Books I Read in 2018
If you’re looking for previous end of year reviews, please refer to my book lists from 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Books have always served as an escape for me. An almost meditative trance is induced as I have no choice but to watch the story unfold, one word at a time. In a year of ever-increasing anxiety, this has been a calming touchstone — a reminder to take and accept every day just like I would a book, one step, one page, and one chapter at a time.
“Reading is a form of prayer, a guided meditation that briefly makes us believe we’re someone else, disrupting the delusion that we’re permanent and at the center of the universe. Suddenly (we’re saved!) other people are real again, and we’re fond of them.”
— George Saunders
2018 has been a year of many personal changes: I switched jobs, spent my first year married, went on a Honeymoon, moved, and purchased a home. Amidst all of this change, books have been the touchstone — all 55 of them — tagging along to every moment, each rise and hollow, and stolen moment in between.
For those familiar with this book list process, I am a steadfast and firm follower of the The Rick Webb Reading Methodology, which states:
“Don’t try and read what you, or others, think you should read.”
This is also the first year where a majority of the books on this list were acquired through the New York Public Library’s OverDrive system, which seamlessly sends e-books to my Kindle. I not only appreciate the savings, but also the ability to discover and read things slightly outside of my comfort zone as a result. Noah Brier’s observation on how the loan system reinforces your commitment to the book is powerful as we approach a new year (and the resolutions they entail):
“Sometimes, as the analogy goes, we’ve got to bind ourselves to the mast of what’s good for us to actually make it happen. […]
The longest you can borrow a book is 21 days and there are no renewals. That means holds often come through at inopportune times. Sometimes that means skipping the book altogether, but more often I’ve found it was just the push I needed to read something I wanted to read in the past but wouldn’t have necessarily made time for in the present.
In other words, in case you needed a reason to appreciate the public library outside the amazing civic resource it is, the borrowing mechanism can actually help you fight some of your more irrational tendencies.”
—Pre-Committing to the Public Library, Noah Brier
After reflecting on everything I read this year, here are the top picks:
1. Non-Fiction
Masters of the Word: How Media Shaped History from the Alphabet to the Internet by William J. Bernstein — Our media diet is increasingly a part of our identity (and for me, an every day facet of my work). Better understanding how we got here is critical to understanding where we might go next.
2. Fiction
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland — Because how efficiently do you think a governmentally-run agency dedicated to time travel would be?
3. Fantasy
The Nevermoor Series by Jessica Townsend — I have spent a long time looking for something that whisks me away as quickly as Harry Potter and finally feel like I’ve found it. The magical hotel, talking beasts, exclusive Wundrous Society (which you have to pass a series of trials to get into), and a dark villain all build a fantastical world that I’d never want to leave.
Honorable Mention: The Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan
4. Sci-Fi
Artemis by Andy Weir — Sarcastic, cynical, innuendo filled humor paired with an ultimate heist story, set in space. What more could a girl ask for?
5. Graphic Novel
Speak: The Graphic Novel — Especially in a post-Brett Kavanaugh era, reading stories about this type of trauma is important. I’d never read the book this is based on, but the illustrations perfectly capture the emotional weight of the story.
Honorable Mention: Homunculus by Joe Sparrow
The Full List, in chronological order:
- One Fell Sweep (Inkeeper Chronicles № 3) by Ilona Andrews — Closed out this NYPL-recommended series following a sleepy New Year. This series, centered around an B&B owner whose residence is not only more magical than one would suspect, but filled with magical characters to boot — is surprisingly sci-fi and not your expected fantasy. I appreciated a fresh take on a new character class (Inkeepers) rather than revisiting some old tropes like Vampires and Werewolves. For those who enjoyed The Lunar Chronicles, this is for you.
“Children are the future. They are what carries us forward as people.”
— Ilona Andrews, One Fell Sweep
- Here is New York by E.B White — The longer I spend in New York, the more that I grow to appreciate it. This 1948 essay is a peek into the past, but brings an immediate sense of nostalgia, love, and appreciation to the reader. Highly recommended for any fellow New Yorker.
“There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something.
Of these three trembling cities the greatest is the last—the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high-strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion.”
— E.B White, Here is New York
- Etched in Bone (The Others № 5) by Anne Bishop — One of the few fantasy series that I keep up with as each new book is published. While I always love a Cassandra-type character reference, I struggle to see where this series is going.
Maybe it was human nature to want to please the person who rejects you, who wants you to prove you deserve to be loved.
— Anne Bishop, Etched in Bone
- Persons Unknown (D.S Manon № 2) by Susie Steiner — I was never really one for police procedurals, but ever since the Cormoran Strike series, I’ve been hooked. This series has been engrossing due to a mix of admiration and admonishment directed at the work-obsessed female lead Manon, my own sense of nostalgia for London, and the element of human drama woven into the mystery as it unfolds.
“Paradise, she thinks. Paradise is an internal place.”
— Manon Bradshaw, Persons Unknown
- The Nevernight Chronicles (№ 1–2) by Jay Kristoff — Who doesn’t love a good assassin story? I especially love it when the main character is a woman, the setting is similar to a Medici-era Italy, and it comes paired with a Hogwarts-esque school for assassins.
“A traitor’s just a patriot on the wrong side of winning.”
— Mia Corvere, Nevernight
- Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas — There was a time that I was excited to read this high fantasy series, but it now clearly reads as another Amazon-data-driven where the author is taking cues from dwell times (read: fill with smut, scrimp on the plotline) and not really figuring out how they want it to end. That said, I’m all for a book dedicated to Chaol Westfall. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman — Especially after last year’s Thor:Ragnarok, I was keen to brush up on my Norse Mythology. While aspects of this retelling are good, I am skeptical of all the praise it’s received as I’m not as carried away as I’d hope to be (or as I tend to be with Greek Mythology).
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch — A lecture written by a Carnegie Mellon Professor following a terminal cancer diagnosis. In (officially) starting married life with a partner in crime, one puts a lot of thought into how we want to approach it together. Lessons from those older and wiser than us help add color and take the seasoning that we need.
“As I see it, a parent’s job is to encourage kids to develop a joy for life and a great urge to follow their own dreams. The best we can do is to help them develop a personal set of tools for the task.”
— Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture
- The Power of Moments by Dan and Chip Heath — Nothing is particularly revelatory here for any marketer who has to identify ‘key moments of truth’ for our clients, but the frameworks and organizing principles the Heath brothers use are a good frame of reference.
“This is what we mean by “thinking in moments”: to recognize where the prose of life needs punctuation.”
— Dan and Chip Heath, The Power of Moments
- Moonshine by Jasmine Grower — Attracted by the promise of a story set in a 1920’s Chicago with a magical twist, disappointed by the delivery.
- Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory — Immediately was drawn into this story of one con man’s family and their traveling telekinetic act. This is one of those books (much like Emma Donahue’s The Wonder) where as the story unfolds, you’re not sure if there’s going to be a supernatural ending or not.
The problem with getting old was that each day had to compete with the thousands of others gone by.
— Teddy Telemachus, Spoonbenders
- ARTEMIS by Andy Weir — I gave this a second chance because I’d loved the Martian so much, and the investment was well worth it. I loved the calculated world building that put extensive thought into what it would take to have a colony on the moon: from governance, to economics, to city planning, to the cultural nuances of who would colonize. Plus, who doesn’t love a good heist story with a badass leading lady?
- Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal — A graphic novel about a post-apocalyptic woman-dominated future that I walked into expecting to be a deep and sprawling narrative akin to Y: The Last Man, but really ended up being a series of clever vignettes (which makes sense, given that it was based on a webcomic). While I thought many of these moments were clever, thought-provoking, or just downright cute it wasn’t as hefty as I’d originally hoped.
- SALT Summaries, Condensed Ideas About Long-term Thinking by Stewart Brand — I was particularly attracted to this TED-esque series of lectures after coming across the concept of Pace Layering perpetuated by the The Long Now Foundation, which talks about the pace of change for different types of systems. In strategy, we need to help our clients think beyond the challenges of today, and focus on tomorrow; these help paint that future.
“One reason lots of people don’t want to think long term these days is because technology keeps accelerating so rapidly, we assume the world will become unrecognizable in a few years and then move on to unimaginable. Long-term thinking must be either impossible or irrelevant.”
— Stewart Brand, Seminars About Long-term Thinking
- The Power by Naomi Alderman — This was an immersive, thought provoking exploration of the age-old idea that power corrupts, even when it transfers hands to the once marginalized. While, as a woman, it’s an interesting take to see what the power dynamic would be if we were more matriarchal as a society — but this execution doesn’t quite stick the landing.
When does power exist? Only in the moment it is exercised.
— Naomi Alderman, The Power
- The Circle by Dave Eggers — Enjoyed this prescient commentary on Big Tech written prior to the 2016 election cycle and the revelations of this year. Most of the narrative is centered on Mae Holland, an enthusiastic (and ideal) employee who experiences gradual revelations to the human right to privacy. While a lot of the critiques are correct, the outcome is poorly executed — I’m not surprised that it flopped as a filmed.
“Your tools have elevated gossip, hearsay and conjecture to the level of valid, mainstream communication.”
— Dave Eggers, The Circle
- The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor № 1-2 ) by Jessica Townsend— A series recommended to me by friend Zoe Scaman and a runaway new favorite Fantasy series. About a young girl who is out of place in her world, but gets whisked away to a magical ‘Wundrous’ society. There are all of the right elements of wonder, magic, and mystery as the world unfolds before you.
- Themis Files (№ 1–2) by Sylvain Neuvel — An excellent interpretation of how poorly we as humanity would handle any sort of alien encounter (especially with weapons involved). I found myself hooked on the military archival-style storytelling method, which has pulled me into a number of other series this year as a result.
“The known is finite, the unknown infinite; intellectually we stand on an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability. Our business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land.”
— Thomas Henry Huxley, cited in Waking Gods
- The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui — A well crafted graphic novel by a daughter of Vietnamese refugees who came to America after the fall of Saigon. Like Bechdel’s Fun Home, this autobiographical story explores Thi’s identity by better understanding the journey and development of her parents. This one is beautifully and empathetically told, and made me want to explore, appreciate and understand Vietnam (pre-American intervention) even more.
- Armada by Ernest Cline — After watching Ready Player One I decided to revisit this author, much to my delight. His high octane, clearly 80’s inspired science fiction always takes you away on a popcorn adventure. For fans of Enders Game, this feels like a modern tribute.
“I’d spent my entire life overdosing on uncut escapism, willingly allowing fantasy to become my reality.”
— Zack Lightman, Armada
- Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz — I was initially excited to explore another British whodunit, but this book was structured in such a way where you had to read not one but TWO mysteries simultaneously. The first mystery is set in modern times from the perspective of a book editor, the second set in a 1950’s sleepy village with a strident German narrator. While I’m sure this was a clever concept, it was a laborious read.
“I think people can be quite cruel — or thoughtless, anyway. Often it’s the same thing.”
— Detective Atticus Pünd, Magpie Murders
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells — I increasingly love stories exploring the humanity of a sentient A.I. Martha Wells’ short stories do this exceptionally well with the mercenary ‘Murderbot’.
“Granted, I liked the imaginary people on the entertainment feed way more than I liked real ones, but you can’t have one without the other.”
— Murderbot, All Systems Red
- The Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan — The third installment of the Legends of the First Empire series that has already solidified itself as one of my favorites. The world-building and character development of this Tolkien-esque epic make it a top recommend for any fantasy fan.
Unlike all other living things, people were never content to just live in a place, to be part of it; they always wanted to change things, to make places conform. Maybe that was why the gods and spirits appeared so cruel — their way of saying, Quit it.
— Michael J. Sullivan, Age of War
- Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio — Immediately attracted to the cover when browsing a local bookstore. While I’d never heard of the author, I’d certainly heard of Bridgewater Associates. Much of the advice inside is practical, easily applicable, and well worth a perusal whether at the start of your career or at its zenith. While not groundbreaking it is worth reviewing (even if in summary).
“I didn’t value experience as much as character, creativity, and common sense.”
— Ray Dalio on how he selected employees, Principles
- Legend (Legend Series № 1–3) by Marie Liu —This 1984 meets Divergent series set in a dystopian L.A. is a fun airplane or beachside read. Of course the rebel hero and the military wunderkind are doomed to meet (and fall in love). Personally I loved the corporation sponsored economies portrayed in the adversary “Colonies”.
- Changeling by Molly Harper — I’m always attracted to a coming-of-age Victorian Steampunk story with a little bit of magic. While I loved the magic-based caste system and the classic coming-of-age story, it ended up all coming out as a bit pedestrian.
“Like dogs and bees, adolescent girls scent fear.”
— Cassandra Reed, Changeling
- Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson — I had picked this up at a New York ComicCon table not knowing much about it or what to expect (beyond seeing that it was recommended reading at most schools). To read a story set in high school centered on rape, trauma, consent, and our existing social codes — especially during the Kavanaugh hearings — was deeply affecting. Emily Carroll’s illustrations are haunting and the perfect accompaniment to this sensitive story.
- ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times by Andrew MacLean — While I love the comic book medium for its roots in humor, the opera / aria theme throughout this post-apocalyptic tale of a girl and her “cat” was a little too arduous to follow.
- Masters of the Word: How Media Shaped History from the Alphabet to the Internet by William J. Bernstein — In a time where were AI’s are able to make increasingly convincing pictures of people, deepfakes abound, and the media and social networks have an ever widening scope (and ethical boundary), it felt critical to dive into the history. This was a fascinating read covering everything from Cuneiform, the advent of the news, to the internet today. While the history stops at the Arab Spring, this is a must for anyone working in or around media.
“The first writing arose not from the desire to record history or produce literature, but rather to measure grain, count livestock, and organize and control the labor of the human animal. Accounting, not prose, invented writing.”
— William J. Bernstein, Masters of the Word
- F*ck Off Squad by Nicole Goux and David Baker — I picked up this self-published book in Artists Alley at New York ComicCon. I was immediately attracted to the irreverant alternative character stylings and, of course, any portrayal of L.A. This is one of those years where I’m starting to see social media as central to any coming-of-age (think: Eighth Grade) or twenty-something story, and this Instagram-fuelled love triangle was a clear glimpse into that world.
- The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland — A multilayered narrative about a secret governmental organization dedicated to time travel (here dubbed ‘Diachronic Operations’). I feel like I always love stories about how things work operationally, and this had operational specifics in spades. How do you fund a time-travel organization? What skillsets do you need to travel back in time? How do you staff for that? In a ‘many worlds’ interpretation, how will you know what’s attached to your specific world? This, and more, is covered in this 700+ page romp.
“When you just wing it, you are aware of the risk and the uncertainty, and inclined to be more cautious. When you have a high-tech tool giving you an illusion of omniscience, I am concerned that it will lead to greater risk-taking.”
— Dr. Frank Oda
- The Thousandth Floor (№ 1–2) by Katharine McGee — A Gossip Girl meets Maniac-style story. While I enjoyed the concept of a “super tower” that represent the new urban center, the story ultimately felt flat and uninteresting.
“The important thing wasn’t finding someone without flaws, but just someone whose flaws complemented your own.”
—Watt Bakradi, The Dazzling Heights
- Lethal White (Cormoran Strike №4) by Robert Galbraith — The latest in this whodunnit series was spotted in a shop window and then immediately purchased. Her two main characters (one: rough about the edges former military police Detective Strike and his partner, the bright and masterful Robin) are now reaching the climax of three books worth of tension. Mystery be damned, I’m rooting for them.
“Love, to Strike, was pain and grief sought, accepted, endured.”
— Robert Galbraith, Lethal White
- The Illuminae Files (№ 1–3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff — A unique sci-fi series about a few teenagers caught in the middle of an all out war between two megacorporations competing for control of their colony. Picked up because of a House of Leaves-esque typographic layout, but ultimately a headache to read on an e-reader.
“If one believes, and God exists, one is rewarded among the faithful in the hereafter. If God does not exist, it does not matter what one believes either way. But if one does not believe, and God does exist, eternal damnation awaits.”
— An introduction to Pascal’s Wager, AIDAN, Gemina
- Design is Storytelling by Ellen Lupton — A great introduction to different design concepts for non-designers as well. I have made this a ‘must read’ for my team’s curriculum, as I think it helps massively when thinking about presentations and the like. Handily, there is a 42 minute lecture if you don’t want to read the book.
- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood — After a renewed obsession with period fiction fueled by a Godless binge on Netflix, this came to my attention. While not the ‘speculative fiction’ Atwood is best known for, this female lens on a true crime story (much like Lizzie this year), is chilling, illuminating, and deeply appreciated.
“Gone mad is what they say, and sometimes Run mad, as if mad is a different direction, like west; as if mad is a different house you could step into, or a separate country entirely. But when you go mad you don’t go any other place, you stay where you are. And somebody else comes in.”
― Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace”
- Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness — I was skeptical about an American Revolution-era Vampire novel, and I should have definitely trusted my gut.
- Did You See Me? by Sophia Foster Domino — A (literally) surrealist exploration between dreams and our reality. This was a particularly thoughtful gift from my partner, who specifically set out to support Short Box, a publication dedicated to highlighting comics by women and minorities.
- Homunculus by Joe Sparrow — A great short story about an AI being taught about humanity at a lab who survives the apocalypse. Sweet, concise, and deep all at once. This was easily a favorite for the year.
If you also love reading books and have some fresh recommendations or just ever want to discuss— it would be great to swap notes. Feel free to say hello on Twitter: @rachelmercer or Goodreads.
