We review more than 8,000 books per year, and these were the ten most-read reviews of books published in 2018.

10. Warlight

Michael Ondaatje. Knopf, $26.95 (304p) ISBN 978-0-525-52119-8

The term warlight was used to describe the dimmed lights that guided emergency traffic during London's wartime blackouts. The word aptly describes the atmosphere of this haunting, vivid novel from Ondaatje (The Cat's Table), ready in Britain in the decades after WWII, in which many significant facts are purposely shrouded in the semidarkness of history. The narrator, Nathaniel Williams, looks back at the year 1945, when he was xiv and "our parents went abroad and left us in the care of ii men who may take been criminals." Nathaniel and his older sister, Rachel, are stunned to observe that their mother'due south purported reason for leaving them was faux. Her betrayal destroys their innocence; they learn to accept that "nothing was prophylactic anymore." To the siblings' surprise, however, their designated guardian, their upstairs lodger, whom they call the Moth, turns out to exist a kind and protective mentor. His friend, a former boxer nicknamed the Pimlico Darter, is also a kindly guide, albeit one engaged in illegal enterprises in which he enlists Nathaniel'southward help. The story reads like a nontraditional and fascinating coming-of-historic period saga until a fierce effect occurs midway through; the resulting shocking revelations open the novel's 2d half to more than surprises. The central irony is Nathaniel's eventual realization that his mother'due south heroic acts of patriotism during and afterwards the war left lasting repercussions that fractured their family. Mesmerizing from the first sentence, rife with poignant insights and satisfying subplots, this novel most secrets and loss may be Ondaatje'south best work all the same. Agent: Ellen Levine, Trident Media Group. (May)

9. The Laws of Homo Nature

Robert Greene. Viking, $30 (624p) ISBN 978-0-525-42814-5

In this detailed and expansive guide, Greene (Mastery) seeks to immerse his audience in "all aspects of man behavior," as represented past 18 laws created by Greene. He claims that studying these laws will transform the reader into a "calmer and more strategic observer," immune to "emotional drama." Those are lofty promises, merely even skeptics will become believers after diving into Greene'due south well-organized text. In each affiliate, he describes the benefits of confronting and overcoming a different form of human fallibility. Overcoming the "law of irrationality," for example, leads to the ability to "open your mind to what is actually happening, every bit opposed to what you are feeling." For historical perspective, he highlights relevant famous figures: Howard Hughes represents the pitfalls of compulsive behavior, and Anton Chekhov embodies the benefits of overcoming self-sabotage. Greene also quotes a number of literary greats forth the way, including Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Gore Vidal, whose aphorism "Every fourth dimension a friend succeeds, I die a fiddling" is applied, not surprisingly, to the chapter on green-eyed. Throughout, Greene's overriding message is to "stride dorsum" from the "immediate rush of events" in order to proceeds greater insight into one's experiences and circumstances. Greene'south thoughtful exam of self and guild will, for the committed reader, evangelize a refreshing and revitalizing perspective. Agent: Michael Carlisle, InkWell Management. (Oct.)

8. Ane Chiliad Books to Read Before Y'all Die

James Mustich, with Thomas Meagher and Karen Templer. Workman, $35 (960p) ISBN 978-1-5235-0445-9

This compulsively readable reference work from Mustich, cofounder of the Common Reader book catalogs, is sure to send bibliophiles hopscotching through its pages. The 1,000 entries (really more when taking into account the book's recommended reading lists and many sidebars), ordered alphabetically by author, include archetype and contemporary works, literary and genre titles, fiction (generally) and nonfiction, and children's and adult reading—each fleshed out with several short but insightful paragraphs of critical commentary. Some selections are no-brainers, among them Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Colson Whitehead's The Secret Railroad. Others are slightly more than unusual: John Updike's The Maples Stories simply not his Rabbit Angstrom novels; Margaret Atwood's True cat's Eye simply not The Handmaid's Tale. In that location are also some surprising omissions, with no works by Joyce Carol Oates or Raymond Carver making the cut. Throughout, Mustich shows a knack for getting to the gist of his subjects, equally when noting "the intense drama and disregard for orthodox morality" that distinguish Wuthering Heights, or acknowledging the myriad objections of Dan Chocolate-brown'southward critics just touting "the sheer energy of his invention" in The Da Vinci Lawmaking. Mustich'due south informed appraisals will drive readers to the books they've yet to read, and stimulate discussion of those they have. Agent: Paul Feldstein, the Feldstein Agency. (Oct.)

vii. Whiskey in a Teacup

Reese Witherspoon. Touchstone, $35 (304p) ISBN 978-ane-50116-627-3

Actress and book club host Witherspoon pays tribute to her Southern roots in this charming collection of recipes, how-to's, and personal stories. She draws heavily on life lessons learned from her grandmother, including how to exist a practiced hostess ("Serve dinner about one hour after the commencement time on the invitation") and invitee ("When in doubt about how fancy it is, dress up"). Recipes are grouped by events with suggestions for what to serve at, say, a volume club meeting (red and white wine, baked brie, hot spinach-artichoke dip, olive medley, cheese and fruit) or a pre-concert gathering (smoked pecans, crab puffs, champagne and ginger ale cocktail). Almost without exception, recipes are allegorical of country fare and feature classics including fried okra, flossy gravy, and shrimp and grits. Fried chicken, ribs (in her brother'due south Tennessee charcoal-broil sauce), and pulled pork sliders with bourbon sauce are highlights among the many enticing dishes. The book'south scope is broad and ranges from Southern expressions ("madder than a wet hen") and must reads by Southern authors (Walker Percy's The Moviegoer) to Witherspoon's dearest of Dolly Parton and monograms. Readers looking to brand a foray into Southern cooking and etiquette will find Witherspoon an enthusiastic guide. (Sept.)

half-dozen. Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens. Putnam, $26 (384p) ISBN 978-0-7352-1909-0

In Owens's evocative debut, Kya Clark is a young woman growing up practically on her ain in the wild marshes exterior Barkley Cove, a small littoral community in North Carolina. In 1969, local lothario Chase Andrews is found dead, and Kya, now 23 and known as the "Marsh Girl," is suspected of his murder. As the local sheriff and his deputy gather evidence against her, the narrative flashes back to 1952 to tell Kya's story. Abandoned at a young historic period by her mother, she is left in the intendance of her hard-drinking father. Unable to fit in at school, Kya grows upward ignorant until a shrimper's son, Tate Walker, befriends her and teaches her how to read. After Tate goes off to higher, Kya meets Chase, with whom she begins a tempestuous relationship. The novel culminates in a long trial, with Kya'due south fate hanging in the balance. Kya makes for an unforgettable heroine. Owens memorably depicts the modest-boondocks drama and court theatrics, simply perhaps all-time of all is her vivid portrayal of the singular North Carolina setting. (Aug.)

5. Flight or Fearfulness

Edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent. Cemetery Dance, $27.95 (336p) ISBN 978-i-58767-679-six

This entertaining anthology of horror, mystery, and literary tales nigh aircraft (most reprinted) will have the reader thinking twice virtually flying. The stories span the entire century of man flight, beginning with Arthur Conan Doyle's riveting "The Horror of the Heights," in which a pilot attempts to discover what lurks in the clouds. Most of the tales tend to skew toward horror. In Due east. Michael Lewis'due south "Cargo," the coiffure of a plane bringing bodies back from Jonestown start hearing noises coming from the cargo bay. In Cody Goodfellow's "Diablitos," an art smuggler gets more he bargained for when he tries to bring a tribal mask to the U.S. Others take a different approach, such as Ray Bradbury's "The Flight Machine," which sees a Chinese emperor realizing the risk that flight poses to the Neat Wall. Standouts include the two original stories: King's "The Turbulence Skilful," a perfectly tense tale near a mysterious group that prevents shipping crashes though unusual means, and Joe Hill's "Yous Are Released," fabricated terrifying by its proximity to reality: it follows the crew and passengers on a 777 en road to Boston, who learn that Democratic people's republic of korea has just nuked Guam and other countries are retaliating. This is a potent anthology full of satisfying tales. (Sept.)

4. Everything Happens for a Reason and Other

Kate Bowler. Random House, $26 (208p) ISBN 978-0-399-59206-5

With grace, wisdom, and humor, Bowler (Blessed), a divinity professor at Knuckles University, tells of her cancer diagnosis and subsequent handling in a way that pierces platitudes to showcase her resilience in the face of impending death. At 35 years old, afterwards months of enduring stomach pains and visiting specialists who had alien suggestions, Bowler was rushed into emergency surgery for phase IV colon cancer. Surrounded past her husband, very immature son, and a host of supportive friends, she faces down the likelihood that she volition not alive a year. Equally she responds well to handling, she enters a menstruum of uncertainty, hoping to survive and maximize her time with her family. Throughout her business relationship of weekly flights to Atlanta from North Carolina for experimental therapy and realizations that each vacation might be her final, she relates her suddenly terrifying life to her academic piece of work on the prosperity gospel—a peculiarly American belief in deserved success and control that is at odds with her current life. Bowler's lovely prose and precipitous wit capture her struggle to find continued joy afterward her diagnosis. This poignant look at the unpredictable promises of religion will amaze readers. (Feb.)

three. The Man I Never Met

Adam Schefter, with Michael Rosenberg. St. Martin'due south, $26.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-250-16189-5

ESPN sports analyst Schefter's thoughtful though peculiar memoir tells his story of falling in dearest with the widow of a ix/xi victim, marrying her, and moving into her house. In office, Schefter's memoir is a tribute to that homo, Joe Maio, a Cantor Fitzgerald executive who died in the World Merchandise Center attacks. In 2005, Schefter, then a sports writer for the Denver Post, took a chore with the NFL Network and relocated to New York Metropolis; he had a neat job, but, at most twoscore, he was "single, childless, and lost." Over Memorial Day weekend in 2006, a common friend suggested Schefter call Sharri Maio, who had a 6-year-old son; uncertain that he wanted to date a ix/11 widow, he nevertheless called Sharri and they went on their first appointment. In a brusk fourth dimension they fell in honey, got married, and Schefter moved into a "house in the suburbs with a wife, a child, and the memory of Joe." Living in and working on the business firm, Schefter learned that Joe was a good father who set high professional goals for himself. In what at first comes beyond every bit a baroque concept for a memoir, Schefter successfully communicates his joy in finding honey and family unit, and in a friendship with a human being he never knew. (Sept.)

2. Daughter, Launder Your Face up

Rachel Hollis. Thomas Nelson, $22.99 (240p) ISBN 978-1-4002-0165-5

Hollis asks female readers to notice their inner truths in this witty guide to healthy living. Hollis, founder of the lifestyle website TheChicSite.com and married mother of iv, is a cocky-proclaimed recovering workaholic who suffered from erroneous beliefs instilled in childhood: "When I succeeded, I got praise and attending; I felt liked and accustomed. But the moment the audience stopped clapping, it all went back to the way it was before. What this taught me... is the belief that in guild to be loved, I felt I needed to produce something." Hollis implores readers to terminate worrying well-nigh external pressures to always do more and, instead, to detect fulfillment past getting in touch with their own desires and feelings. Readers volition find promise and humor in Hollis's stories every bit she challenges them to take command of their concrete, mental, and spiritual wellness through regulating habits, resisting unhelpful comparisons, and embracing changes such as spousal relationship and motherhood. Opening up most her now-husband and their rough starting time year of dating, Hollis reveals she was trying as well hard to brand something work that didn't fit, and admonishes other women non to do the aforementioned by making any single person their purpose for living. Throughout, she pairs biblical lessons with personal anecdotes to make her points. Hollis's dynamic volume is filled with inspiration for women who feel stuck on the path to realizing their dreams. (Feb.)

i. What if It's Us?

Becky Abertalli and Adam Silvera. HarperTeen/Balzer + Bray, $18.99 (448p) ISBN 978-0-06-279525-0

Authors Albertalli (Simon vs. the Human Sapiens Agenda) and Silvera (They Both Dice at the Finish) squad upwardly for a mannerly, sugariness-natured love story betwixt two very dissimilar boys. Arthur (written past Albertalli) is in New York for the summer while his lawyer mother works a big case. His family's flush and Jewish, and he'southward a Broadway geek and a virgin with good grades. Native New Yorker Ben (Silvera) is Puerto Rican. His family's on a tight budget, he's just out of a relationship, and he's stuck in summertime schoolhouse. Arthur believes in dear at beginning sight; Ben's not even certain he believes in love. After they bump into each other at a postal service office, then are separated by a flash mob, Arthur searches the New York haystack to notice one adorable loftier schoolhouse junior. Just the class of see-cute never did run polish: complications include friends, Ben's ex, cultural differences, and the hard and confusing nature of love. The authors—one known for happy endings, the other for breaking hearts—split up the difference believably, and it's impossible not to root for Arthur and Ben and their many do-overs. Ages fourteen–upwardly. Amanuensis: Brooks Sherman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Oct.)