unlikeable Demon Hunter" by Deborah Wilde. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Best book I read LAST year-A Gentleman from Moscow by Amor Towles
Best book this year, so far-
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Thanks for the list, Got 2 books from here.
