Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018!
Hey, loves! I really wanted to do this week’s prompt because I tend to put such a big emphasis on books that are being published the year I’m reviewing them. Because of this, I normally don’t get to backlogged books, and I feel like I just don’t show them enough love. And on the other end of the spectrum, I feel guilty already boosting 2019 books I’ve read. But this week’s Top Ten Tuesday just felt like the perfect opportunity to just type up this post with my heart and let you know the top ten books I’ve read this year that aren’t, and will not be, published in 2018!
➽ 10.) Hate to Want You (Forbidden Hearts #1) by Alisha Rai
(2017)
Don’t get me wrong, I always want my romance books to have consent in them, but I never knew consent could be so sexy. Alisha Rai is a master at writing not only compelling stories, but some of the sexiest scenes I’ve ever read. Also, I think I have a crush on every single character in this book. #pangirlproblems
➽ 9.) Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
(2016)
I was so scared to pick this up for the longest time, but I fell completely in love with this world and these sisters. Even though I think I like the sister no one else likes, but that’s okay because Katharine is bae.
➽ 8.) The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion (Danielle Cain #1) by Margaret Killjoy
(2017)
This is still a hidden gem that I feel like I keep shouting at everyone to read. This is one of the best novellas I’ve ever read. It’s spooky, it’s beautiful, it’s so damn diverse. I loved this, and I truly hope more people pick it up in 2018.
➽ 7.) The Abyss Surrounds Us (The Abyss Surrounds Us #1) by Emily Skrutskie
(2016)
Elise is smiling if she’s reading this. This blew me away. I have never read better w/w angst in my entire life. There is a scene in this book that had me honestly losing my damn mind. I loved this, and it was completely different than anything that I was imagining. And it blew my expectations away.
➽ 6.) Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend
(2017)
I didn’t think I’d enjoy this after seeing everyone and their mother compare this to Harry Potter. And even though I don’t feel that comparison as much as some, this still was such a magical and heartfelt story about belonging and being the person you want to be. I can’t help but smile just thinking about this book.
➽ 5.) Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
(2017)
This book not only restored my faith in audiobooks, it restored my faith in humanity. Lord, I don’t even know what I was expecting going into this book. Truly. I don’t. But this book blew me and my expectations out of the water. I cried during at least 50% of this book while playing videogames, but the ending was everything I wanted and more.
➽ 4.) The Secret History by Donna Tartt
(1992)
We are in the last half of 2018, and I don’t think a single day has gone by that I haven’t thought of this book. This is something magical, something haunting, something I don’t have words for. You know, other than that I think Donna Tartt has to be a witch, or vampire, or goddess, or some magical deity that has cast a spell upon me.
➽ 3.) Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
(2016)
I am not a big contemporary fan, but this book completely shattered that fear. This is the best contemporary I’ve ever read, and it was able to evoke emotions in me that I didn’t even know I had. I love this more than words.
➽ 2.) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
(2017)
I’m hard-pressed to think of a book that made me feel more seen than this one. This is a book I will cherish for the rest of my life. And I’ll be forever salty that I didn’t read it in 2017, so it was unable to make my “best of 2017” list. I recommend this to every reader in the entire world.
➽ 1.) The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black
(2019)
Did you all think I wouldn’t stay on brand? But for real, this isn’t only the best book I’ve read in 2018 that isn’t a 2018 publication, this is just the best book I’ve read all year. It’s honestly a masterpiece in every single way, and the ending haunts me every single night. Perfection.
Okay, those are my picks! Gosh, this post feels so weird! I feel like I’m just conditioned as a book reviewer to only want to talk about that year’s publications! And the more and more I think about it, the more and more I realize how gross that is. I would recommend all of these books with my whole heart, and if I wouldn’t have taken the chance to read them this year, I would have been missing out so very much. I think this post has really inspired me to read more backlisted book. What’s your favorite book that’s not a 2018 publication?
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I really want to read Three Dark crowns and I can’t wait to get my copy, I feel I am going to like it and you’re lucky you already read The Wicked king which I was regected for 😦
Happy reading Xx
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I feel like Three Dark Crowns is so polarizing? But I loved it form first to last page! But I’m always scared to recommend! But i hope you love it, too! And I was rejected too, love! I had a friend who got me a copy! Seriously, The Novl hates mes! Hahaha! Happy reading, love! 💗xx
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I like dark fantasy and that’s why I have a feeling I will like it, the synopsis is also super interesting!
How dare they reject you?!! *Angry face*
I am glad you could read and love it. xx
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Glad we have 2 books in common… Love your list… so many that I want to read 😊😊😊
Waiting for Wicked King is torture 😭😭😭
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This warms my heart, love! I feel like you always love all the good books though, so… not surprising! Haha! And the waiting is bad, but it is so worth it! Did you see she is releasing a novella October 2nd? THE HYPE! 💗xx
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Thank you!!! Well I do follow awesome reviewers like you who help me pick only the good ones 😊😊😊
I just saw the news about the novella.. quite excited 😆
Thankfully there are other books that’ll keep my mind occupied…
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*blushes forever* YOU are just too sweet, my love! And yes… October 2nd… a novella AND muse of nightmares? WHAT A BLESSED DAY! We need to play the lottery! 💗xx
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Haha that’s true… and Lady’s Guide too…. 😍😍😍
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I need to pick up The Seven Husbands ASAP. I’ve been hearing so many wonderful things since it came out but still haven’t read it
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YESSS! It is honestly a book I’d recommend to everyone! I think there is something for everyone to fall so deeply in love with! I’m wishing you the happiest of reading, love! 💗xx
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Three dark crowns is on my TBR this month and I m so excited for it 😍
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I feel like it’s SO polarizing, but I truly loved it from first to last page! But I’ve seen people say it’s one of the worst books they’ve read! So, I don’t know… but the magic worked on me! Hehe! Happy reading, my love! 💗xx
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Yay, I’ve also heard some negative views but my favourite booktuber loved it and you loved it too so I guess I am gonna be on the good side 😂❤
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Did you all think I wouldn’t stay on brand? 😂😂😂😂
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LMAO! Girl, someone needs to take me outside. I’m TOO much! 💗xx
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HA! You’re also TOO funny! Your list has some great selections — per usual! =D
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I love the Three Dark Crown series so far!!
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I need my TBR to calm down so I can get caught up before the next one! Hehe! But this warms my heart to continue on even more! Happy reading! 💗xx
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Ah, The Wicked King. You keep talking about it, just makes me more excited to read it.
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Darnell! You are going to love it, sweetheart! Even better than The Cruel Prince! 💗xx
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you’re right, I AM screaming. And the top three were all fives for me too!!
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One of the many reasons why YOU ARE THE BEST! ❤
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NOPE, IT’S YOU. also, writing camp and all that.
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I love, LOVE, love Three Dark Crowns and it only gets better 😉 It broke my heart to see how many bloggers I follow that hated on that series haha. I just snagged 7 Husbands this weekend. So I am pretty excited to start it soon ❤ Hope you are having the best week my friend! ❤
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MY HEART IT SO HAPPY! I can’t wait for you to read it, and for you to gush with me forever and ever over it! Happy reading, beautiful! Sending you all the love in the world! ❤ xx
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O yeah! I’m so glad to see one of my fav book in your list! Nevermoor is a truly magical book and I can’t wait for Wundersmith!
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Awh! Yes! Same, love! I STILL haven’t written up my review for Nevermore because it was so… amazing! I’m not going to do it justice! Haha! 💗xx
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Haha looking forward to read your review. Seriously I was shocked knowing that there are so many people who haven’t even heard of that amazing book!
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*smiles in I-buddy-read-two-of-these-amazing-books-with-you*
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*thanks all the higher powers for your friendship and buddy reads* ALSO – Do you want to buddy read I Was Born for This this August, because… I HAVE A MIGHT URGE? 💗xx
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You know I can’t resist a buddy read with you! Of course 😘
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Yessssss! We will pick a date closer to the end of July! (Lily is in, too… so we are just going to be cute and read all of Alice’s works together, I guess!) 💕xx
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my real life book club read this on my recommendation and they loved it. It was a book that had so many quotes that the wisdom I was getting was worth 5-star on its own. Evelyn was a boss!
Great list.
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My heart! Ahhhhh! This warms my heart. And honestly? I can’t think of a better book recommendation. I think there is so much for so many to love! Such a perfect pick! 💗xx
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At least half of those are on my TBR which means I have a lot of good reading to look forward too!
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Yes, Maria, you do, love! Hehe! This really makes me want to get to those backlist titles! 💗xx
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I loved Three Dark Crowns! It’s probably one of my faves. I actually try not to read recently published books all the time, older books need some love as well ♥️
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This warms my dang heart! Three Dark Crowns is getting some love on this post! Yet, I feel like it’s so polarizing. I saw a booktuber make an entire video about how much she disliked it. I’m like… HOW? To each their own, I suppose! Haha! But I hope you’re currently have the happiest of reading, Erin! 💗xx
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It’s true! I recommended it to someone once and was flabberghasted she only rated it three stars. I’m like how did we read the same book?!
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Soo happy that you like Three Dark Crowns 😀 And I LOL so hard when you say I never knew consent could be so sexy XD
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LMAO! It’s the dang truth, Trang! Lord, help me! But yessss to Three Dark Crowns! I feel like it’s such a polarizing series, but it’s so damn good, I honestly can’t understand how anyone couldn’t love it! Happy reading, love! 💗xx
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I loved Autoboyography, it surprised me in so many ways! Just like Nevermoor did.
I plan on reading The Seven Husbands in August with TBR & Beyond and I am so excited!
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Yes to Autoboyorgaphy (thank you again). Yes to Nevermoor (my heart is still warm thinking about it). BUT YESSSSSSSSS TO SEVEN HUSBANDS! Like… I’m going to be DMing you all, crying tears of happiness! You have NO IDEA how happy I am that it won! Ahhhhh! 💗xx
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No problem 😉
Yes, I am so excited to read it! Will let you know when I start 💖
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I love the backlist twist you put on this post, love! I am also so guilty of prioritizing new releases and need to get better at showering older books with love. xoxo
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This is honestly me so much right now. I’l currently like “Wow, I’m never going to be able to get caught up for Cassie Clare” mood! Haha! But these books make it feel so worth it! ❤ xx
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Autoboyography and The Lamb Will…. those are on my list ❤
I tried reading Secret History a few years ago, but kinda gave up on it. I don't remember why. I even gave away my copy to charity. But recently it was on sale for kindle and i bought it again because i've seen it mentioned so often lately, and always in a positive light 😀
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You are going to love Autuoboyography! And I hope you love The Lamb Will… Because that book is so damn good and different and deserves so much more love!
As for The Secret History… I’ve talked to Donna Tart fans before, and they all say that people either are obsessed with The Secret History or The Goldfinch. That there is rarely a person who loves both! So…. I think it could be that? I think it’s a polarizing book anyway, honestly! Very… different! Hahaha!
But I hope you’re having the happiest of reading, my love! 💕xx
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YAAAAAY SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO!!
also YES to liking Katharine most from Three Dark Crowns. the other two sisters got on my neeeeeeerves, especially what’s her name – mirabella? HATED her.
anyway i’m glad you’ve had so many good reads so far this year, and that the rest of your 2018 goes well, too!!
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LMAO! The biggest mood! And you are the only one I know who agrees, and… I officially love you even more! (holy moly!)
And thank you, love! I hope this summer is giving you everything you deserve: aka – the universe! Happy reading! 💕xx
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I loved The Secret History. It was one of my favorite books last year. Great list!
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Awh, thank you so much! It is such a haunting book! I still think about it!
I hope you’re currently reading something amazing! 💕xx
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So many awesome queer books on your list! I also loved Abyss Surrounds Us (I really need to pick up the sequel!), Autoboyography, Radio Silence, and Evelyn Hugo (duh). I JUST finished Wicked King this week, and it was a pretty epic sequel! The Secret History is at the top of my TBR; so many friends and reviewers I trust adore that book, so I know it’s one I’ll probably also love.
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Well, if you ever want to buddy read TASU’s sequel, let me know! And yes to all of this! Holy shit, what the end of Wicked King perfection! That juxtaposition… *my turn to chef’s kiss* 💗xx
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I literally CANNOT wait for The Wicked King I need it noww
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It’s… the best. Like, 102 times better than The Cruel Prince! I can’t wait to gush with you about it… forever! 💖xx
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