I’m at the grocery store, my phone 2 inches away from my face rolling a cart watching your video, definitely proving every old person right about our generation. Do I care? No.
top 4 books of '18 -the gentlemen's guide to vice & virtue: i laughed, i cried, i shipped it so hard. quality 20gayteen content. -the prince and the dressmaker: prolly the cutest graphic novel ive ever read EVER! -crooked kingdom: girl you know. gotta support my children. -every heart a doorway: forever scorning past me for thinking i wouldn't like this book. wow seanan's mind.
Ooh I am definitely gonna check out Long Way Down after this. My favourite read of 2018 was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It had such great bisexual rep and the main character is deeply flawed but you still want to root for her and relate to her. Even if Evelyn is a fictional Hollywood actress from the 50s she felt like a real person to me and her journey was engaging and emotional.
I finished Radio Silence two days ago and I swear I am so happy that you talked so much about it because it is now one of my favorite books of all time. I swear I’m not coming for your brand or anything lol 😂 but everything about this book is so me and it was so triggering and so perfect and it made me cry BUCKETS. Now I just really need to hug you tight and say thank you a million times because if it weren’t for you I would not have read it and boy... it really impacted me so much and I’ll be forever grateful ♥️
i completely understand how reading books at the right time can make all the difference! one of my favorite books of the year was wanderlost, because it dealt with a girl who was about to enter college and is stressed about what she wants to do with her life, when it seems like everyone around her already knows what they’re doing. there’s a lot more of the book that related to my life too, and i know it’s not the best written book in the world, but i’m so grateful i read it since it came to me at exactly the right time :)
Radio Silence was the last book I finished in 2018 and I’m so grateful for your recommendation. I’ve just finished my second year of a university degree that I’m not so sure I want to complete. I often wish I was as confident in my goals for the future as some of my friends are, but I now realise that other people can and do feel as torn as I do. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do this year but I know that I can change my mind as many times as I need to. I will however always strive to put my wellbeing first.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, which follows the life of the only Icelandic woman ever executed for murder. You can truly see and feel the way of life in Iceland at the time, and the things the characters go through are heartbreaking and gripping. I really loved it.
My favorite book that I read in 2018 is The Raven Boys! I absolutely love the writing, and it seems like there's a lot of foreshadowing happening, probably even more than I realize, and I like thinking about the world and characters to try to figure out what might happen but also to understand the characters fully/more. I marked up my book so much! It was like passage after passage of information that was important or just written so well, beautifully, or interestingly. I love all the characters and am looking forward to getting to know them better and see where their quest takes them. (I'm currently in the middle of The Dream Thieves.) I also have so many questions and theories! I actually recorded a 3 part discussion about the book but I have to edit it even though I filmed the videos in like November. Honestly, this is barely an explanation; I just love it all so much! Also, though, 2018 was not a reading year for me, so this is one of the few books that stands out. I also really liked The Secret History and I started The Dream Thieves in 2018, but haven't finished it yet. There were other books I read that I liked and enjoyed and think are important in ways, but I still was disappointed in some way or just not fully into the characters.
For me, my best book of 2018 would be The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I had a long reading slump last year bcs so many things happened, all at once, I ended up dnf-ing all books I'd been reading. Now TSoA wasn't the book that got me out of reading slump though. It just made its way to the list and stay on top for a long time. I love the characters so much. All the good and the bad ones. They stay with me for a very long time. The writing is great. So did the pace (except for the part when they went to Troy, it gets a bit slow and somehow hectic, but anyway..). The development of the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles is just sooo good. And when it finally ended I just couldn't take it. I want it to be longer. The book breaks my heart and I will never forget how impactful it is. I'm also planning to reread my fave book this year! And girl, I better read Radio Silence asap.
Honestly I can’t begin to describe my feelings towards my favourite books of the year. Whenever I think about them I get choked up with how much I love them. I can’t choose between these two books so I’m going to have to talk about them both: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - This is on a lot of people’s lists and I have to agree with them. Firstly, I adore the way Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to create such an enthralling and mysterious tale that held my attention the whole way through. I have DNFed a lot of books this year just because I wasn’t captivated quick enough, but the moment I picked this up I couldn’t stop reading. Evelyn is the most ambitious and complex person I’ve ever read about. The most raw and real character to the point I convinced myself she was real. I just felt so understood and seen by this book and it’s the bisexual book of my dreams, I’m not sure I’ll ever read a book about a character I love as much as Evelyn. I think my reading experience also made it that much more special. I spent the entire day on holiday in France listening to the audiobook, painting and using my tears to dilute my watercolours (not actually but pretty much). My next favourite book of this year is Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World - Although its a favourite this year, I wish this book existed when I was younger. I went into this book thinking it would be a wholesome book about Ivy discovering she likes girls and that would be that. But my god did this book punch me in the gut. I just related to it so much and really wish that I could have given this book to my younger confused self and told her that everything will be alright. I really appreciate authors like Ashley Herring Blake writing middle grade books about lgbtq+ characters because I think it’s the age range that needs them the most to show that it’s okay and normal. Yes I also sobbed reading this book. Basically my favourite books ripped my heart out. I’m definitely going to be reading Radio Silence this year, sounds like it’s going to break my heart in the best of ways.
My favourite book of 2018 was Alice Oseman's I was Born for this. The main character, Angel, literally was me. Like you said with radio Silence, it felt like she wrote that character for me. It was crazy. It was so heart warming and honestly I was so scared at times for the characters. It broke my heart and almost made me cry (which has never happened so far when reading) but like I am beyond in love with it. Like, I cannot explain how good it was. Alice Oseman is so talented and Angel and Jimmy (the main characters) were the best thing ever. Like it was just so f*cking great!
I love that you don't try to force the ten, and just stick to the actual number of books that you loved in 2018. Currently on the holds list at my library for "Long Way Down" - so excited to get slapped!
This video added two years to my life; one life because this is the validation I needed to start the Diviners and one life for you being the reason I read Radio Silence this year and.... Lik Dis If U Cry Evertim? Happy New Year, Kat! 💖xx
I just got Radio Silence poster to my house on Monday because I watched her Worst videos of 2018 where a lot of comments mention Radio Silence. I stopped watching when she got to Number 1 because I don’t want spoilers! At least now I know to be excited for it! I’m near the end of something else and I thought Autoboyography would be next on the list (bought it because of the Worst video too) but I guess that’s out the window! Lol
Radio Silence was my favorite book of the year and my favorite book of all time. I read this book because you are my favorite booktubet and you literally would not shut up about this book. radio silence saved my life. i don’t know how to articulate how much Aled and Frances mean to me and how there strictly platonic relationship touched me. Aleds struggle with depression and despair at not knowing what to do with his life made me consider things i hadn’t even thought of options. i needed this book and i love you kat for guiding me to what i needed and what i still love and cherish months later i love you i love alice oseman and i love radio silence ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜❣️💕
Okay apart from Radio Silence ( because holy shit that book killed me),i really enjoyed If We Were Villains. It was the first book in a while that got be actively thinking about it for days, and theorizing what would happen. Also i didnt find it predictable at all which was a bonus ( bearing in mind i havent read the Secret History yet, which i heard it similar)
i love that you always have short favorites because all of your faves are ACTUALLY your faves like in a lot of videos when describing some books, this disclaimer of "this isn't my favorite but it was still pretty good" is given and it DRIVES ME BONKERSSSSSSS but here's hoping you read more amazing books in 2019 that will make your faves list
My favorite book of the year was six of crows bc it was one of the only ones I managed to get through lol. My school/starting college/being alive life got so crazy that it got really hard to sit down and read so being able to like. Actually get through a whole book meant I really liked it. It just made me happy and I related to a lot of the characters on really personal levels. Radio silence is staring at me from my book shelf and now that you’ve recommended it so highly multiple times I don’t think I can ignore it anymore
I had a similar experience to yours with a conjuring of light where I was at probably the worst possible point in my school career last year, my teacher was horrible, I hardly did any homework because the thought of even opening my backpack when I got home made me sick, and I had not great urges in my head at all times. Then I picked up Dante and Aristotle Discover The Secrets of the Universe and I swear by the time graduation came around, I had read that book 5 times. It was just such a comfortable book. I could leave the school in tears, then crack open the book again and be fine.
The couple in Lair of dreams who fake date are my otp in that series (they're also my fav characters of the series, I like the rest but those two own my heart) and I love them so much, I read the 3 books on january and I didn't have a new otp for a long time and when I read about them I was like!!!!! YES, YES, THANK YOU. I mean, I like the other aspects of the book, like the diversity, and the social commentary that is done about those times that sadly reflects in our current times, but that ship makes me go heart eyes every time i think about them.
Daughter of smoke and bone trilogy made my 2018. Being kind of my gateway to ya fantasy combined with Laini's beautiful writing made this trilogy a reallyyy enjoyable experience for me Also I loooved Hank's an absolutely remarkable thing! The whole social media aspect was unlike anything i've read before and i totally loved it. Planning to read radio silence in march (bc finals next month and i'm kinda restraining myself from picking it up rn and also i want it to be my first book of 2019) so yeah i'm really excited to read it!
My god I absolutely adored the diviner’s and a darker shade of magic. I read them ages ago and haven’t actually read the sequels and these reviews are telling me I probably should
I read Radio Silence because of your Pride Book Tag in June and I didn't know how much I needed it until I read it and it helped me so much. I can't describe what it means to me, thank you for introducing it to me
I feel a sudden shame of still not reading radio silence 🤦🏻♀️ My favorite book of 2018 is Warcross. I love how complex the relationships go at the end of the book and that huge giant twist at the end. I can't stop crying for solid half an hour after reading it
i read lots of books that became my favourite last year. These are A gentleman's guide to vice and virtue, The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Eliza and her monsters, and Scythe. However my top two would have to be Eliza and her monsters and the seven husbands of evelyn hugo. I loved Eliza because i deeply related to her character and how she felt. The aspect of online communities was so prominent and the way it was written about really hit me because I am someone who also has found the most meaningful friendships on the internet and I think this book really did internet friends and online fandom culture justice. i couldn't help but cry when the book was over. I loved The seven husbands because the way the story was written was so engaging and even though most of the characters were very flawed, you coudn't help but love them. Evelyn, to me, felt like an actual person and as though I was watching a movie while i was reading the book (which in my opinion is one of the best indicators of if a book is good). I loved reading about the politics of "stardom" and the history of the 1950's that was woven in to the story very nicely. The representation in this book was amazing as our main character is bisexual and Cuban and there is also a gay couple. It's honestly a book i would love to re-read. I still need to read radio silence.... just need to get my hands on a copy first. (ignore the bad grammer, i am not a writer only a reader. and i suck at writing)
HATE radio silence. My 1star review on it from 2(?) years ago is, ironically enough, my most liked review on goodreads. YOUR content on the other hand: 5star rating easily.
The Diviners, oooo boy! Not only are they just amazing books plot wise, but Ling may be my most favourite character of all time. I’m a queer, wheelchair user, and I so rarely see either of those identities represented, let alone together! Reading about her was so lovely and validating. And I’m also a science girl, so I literally think Libba Bray wrote me🤔 also The Darker Shade Of Magic Series, Radio Silence (recommended by you), We Are The Ants, and Six Of Crows/Crooked Kingdom and The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo were all major favs!
yes the last line of long way down was such a slap in the face i also read radio silence in april (2016) and i'm rereading it this year in april i love it so much it's my fave contemporary and seeing you gushing about it this year has made me so happy. i read it having a crisis about the future too and it's literally so soothing
I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss of your animal. I know what that’s like, and I wish no one ever had to go through. I’m glad reading could help you feel a bit better. I wish the best for all of you.
Yay, another Kat upload! I needed some wholesome and lovely content in my life! I didn't do a lot of reading last year. Just wasn't in the right headspace and the books I did read were often a letdown. I have a copy of Radio Silence though and I'm gonna indulge before your review of it!!
Oohhh my lord I am so sorry about your pet that passed. I honesty do not know what I would do if anything happened to my dog. I’m glad to see you feeling a bit better
Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank. I knew it was a deppressing read and I didn't think I had the paitience to read classics, but Anne Frank is so relatable, and she feels very modern.... Her introspective way of thinking, her thirst for knowledge and her independent mind - I connected with her very much with her :')
My favorite book of the year was You Were Here by Cori McCarthy. Ahh. Just.... ahh. It's about a girl named Jaycee who's older brother died in a really gruesome accident like five years ago. And shes just graduated high school and still grieving his loss. Shes almost turned into him to compensate for his loss and become a person shes sort of ashamed of but she doesnt know how to stop. Then enter like her exbest friend and her boyfriend and their friend and Jaycees late brothers childhood friend. And they're all sort of suffering in their own ways. But reconnecting and forming these new friendships through exploring the same abandon areas that Jaycees brother was obsessed with brings them together. And they all start being more honest not only with each other but themselves. Ahh. It's such an amazing book. And I loved it so much. I'm still emotional about these people and their growth. And their friendships. This ramble probably makes a lot less sense then I'd like it to. But it really did affect me so much.
I read Radio Silence right after I finished my senior year and started my indefinite break from school, and I was feeling ashamed of myself for taking a few years off. It soothed me and helped me so much, honestly it's one of my favorite books now.
My favourite book of 2018 was An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. Warning - long review ahead . . It's a book about this young woman who is the first to discover this mysterious alien statue that suddenly appears in New York city. Little did she know, the same statue appeared in every major city in the world at the same time. She makes a quick video about it, goes to bed, and wakes up internet famous. The story explores her unhealthy relationship with internet fame, and at the same time, it's a thrilling sci fi adventure as she and her friends try to solve the mystery of where the statues came from. It has amazing multi layered flawed characters, and a fast paced plot that somehow still has time to comment on different aspects of internet fame and discourse in a fresh, complex, and nuanced way. (the author is a very successful youtuber) I don't want to spoil anything, but the plot devices are so creative and compelling, I've never seen anything like it. Also the ending is a shocking and infuriating cliff hanger that makes you question everything you just read. It's great. TL;DR if you want an exciting sci fi book that intelligently comments on current issues and has an interesting fresh take on the first encounter trope, READ THIS BOOK. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
YAAAS SO READY FOR RADIO SILENCE REVIEW! 😍 Hoping you get to read more 5 star books this year ✌ Looove your videos! Off topic but you look EXTREMELY GOOD
I didn't read a lot this year but the books that I really enjoyed are They Both Died in the End and Simon vs. Homosapien's Agenda. I have nothing to say about the writing style because I don't focus on that a lot, but the plot for both are very easy for me to read (because I technically had a whim to get back into reading books) and Idk, it's what I was into at the time. Looking back at it right now, I loved They Both Died in the End more just because it came to me at the right time.
Six of Crows is my fave this year. I've read it twice since January, which is not normal for me. It just sucked me in and hasnt' let go since. I can't explain it. I can't articulate it. I just love that series with my whole heart.
My favorite read of 2018 is A list of cages by Robin Roe. I never cry over movies or book, but this one was just so pure and raw. It’s about a boy and his former foster family brother and they meet again and they bond and it’s sooo cute but sad sometimes and I liked it! I gave 4.75 stars because the romance was useless but I recommend it a lot. Trigger warning: child abuse/molestation, death and “murder”
the wayward children series and radio silence were genuinely my tow books of the year because i just felt so heard and related to in them so thank you for introducing them to me because they have changed my life
I love The Diviners and Lair of Dreams!! I can't wait to read the third one but I have to wait for it to be in paperback because I'm just that person...
My favourite of 2018 was Circe. Oh my god that book made me feel. The writing was so beautiful it was the perfect balance between poetic, descriptive and moving. As to Circe I loved her so much, like I can never actually like the MC and sympathize so much with them. It was such an empowering read to find a character go from zero to ten. One of the most jarring, moving and powerful books ever.
I currently own all of the darker shade of magic trilogy and the first book of the dividers and I’ve been in a reading slump for like 2 months now, I’m thinking I’ll start adsom to get started this year! Thanks for the review!
I adored The Diviners series! I just read the three that are released physically in October... But plan on re-reading via audiobook soon. 💕 Also loved ADSoM series. I'll have to check out the other two on your list.
If you like the whole connecting plot thing you should read The Girl Who Drank the Moon. It’s amazing and the plot really comes together like that and it’s so good.
my favorite books of 2018 were Wolfsong and it’s sequel Ravensong by T.J. Klune. I know the books have it’s problematic aspects, but they came at exactly the right time to me. i was having a really tough time at school. i was forced to repeat my senior year of high school (i already knew this at the beginning of the year) and all my friends basically knew they were going to graduate (but i wasn’t). this gave me such an incredibly lonely feeling. Wolfsong and Ravensong contain a very very close family/pack of people who love each other so much (and support each other so so so much) and when i was reading the books i didn’t feel as lonely. almost as if i was part of their family. the books mean so much to me and will forever have a place in my heart. (Also, i’m just a sucker for angst and these books contain A LOT of angst)
hi i just wanted to say you're the reason i finally read radio silence even though i was reluctant to read it for some reason, probably because i thought i wouldn't like it as it didn't have any romance, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT AND IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER!!!!! and for that i have to thank you because if you hadn't fangirled about it so much i probably never would have bothered with it
I have a tie for my favorite book of 2018; between Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones or To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin. Howl's Moving Castle was the beautiful, whimsical YA fantasy that I desperately needed at the time. The writing is so beautiful and, although not set in our own world, is sort of a feel-good book when it comes down to it. To Be Honest was (and I mentioned this in my Goodreads review) like what I imagine Radio Silence was like for you. I read it in about four hours the same night I bought it in the fall, and it changed my reading life. I had never once read about a character with the same insecurities and worries as me, and it was both refreshing and painful to read from the perspective of someone who thought so similarly to me. I rarely read contemporary, because it usually bothers the hell out of me, but this book was amazing, and I will love it for years to come.
It's 9 June and I'm still waiting for the Radio silence review. I'm gonna read the book this month so I really need the review to cry with afterward. My expectations for radio silence have reached the moon. I'm really hoping it won't disappoint.
My fav books of the year were Jade City by Fonda Lee (urban fantasy, yakuza/mafia organization, I really liked the book because all the characters were done so well, even the ones I felt meh at the beginning of the book I ended up really caring about, the characters are complex and the plot interesting, the 3 Diviner books, and 2 historical romances: Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean and A duke in the night by Kelly Bowen ( I liked the chemistry between the romantic couples and the banter in both was so well done,and the romantic interests weren't alpha male assholes)
every time anyone anywhere talks about Radio Silence my soul becomes full and ascend into the heavens. I read it during my gap year in 2016 and HONESTLY I feel you because wow that book is everything
love love love the diviners! that fake dating couple in book 2 was the beeeeest. also i guess i need to read radio silence this year or something. my favorite book in 2018 was neverworld wake by marisha pessl because it blew my mind and was also just one of the smartest books i've ever read. can't wait for your least faves video! :)
My favorite books of last year hands down has got to be the seven husbands of Evelyn hugo, and the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue. I went into both books thinking they were going to be just fun reads. You know turn your brain off, and have fun, especially for the gentleman's guide. But I was blown away by how much more I got. The characters were flawed, relatable, human. The authors were not afraid to make them suffer. And allowed them room to make mistakes. But the characters always stood by their choices. The authors made the side characters challenge the protagonists, and have stories of their own. They covered so many serious topics.
I read Radio Silence because of you and honestly??? It was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for recommending it! It got me into one of my favorite podcasts, The Adventure Zone, and it was so relatable, I felt like I was reading a book about my own life. Also my favorite book I read this year was Crooked Kingdom because it made me feel too many damn emotions lmao
I read Radio Silence and The Diviners because of you and they were 5 and 4 stars so THANK YOUUUU. My favorite books of the year was a Norwegian fantasy trilogy called Ravneringene (The Raven Rings?) about a world where people have tales, but the main character Hirka was born without one and that creates some problems. It sounds like a typical YA-book about a “different teenage girl uwu” but it is honestly so much more. Also I am not the one for romance, but the romance between the Hirka and the love interest Rime made me so fucking happy and warm inside. What I liked about it most was how they didn’t follow each other’s steps blindly and actually discussed things in a healthy manner (as healthy as it gets when there is war going on) AAAAHHHHH I could gush about them 4ever❤️❤️ Anyways, amazing video as always, not surprised about Radio Silence tho😂
Instantly went and read the book (Long way down) like I didn't even finish this video and you were so right! This book is awesome! Now I understand what you meant with this last sentence hitting you.
3 out of the 4 books you mentioned I’ve read and absolutely loved. I haven’t read long way down yet but I plan on reading it and I can’t wait to read it
My favorite book was also radio silence! I don't have to explain why. But the ones that made the shortlist were I was born for this, Six of crows (and Crooked kingdom), Lord of shadows, and the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue
i’ve only read the diviners but now i need to read the next two. When i read the diviner’s i thought it was slow but still enjoyable. maybe now after hearing everyone go crazy about the second and third book i’ll give them a try!
Honestly every single person I have persuaded to read Radio Silence has said the exact same thing, it's also my favourite book of all time and I don't think anything could ever over take it, it's so perfect and raw and beautiful and carefully written I LOVE it. My favourite book of the year would have to be either I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman (have you read it yet please read it it's great holy hecc) and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing because oh my GOODNESS this book is everything. The way Hank Green has portrayed what it's like to grow fame and be this persona is so perfect and well crafted, but also how he portrays humanity and what it would be like if there was a first contact with aliens seemed so realistic and true to how the world works. I'm OBSESSED with this book, it truly is absolutely remarkable.
I think Good Omens was my favorite book of the year due to how fun it was to read. There are so many books that are deep and have such big meanings and that’s great but also those books make me sad sometimes considering how serious they are. Good Omens was just such a fun book to read with a great message and honestly just made me have an all around good time. (Also a conjuring of light because of course)
after your explanation of radio scilence im 100% gonna read it because I can just relate so much to the main character and I haven't even started the book yet.
My library system doesn’t have Radio Silence, but I recommended it, so hopefully they’ll get a copy before April. I hope you find more books you love this year!
BTW I did read Radio Silence this year and it was one of my favourite books of the year. Even though it's not my number one book of the year, I loved it! I'm really happy you pushed it in all of us so much and I read it. Thank you! And TBH I loved it for all the same reasons you loved it (mostly). :)
I barely read anything for fun this whole year. 2018 was terrible and college is all consuming. The only book I can remember reading this year was Dread Nation (I can't remember the author's name) which was a good book so I guess we'll call that my favorite. The basic premise is Civil War but before the end of the war a zombie apocalypse hits America and it follows an African American girl who has to be trained to fight the zombies. The premise is just so interesting and the book was really well written, held my attention, the main character was interesting, the other characters are multifaceted, overall a pretty darn good book and I recommend.
I bought The Diviners because of your rave review. I totally plan to read it either in the late Summer or early Autumn! MY favorite books of the year were "Woman in the Window" which I think you read and "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo". I loved the first book because of all the old noir movie references, the season it took place and the fact that it was so well written. Evelyn Hugo was just such a beautifully written novel.
I adore Long Way Down. I actually had the chance to attend a talk by Jason Reynolds and Chris Priestly (who provided the illustrations for the illustrated edition) and it was one of the highlights of my year. I also had the opportunity to speak with Jason Reynolds and he signed my copy of Long Way Down. I've gotta say, he's a really great guy and also you've convinced me to get the audio books because he has one of those voices I could listen to for ten hours straight.
My favourite book of the year was 'Sal' by Mick Kitson. Sal is 13 year old girl trying to protect her 10 year old sister, Peppa, in the Scottish wilderness while on the run from the police for murdering their stepfather. 'Sal' has a very small cast of characters and you're mostly forced into the story blind, but gradually you get to know each character deeply - and the past that led them to do everything they did. The relationship between Sal and her sister is so close and desperately loving, despite everything both of them has been through. Sal herself is also a very unique character, unlike many I've read before. It's a fantastic and heartwarming book that I came to feel so connected to.
My favorite book was The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill. Holy fucking shit...I don't know where to start. I'm actually rereading it right now. It follows two orphans in the great depression as they fall in love and try to make a living together. It's their love story that takes place in Montreal. And wow. Literally what drew me in was the first chapter, it was telling the story of one of the orphan's mother, who was twelve and TW! was raped by her cousin. So it deals with a lot of dark and disturbing topics like miscarriages, molestation, corruption in the Catholic Church, gangs, drug addiction, abuse, and the list goes on. But it's handled so respectfully that Heather O'Neill made it clear that people who suffer aren't just their addiction or their abuse. The writing was fantastic! Heather manages to make the writing sound so magical and romantic, even though it takes place in such a depressing place with disturbing actions right around every corner. The prose...wow. The main characters were so real. I loved that the woman in the relationship wanted to start a business meanwhile the man just wanted to settle down and have a family. Heather handled the both of their characters so lovely. The ending...was just. Wow. I'm so sad just thinking about it but it felt oddly nice to be reminded that the world isn't perfect, but there is always a silver lining. I swear to God, I love this book so much. It's competing for favorite book of all time. It's just amazing.
I don't have a favorite book of the year haha - I've read so many good ones (I'm a very not-critical reader). I really liked A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom, I was feeling v stressed at the time I was reading it and having a character who was dealing with a lot more was very reassuring. For a book I thought I'd hate but ended up liking - The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh was actually really good but seemed from the description like it'd be super cliche and such (it still was, to a certain extent). I wouldn't have read it if it weren't a Battle of the Books book, but I'm glad I did (even if I'm still mildly confused as to how I actually feel about it lol, I'm eager to read the next book in the series though). Gotta say, one of my top five favorites was certainly And I Darken and that whole series. I was in the mountains while I read it, and it was so captivating that not only did I stay up reading until 3 AM, I read the part of the second book while on a hike to a waterfall. Here's a list of some of my other favorites cuz this is already long enough w/o going into detail: Strange the Dreamer Children of Blood and Bone Every Heart a Doorway Outrun the Moon The Night Circus Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom The Darkest Minds Kill the Farm Boy The City of Brass Everything I Never Told You An Ember in the Ashes Eliza and Her Monsters Sorry for how long this is haha, I read a lot and I love most of what I read. I also discovered you this year and a lot of my favorites have been books I picked up because of your suggestions.
My favorite in 2018 was Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. It sucked me in so hard that I literally forgot I was just sitting quietly on my couch and not trying to survive war in Russia. Everything was so vivid that I would look up and be confused that other people were just going on with their lives, because they didn’t just “see” and “hear” everything that I was seeing and hearing. Also I heavily identified with the main character, which has never happened before and made me uncomfortable.
Confession - I haven't read many books this year, and none I would want to count as my 'favorite', so I'm cheating a little. Two of my favorite books of all time are The Child Thief by Brom, and The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. So, The Child Thief is a dark, gritty Peter Pan... reimagining? It's a new story with a new kid, set in modern day, and I don't want to give to much away because it is definitely something you have to experience, but I think the author did such a good job conveying atmosphere through this book. Like, I didn't really care about the main character (though I normally don't, so that's not saying much), but the atmosphere and the descriptions and the world itself was just so... enveloping. I absolutely adored it, and a part of me wishes it wasn't just a stand alone (small part). The Gargoyle is also set modern day, and it is... interesting. This one is told through flashback/different POV and that threw me for a bit, it took me a while to figure out what was going on, but when I realized what was happening, it went from being an all-right story about a burn victim coming to terms, to an absolutely beautiful love story that I to this day love above all others (though, again, I don't really read love stories, not my thing, so take that as you will). And again, I can't say too much, because I don't want to give anything away, but again this author did a really good job with atmospheres and tones and settings, this story was so easy to fall into and I just loved it.
if you haven't checked it out already, the audiobook for radio silence is amazing! it really fleshes out the podcast and brings the book to a whole new level
Fake gasp as I don’t see the grisha trilogy anywhere
Cindy!
Drama!
shady
goddamn im a fraud
*real gasp* Cindy!
I’m at the grocery store, my phone 2 inches away from my face rolling a cart watching your video, definitely proving every old person right about our generation. Do I care? No.
gurrrllll you're talking about radio silence without crying!!!
it's character development central over here
Pretends to be shocked at the book number 1
hoonestly im so smug i was one of the people screaming at kat to read them for AGES
omg I can't believe you read radio silence in 2018 I feel like you've been talking about it for years
I was surprised too?? I feel like it's been a millennia
top 4 books of '18
-the gentlemen's guide to vice & virtue: i laughed, i cried, i shipped it so hard. quality 20gayteen content.
-the prince and the dressmaker:
prolly the cutest graphic novel ive ever read EVER!
-crooked kingdom: girl you know. gotta support my children.
-every heart a doorway:
forever scorning past me for thinking i wouldn't like this book. wow seanan's mind.
Awwwwwww I read the prince and the dressmaker! Loved it, I thought it was adorable!
you should read taproot! super cute graphic novel
Those gorgeous earrings make a video appearance 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 love this video and your enthusiasm Kat!
Ooh I am definitely gonna check out Long Way Down after this. My favourite read of 2018 was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It had such great bisexual rep and the main character is deeply flawed but you still want to root for her and relate to her. Even if Evelyn is a fictional Hollywood actress from the 50s she felt like a real person to me and her journey was engaging and emotional.
I finished Radio Silence two days ago and I swear I am so happy that you talked so much about it because it is now one of my favorite books of all time. I swear I’m not coming for your brand or anything lol 😂 but everything about this book is so me and it was so triggering and so perfect and it made me cry BUCKETS. Now I just really need to hug you tight and say thank you a million times because if it weren’t for you I would not have read it and boy... it really impacted me so much and I’ll be forever grateful ♥️
*virtual hugs*
I'm gonna join you guys this month Brb.
I’m early and I feel pressured to comment something funny.
radio silence?!?!?!????? I’m S H O C K E D
ikr? a real wild card
i completely understand how reading books at the right time can make all the difference! one of my favorite books of the year was wanderlost, because it dealt with a girl who was about to enter college and is stressed about what she wants to do with her life, when it seems like everyone around her already knows what they’re doing. there’s a lot more of the book that related to my life too, and i know it’s not the best written book in the world, but i’m so grateful i read it since it came to me at exactly the right time :)
Radio Silence was the last book I finished in 2018 and I’m so grateful for your recommendation. I’ve just finished my second year of a university degree that I’m not so sure I want to complete. I often wish I was as confident in my goals for the future as some of my friends are, but I now realise that other people can and do feel as torn as I do. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do this year but I know that I can change my mind as many times as I need to. I will however always strive to put my wellbeing first.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, which follows the life of the only Icelandic woman ever executed for murder. You can truly see and feel the way of life in Iceland at the time, and the things the characters go through are heartbreaking and gripping. I really loved it.
I love that bookl Great rec :')
My favorite book that I read in 2018 is The Raven Boys! I absolutely love the writing, and it seems like there's a lot of foreshadowing happening, probably even more than I realize, and I like thinking about the world and characters to try to figure out what might happen but also to understand the characters fully/more. I marked up my book so much! It was like passage after passage of information that was important or just written so well, beautifully, or interestingly. I love all the characters and am looking forward to getting to know them better and see where their quest takes them. (I'm currently in the middle of The Dream Thieves.) I also have so many questions and theories! I actually recorded a 3 part discussion about the book but I have to edit it even though I filmed the videos in like November. Honestly, this is barely an explanation; I just love it all so much! Also, though, 2018 was not a reading year for me, so this is one of the few books that stands out. I also really liked The Secret History and I started The Dream Thieves in 2018, but haven't finished it yet. There were other books I read that I liked and enjoyed and think are important in ways, but I still was disappointed in some way or just not fully into the characters.
So... I should probably read Radio Silence? hahah I also always try to make everyone in my family read a book I love, but mostly... it doesn't work.
Same!! 😂
YES, YOU SHOULD READ IT
Same with the family issue. My family doesn’t read 😭
For me, my best book of 2018 would be The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I had a long reading slump last year bcs so many things happened, all at once, I ended up dnf-ing all books I'd been reading. Now TSoA wasn't the book that got me out of reading slump though. It just made its way to the list and stay on top for a long time.
I love the characters so much. All the good and the bad ones. They stay with me for a very long time. The writing is great. So did the pace (except for the part when they went to Troy, it gets a bit slow and somehow hectic, but anyway..). The development of the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles is just sooo good. And when it finally ended I just couldn't take it. I want it to be longer. The book breaks my heart and I will never forget how impactful it is.
I'm also planning to reread my fave book this year! And girl, I better read Radio Silence asap.
Honestly I can’t begin to describe my feelings towards my favourite books of the year. Whenever I think about them I get choked up with how much I love them.
I can’t choose between these two books so I’m going to have to talk about them both:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - This is on a lot of people’s lists and I have to agree with them. Firstly, I adore the way Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to create such an enthralling and mysterious tale that held my attention the whole way through. I have DNFed a lot of books this year just because I wasn’t captivated quick enough, but the moment I picked this up I couldn’t stop reading. Evelyn is the most ambitious and complex person I’ve ever read about. The most raw and real character to the point I convinced myself she was real. I just felt so understood and seen by this book and it’s the bisexual book of my dreams, I’m not sure I’ll ever read a book about a character I love as much as Evelyn. I think my reading experience also made it that much more special. I spent the entire day on holiday in France listening to the audiobook, painting and using my tears to dilute my watercolours (not actually but pretty much).
My next favourite book of this year is Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World - Although its a favourite this year, I wish this book existed when I was younger. I went into this book thinking it would be a wholesome book about Ivy discovering she likes girls and that would be that. But my god did this book punch me in the gut. I just related to it so much and really wish that I could have given this book to my younger confused self and told her that everything will be alright. I really appreciate authors like Ashley Herring Blake writing middle grade books about lgbtq+ characters because I think it’s the age range that needs them the most to show that it’s okay and normal. Yes I also sobbed reading this book.
Basically my favourite books ripped my heart out.
I’m definitely going to be reading Radio Silence this year, sounds like it’s going to break my heart in the best of ways.
My favourite book of 2018 was Alice Oseman's I was Born for this. The main character, Angel, literally was me. Like you said with radio Silence, it felt like she wrote that character for me. It was crazy. It was so heart warming and honestly I was so scared at times for the characters. It broke my heart and almost made me cry (which has never happened so far when reading) but like I am beyond in love with it. Like, I cannot explain how good it was. Alice Oseman is so talented and Angel and Jimmy (the main characters) were the best thing ever. Like it was just so f*cking great!
I love that you don't try to force the ten, and just stick to the actual number of books that you loved in 2018. Currently on the holds list at my library for "Long Way Down" - so excited to get slapped!
yes! I hope you enjoy the pain haha!!
I love the 2018 kat and her energy 🌼
This video added two years to my life; one life because this is the validation I needed to start the Diviners and one life for you being the reason I read Radio Silence this year and.... Lik Dis If U Cry Evertim? Happy New Year, Kat! 💖xx
happy new year Mel! I'm so happy you loved radio silence and PLS let me know when you finally read the diviners bc I need your thoughts!
I just got Radio Silence poster to my house on Monday because I watched her Worst videos of 2018 where a lot of comments mention Radio Silence. I stopped watching when she got to Number 1 because I don’t want spoilers! At least now I know to be excited for it! I’m near the end of something else and I thought Autoboyography would be next on the list (bought it because of the Worst video too) but I guess that’s out the window! Lol
Radio Silence was my favorite book of the year and my favorite book of all time. I read this book because you are my favorite booktubet and you literally would not shut up about this book.
radio silence saved my life.
i don’t know how to articulate how much Aled and Frances mean to me and how there strictly platonic relationship touched me. Aleds struggle with depression and despair at not knowing what to do with his life made me consider things i hadn’t even thought of options.
i needed this book
and i love you kat for guiding me to what i needed and what i still love and cherish months later
i love you
i love alice oseman
and i love radio silence
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜❣️💕
Okay apart from Radio Silence ( because holy shit that book killed me),i really enjoyed If We Were Villains. It was the first book in a while that got be actively thinking about it for days, and theorizing what would happen. Also i didnt find it predictable at all which was a bonus ( bearing in mind i havent read the Secret History yet, which i heard it similar)
A Conjuring of Light was one of the best books I read in 2018 as well 😩👌🏽 I'm so happy you enjoyed it !
i love that you always have short favorites because all of your faves are ACTUALLY your faves like in a lot of videos when describing some books, this disclaimer of "this isn't my favorite but it was still pretty good" is given and it DRIVES ME BONKERSSSSSSS but here's hoping you read more amazing books in 2019 that will make your faves list
Radio Silence and The Diviners sound really good! I'm putting them on my TBR list :)
I just noticed the AFTG books in the background, one of my favorite series!
My favorite book of the year was six of crows bc it was one of the only ones I managed to get through lol. My school/starting college/being alive life got so crazy that it got really hard to sit down and read so being able to like. Actually get through a whole book meant I really liked it. It just made me happy and I related to a lot of the characters on really personal levels. Radio silence is staring at me from my book shelf and now that you’ve recommended it so highly multiple times I don’t think I can ignore it anymore
I had a similar experience to yours with a conjuring of light where I was at probably the worst possible point in my school career last year, my teacher was horrible, I hardly did any homework because the thought of even opening my backpack when I got home made me sick, and I had not great urges in my head at all times. Then I picked up Dante and Aristotle Discover The Secrets of the Universe and I swear by the time graduation came around, I had read that book 5 times. It was just such a comfortable book. I could leave the school in tears, then crack open the book again and be fine.
The couple in Lair of dreams who fake date are my otp in that series (they're also my fav characters of the series, I like the rest but those two own my heart) and I love them so much, I read the 3 books on january and I didn't have a new otp for a long time and when I read about them I was like!!!!! YES, YES, THANK YOU. I mean, I like the other aspects of the book, like the diversity, and the social commentary that is done about those times that sadly reflects in our current times, but that ship makes me go heart eyes every time i think about them.
Daughter of smoke and bone trilogy made my 2018. Being kind of my gateway to ya fantasy combined with Laini's beautiful writing made this trilogy a reallyyy enjoyable experience for me
Also I loooved Hank's an absolutely remarkable thing! The whole social media aspect was unlike anything i've read before and i totally loved it.
Planning to read radio silence in march (bc finals next month and i'm kinda restraining myself from picking it up rn and also i want it to be my first book of 2019) so yeah i'm really excited to read it!
My god I absolutely adored the diviner’s and a darker shade of magic. I read them ages ago and haven’t actually read the sequels and these reviews are telling me I probably should
I read Radio Silence because of your Pride Book Tag in June and I didn't know how much I needed it until I read it and it helped me so much. I can't describe what it means to me, thank you for introducing it to me
My favorite book of the year was Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Made me cry (like, a lot) and I almost never cry over books
My dog died of cancer on november. It was really hard for my family so I feel you and send you a hug to you and your family
I feel a sudden shame of still not reading radio silence 🤦🏻♀️
My favorite book of 2018 is Warcross. I love how complex the relationships go at the end of the book and that huge giant twist at the end. I can't stop crying for solid half an hour after reading it
i read lots of books that became my favourite last year. These are A gentleman's guide to vice and virtue, The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Eliza and her monsters, and Scythe. However my top two would have to be Eliza and her monsters and the seven husbands of evelyn hugo. I loved Eliza because i deeply related to her character and how she felt. The aspect of online communities was so prominent and the way it was written about really hit me because I am someone who also has found the most meaningful friendships on the internet and I think this book really did internet friends and online fandom culture justice. i couldn't help but cry when the book was over.
I loved The seven husbands because the way the story was written was so engaging and even though most of the characters were very flawed, you coudn't help but love them. Evelyn, to me, felt like an actual person and as though I was watching a movie while i was reading the book (which in my opinion is one of the best indicators of if a book is good). I loved reading about the politics of "stardom" and the history of the 1950's that was woven in to the story very nicely. The representation in this book was amazing as our main character is bisexual and Cuban and there is also a gay couple. It's honestly a book i would love to re-read.
I still need to read radio silence.... just need to get my hands on a copy first.
(ignore the bad grammer, i am not a writer only a reader. and i suck at writing)
HATE radio silence. My 1star review on it from 2(?) years ago is, ironically enough, my most liked review on goodreads. YOUR content on the other hand: 5star rating easily.
The Diviners, oooo boy! Not only are they just amazing books plot wise, but Ling may be my most favourite character of all time. I’m a queer, wheelchair user, and I so rarely see either of those identities represented, let alone together! Reading about her was so lovely and validating. And I’m also a science girl, so I literally think Libba Bray wrote me🤔 also The Darker Shade Of Magic Series, Radio Silence (recommended by you), We Are The Ants, and Six Of Crows/Crooked Kingdom and The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo were all major favs!
yes the last line of long way down was such a slap in the face
i also read radio silence in april (2016) and i'm rereading it this year in april i love it so much it's my fave contemporary and seeing you gushing about it this year has made me so happy. i read it having a crisis about the future too and it's literally so soothing
I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss of your animal. I know what that’s like, and I wish no one ever had to go through. I’m glad reading could help you feel a bit better. I wish the best for all of you.
thank you lovely
Yay, another Kat upload! I needed some wholesome and lovely content in my life!
I didn't do a lot of reading last year. Just wasn't in the right headspace and the books I did read were often a letdown. I have a copy of Radio Silence though and I'm gonna indulge before your review of it!!
thank u for saving me from my job 👌🏻
misheard something as “beef smuggler” so that’s amazing
if kaz was a beef smuggler id love it even more
Oohhh my lord I am so sorry about your pet that passed. I honesty do not know what I would do if anything happened to my dog. I’m glad to see you feeling a bit better
"next up is the dog" 😂😂 I go through my friend groups and bully them into reading
Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank. I knew it was a deppressing read and I didn't think I had the paitience to read classics, but Anne Frank is so relatable, and she feels very modern.... Her introspective way of thinking, her thirst for knowledge and her independent mind - I connected with her very much with her :')
I would definitely recommend Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. It's a wonderful book with a poignant story and some lovely characters.
Those earrings and that shirt together, gurl. Amaziiing! ⭐😍
My favorite book of the year was You Were Here by Cori McCarthy. Ahh. Just.... ahh. It's about a girl named Jaycee who's older brother died in a really gruesome accident like five years ago. And shes just graduated high school and still grieving his loss. Shes almost turned into him to compensate for his loss and become a person shes sort of ashamed of but she doesnt know how to stop. Then enter like her exbest friend and her boyfriend and their friend and Jaycees late brothers childhood friend. And they're all sort of suffering in their own ways. But reconnecting and forming these new friendships through exploring the same abandon areas that Jaycees brother was obsessed with brings them together. And they all start being more honest not only with each other but themselves. Ahh. It's such an amazing book. And I loved it so much. I'm still emotional about these people and their growth. And their friendships. This ramble probably makes a lot less sense then I'd like it to. But it really did affect me so much.
I read Radio Silence right after I finished my senior year and started my indefinite break from school, and I was feeling ashamed of myself for taking a few years off. It soothed me and helped me so much, honestly it's one of my favorite books now.
My favourite book of 2018 was An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green.
Warning - long review ahead
.
.
It's a book about this young woman who is the first to discover this mysterious alien statue that suddenly appears in New York city. Little did she know, the same statue appeared in every major city in the world at the same time. She makes a quick video about it, goes to bed, and wakes up internet famous.
The story explores her unhealthy relationship with internet fame, and at the same time, it's a thrilling sci fi adventure as she and her friends try to solve the mystery of where the statues came from. It has amazing multi layered flawed characters, and a fast paced plot that somehow still has time to comment on different aspects of internet fame and discourse in a fresh, complex, and nuanced way. (the author is a very successful youtuber) I don't want to spoil anything, but the plot devices are so creative and compelling, I've never seen anything like it. Also the ending is a shocking and infuriating cliff hanger that makes you question everything you just read. It's great.
TL;DR if you want an exciting sci fi book that intelligently comments on current issues and has an interesting fresh take on the first encounter trope, READ THIS BOOK.
Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
Sarah P. this sounds so good!!
YAAAS SO READY FOR RADIO SILENCE REVIEW! 😍
Hoping you get to read more 5 star books this year ✌
Looove your videos!
Off topic but you look EXTREMELY GOOD
I didn't read a lot this year but the books that I really enjoyed are They Both Died in the End and Simon vs. Homosapien's Agenda. I have nothing to say about the writing style because I don't focus on that a lot, but the plot for both are very easy for me to read (because I technically had a whim to get back into reading books) and Idk, it's what I was into at the time. Looking back at it right now, I loved They Both Died in the End more just because it came to me at the right time.
Six of Crows is my fave this year. I've read it twice since January, which is not normal for me. It just sucked me in and hasnt' let go since. I can't explain it. I can't articulate it. I just love that series with my whole heart.
The Hate you give was amazing and my favorite of the year. Just gave me all the emotions
Turtles All the Way Down is definitely my favorite! I have OCD and that book struck a personal chord in me.
My favorite read of 2018 is A list of cages by Robin Roe. I never cry over movies or book, but this one was just so pure and raw. It’s about a boy and his former foster family brother and they meet again and they bond and it’s sooo cute but sad sometimes and I liked it! I gave 4.75 stars because the romance was useless but I recommend it a lot. Trigger warning: child abuse/molestation, death and “murder”
the wayward children series and radio silence were genuinely my tow books of the year because i just felt so heard and related to in them so thank you for introducing them to me because they have changed my life
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE WATCHING THIS VIDEO!! Thank you, you're like a hot cup of tea after a long day
I love The Diviners and Lair of Dreams!! I can't wait to read the third one but I have to wait for it to be in paperback because I'm just that person...
My favourite of 2018 was Circe. Oh my god that book made me feel. The writing was so beautiful it was the perfect balance between poetic, descriptive and moving. As to Circe I loved her so much, like I can never actually like the MC and sympathize so much with them. It was such an empowering read to find a character go from zero to ten. One of the most jarring, moving and powerful books ever.
RENEGADES BY MARISSA MEYER (and also Archenemies the sequel) IS AMAZING. Slowburn romance, check. Superheroes, check. Politics, check. Great friendships, check. Action, check. DIVERSITY, check. Funny, check. STOP SLEEPING ON RENEGADES PLS OKAY BYE
I currently own all of the darker shade of magic trilogy and the first book of the dividers and I’ve been in a reading slump for like 2 months now, I’m thinking I’ll start adsom to get started this year! Thanks for the review!
I adored The Diviners series! I just read the three that are released physically in October... But plan on re-reading via audiobook soon. 💕 Also loved ADSoM series. I'll have to check out the other two on your list.
If you like the whole connecting plot thing you should read The Girl Who Drank the Moon. It’s amazing and the plot really comes together like that and it’s so good.
my favorite books of 2018 were Wolfsong and it’s sequel Ravensong by T.J. Klune. I know the books have it’s problematic aspects, but they came at exactly the right time to me. i was having a really tough time at school. i was forced to repeat my senior year of high school (i already knew this at the beginning of the year) and all my friends basically knew they were going to graduate (but i wasn’t). this gave me such an incredibly lonely feeling. Wolfsong and Ravensong contain a very very close family/pack of people who love each other so much (and support each other so so so much) and when i was reading the books i didn’t feel as lonely. almost as if i was part of their family. the books mean so much to me and will forever have a place in my heart. (Also, i’m just a sucker for angst and these books contain A LOT of angst)
hi i just wanted to say you're the reason i finally read radio silence even though i was reluctant to read it for some reason, probably because i thought i wouldn't like it as it didn't have any romance, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT AND IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS EVER!!!!! and for that i have to thank you because if you hadn't fangirled about it so much i probably never would have bothered with it
I have a tie for my favorite book of 2018; between Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones or To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin. Howl's Moving Castle was the beautiful, whimsical YA fantasy that I desperately needed at the time. The writing is so beautiful and, although not set in our own world, is sort of a feel-good book when it comes down to it. To Be Honest was (and I mentioned this in my Goodreads review) like what I imagine Radio Silence was like for you. I read it in about four hours the same night I bought it in the fall, and it changed my reading life. I had never once read about a character with the same insecurities and worries as me, and it was both refreshing and painful to read from the perspective of someone who thought so similarly to me. I rarely read contemporary, because it usually bothers the hell out of me, but this book was amazing, and I will love it for years to come.
It's 9 June and I'm still waiting for the Radio silence review. I'm gonna read the book this month so I really need the review to cry with afterward. My expectations for radio silence have reached the moon. I'm really hoping it won't disappoint.
My fav books of the year were Jade City by Fonda Lee (urban fantasy, yakuza/mafia organization, I really liked the book because all the characters were done so well, even the ones I felt meh at the beginning of the book I ended up really caring about, the characters are complex and the plot interesting, the 3 Diviner books, and 2 historical romances: Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean and A duke in the night by Kelly Bowen ( I liked the chemistry between the romantic couples and the banter in both was so well done,and the romantic interests weren't alpha male assholes)
every time anyone anywhere talks about Radio Silence my soul becomes full and ascend into the heavens. I read it during my gap year in 2016 and HONESTLY I feel you because wow that book is everything
love love love the diviners! that fake dating couple in book 2 was the beeeeest. also i guess i need to read radio silence this year or something. my favorite book in 2018 was neverworld wake by marisha pessl because it blew my mind and was also just one of the smartest books i've ever read. can't wait for your least faves video! :)
I don't know, but for some reason, I was expecting 5 books ahah anyway, good choices!
My favorite books of last year hands down has got to be the seven husbands of Evelyn hugo, and the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue. I went into both books thinking they were going to be just fun reads. You know turn your brain off, and have fun, especially for the gentleman's guide. But I was blown away by how much more I got. The characters were flawed, relatable, human. The authors were not afraid to make them suffer. And allowed them room to make mistakes. But the characters always stood by their choices. The authors made the side characters challenge the protagonists, and have stories of their own. They covered so many serious topics.
I read Radio Silence because of you and honestly??? It was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for recommending it! It got me into one of my favorite podcasts, The Adventure Zone, and it was so relatable, I felt like I was reading a book about my own life.
Also my favorite book I read this year was Crooked Kingdom because it made me feel too many damn emotions lmao
I read Radio Silence and The Diviners because of you and they were 5 and 4 stars so THANK YOUUUU. My favorite books of the year was a Norwegian fantasy trilogy called Ravneringene (The Raven Rings?) about a world where people have tales, but the main character Hirka was born without one and that creates some problems. It sounds like a typical YA-book about a “different teenage girl uwu” but it is honestly so much more. Also I am not the one for romance, but the romance between the Hirka and the love interest Rime made me so fucking happy and warm inside. What I liked about it most was how they didn’t follow each other’s steps blindly and actually discussed things in a healthy manner (as healthy as it gets when there is war going on) AAAAHHHHH I could gush about them 4ever❤️❤️ Anyways, amazing video as always, not surprised about Radio Silence tho😂
it is april of my senior year.
TIME TO READ THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Instantly went and read the book (Long way down) like I didn't even finish this video and you were so right! This book is awesome! Now I understand what you meant with this last sentence hitting you.
3 out of the 4 books you mentioned I’ve read and absolutely loved. I haven’t read long way down yet but I plan on reading it and I can’t wait to read it
My favorite book was also radio silence! I don't have to explain why. But the ones that made the shortlist were I was born for this, Six of crows (and Crooked kingdom), Lord of shadows, and the gentleman's guide to vice and virtue
i’ve only read the diviners but now i need to read the next two. When i read the diviner’s i thought it was slow but still enjoyable. maybe now after hearing everyone go crazy about the second and third book i’ll give them a try!
Next is the dog. 😂 definitely been hearing you talk about radio silence since April. Think I’m finally going to read it soon.
Honestly every single person I have persuaded to read Radio Silence has said the exact same thing, it's also my favourite book of all time and I don't think anything could ever over take it, it's so perfect and raw and beautiful and carefully written I LOVE it.
My favourite book of the year would have to be either I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman (have you read it yet please read it it's great holy hecc) and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing because oh my GOODNESS this book is everything. The way Hank Green has portrayed what it's like to grow fame and be this persona is so perfect and well crafted, but also how he portrays humanity and what it would be like if there was a first contact with aliens seemed so realistic and true to how the world works. I'm OBSESSED with this book, it truly is absolutely remarkable.
I read it in august! super cute and good :) and I've heard amazing things about hank green's book I may have to get on it
The Diviners series really surprised me! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Dying for the next one.
I think Good Omens was my favorite book of the year due to how fun it was to read. There are so many books that are deep and have such big meanings and that’s great but also those books make me sad sometimes considering how serious they are. Good Omens was just such a fun book to read with a great message and honestly just made me have an all around good time. (Also a conjuring of light because of course)
after your explanation of radio scilence im 100% gonna read it because I can just relate so much to the main character and I haven't even started the book yet.
My library system doesn’t have Radio Silence, but I recommended it, so hopefully they’ll get a copy before April. I hope you find more books you love this year!
BTW I did read Radio Silence this year and it was one of my favourite books of the year. Even though it's not my number one book of the year, I loved it! I'm really happy you pushed it in all of us so much and I read it. Thank you! And TBH I loved it for all the same reasons you loved it (mostly). :)
I barely read anything for fun this whole year. 2018 was terrible and college is all consuming. The only book I can remember reading this year was Dread Nation (I can't remember the author's name) which was a good book so I guess we'll call that my favorite. The basic premise is Civil War but before the end of the war a zombie apocalypse hits America and it follows an African American girl who has to be trained to fight the zombies. The premise is just so interesting and the book was really well written, held my attention, the main character was interesting, the other characters are multifaceted, overall a pretty darn good book and I recommend.
I bought The Diviners because of your rave review. I totally plan to read it either in the late Summer or early Autumn! MY favorite books of the year were "Woman in the Window" which I think you read and "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo". I loved the first book because of all the old noir movie references, the season it took place and the fact that it was so well written. Evelyn Hugo was just such a beautifully written novel.
I adore Long Way Down. I actually had the chance to attend a talk by Jason Reynolds and Chris Priestly (who provided the illustrations for the illustrated edition) and it was one of the highlights of my year. I also had the opportunity to speak with Jason Reynolds and he signed my copy of Long Way Down. I've gotta say, he's a really great guy and also you've convinced me to get the audio books because he has one of those voices I could listen to for ten hours straight.
My favourite book of the year was 'Sal' by Mick Kitson. Sal is 13 year old girl trying to protect her 10 year old sister, Peppa, in the Scottish wilderness while on the run from the police for murdering their stepfather. 'Sal' has a very small cast of characters and you're mostly forced into the story blind, but gradually you get to know each character deeply - and the past that led them to do everything they did.
The relationship between Sal and her sister is so close and desperately loving, despite everything both of them has been through.
Sal herself is also a very unique character, unlike many I've read before.
It's a fantastic and heartwarming book that I came to feel so connected to.
My favorite book was The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill. Holy fucking shit...I don't know where to start. I'm actually rereading it right now. It follows two orphans in the great depression as they fall in love and try to make a living together. It's their love story that takes place in Montreal. And wow. Literally what drew me in was the first chapter, it was telling the story of one of the orphan's mother, who was twelve and TW! was raped by her cousin. So it deals with a lot of dark and disturbing topics like miscarriages, molestation, corruption in the Catholic Church, gangs, drug addiction, abuse, and the list goes on. But it's handled so respectfully that Heather O'Neill made it clear that people who suffer aren't just their addiction or their abuse. The writing was fantastic! Heather manages to make the writing sound so magical and romantic, even though it takes place in such a depressing place with disturbing actions right around every corner. The prose...wow. The main characters were so real. I loved that the woman in the relationship wanted to start a business meanwhile the man just wanted to settle down and have a family. Heather handled the both of their characters so lovely. The ending...was just. Wow. I'm so sad just thinking about it but it felt oddly nice to be reminded that the world isn't perfect, but there is always a silver lining. I swear to God, I love this book so much. It's competing for favorite book of all time. It's just amazing.
I don't have a favorite book of the year haha - I've read so many good ones (I'm a very not-critical reader).
I really liked A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom, I was feeling v stressed at the time I was reading it and having a character who was dealing with a lot more was very reassuring.
For a book I thought I'd hate but ended up liking - The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh was actually really good but seemed from the description like it'd be super cliche and such (it still was, to a certain extent). I wouldn't have read it if it weren't a Battle of the Books book, but I'm glad I did (even if I'm still mildly confused as to how I actually feel about it lol, I'm eager to read the next book in the series though).
Gotta say, one of my top five favorites was certainly And I Darken and that whole series. I was in the mountains while I read it, and it was so captivating that not only did I stay up reading until 3 AM, I read the part of the second book while on a hike to a waterfall.
Here's a list of some of my other favorites cuz this is already long enough w/o going into detail:
Strange the Dreamer
Children of Blood and Bone
Every Heart a Doorway
Outrun the Moon
The Night Circus
Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom
The Darkest Minds
Kill the Farm Boy
The City of Brass
Everything I Never Told You
An Ember in the Ashes
Eliza and Her Monsters
Sorry for how long this is haha, I read a lot and I love most of what I read. I also discovered you this year and a lot of my favorites have been books I picked up because of your suggestions.
My favorite in 2018 was Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. It sucked me in so hard that I literally forgot I was just sitting quietly on my couch and not trying to survive war in Russia. Everything was so vivid that I would look up and be confused that other people were just going on with their lives, because they didn’t just “see” and “hear” everything that I was seeing and hearing. Also I heavily identified with the main character, which has never happened before and made me uncomfortable.
Confession - I haven't read many books this year, and none I would want to count as my 'favorite', so I'm cheating a little. Two of my favorite books of all time are The Child Thief by Brom, and The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. So, The Child Thief is a dark, gritty Peter Pan... reimagining? It's a new story with a new kid, set in modern day, and I don't want to give to much away because it is definitely something you have to experience, but I think the author did such a good job conveying atmosphere through this book. Like, I didn't really care about the main character (though I normally don't, so that's not saying much), but the atmosphere and the descriptions and the world itself was just so... enveloping. I absolutely adored it, and a part of me wishes it wasn't just a stand alone (small part). The Gargoyle is also set modern day, and it is... interesting. This one is told through flashback/different POV and that threw me for a bit, it took me a while to figure out what was going on, but when I realized what was happening, it went from being an all-right story about a burn victim coming to terms, to an absolutely beautiful love story that I to this day love above all others (though, again, I don't really read love stories, not my thing, so take that as you will). And again, I can't say too much, because I don't want to give anything away, but again this author did a really good job with atmospheres and tones and settings, this story was so easy to fall into and I just loved it.
my favorite book of the year and of all time is Radio Silence. Don't know if you've heard about it, it's pretty good.
hmm I've never seen that one..sounds interesting! I'll have to look it up :)
if you haven't checked it out already, the audiobook for radio silence is amazing! it really fleshes out the podcast and brings the book to a whole new level