2018 BOOK AWARDS | Favorite Books of 2018

[@annarose2645]

Totally unrelated but I love how your eyeshadow fits the cover of Ignite Me!

[@starxmon]

I actually prefer this than any other actual awards show :P

[@photoshopuser500]

I have been anticipating this for WEEKS

[@readabookortwo]

"As soon as he appeared on the page I was like oh I love you" ME

[@MissMokate]

Monstress is so good, I'm so happy to see someone giving it love!

[@thetiktokpenguin4343]

4:11 I feel so refreshed just watching this reveal

[@luv1dem1dogz]

I cant tell you how happy I am that you just uploaded this. I am cleaning and was running out of videos lol

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Rachel Brown haha perfect timing

[@marcusmusings]

For favorite male protagonist, sidekick and finale I'd have to go with Robin Hobb's Tawny Man Trilogy (Fitz, the Fool, and Fool's Fate, respectively) Female protagonist: Althea (The Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny) Honorable mention Vasya (Girl in the Tower) New author: Anthony Horowitz. I began the year reading The Magpie Murders and ended it with Forever and a Day (a James Bond pastiche) and absolutely loved both of them Standalone: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd Best action: Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames Best cover: The Con Artist by Fred Van Lente Best world: Westeros. I read A Feast for Crows, A Dance With Dragons, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, A World of Ice and Fire, and I reread A Storm of Swords this year

[@violetrose25]

Let's just stop and appreciate the Ignite Me book in the background. Loved that series.

[@ld7747]

same

[@polaerys4287]

omg yes Victor. I LIVE for well written anti-heroes. So so good. And you keep expanding my TBR. Can't even be mad about tbh but where do I find the time to read all of these....

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Thalia Maera 🤣🤣🤣

[@broccbadgerbean]

I just need to say: I was anticipating The Gilded Wolves before, and then when I watched your review it got bumped into my Book Depository cart for preorder (and I don't really preorder books much these days) - looking forward to some angsty goodness :D

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Butterfly Elephant Books yay! Hope you love it!

[@nymeria941]

I adored "The Hazel Wood." I think it was my sleeper hit of 2018. I also really loved "Spinning Silver," because Naomi Novick, but also Jewish rep! I love seeing you gush about your faves :)

[@soda_fairy]

Montress also has talking magic cats so points for thaaat

[@mabsy23]

I'm so glad you mentioned Borne! No one I know has even heard of it, but it was one of my favorite books I read last year!

[@Lysis99]

Station Eleven! I'm still traumatize by the image of that plane!! And I've read it in 2016...

[@lifestartingnow]

This is a great alternative to the regular end of year favorites videos. This really helped to point out what was really standout for you - I feel like I know way more about these books now.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Valerie W so glad you enjoyed it!

[@anastasianichole1308]

I always look forward to your videos, Sam, but knowing that you like MONSTRESS is just the cherry on top! I love that series (the art is SO beautiful), but I haven't met anyone else who's read it. Hope you enjoy all the installments of it that you read! :)

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I need a copy of Sawkill girls ASAP!

[@moonstone-dreamer6512]

me too

[@bookellenic1327]

I might do the book awards on bookstagram at some point! I have the UK edition of Spinning Silver and honestly it's one of the rare cases when I considered getting both covers because they are so beautiful (thankfully, self-control prevailed)

[@PaolaMancera]

What a cool way to make the best books for the year video!!!!

[@shinniex]

I would love to hear what you think of Bring Me Their Hearts. I’m reading it now and loving it so far. It has the angst and the smart, witty protagonist that you love so much and every review I’ve seen have been good. I preordered guilded wolves and can’t wait to read it!!!

[@AJ-po4sr]

You remind me of Emna Stone a lot. My favorite actress💕💕

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Afroze Jehan omg thank you

[@moskitostich]

Thank you! Now I know what to read in 2019 (always late for everything..)

[@hikkipedia]

Can’t stop staring at your eyes matching the Ignite Me cover 👀

[@AButifulNerdyNightmare]

100% agree on Borne. The audiobook made it so much better. “Rachel” (you know the voice) ❤️

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

YES I READ IT IN THE VOICE

[@theinkedpath9631]

Hi Sam! This is the 4th time I have watched this video (makes and stand up ovation). Brilliant! I love how enthusiastic you are about each category, hehehehe. I know that you needed your time with 'Vicious' but I adore that you are so invested with Vale...I don't have friends that have read the book so you covered everything I thought about him (and is so great to see a reading buddy voicing it). And hell yeah! The twists in this story are mind-blowing. Thank you for guiding me to 'Sawkill girls' and to 'The gilded wolves', by the way. Hugs from Spain.

[@kittygbooks]

Yay Nona :D I just read the third and it's my fave in the series :) I also love Bourne :D

[@stacisbookishprobs8043]

Claire Legrand is such a Queen ❤️ I’ve loved her writing since Winterspell first came out

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

stacisbookishprobs she really is so under appreciated

[@theultimatereader5142]

I cannot agree more

[@drewsambitiousreading2752]

I love how u do the book awards like it's a tv show. I've been loving ur channel for the past year now. And I kind of want to steal this tag. Lol! I read vicious for the first time this year and I didn't loved it but it was still a 4/5 stars! I read the hazel wood and really enjoyed it! The gilded wolves is on hold for me through my public library and dying to read it. Because if it's anything as good as Aru shah then I'm excited to read her other novels. Aru shah is my first book that I read in 2018 from that author, and really enjoyed it. I really didn't liked adsom but I loved book 2 & 3! Happy reading Sam!(:

[@thetaskofbeingkristine1923]

I love red sister and grey sister as well, could not put them down :)

[@amyr3293]

I’ve not read many stand out books this year but I loved the greatcoats series, and the cruel prince. A sorrow fierce and falling and the dark days deceit tie for my favourite finales though, they were amazing

[@Erwikka]

These are my favorite videos from you. I need the Gilded Wolves now!!! Rin from Poppy War would definitely get my favorite female protagonist, and Roshani Chokshi would get my new to me author. She is great I can’t believe it took me so long to read her books.

[@MommaBearMoreno]

Thank goodness I have found your channel! I love your videos! 🥰

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

thank you!

[@safinan8008]

Always like watching ur video!! Happy reading for 2019!! 🥳🎉

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Safina N 💜

[@danbalictar1556]

Yay! I've been waiting for this 😁 First!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

chandel balictar 💃

[@LilyLyraLali]

I loved Spinning Silver, and it's probably thanks to you, because I also loved Uprooted, so I was expecting this huge romance, and then saw your video review, and then went: well, no romance in this one. So I just went with no expectations, no romance interest. And just feel in love with the characters, the intelligence and cunningness of the main girl, etc. So basically your review saved the book for me. Because otherwise I would have been just waiting for the romance. I love your awards! they always recommend me the best books!

[@aflowerthatcannotbebloomed]

I'm dying to see your least favorite & favorite couples list. Also this is the best kind of favorite video

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

oh it's coming lol

[@HawizaSharpe]

Yay! Was waiting for this video. ❤️

[@JoLovesToRead]

My favourite plot twist would go to World Without End by Ken Follett. That sucker made me bawl my eyes out like I never have before

[@PSYCHOreader624]

New favorite author = Cole McCade for the Criminal Intentions series. SUPER queer detective focused mystery novel. POC QUEER main characters, own voices, non-binary side character aromantic side character. And the writing is fantastic and so engaging.

[@malikasmart7091]

Finaly. I waited for ou to do it. Every day since the 1st january. nw pleeeease do the best couples 2018

[@k9qtea]

Wait a damn minute... Space zombies??? Sign me the f*k up on that one!!

[@RedCupBookClub]

Vol. 3 of Monstress is amazing as well. I am going to be SO SAD when this series ends.

[@kathievolk6128]

I was listening to you while putting on my make up. You said two words that made my head spin and my eyeliner become zebra stripes......space zombie!! Who knew that was a thing??? Lol!!

[@DaniA-hu1fv]

Oh my gosh, please catch up on Saga. All the feels in the latest volume!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Dani A I want to!

[@firesofanarchy2500]

Haven't read any of those books. Definitely need to get around to the Expanse and Broken Earth series at some point though.

[@thoughtsofkatie5592]

I really need to read Leviathan Wakes, especially if it gives you ASoIaF vibes!!

[@greenbirdsings]

Love your sweater!

[@JohnBradford14]

"Urban Fantasy series tend to be very long" Any particular reason to this? I, too, have noticed.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I think because they tend to be very monster of the week, so you can write a lot of them.

[@Simplybookdreams88]

I love Victor Vale!!!!

[@maxinehansford]

I am so happy someone else hated A Gathering of Light. I really didn't like it, but so many people love it. I also loved A Conjuring of Light, it was such a great book, and I so wished the whole trilogy was like it.

[@stephmorgan286]

You had me at Space Zombies.

[@veronicapurro1519]

Honestly I read Vicious at the beginning of December and I too knew I would probably end up falling in love with Victor... aaand then I met Eli. (I know I know, unpopular opinion, everyone hates Eli because he is a self righteous serial killer with a huge God complex) So things turned out a bit... differently, at least for me.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I love Eli too but in a different way lol

[@HannahCassieBooks]

Wait how did I miss scifi with space zombies??? I need this book asap!

[@theultimatereader5142]

Victor is my favorite male character too

[@tillyperalta9395]

Love your reviews! Now I have a huge list of books I gotta read so I can get off youtube lol.

[@lisaswartz4633]

Thank you for what you do. 😌😌

[@Martusia26]

Couldnt get into furyborn. Was frustrated with the first few chapters and havent picked it up since

[@AlyssLysie]

I am loving calibans war!

[@luzandreahc]

OMG I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO COULDN'T GET INTO ADSOM TRILOGY!!!!!!!!! Lila is one of those "not like other girls" characters, it's so overdone and unnecessary. There's female characters that dress and act like men, that are ruthless and wathever and that's okay, I like when characters don't conform to gender norms, Lada from And I Darken is everything that I just listed but unlike Lila she doesn't shame other women for embracing their femininity, she admires how women use their femininity as a weapon and to gain power, but Lila would literally shit on other women for wearing dresses, she did in fact say that she wasn't like other girls (in book 2). I'm just so over that behavior, it's the reason why I have ACOL sitting unread on my bookshelf

[@ACourtofHooksAndBooks]

I think you would LOVE the faithful and the fallen series by John Gwynne you should read them! I just finished the whole series and it has stolen a piece of my soul. They're epic fantasy, equally character and plot driven, and he has a habit of killing people that are your favorites 😂 read ittttt

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

GracelingAccountant I plan to! Especially if I make a dent in my physical TBR and can justify buying a new series lol

[@charityyoder9028]

Favorite plot twist: Obsidio. Omgrief.

[@virginiafernandes336]

Watching in june/2020 and triggered by the plot of station eleven lol

[@soda_fairy]

Yaass magical assassin nun

[@nat2002]

I found station eleven really boring :(

[@herm333s]

Station eleven

[@lollicandypop6593]

Monstress😍

[@raychumon]

i had to dnf a darker shade of magic bc i hated it so much.. i'm not gonna try again but i'm really surprised to find someone who also disliked it LOL. on that note i'm glad the finale was worth the trudge through that series, but yeah.. def not something i will be doing myself haha.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

oh god even I wouldn't stick it out just for the finale I was forced lol

[@dadamssg87]

Really??? No one has mentioned the "ground breaking .... series" quote when you spoke of the The Stone Sky?? I see what you did there

[@nessalossehelim5026]

I just found out yesterday that Erin Morgenstern is coming out with a new book, "The Starless Sea"!!!! Thoughts?! :o

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Nessa Lossehelim please refer to my most anticipated releases of 2019 video lol

[@nessalossehelim5026]

​@@ThoughtsOnTomes Ohh no, I missed the video! I thought your anticipated releases video wasn't out yet! Sorry ^^" Edit: Saw the video! I just can't wait till November.. Still curious what you think about the premise though! But like you said, I would read anything she writes.. I found this quote about the book "I thought I was writing a book about books, but as it turns out I was writing a book about stories." which only made me more excited! I just love books about stories

[@pittegawll]

Sam i love You!! You now?!!

[@kimkosyjana9511]

Do you have an IG account!?

[@areader8989]

I think you would enjoy girls with sharp sticks because it had real woman power in it.

[@RealReaderEmily]

Furyborn is the worst book I read in 2018. Vicious was the best and Vengeful didn’t live up to it