Here’s a list of books I read in 2018 in the order I liked them and some thoughts I had on them. I’ll probably go into further detail with each one, but for now, I’m trying to keep my thoughts for each one within a paragraph.

1. The Left Hand of Darkness

The Left Hand of  Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin – Many people contend that this is LeGuin’s magnum opus, and I can see why. This is, by far, the hardest book I read in 2018, but also the most rewarding. One observation I made, (though this is less a comment on the book, and more a comment on readers) this book isn’t actually about a planet on which there is no gender. Oh sure, it takes place on a planet that has no gender, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about human relationships, and what they look like in a completely foreign environment. This was my top read for 2018.

2. Leviathan Wakes

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey is the first book in the Expanse series. I watched the first two seasons this summer after watching most of Babylon 5 and was entirely engrossed. I haven’t watched season three yet since it’s behind a paywall. Season 1 of the Expanse follows pretty faithfully to Leviathan Wakes, while adding in some of the characters from the second book Caliban’s War. I think I liked Leviathan Wakes because it’s good old fashioned space opera without too many bells and whistles.

3. The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs

I have stretched myself this year to read more non-fiction. Normally I stick to sci-fi/fantasy, but for my birthday and Hannukah this year I asked for a number of books about natural history. One of those books was The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World by Steve Brusatte. Dr. Brusatte’s book gives a lovely overview of my favorite topic in a way that is accessible, yet informative. Most of the information I already knew, thanks to keeping up with paleontology news through social media, podcasts and free articles. It was a fun read and helped give not only modern, but historical context to some of paleontology’s most influential discoveries. It also made me think about some field trips I might have to take my family on.

4. Annihilation and Authority

The first and second books, respectively, of the Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer are the basis of the (hit?) movie that shares a name with the first book. The movies stars both Natalie Portman and Tessa Thomson, both of whom I am a big fan of. If you thought the movie was weird and hard to follow, wait til you read the book! That being said, as the series progresses, the situation becomes both stranger and more clear, which is why I’ve put them in one entry together. I ate through these books, part in thanks to them being (post) beach reading, and part because they are genuinely exciting books. I’d suggest both the books and the movie if you’re into sci-fi horror (and I totally am). Quick aside: I must mention that it is thanks to these books that the word “terroir” has entered my vocabulary.

5. Oathbringer

So, I think Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives are the best stuff he’s done, and the third installment did not leave me disappointed. I’d rate this one better than the second, but not as good as the first. I still don’t really like Shallan. [SPOILERS] is still really cool. [Insert something about world-building and magic systems.] Take a week or two and read through these books.

6. Caliban’s War

Okay, I know I put the Southern Reach Trilogy together, but honestly, I didn’t like Caliban’s War as much as Leviathan Wakes. Political intrigue is not my thing. That’s why I stopped reading A Song of Ice and Fire halfway through book three. That being said, it was a fairly easy read, though I took a break for about a week in the middle of reading it. I’m looking forward to book three when I finish some of the other things on my reading list.

7. Hyperion

Man does the internet have a hard-on for this book. If you’re familiar with Hyperion by Dan Simmons you may be surprised to find it so low on my list. Dude, this book did not live up to the hype. If you’re unfamiliar, Hyperion is supposed to be like The Canterbury Tales IN SPACE! Having never read that, I can’t make any comparisons. But based on the hype, I was expecting to have my mind BLOWN and simply put, it was not. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, just some parts more than others (OMG! Saul Weintraub’s story was the best!). It’s certainly worth reading, it just isn’t the best sci-fi I’ve ever read (or even read this year).

8. Blood Rites

Book number six in the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I like Jim Butcher, but I have to be in the mood to read him. Kinda like fish, it’s really good when you’re in the mood, and kinda icky when you’re not. When I got to Blood Rites I was in the mood, having just finished Death Masks, and afterwards I took a break to try the Codex Alera. Spoilers: don’t do that. The Alera books aren’t as good. Blood Rites has a silly premise (as most Dresden books do), but I liked that some of Harry’s personal connections got explored.

9. Death Masks

I obviously liked book five well enough to read my previous entry, but I did have to start this book twice. I don’t know when I’ll next go back to Butcher, as I have quite a list of books I want to read, but I’ve got the next two books ready when I do.

10 & 11. Furies of Calderon and Academ’s Fury

I just don’t really want to go back and read the rest of this series. It’s pretty standard fantasy, and I know that’s what Butcher was going for, but really, The Dresden Files are just so much better and more entertaining to me.