Reading Wrap-up: January (2019)

This post is very late and mostly because I’ve been stress binging a new favorite tv show of mine, Letterkenny (on Hulu). Really funny but also immature, this show honestly has my dad’s sense of humor written all over it, so that subsequently makes it more or less my type of humor. Anyways…

January was probably one of my most productive months ever in terms of books. I sorted out my blog, I read 20+ books, I bought lots of great books.

But how on Earth did I read 22 books in 31 days? That’s almost one book per day. I know there were a few Saturday’s where I read 2-3 books because I was on a roll, but still. Where did I find the time.

(A lot of it probably has to do with the fact that I’m home schooled with no social life, but still.)

Okay, here’s what I read, in order of when I read it, and my star rating with the synopsis of each book. (linked review if possible)

#1. Mariam Sharma Hits The Road by Sheba Karim- 4/5 stars (review to come) Goodreads Link

• This was such a sweet but relevant book, and I had fun reading it! I picked this book up on a whim to see what it was about and I didn’t put it down until I had finished reading it. I had some problems with it, but other than that it was a very fun read, while also managing to be thoughtful and topical on the problems that these characters were dealing with.

#2 & 3. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi- 5/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

You may have noticed that this says #2 & 3. That’s because I read this one day and woke up the next morning just to read it from start to finish again. I read this for my book club’s January pick and it did not disappoint. This book was phenomenal.

#4. The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan- 3/5 stars Goodreads Link

As far as Rick Riordan’s series go, this one is not his best. In fact, it’s my least favorite, if only because I feel like using Apollo and dragging the 7 into this is old. Apollo is frankly just annoying and I am not a fan of Meg. I will be reading the other books because I have a feeling the only thing I need from these books is some character growth from Apollo and Meg, but I guess we’ll see.

#5. Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus- 5/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

I first read this book last August when my friend sent me her copy of her ARC to read, and it was a fantastic book. The perfect spooky book, set in a small New England town with murder and affairs, this book kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time you were reading this.

#6. There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins- 4/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

Do you like murder stories? Sweet but sexy romances? Halloween atmospheres? Then this is a book that should be added to your TBR. With POC and LGBT+ main characters, a heartbreaking ending and friendships to die for (yes, that was on purpose) you will be sure to love this book.

#7 & 8. Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins- 3.5/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

Again, you may have noticed that this says #7 & 8. That’s because this world and these characters just suck you right in and once you finish the book you have to read it again if only to get them out of your head once you’re done. It’s like having a song stuck in your head that you can’t get out. Once you listen to it again, you’re good. That’s what Stephanie Perkins’ books are like. This may have been an extremely cringe-inducing and cheesy book, but I loved it nonetheless.

#9. Isla and The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins- 4.5/5 stars (Review to come) Goodeads Link

• This book was very sweet and I loved how there was no beating around the bush when it came to their feelings. I appreciated how the main conflict of the book was real relationship problems that probably happen to thousands of couples all the time. Also, the ending?!? ❤

#10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi- 3/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This book was a fast paced exciting read. I’m not big into the dystopian genre but this was fun. It just felt like it ended so abruptly? I bought the next two books on impulse when I finished this one so I could have them immediately after, and it was nice.

#11 & 12. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi- 4/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

• J was kinda childish in this, but so was Adam (whom I do not like. He sucked in the first book too.) Some pretty shocking facts came to light, like someone’s lineage, and Warner was still pretty much an a**hole. Kenji is my new fave. James deserves better.

#13. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi- 4/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

• Epic conclusion as a whole, but the final battle kinda sucked. If you’re leading 3 books up to this then give it more than 1 chapter to happen. There were no hard consequences. The bad guy died too easily. But, I am excited for the next book!

#14. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi- 4/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

• I couldn’t put it down, but I was not a fan of how it kept messing with my feelings. This book was one bad thing after another and I’m starting a petition to give Juliette a break. But that’s not very likely, is it…

#15. Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer- 3.5/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This book was really good. The idea of communicating through letters left at a grave was pretty interesting, but Declan was a jerk to J most of this book which wasn’t cool. Juliet awakened my inner passion for photography and I wish we had seen her with a camera more, though I understand why she wasn’t. The ending seemed kinda rushed, but it was still good.

#16. More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer- 5/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This book was fantastic, following the best friend and another girl from the other book Brigid wrote in this series, Letters To The Lost. This book needs some trigger warnings for abuse and kidnapping, but other than that I would very highly recommend this book.

#17. Lifelike by Jay Kristoff- 4/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This book was a blast to read. Sarcastic androids? Badass Women? Sexy times? Rescue missions? Robot fighting? The Kraken? Cliff hanger? Do yourself a favor and read this book.

#18. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir- 4/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• I read this book on a whim and it was a nice enough book. I get the feeling that this book is just leading up to the big conflict of the series, so if I felt that this book was lacking then I’ll let it slide for that reason. I knew nothing going into it, which was a refreshing change given how popular it is!

#19. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard- 5/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This is currently my favorite book series and it rocks. I think this was my 3rd official reread and it was just as good, if not better than the previous times reading it; I even upped the star rating on it. It’s slow to start because of the world and character and conflict building, and each POV has a different conflict they have to deal with, but the way it’s woven together is very impressive and immersive.

#20. Windwitch by Susan Dennard- 5/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This series just gets better and better with each book and I love it. IMO, some story arcs in this book were boring and I found myself quickly wanting to return to my favorites, but it was still a great book. In fact, one of my top 5 books for the year 2017.

#21. Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- 3.5/5 stars (Review to come) Goodreads Link

• I think if I had read this book first, I wouldn’t have continued the series. Anna was slightly annoying and self pitying, but I understand why. St. Claire was not right to lead *those* people on, but I am happy with the ending and I can’t wait to reread Lola and see them again!

#22. Sightwitch by Susan Dennard- 5/5 stars (Review) Goodreads Link

• This was my first time reading this book in it’s completion, and it was fantastic. The first time I read it I had won a giveaway to get an E-arc of it. The artwork wasn’t all there and it was formatted funny, but I still loved it. Again, one of my top 5 favorite books in 2018. Susan Dennard is a queen.

So that’s what my January looked like! How many books did you get around to reading in January? Did you read any of these?