2018 Reads Wrap-up Meme

Seven years ago I did a wrap-up meme of my books read in 2010. Although I’m a way less prolific reader now and we’re already in February (did we skip a month?), I feel like doing this 2018 in review again anyway.

So here goes…

The first book you read in 2018: De tolk van Java (The Interpreter from Java) ~ Alfred Birney

The last book you finished in 2018: Zomervacht ~ Jaap Robben

The first book you will finish/finished in 2019: The Death of Achilles ~ Boris Akunin

Your favorite “classic” you read in 2018: the oldest book I’ve read last year is Een ezeldroom (“A Donkey Dream”) by Inez van Dullemen, published in 1977. I liked it but wouldn’t particularly recommend, unless you’re my age or have a home in rural France that you bought as a ruin and renovated…

The book series you read the most volumes of in 2018: I only read one book from a series: Aaron Falk #1 “The Dry” by Jane Harper. Will definitely read the sequel.

The genre you read the most in 2018: modern literary fiction.

The book that disappointed you: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It wasn’t bad (and even good in parts) but it had been on my wishlist for ages and expectations were high thanks to raving reviews in my bookish friends circle.

The book you liked better than you expected to: The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martell. I had bailed this one before because it annoyed me, but I was curious how it would turn out after the second and third part of the book.

The hardest book you read in 2018 (topic or writing style): The Interpreter from Java by Alfred Birney. The subject of being a child of the Indonesian colonial war survivors is close to home for me.

The funniest book you read in 2018: Donkey Work by Doreen Tovey.

The saddest book you read in 2018: The Golden Legend by Nadeem Aslam.

The shortest book you read in 2018: Simon’s Cat by Simon Tofield.

The longest book you read in 2018: The Pillars of the Earth.

A book that you discovered in 2018 that you will definitely read again: The Golden Legend. I seldom reread books but this terrific novel certainly stands a chance.

A book that you never want to read again: The Interpreter from Java. Although the topic is close to my heart, this novel is way too long and not always written well. In my opinion it would have benefited by an additional review by the editor.

And finally, a New Year’s Resolution: as I mentioned in my previous post I want to try and spend more time reading this year.

Looking back at my reading year in this way makes me realise that I have read way more Dutch literature than before. Partly due to my bookclub’s choices, but not entirely. I both started and ended 2018 with novels from domestic authors and read two more. To my liking, I must admit ;)

Go to Goodreads if you want to see all the books I read in 2018 and how I rated them!

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