What I Read in January 2021

I read more this month than I usually do, maybe it’s the fresh start, maybe it’s the global pandemic restricting me to my house. Who’s to say?

1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

I think this is one of the best books of all I time, I have ever read. If you want to read the full review you can do so here, but in summary it’s the story of a girl who nobody can remember, until she finally meets someone who does. It’s a beautiful story with such complex fantasy and characters, and I can’t recommend it enough.

2. In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan

I read this book, because it was the first book of my brand new book club! It was a weird read, and I’m not sure if I’d recommend it, but I had such an amazing time chatting to people about it, I’m tempted to read it again with their opinions in mind.

3. Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo (gifted)

I read an advanced copy of Georgia Toffolo’s second fiction novel, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. It’s another cheesy romance, that’d be perfect to read on a beach. If we ever get to a beach.

4. The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, and the chaos that escalated throughout did keep me intrigued enough to finish it, but that’s the only positive thing I have to say about this book. The writing was fine, but I don’t want to place too much on that as I read the English translation, but the characters frustrated me and I didn’t really understand why people acted in certain ways - their motivations didn’t make sense. I don’t recommend this book.

5. Animal Farm by George Orwell

One of those books everyone says you should read. And it was just ok. I felt no emotional attachment to the characters whilst reading it. It was definitely original, but I felt like it was an over explained metaphor (which it obviously is meant to be), but it was so simply explained that I didn’t feel like the metaphor had been fleshed out enough. Really didn’t enjoy this book.

6. Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson (gifted)

Again, this was an advanced reader copy, and I absolutely adored this book. There’s a full review on my Instagram, and Caleb will be the first guest on the next series of my podcast!

7. The Duke and I (Bridgertons - Book 1)

I watched the first series of Bridgerton (on Netflix) twice in the first week of it’s release. I then found out on Instagram that it was also a series of books, with each book being about another sibling in the family. This is definitely going to be a bingeworthy book series…

To see my reading progress in real time, you can follow me on Goodreads! And if you’d like to join the book club, in February, we’re reading Beth O’Leary’s “The Switch”!