Top 5 Books of 2018

In no particular order (because I simply could not decide between them!). These are spoiler free mini-reviews of the 5 incredible books.

 

• Big Bones by Laura Dockrill: Big Bones is a YA novel following a girl called Bluebelle who is living her life and navigates the constant stream of dialogue she receives from people about her weight and eating habits. The book makes you look at yourself, evaluating your relationship with food and body image and encourages body positivity wholeheartedly. As someone is a massive advocate for body positivity and has recovered from anorexia I found it so incredibly wonderful and have recommended it to basically everyone since I finished it. Should I have any children it’ll be one I force them to read and I think it should be in every single school, public, college & university library.
• This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay: Adam Kay has written a novel featuring his diary entries throughout his time as a Junior Doctor. It features so much honesty, hilarity and heartbreak. There isn’t too much to say without detailing specific things and giving spoilers but I found it truly incredible and it opened my eyes up to more about the NHS and the medical professions. As someone who loves all things medical (Greys Anatomy counts right?) and wishes she could be a nurse, it had a special place in my heart which probably made me love it a little bit more, but I am yet to hear a bad review from anyone!
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris: I was gifted an ARC (advanced reading copy) of this (in exchange for an honest review) and I won’t deny I didn’t expect too much from it. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is about what I’m sure you can guess – the tattooer at Auschwitz. When prisoners arrived at the camp of Auschwitz each was branded with a number done by Lale (the tattooer) and the novel follows his journey and how he managed to survive the war. This was an absolutely heart-wrenching story and it took my breath away on a number of occasions. I stayed up until 2am to finish it (which I haven’t done with a novel for quite some time) and sat there with tears dripping down my face for a good few minutes after I closed the final page. I honestly believe this is one of the books everyone should read.
• Tilly and the Bookwanderers (Pages & Co.) by Anna James: Tilly and the Bookwanderers is the first book in a series titled Pages and Co. about a young girl called Matilda (Tilly) who discovers that she has the ability to enter books and communicate with the characters, named Bookwandering. This is typically shelved as a Children’s novel but I honestly believe it is suitable for all ages as I, a 22-year-old, adored it. I’ve always been a fan of books about books but I loved that this is unique in that it isn’t simply about owning some books and incorporates a little magic. As a children’s book, there are some aspects of the plot which are predictable but there were many twists and turns which took me by surprise and I loved! I can not wait for future instalments.
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: Now I’m sure everyone has heard of this world-famous classic but – dare I admit – I hadn’t read this prior to 2018. Wuthering Heights follows Cathy and her family and her relationship with Heathcliff (and his family). It is full of passion, hatred, love and power. I won’t deny that I found it a hard slog initially but once I reached the halfway point I was getting into the flow of it and found myself falling in love. It was truly beautiful and I can definitely understand why it has so much acclaim.