The Best Books I Read in 2018

I have the most perfect independent bookshop less than a mile from my house. The self-described “nook for people who love beautiful books”, The Bookshop introduced me to several of the books on this year’s list—books I might never have discovered in my online and used-bookstore travels. The shop’s owner/buyer, Joelle Herr, has a knack for finding not only the most interesting books—but also the most visually appealing ones—because, as it turns out, many of us do judge our books by their covers … and paper stock, and font choice, and edge texture (deckle all the way). There I’ve purchased gorgeous editions of classic bricks like The Red Notebook and Infinite Jest and Middlemarch that I may or may not finish in 2019 but find comforting to have on my shelf nonetheless, in case there’s ever a word shortage. Books will happily wait for you. They’re patient and non judgmental that way.

Here's what I did finish reading.

Not Perfect by Elizabeth LaBan A fast, fun read that also manages to shed genuine light on the realities of families facing food insecurity. The finale felt a bit too tidy (considering the novel’s title) but the “all’s well that ends well” wrap up is a hallmark of women’s contemporary fiction that I think many readers expect (if not demand). My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Talent Modern literature at its very best. This book gutted me. Turtle Alveston is the most unique and well drawn heroine I’ve encountered in a long time. Visceral, gripping, painful, and amazingly satisfying reading. Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller Similar in subject matter to My Absolute Darling—will a daughter survive her survivalist father?—this novel (also very good) has almost an old-timey quality to it - where Talent’s novel feels more urgent and immediate and now. It’s hard not to compare the two and have this one feel smaller somehow—but it’s a very good novel in its own right. I would recommend it to a tween or teen reader more readily than the other as well. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert It’s Elizabeth Gilbert, man. Anything she writes in the non-fiction realm is gold. She’s funny, engaging and real. And she knows a hell of a lot about how creativity works and how we can best work it to our advantage. That said, I want to give a quick shout out to another book by Liz Gilbert that I read years ago—which may be her least known work of non-fiction: The Last American Man. It’s this spunky, rollicking story (I don’t want to say biography because I generally find biographies to be a bit of a bore) of Eustace Conway—a young man who bails from modern, materialistic living and lives off the land. My vegan and environmentalist friends will love it. So so good. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz Weber I’ve always been a sucker for an irreverent reverend. Bolz-Weber is the pastor of the House for All Saints and Sinners in Denver. An ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran church, who’s covered in tats and known for salting her language liberally, she leads a close-knit congregation in worship while being the first to tell you that God is not just a church God. God is everywhere, and in the dark places especially. Very worthwhile. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella I like to enjoy a Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes every year or so. It’s just good, frothy fun—delivered with deft hands. Petit fours fiction, if you will. Sophie Kinsella (and Keyes too for that matter) are the masters of chick lit, and this reads like some of my favorite (kind of dumb) Hollywood Movies (How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, The Devil Wears Prada). The novel’s sweet, clever protagonist aspires to the “big life” in advertising that her narcissistic (but gorgeous, infinitely fashionable, and brilliant) boss seems to have mastered —but personal matters draw her home to the family farm to assist her dad and step mom. Identities are hidden, lessons are learned, the world of advertising is absurdly over-glamorized and under-complicated … and in the end some people surprise you—including (if you’re lucky) yourself. It’s a formula, yes. But a formula for a good time. Calypso by David Sedaris I didn’t actually read this one; I listened to it on Audible, on a road trip to Atlanta. I suggest you do the same, because there is nothing like hearing David Sedaris voice his own essays. I literally hooted and howled alone in my car for three hours. A must listen. The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer I loved The Interestings and really looked forward to the Female Persuasion—which, while it didn’t quite serve up the same kismetty feelings of connection as the former novel, was still an entertaining and satisfying read. Like The Interestings the novel has flawed, relatable characters, who sometimes make bad (but relatable!) decisions. It’s highly readable—and presents an elegant commentary on the complexities of capital F feminism to boot. My Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteMy friend Cori hipped me to this book (actually part of a series), which is now a gorgeous (and at times difficult to watch) series on HBO. What’s especially striking about Ferrante’s storytelling is the depth and complexity of the characters. Lila, (the narrator’s brilliant friend) is brilliant, scrappy, passionate, and … kind of off her nut. I’m not sure this girl—and the woman she ultimately becomes—knows how to be good. And that makes for good reading. Dark Money by Jane Mayer Fascinating, shocking, disturbing and very thoroughly reported. If you’re curious about (exactly) how the super-wealthy go about shaping public policy, particularly after the Citizens United SCOTUS decision—this is a must read. There’s also a lot of biographical background about some of the key players (the Koch brothers in particular, the DeVos family too) that sheds an eerie light on what’s happening behind the scenes in Washington and around the world. The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker A novel of art, ideas and female friendship, the Animators really impressed (and entertained me). I read it on my way back from Mexico, after spending the entire vacation reading and seething over Dark Money (yes, for a good time, call ME)—and while it was darker than I expected, it was also more nuanced and intricate. The two main characters are animators, best friends, women in a male-dominated profession. After years of scrapping it out, the two release their first full-length feature (autobiographical to the more raucous of the pair) to critical acclaim. Sharon, the more measured of the two, struggles with imposter syndrome, inwardly suspecting that her partner is the true artist. Later, when Sharon is encouraged (inspired? manipulated?) to weave her own past into their work—“real” life starts to unravel. There’s a lot to think about in this one. What is art? When is it art? Who owns our stories? Do we have the right to tell them when they’re shared? What’s the difference between friendship and collaboration … the list goes on. I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown I’m not going to comment in depth on this, except to say that I found it a very worthwhile stepping stone in my journey toward understanding racism and white supremacy in this country. I have a lot to learn, and Austin Channing Brown is a very good teacher. Thanks, Obama: My Hopey Changey White House Years by Davit Litt This is a great memoir by a smart and very funny (and very young) presidential speech writer. There’s lots of fun behind-the-scenes intel and insight too. A must read for Obama fans and anyone who’s curious (or has, ahem, fantasized about) the speech writing life. Friday, Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah This is a book of short stories. Promise me you will go and download it, and read the very first one. I’ll let you decide what to do from there. Becoming by Michelle Obama I love Michelle Obama. I love Barack Obama. When I see pictures of the two of them together, I want to (a) have a chaste threesome and (b) weep for that time not so long ago when leadership and truth and dignity and thoughtful intention and fucking class existed in our White House. This book will take you back. But first it will take you all the way back to Michelle’s childhood and the parents, family, and community that helped her become (see what I did there?) who she is today. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: How to Know What’s Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake by Dr. Steven Novella It’s not often that I sit down and read a 450-page book in a weekend—especially one that’s kind of about science—but I stumbled on this one at my local bookshop and couldn’t resist. This mega dose of scientific sanity—in a sea of misinformation and bullshit quackery—was so refreshing and informative (but also not mean or condescending at all), I couldn’t put it down. Ahh, critical thinking, my old friend. I miss you when you’re gone.