Book List 2018


In years past, I’ve used this space to make a list of all the books I’d hope to read in the coming year.  But I find it increasingly difficult to a) winnow down a list of books and decide on which particular ones I’ll be in the mood to read over the course of 365 days.  So I’m going to do things a little bit differently this year.

First, I already have a lengthy wishlist over at LibraryThing, so I’ll refer to that for print books to read instead of making a new list here.

Second, I have made a page with a running list of audiobooks to listen to.

On this page, I will include a list of books for my Around the World for a Good Book project, keep track of the Book Riot’s 2018 Read Harder Challenge, and of course keep a list of all the books I’ve completed reading this year with links to reviews.

If there’s any book you see here that you think I should bump up the priority list or any other book you think I should read, let me know in the comments.  I’m always happy to read and discuss books!

While you’re here, check out my list of 100 favorite books of all time (as of 2009) or visit Library Thing to see every book I’ve ever read.

Around the World for a Good Book

My Around the World For A Good Book project continues. My hope is to read one novel in English translation from a different country each month this year.

  • Angola: A General Theory of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa (Minuteman Overdrive)
  • Bulgaria: The Physics of Sorrow by Georgi Gospodinov
  • China: The Garlic Ballads by Mo Yan (Minuteman Overdrive)
  • Cuba: Super Extra Grande Paperback by Yoss
  • Djibouti: In the United States of Africa by Abdourahman A. Waberi
  • Egypt: The Zafarani Files by Gamal al-Ghitani
  • Finland : Year of the Hareby Arto Paasilinna
  • Guatemala: The President by Miguel Angel Asturias (at Brookline Public Library)
  • Ghana:Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi
  • Hungary: The Last Wolf & Herman by László Krasznahorkai
  • Israel: Moods by Yoel Hoffmann
  • Kuwait: The Bamboo Stalk by Saud Alsanousi
  • Macedonia: A Spare Life by Lidija Dimkovska
  • Mauritius: Eve Out of Her Ruins by Ananda Devi,
  • Morocco:The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun (BPL Overdrive)
  • Senegal: Doomi Golo by Boubacar Boris Diop (MLN)
  • Switzerland: To the Back of Beyond by Peter Stamm (MLN)
  • Syria: The Hedgehog by Zakaria Tamer

Books Read in 2018

The books are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 stars with links to summary reviews. (A) is for audiobook.

Here’s a thumbnail of what the ratings mean:

  • 5 stars – all-time classic (I’m very stingy with these)
  • 4 stars – a particularly interesting, well-written, or important book
  • 3 stars – a good book from start to finish
  • 2 stars – not a good book on the whole but has some good parts
  • 1 star or less – basically a bad book with no redeeming values

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October 1918

November

December