January Reading Wrap-Up
Happy February, Y’all!
Why was January a whole year? I feel like October-December 2023 went by in a flash and then all of a sudden it was January and it took eleventy years to get through it, lol. Did it feel that way to you too? I will say that having a long January meant I got a lot of reading done. This time of year is always easy to get books read because we are all stoked about the new year’s reading goals, yanno? Except this year, I didn’t set any reading targets. This was my biggest change from the previous years as I’m usually setting up my Goodreads Challenge at this time. But this year I wanted to take it slower. Not be so caught up in a number. You can check out my 2024 Reading Goals here, but overall, I want to read more consistently (and not towards a set number goal), be more honest in my reviews, and buy less. By setting aside 30 minutes everyday to read, I’m interested to see how many books I end up reading as opposed to reading to reach a set number, if that makes sense. In January, I read 27 out of 31 days, which translated into seven books read. Not bad, yeah? You can check out my mini-reviews of books I read below.
So, let’s chat about February!
There are so many good books coming out this month and I’m excited to say that I’ve got seven really good recs for your February TBR over on my newsletter that’s coming out Friday. What? You’re not subscribed to my newsletter?? LET’S FIX THAT, YO! And if you’re already a subscriber, thank you!! But aside from all the good books coming, I’m also pumped for Hallmark Channel’s Loveuary movies - yes, that’s a real title that they use for their February Valentine’s movies. It’s the worst. BUT, this year, ALL of their ::cough:: Loveuary movies are in celebration of JANE AUSTEN! Annnd this is why I’ve been so heavy on the Austen reading so far this year. I mean, I reread her books annually (by season, if we’re going to get down and dirty about it), but this time I wanted to dial into the Austen world. I love it so much.
And of course, today is also the start of Black History Month! I’ve got a post coming out tomorrow talking all about Black Bookish Creators - a rec list if you will - of amazing people to follow in the bookish community. Now here’s where I state the obvious…you can support Black creators and read books by Black authors all year, y’all. You don’t have to only relegate it to February to fill some sort of diversity checklist. Harsh? Maybe, but, well…
So that’s it for this month’s wrap-up. I’m excited to start a new month and new books!
Now, how about you? What did you read this past month? What are you looking forward to reading in February?
Books Read this Month
The other side of disappearing (ARC)
Kate Clayborn
Romance
March 26, 2024
★★★★★
As always, Kate makes me absolutely weep with her story telling. This story is very much a slow burn, but so worth it. It won’t be for everyone though - lots of grief, mentions of death by suicide, and child abandonment. Take care.
things you may find hidden in my ear
Mosab Abu Toha
Poetry
April 12, 2022
★★★★★
Palestinian poet, Mosab Abu Toha, wrote this book of poetry to describe his life under siege in Gaza. It’s horrifying, moving, hopeful, and an incredible insight into a life of war and survival for so many. An absolute must read.
murder at the estate sale
Lily Charles
Cozy Mystery
August 15, 2020
★★★☆☆
So I got this book from my husband, who is a rare book dealer, because it’s a cozy mystery where the sleuths are, you guessed it, rare book dealers, lol. It was fine, if not a bit slow, but my main issue was all of the rare book world lingo. I bet it was inside jokes on top of inside jokes, but as a non-rare book dealer, it was a bit much. Can I say rare book dealer one more time?
Pride and Protest
Nikki Payne
Romance
November 15, 2022
★★★★☆
A modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice set against the backdrop of the DC Housing scene where Liza Bennet, our heroine, is fighting against a luxury housing community being built in her neighborhood. Her enemy? Dorsey Fitzgerald, CEO of Pemberley Development. Y’all, I was all-in on the gentrification storyline. The romance? Well, tbh, the middle third lagged for me a bit, but by the end?? I was all in my feelings for these two.
Most ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix
Gabe Cole Novoa
Romance (YA)
January 16, 2024
★★★★★
Another Pride & Prejudice retelling featuring a trans teen trapped in a cis-gendered, heteronormative society with a mother eager to make him some man’s wife. Y’all, when I say that I WEPT while reading this. Like, from the dang dedication page, I was crying. And Mr. Bennet?? I would DIE for him. All I can say is that representation matters.
The Heiress
Rachel Hawkins
Thriller
January 9, 2024
★★★☆☆
This is a St. Martin’s Press book and I won’t be reviewing it due to the boycott. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can find tons of info on it over on TikTok. Only listing it here for record keeping purposes.
Pride and Prejudice (re-read)
Jane Austen
Classic Literature
1813
★★★★★
Listen, it’s a classic for a reason. I read this every summer and with each re-read I find something new to love, to laugh at, and to get super mad at, lol.