• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Connect With Me
    • Request A Review
    • Beta Reading Requests
    • Policies
    • Testimonials
  • Book Review Archive
    • Book Review Archive
    • Audiobook Review Archive
    • Spooky Childrenโ€™s Book Review Archive
  • Resources
    • A Running List of 2023 Horror Book Releases
    • Interview Archive
    • List of Horror Author Online Bookshops
    • List of Horror Publishers That Sell Books Directly
    • Podcast Recs
    • Referral Links
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

March 2023 Recap - Erica Robyn Reads

March 2023 | Recap

Blood and Smoke by Stephen King audiobook photo

Blood and Smoke by Stephen King | Audiobook Review

Soft Targets by Carson Winter book photo by Erica Robyn Reads

Soft Targets by Carson Winterย | Book Review

[List] Best Books That I Read In 2018

December 30, 2018      Erica Robyn      48 Comments

List of the Best Books I Read In 2018

2018 was a great year for reading for me! I was so convinced that it was going to be a bad year for reading with how much I had going on, but I read a total of fifty-seven (updated 12/31) five star reads!

I think one thing that really helped was me finally being okay with DNFing. This has definitely helped me to move on from books that aren’t a hit with me so I can focus on books that I love.

Let’s dive into my list!

Best Books That I Read In 2018

Below is my list of books that I read in 2018, all of which I gave five star ratings. This list is simply organized in the order of the date that I read them.

  1. Gun Kiss by Khaled Talib 
  2. Assassin Marked by Michael C. Sahd 
  3. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
  4. The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson
  5. Collected Halloween Horror Shorts: Trick ‘r Treat by Kevin J. Kennedy & Various Others
  6. Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson
  7. The Last Straw (Pigeon-Blood Red Book 2) by Ed Duncan 
  8. Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2) by Jane Harper
  9. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
  10. Tales of the Lost by Richard Howard
  11. The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy #1) by Katherine Arden
  12. Soul Siphon by T.L. Branson
  13. Collected Easter Horror Shorts by Kevin J. Kennedy & Others
  14. Soul Render by T.L. Branson
  15. The Summer the World Ended by Matthew S. Cox 
  16. The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
  17. Voltron Legendary Defender Vol. 2: Pilgrimage by Tim Hedrick, Mitch Iverson, Jung Gwan, Rubine
  18. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
  19. There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins
  20. Strange Tales in Fiction and Fact by Richard Howard
  21. The Infinet (Trivial Game, #1) by John Akers
  22. Ethan and the Key by Dennis Canfield 
  23. Mask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler 
  24. I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, Cyd Moore (Illustrator)
  25. The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
  26. Dead Ends: How to Survive the Afterlife Book 3 by Tony Moyle
  27. War of the Damned by Martin Ferguson
  28. No Man’s Land by Hervey Copeland 
  29. Backseat In The Dark by Milton Dewar
  30. Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear
  31. Dead Princess Walking by L.M. Schukraft 
  32. New Hampshire Book of the Dead:: Graveyard Legends and Lore by Roxie J. Zwicker
  33. Soul Shade (Soul Stones #2) by T.L. Branson
  34. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
  35. Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
  36. Night Night, Groot by Brendan Deneen, Cale Atkinson 
  37. Bone Soup by Cambria Evans
  38. Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jonny Sun
  39. The Creeps by Fran Krause
  40. Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter
  41. Supernova (Amulet #8) by Kazu Kibuishi
  42. Flying Broomsticks and Buns (The Crooked Halos Series #.05) by L.M. Schukraft 
  43. Star Wars: Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex
  44. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  45. The Cabin in the Woods: The Official Movie Novelization by Tim Lebbon
  46. A Little Tea Book: All the Essentials from Leaf to Cup by Sebastian Beckwith, Caroline Paul, Wendy MacNaughton (Illustrations)
  47. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James 
  48. Collected Christmas Horror Shorts 2 by Kevin J. Kennedy 
  49. Weight Of Ashes by Rook Winter
  50. Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
  51. Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom
  52. The Stark Divide by J. Scott Coatsworth 
  53. Christmas Eve, 1914 by Charles Olivier
  54. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
To read my reviews for any of these books, feel free to check out my Review Archive page. 
Thanks for checking out this list!
Do you see any of your favorites on this list?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne at The Bookish Libra says

    December 30, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Wow, 54 5-star reads is impressive! Several of those are still on my TBR too so good to know they should be excellent reads for me. I still need to go back and look at mine for this week's TTT post but I'll be curious to see how many I had since I feel like I had a great reading year too.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      Right?! I still can't believe it! I can't wait to see your top ten list! It was SO hard to narrow my list down for that prompt… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. chucklesthescot says

    December 30, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    The Chalk Man is on my list to read in January and I'm looking forward to it despite mixed reviews from blogger friends. I hope to read Certain Dark Things as well next year.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      I hope both of those books are a hit for you! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Angela Lawrence says

    December 30, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    Wow, that is a lot of 5-star reads!! I think I had one true 5-star read this year, and several that came close.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      It's crazy!! I really lucked out! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Jennifer | Book Den says

    December 30, 2018 at 5:26 pm

    Oooh, yes. I love how long your list is!! I'm hoping to read The Bear and the Nightingale in January.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      YAY!!! Enjoy!! I can't wait to read your review!

      Reply
  5. L. M. Schukraft says

    December 30, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    Two of my books made the list!! Happy author dance!! Thank you so much reading, reviewing, and sharing them with your followers!!!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      <3 <3 I'm so happy to help spread the word!!

      Reply
  6. Carole Wooten says

    December 30, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    54 five star reads in a single year is amazing! I hope you have a great year of reading in 2019!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:22 pm

      Right?! I'm so grateful!! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Grace @ RebelMommyBookBlog says

    December 30, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    Wow!! That is awesome to have so many great reads in a year. I spy some I enjoyed too.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:22 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  8. Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says

    December 30, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    Wow 54! It does sound like DNFing has worked great for you! Glad you found so many great books!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:22 pm

      Right?! It's crazy! I'm so grateful for all of these reads!

      Reply
  9. Shooting Stars Mag says

    December 30, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    I really loved The Chalk Man, Vicious, and I'll Be Gone in the Dark too. And I see some others I need to read as well!

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:22 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  10. Greg says

    December 30, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    54- that is awesome. Come to think of it I had a lot of really good reads this year too. I liked The Woman in the Window a LOT, and ooh Molly Southbourne- I wanted to read that one. I need to read Riley Sager's too.

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:23 pm

      Molly Southbourne is such a creepy one!! That story is still so vivid in my memory!! Enjoy!!

      Reply
  11. Tanya Atkinson says

    December 30, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    How awesome to have so many 5 star reads! I *really* wanted to love The Bear and the Nightingale but sadly it didn't work for me and it was one of my few DNF's this year. ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 30, 2018 at 11:23 pm

      Aw darn! I hate when that happens.

      Reply
  12. Dinh G says

    December 30, 2018 at 11:59 pm

    Thatโ€™s a crazy amount of 5 stars book list! Glad you enjoyed so many ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 12:57 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  13. Amber Elise says

    December 31, 2018 at 12:56 am

    That's sooo many five star reads; I had five this year!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 12:57 am

      I got very lucky with my picks! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  14. Barb says

    December 31, 2018 at 1:51 am

    What a great reading year. Of course you know Space Dumplins and Certain Dark Things were 5/5 for me as well. I see a few here I didn't love so much but that's the great thing about reading – there's something for everyone. Hope we both have awesome years in 2019!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 2:10 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€ For sure!!

      Reply
  15. Alicia AKernelofNonsense says

    December 31, 2018 at 2:12 am

    You had that many five-star reads?! That's amazing. I hope you have just as many stellar reads in 2019!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 2:41 am

      Right!? It's crazy!! Thank you!

      Reply
  16. Abby Miller says

    December 31, 2018 at 2:34 am

    I Love You Stinky Face is such a sweet story. I loved it as a kid. I also really enjoyed Vicious when I read it last year.

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 2:42 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  17. BiblioSanctum says

    December 31, 2018 at 2:48 am

    I really enjoyed The Chalk Man! Looks like there are quite a few thrillers and dark fiction titles on this list I should be checking out.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  18. AJ Sterkel says

    December 31, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    Wow, you did have a good reading year. Iโ€™m glad that a lot of these are on my TBR list. Happy 2019!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 4:47 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€ I hope you have a wonderful 2019!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  19. Deanna Reads Books says

    December 31, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    wow, that's a lot of books! So glad to see Certain Dark Things included. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Deanna Reads Books

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      December 31, 2018 at 4:47 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  20. Melanie @ Grab the Lapels says

    December 31, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    I knew there was a reason Alicia has you as a friend. So many of the names on your favorite list suggest a diverse set of authors. I love that you're into Christmas horror. May I recommend Santa's Little Helper by H.D. Gordon? I couldn't put it down! Here is my review: https://grabthelapels.com/2015/10/01/santas-little-helper/

    I look forward to getting to know you better in 2019!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      January 1, 2019 at 3:59 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€ I certainly try to read a bit of everything! And yes please! Iโ€™ll take any recommendations! Iโ€™ll check Santaโ€™s Little Helper out! Thank you for popping by!

      Reply
  21. Lauren Stoolfire says

    January 2, 2019 at 12:33 am

    Looks like you got some great reading in! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      January 2, 2019 at 9:41 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  22. Tangled N Books says

    January 2, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    The Bear and the Nightingale and Vicious are the only ones I've read from your list. What a selection! Thanks for stopping by our page and Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      January 2, 2019 at 9:42 pm

      Happy New Year!! And thank you for stopping by here as well! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  23. Heather Cilley says

    January 3, 2019 at 6:18 am

    54 5 star books is crazy amazing E!! <3

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      January 3, 2019 at 11:34 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  24. Olivia-Savannah says

    January 16, 2019 at 9:42 am

    Great list! I have Certain Dark Things and Vicious on my wishlist. I am just so glad you could love so many five star reads!

    Reply
    • Erica Metcalf says

      January 16, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      Wahoo!! Enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! Iโ€™m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

Subscribe via Email

Loading

Search This Blog

Browse By Category

Recent Popular Posts

  • Blood and Smoke by Stephen King | Audiobook Review
  • Soft Targets by Carson Winterย | Book Review
  • The Auld Mither by William Meikle | Audiobook Review
  • Your Mind Is A Terrible Thing by Hailey Piperย | Book Review
  • Tell Me Iโ€™m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt | Book Review

An Easy Guide to Locating Horror Reviews Without Losing Your Mind created by Lori of Barks At The Ghouls
Shirley's Book Blogger List
Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs by Kindlepreneur

Copyright © 2023 Erica Robyn Reads