I track all my reading on Goodreads. I set up shelves for the info I want to track. When I finish a book, I add it to the relevant shelves and bam, done.
I may try to keep a more detailed log this year, but we’ll see if that lasts. I’m pretty lazy when it comes to tracking, and Goodreads makes it pretty easy.
2018 was a pretty good reading year for me. I set a Goodreads reading goal of 200 Books in 2018, which I managed to meet in November. I include new-to-me and re-reads in that, as well as DNF’s if I read at least half the book before quitting. I averaged about 18 books per month. I also set a personal goal to read more new-to-me authors. I tend to get into a funk and read a lot of the same authors. I didn’t do quite as well with that as I’d have liked, but I did a lot better than the previous two years.
Quick Stats for the Year
eARCs Read: 55 | Books Reviewed: 76 | Average Monthly Books Read: 18
Audiobooks: 110 | Pages Read: 66,403 | New to Me Authors: 39
The Breakdown
By Month
- January (17)
- February (15)
- March (11)
- April (14)
- May (19)
- June (30)
- July (8)
- August (19)
- September (26)
- October (18)
- November (25)
- December (14)
I tried 39 new-to-me authors. Of those, I went on to read multiple books by Anne Bishop, Molly Harper, J.T. Geissinger, Lauren Blakely and Lorraine Heath. I DNF’d 7 books. Which isn’t too bad, considering how many I read throughout the year. I averaged about 18 books per month.
By Genre
- Contemporary (71)
- Fantasy (40)
- Historical (24)
- Paranormal (13)
- Romantic Suspense (5)
- Sci-Fi (4)
- Urban Fantasy (64)
I read a lot of UF/F in 2018. I took a long break from UF, so I had a lot of great series to catch up on. Contemporary remains my favorite sub-genre, but I’m determined to read more historicals in 2019. I really like Sci-Fi, but I rarely read it. I need to work on that. Romantic Suspense remains the bain of my existence. I doubt I’ll ever come to love it.
By Format
- Hardcover (0)
- Paperback (0)
- Audio (110)
- eBook (100)
I’ll be honest, I didn’t start keeping track of format until late in the year. I kept track of how many audiobooks I listened to, but otherwise didn’t pay attention. I know I didn’t read any hardcovers this year, but it’s possible I read a couple paperbacks. I just don’t remember which ones or how many. Generally speaking, I only read in digital or listen to audiobooks, and audiobooks are new for me. I plan to keep better track in the coming year of eArc vs Purchase, so I may track format better as well.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Books Reviewed
- Good Boy (WAGs, #1) by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
- The Kingpin of Camelot (A Kinda Fairytale, #3) by Cassandra Gannon
- Promises Linger by Sarah McCarty
- The Billionaire's Pregnant Mistress (Petronides Brothers Duo #1; Greek Tycoons #4) by Lucy Monroe
- Judgment Road by Christine Feehan
- Heart of Steel (Iron Seas, #2) by Meljean Brook
- Unraveled (Whiskey Sharp, #1) by Lauren Dane
Books Read
A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Pretty Girls Dancing by Kylie Brant
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor
Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
Happiness for Humans by P.Z. Reizin
Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath
Honor’s Splendour by Julie Garwood
The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen
The Gamble by Kristen Ashley
The Wedding by Julie Garwood
The Secret by Julie Garwood
The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan
Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood
Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was probably Pretty Girls Dancing by Kylie Brant. It wasn’t a romance, but I enjoyed the ebb and flow of the story. I also really enjoyed Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen, A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet and the Binti series by Nnedi Okorafor. My least favorite read was Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet. That book was a hot mess.
February
Books Reviewed
Books Read
Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Lake Silence by Anne Bishop
Natural Witch by K.F. Breene
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Rough Ride by Kristen Ashley
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite reads of the month were the Anne Bishop books. I’m not sure I have a favorite from the series, so I’m just including them all. Hello Stranger was also wonderful. I adored Ethan.
My least favorite was Rough Ride by Kristen Ashley. I liked Snapper, but overall the novella was slow moving and kind of boring. It wasn’t a bad read, it just didn’t hold up against the other books I read this month.
March
Books Reviewed
- Hunting Julian (Gatherers, #1) by Jacquelyn Frank
- Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
- Happiness for Humans by P.Z. Reizin
- The Chosen: A Novella of the Elder Races by Thea Harrison
- Unclaimed (Turner, #2) by Courtney Milan
- Books to Binge On: April 2018
Books Read
The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard
Dark Desires by Eve Silver
Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt
Complicated by Kristen Ashley
Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley
For You by Kristen Ashley
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks
Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
Flames and Chains by G.A. Aiken
About a Dragon by G.A. Aiken
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken, with Duke of Sin a close second. My least favorite was Flames and Chains, a short story included with Dragon Actually. It was originally written for her newsletter and it showed. I also really struggled with the audiobook of Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley. That was horrible. I love that book like whoa, but the audio was junk.
April
Books Reviewed
- Cover of Night by Linda Howard
- Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin, #1) by G.A. Aiken
- Inside Out by Lauren Dane
- Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane, #10) by Elizabeth Hoyt
- Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Books Read
Dragon’s Oath by Sophie Stern
Snowfall and Secrets by Kimberly Loth
Natural Mage by K.F. Breene
Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Prince in Leather by Holley Trent
The Hellion by Christi Caldwell
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Sweep in Peace
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh
Ocean Light by Nalini Singh
Crimes Against Magic by Steve McHugh
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was Natural Mage by K.F. Breene. I’m really loving that series. My Least favorite was probably Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid. I didn’t hate the book, but I had high expectations based on recommendations from those in my trust circle and it didn’t live up to them.
May
Books Reviewed
- Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon (The Embraced, #3) by Kerrelyn Sparks
- Dark Desires by Eve Silver
- Planet Dragos (Elder Races, #9.8) by Thea Harrison
- Planet Dragos (Elder Races, #9.8) by Thea Harrison
- The Woman Left Behind (GO-Team, #2) by Linda Howard
- Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas
- Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls, #1) by Melinda Leigh
Books Read
Planet Dragos by Thea Harrison
The Hookup by Erin McCarthy
Rock Chick Reborn by Kristne Ashley
Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee
Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger
Melt for You by J.T. Geissinger
Chosen by K.F. Breene
Hunted by K.F. Breene
Shadow Lands by K.F. Breene
Invasion by K.F. Breene
Siege by K.F. Breene
Overtaken by K.F. Breene
Overtaken: Bonus Epilogue by K.F. Breene
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley
Diamond Bay by Linda Howard
White Lies by Linda Howard
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger. It’s a modern-day Beauty and the Beast retelling. I ended up reading it 3 times it was so good. My least favorite read was Rock Chick Reborn by Kristen Ashley. I was so looking forward to Shirleen’s story, but she acted so unlike herself it killed the story for me.
June
Books Reviewed
- Not Quite Crazy (Not Quite, #6) by Catherine Bybee
- The Hookup (The Jordan Brothers, #1) by Erin McCarthy
- Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles, #1) by K.F. Breene
- Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks
- Trying to Score by Toni Aleo
Books Read
A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Unicorn Lane by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Fernandos by Ilona Andrews
Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Soup by Ilona Andrews
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Midnight Games by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Hot Tub by Ilona Andrews
Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Kate’s Origin by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Naked Dinner by Ilona Andrews
Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Conclave by Ilona Andrews
Curran POV Collection: Awake by Ilona Andrews
Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Retribution Clause by Ilona Andrews
An Ill-Advised Rescue by Ilona Andrews
Curran Twitter, The Wilson Building by Ilona Andrews
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Dabwaha, Curran Twitter by Ilona Andrews
Magic Steals by Ilona Andrews
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews
Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews
Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks
The Kingpin of Camelot by Cassandra Gannon
Giving Chase by Lauren Dane
Taking Chase by Lauren Dane
Shadow’s Edge by J.T. Geissinger
Edge of Oblivion by J.T. Geissinger
Hot Single Dad by Claire Kingsley
Her Best Friend by Claire Kingsley
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite non-reread of the month was probably Hot Single Dad by Claire Kingsley. There were some issues, but overall it was a cute read. My least favorite was Shadow’s Edge by J.T. Geissinger. I kept anticipating some major event to happen, and it never came to be. I enjoyed book 2 quite a bit more.
July
Books Reviewed
- Shadow's Edge (Night Prowler, #1) by J.T. Geissinger
- The Trouble with Love (Sex, Love & Stiletto, #4) by Lauren Layne
- Edge of Oblivion (Night Prowler, #2) by J.T. Geissinger
- Melt for You (Slow Burn, #2) by J.T. Geissinger
- Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
- The Hellion (Wicked Wallflowers, #1) by Christi Caldwell
Books Read
Wild Like the Wind by Kristen Ashley
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Trouble with Love by Lauren Layne
Midnight Valentine by J.T. Geissinger
Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was The Kiss Quotient. I really loved the reverse Pretty Woman storyline and both the hero and heroine. My least favorite was Midnight Valentine by J.T. Geissinger. It started out really strong but went downhill at the end.
August
Books Reviewed
- Midnight Valentine by J.T. Geissinger
- Raphael (Vampires in America, #1) by D.B. Reynolds
- Devil in Spring (The Ravenels, #3) by Lisa Kleypas
- Duke Most Wanted (Heiress Brides, #3) by Celeste Bradley
- Lumberjack Werebear (Saw Bears, #1) by T.S. Joyce
- Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery, #1) by Victoria Dahl
Books Read
Complicated by Kristen Ashley
The Secret (Highland Lairds #1) by Julie Garwood
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
Ransom (Highland Lairds #2) by Julie Garwood
Herons Landing (Honeymoon Harbor #1) by JoAnn Ross
Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane (Honeymoon Harbor #2) by JoAnn Ross
When a Duke Loves a Woman (Sins for All Seasons #2) by Lorraine Heath
Lumberjack Werebear (Saw Bears #1) by T.S. Joyce
Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely
The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels #6) by Kerrigan Byrne
The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1) by J.R. Ward
The Hookup (Game On #1) by Kristen Callihan
The Chase (Briar U #1) by Elle Kennedy
The Time in Between (Magdalene #3) by Kristen Ashley
Play it Safe by Kristen Ashley
Duke Most Wanted (Heiress Brides #3) by Celeste Bradley
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews
Wild Like the Wind (Chaos #5) by Kristen Ashley
Getting Schooled (Getting Some #1) by Emma Chase
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was a tie between Getting Schooled by Emma Chase and When a Duke Loves a Woman by Lorraine Heath. Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely gets an honorable mention. I loved the story, but Richard Armitage as narrator really put it over the top. That might actually be my favorite. Or maybe just my favorite audiobook. My least favorite was The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward. I know I DNF’d it, but trust me, it was bad.
September
Books Reviewed
- The Chase (Briar U, #1) by Elle Kennedy
- Sabine (And the Beast, #1) by Moira Rogers
- The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings, #1) by J.R. Ward
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- Satisfaction (Lawless, #2) by Lexi Blake
- Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1) by Grace Draven
- Sustained by Emma Chase
- Touch the Sky (Mated by Fate, #2) by Kari Cole
- Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
Books Read
Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven
Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Hot Dad by Whitley Cox
Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone
The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
The Only One by Lauren Blakely
Trophy Husband by Lauren Blakely
Light My Fire by Christie Ridgway
Feral Magic by Robin D. Owens
Fairytale Come Alive by Kristen Ashley
Touch the Sky by Kari Cole
The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely
For the Love of English by A.M. Hargrove
Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely
The Seduction of Elliot McBride by Jennifer Ashley
The Will by Kristen Ashley
Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Lover by Jennifer Ashley
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Satisfaction by Lexi Blake
Complicated by Kristen Ashley
Getting Schooled by Emma Chase
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill
Nights with Him by Lauren Blakely
The Hot One by Lauren Blakely
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite read of the month was Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely, with an honorable mention to Getting Schooled by Emma Chase. I also really liked Phoenix Unbound, but the beginning was a little slow. My least favorite read was Hot Dad by Whitley Cox. That book was a mess from start to finish.
October
Books Reviewed
- Herons Landing (Honeymoon Harbor, #1) by JoAnn Ross
- Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
- Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
- Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
- Light My Fire (Rock Royalty, #1) by Christie Ridgway
- For the Love of English by A.M. Hargrove
- The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels, #6) by Kerrigan Byrne
- Feral Magic by Robin D. Owens
- Summer Breeze (Keegan-Paxton #3) by Catherine Anderson
- Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely
- Shadow and Ice (Gods of War, #1) by Gena Showalter
- Trophy Husband (Caught Up in Love, #3) by Lauren Blakely
- The Sexy One (One Love, #1) by Lauren Blakely
- The Only One (One Love #2) by Lauren Blakely
- The Hot One (One Love, #3) by Lauren Blakely
- Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane (Honeymoon Harbor, #2) by JoAnn Ross
Books Read
Fantastical by Kristen Ashley
Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley
Midnight Soul by Kristen Ashley
Soaring by Kristen Ashley
How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper
Love and Other Wild Things by Molly Harper
Lionheart by Thea Harrison
The Scribe by Elizabeth Hunter
The Singer by Elizabeth Hunter
Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh
Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh
Shadow and Ice by Gena Showalter
Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen
If He’s Daring by Hannah Howell
Steadfast by Sarina Bowen
Once Upon a Sure Thing by Lauren Blakely
On the Surface by Kate Willoughby
Red Wolf by Jennifer Ashley
Natural Dual-Mage by K.F. Breene
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite reads of the month were Lionheart by Thea Harrison and Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh. I’m still not recovered from AP. I need the next book SO BAD! My least favorite reads were The Scribe and The Singer (which I DNF’d) by Elizabeth Hunter. The premise was really interesting, but I’m annoyed The Scribe ended in a cliffhanger and The Singer was basically just a recap of The Scribe for the 35% I read.
November
Books Reviewed
- Baby, I'm Howling for You (Alphaville, #1) by Christine Warren
- On the Surface (In the Zone, #1) by Kate Willoughby
- Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh
- Lionheart (Moonshadow, #3) by Thea Harrison
- Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
Books Read
One More Time by Laurelin Page
Goddess with a Blade
Royally Hung by Anne Marsh
Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
Ache for You by J.T. Geissinger
Sin and Chocolate by K.F. Breene
Ain’t She a Peach by Molly Harper
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck by Molly Harper
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
The Christmas Cottage by Samantha Chase
Taking Chase by Lauren Dane
Making Chase by Lauren Dane
Chased by Lauren Dane
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
Sleepover by Serena Bell
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Night Broken by Patricia Briggs
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Raven’s Shadow by Patricia Briggs
Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas
A Little Night Magic by Lucy March
Complicated by Kristen Ashley
Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley
The Gamble by Kristen Ashley
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite new read of the month was probably Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck. I actually really enjoyed the entire Southern Eclectic series by Molly Harper, but that was my favorite of them. My least favorite read was Ache for You by J.T. Geissinger. I haven’t hated a heroine that much in..maybe ever. You know things are bad when the idea of her falling down the stairs and breaking all her bones makes you giddy inside.
December
Books Reviewed
- Red Wolf by Jennifer Ashley
- One More Time by Laurelin Paige
- Sweet Tea and Sympathy (Southern Eclectic, #1) by Molly Harper
- How to Date Your Dragon (Mystic Bayou, #1) by Molly Harper
Books Read
Spiral of Need by Suzanne Wright
Force of Temptation
Lure of Oblivion
Echoes of Fire by Suzanne Wright
Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright
Carnal Secrets by Suzanne Wright
Wild Hunger by Suzanne Wright
Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Inside Out by Lauren Dane
Never Enough by Lauren Dane
Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley
Fairytale Come Alive by Kristen Ashley
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
Favorite and Least Favorite
My favorite reads of the month were Echoes of Fire and Wild Hunger by Suzanne Wright. I really enjoyed both. My least favorite was Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good, either.
Do you track your reading each year? How did your year in books look? Share in the comments!
This is some post…holy shit, you win the year in review post!
Oh please, yours had cool graphs. I can’t compete with that.
Next year, you’ll have graphs too!
Wow, that was quite an impressive post, Holly! Here’s hoping for lots of good reading in 2019.
Thank you. takes a bow
I’m hoping for good reading for us all in 2019.
Holls – how is it even possible that you hadn’t read Lorraine Heath before? Someday I will get back to tracking my reads, but today is not that day.
I honestly have no idea. I think I had her confused with another author, though I can’t remember which one now. Thankfully I’ve corrected that oversight.