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Hi sweet friends! In 2017 one of my goals is to do a reading recap at the end of every month. I will share what I read that month, my Book of the Month selection, and what I’m looking forward to reading.
I would LOVE if you’d join in and let me know your thoughts too, that’s what makes my blog so fun!
I read none books in January, here’s a list of them.
1. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi- This book is OUTSTANDING. Absolutely outstanding. This novel takes place on two continents over 300 years and it was astoundingly moving and beautiful. And horribly sad as well. It stunned me and I won’t forget it.
2. Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven- I loved All the Bright Places so I knew I had to read this one too. It’s a quirky YA novel and I fell in love with the characters. I rate books based on how they make me feel and this book made me feel so good. It was a great read.
3. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah- I covered this one in my 2016 roundup, even though I didn’t finish it until January 1. Read it now. No ifs,ands, or buts. For more info, you can read my post here.
4. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey- Oh was this story haunting and magical and beautiful. The setting is a character in the book and you fall in love with Alaska too. I thought this book was so unique and moving.
5. Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance- This is NOT my typical type of book, but I’ve heard so much about it and I was very curious to read it. This book was eye opening, inspiring, and sad all at once. I learned a lot.
6. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue- This one was a little bit slow to start – but I was immersed in the surroundings,superstitions, and the time period almost immediately. Such a beautiful and haunting story told in such a vivid way. I really loved it.
7. Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine- Oh I loved Amy’s book. Loved it. From my Amazon review:
An easy and intuitive read that really cemented my beliefs on self care. This book isn’t only for crafters and creators…it’s for all women who are so busy taking care of others that somehow they forgot about themselves along the way. I found myself nodding my head and saying “yes!!!” and “Amen!” throughout Amy’s book.
Part book part workbook, it’s the perfect combination of anecdote and insight. I adored it.
8. Happy Family by Tracy Barone- Ugh and blech. UGH. I grabbed this one at the library because it had great cover art and some highly favorable book jacket blurbs from authors I really respect. The ONLY reason I’m giving this book two stars is because I really enjoyed the character of Cici. Especially since I lived in Italy.
But.
I despised the rest of the characters. They were miserable, rude, self involved, and negative. I slogged through and endured until the main character remarked that she was “autistic before she had her morning coffee” and then I just stopped reading. Seriously. With only a few chapters left.
UGH.
9. The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman- This one was weird for me. It was an interesting premise and was pretty good read but I disliked miserable Rose (a main character) so much it almost ruined the entire book. I’d skip this one if I had a redo, I think.
Now on to my favorite part of every month: BOOK OF THE MONTH REVEAL DAY!!
This month was actually REALLY hard for me. For the first time I can remember, I wanted to read all five books.
But after a lot of thinking, I chose Behind Her Eyes and added the other five to my Goodreads queue.
And if you haven’t signed up for BOTM yet, I have some February promotions to share:
Okay! That’s it for this month. I look forward to hearing what’s on your list!
Happy Friday.
xoxo
S
I loved Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk. It’s a slow book, but it totally works for the story.
Dark Matter- OMG. I devoured this book and immediately thrust it in my husband’s hands for him to read.
Side note- Did you know that Christina Baker Kline, author of The Orphan Train, has a new book coming out in Feb. She’s speaking later this month at Politics & Prose. Might be worth attending.
Boxfish is totally my kind of book. It’s just staring SO SLOWWWW!!
And oh I didn’t know that. Thanks so much for the heads up!
me too!! it was definitely my favorite read of January!
A lot of the books you read are on my list. I liked Dark Matter once I got into it, although it certainly was “dark.” I read the Fantastic Beasts screenplay this month (which was helped along greatly by the fact that I’d seen the movie.) I’m now reading Anna Kendrick’s memoir, which I’m “meh” about — I really like some parts of it and really not needing/wanting to know so much detail about other parts. I have Absolutely on Music: Conversations waiting for me next — the novelist Murakami sat down with the conductor Seiji Ozawa and talked about classical music and they made those conversations into a book.
I just finished “Born A Crime” on audiobook and I agree, everyone needs to read this. Such a fantastic read. I loved your reading lists. I’m not nearly the book fiend you are, but I really appreciate all your suggestions and mini reviews!
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk was enchanting! I hope you enjoy it. And Dark Matter was so good…I think I read it in a 24 hour period. 🙂 I love your book updates and instagram sneaks.
I just finished A Man Called Ove and really enjoyed it. My fave of the month is Small Great Things. I’ve also been listening to Jen Lancaster’s books while I am at work and I have to catch myself from laughing out loud. The snark is real in her !
Love your recap! A few years ago, I stopped reading books that I didn’t like … SO freeing!
Thanks my to read list just got longer! All kidding aside I loved the re-cap. Homegoing was one of my favorite reads in 2016, I just loved the way the stories were told and how it all intertwined. I just finished The Sun is also a Star, YA book with great development of characters, I would recommend. I just started Underground Airlines, so far so good.
I am so glad I followed you on Goodreads! I feel like we are book soulmates. I have read a couple of your recs and I am pleased so far. I read Holding up the Universe this week (loved it!) and just found out I won Born a Crime in a Goodreads giveaway. Looking forward to getting that one. I am in the middle of You are a Badass by Jen Sincero, but I have a ton of books on my bedside table. If only my full-time job would stop interrupting my reading time. Ha!
Love , love, love the inspector Gamache series. I’m currently making my way through Margaret Atwood’s books.
I read a couple of very light books and then am slogging through The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. I think I will like it but it is taking me FOREVER to get into it – I’m only about 25% into it. I need quiet time to read it and I’m just not getting it. Thank you for sharing what you read and your honest opinions. I’m going to add some of these to my TBR list.
I added the first Inspector Gamache book to my Kindle after your review last month and I am hooked!
I have Hidden Figures on my nightstand right now, as well as Chasing Slow. I read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert last month and really enjoyed it.
And I finally bit the bullet and joined BOTM through your link. 🙂
I got The Possessions this month…thank you so much for turning me on to this book club! I gave three 3-month subscriptions for Christmas this year!