Books in 2018 - First Quarter

I decided to keep a list of my 2018 reads.  I read every night; I have a difficult time falling asleep if I don't.  Some of my friends kept lists of the number of books they read in 2017, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?  I was going to publish my book list at the end of the year, but I guess I read more than I realize, especially during cold weather, so I decided to break it up into quarters so my posts didn't become excessively long.

January:

• Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans - I actually finished reading this on New Years Eve 2017, but I'm counting it anyhow!  I picked up this one after reading The Gift by the same author.  I recommend both.
• Evergreen by Susan May Warren - A quick touching winter read.
• The Last Word by Lisa Lutz - This is the 6th book in the Spellman Files series. I read books 1-3 in the series in 2017 and ideally would have continued on in order, but 4-5 seemed to never be in at my library so I jumped ahead.  This is a series that you can read out of order and still understand, although the OCD in me hated doing this (the impatience in me won out though!).  These books are set in San Franciso, which I enjoyed after visiting there in December.
• Catching Moondrops by Jennifer Erin Valent - Nice story that I read on my trip to the Houston Marathon.
• A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans - Another great read from this author, and another one I read on the Houston Marathon trip.
• Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren - I didn't realize this was the third book in a 3-book series until I finished it and read blurbs on the other two books in the appendix.  Oops!  But it was fine to read as a stand alone, because each book focuses on a different character in a sibling set of three.
• Grace by Richard Paul Evans - I'm going to read all of his books.  They are well-written, moving, and thought-provoking.  They also have Christian undertones, some obvious but more subtle.

February:

• The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz - The 4th book in the Spellman Files series (mentioned in January).  I had to put this one on hold at the library to finally get it; I was inspired to do this by Albani placing a couple of books on hold there.
• The Letter by Richard Paul Evans - Like I said, I'm reading every book he has written!
• Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz - Finishing off the Spellman Files series with "Document #5", which like the fourth book in the series I had to put a hold on to get from our library.  I highly recommend the series.
• Lost December by Richard Paul Evans - A good read even in February!  It's all part of winter...
• One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline - She is another of my favorite authors, and I couldn't put this one down.  She is good at actions and unexpected twists.
• Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling -  I thought The Mindy Project TV show was hilarious, so gave this one a go.  It was funny but I've read better memoirs.
• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Guess I'll have to watch the movie now (I am sure it is not nearly as good as the book!). 
• The Locket by Richard Paul Evans - All of his books are winners, and I'm sorry if I'm being redundant about that.
• Last Meal by Paul Ibbetson - Paul is my brother-in-law and has published several books!  I thought I'd read all of them, but my husband pulled this one out after Paul was approached about making it into a movie, and I'd missed it somehow so picked it up.  It's set in Southeast Kansas, where I used to live, and fiction based on a true story.  Buy it on Amazon!
• You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Kline - This one was recommended to me somewhere, but I can't remember where...I also recommend it because it was pretty humorous.
• Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans - Another great story by this author!  I continue to enjoy his style of writing and themes.

March:

• The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans - Clearly a Christmas read, but I think I've already demonstrated that I am not waiting to finish these amazing books.
• The Looking Glass by Richard Paul Evans - This is the second book in a trilogy, with The Locket being the first book.
• Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline - Another twist-filled story by this great author.
• A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans - I think it's become clear I'm going to read everything of his that my library has.
• The Grownup by Gillian Flynn - This is the author of Gone Girl, and that is clear form her story-telling style.  It was a little vulgar for my taste, as was Gone Girl.
•  Haddassah The Girl Who Became Queen Ester by Tommy Tenney - Historical fiction, which I enjoyed for the most part, but some inaccurate additions from the biblical story made me cringe.
• The Orange House by Paul Griffin -  I finished this one because it was short, but I didn't love it.  Normally if I don't love a book I don't force myself to finish it just for the sake of completing it, because there are so many great ones out there I could be reading instead!  10 years ago I always made myself finish books I started, so I like to think I've evolved.
• The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green - I recommend everything by Jane Green and was happy to find one I hadn't read yet!

Part 2 coming at the end of June!