January Wrap Up

January. The beginning of a new year. A year full of possibilities, and after the year we had---a much needed new start. January for me was a way to open my eyes and pages to different types of books. I read my first Magical Fantasy book, and reread a classic from my high school days. I also read another book by one of my favorite authors, and discovered some new ones. I even got to read a book by my all time favorite actor! Overall, January was pretty awesome.

I started my year with a book I rated 4 out of 5 stars. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was one of those classics I knew I had to revisit as an adult. Reading it now gave me a whole new appreciation for this classic book. About 60 years after it's original publication, this book remains relevant and the story lives on, and will continue to live on. I'm very happy that I read this one again.

My second book for January was Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris. A "continuation" of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey followed Cilka from the concentration camps to prison camps after Auschwitz was liberated. The story was heart-wrenching and felt so real. Holocaust stories are always difficult to read, but this one was done beautifully. It was another 4 start book for me.

They can't all be hits for me, and that was the case for People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd. I had such high hopes for this story, but it fell very short. I think I've come to the conclusion that I don't like books written by two authors. I will say though that if it had been written differently, the story was an interesting one, and as someone who spends a ton of time on Instagram, I felt for the characters. I gave this one 3 stars.

To say I was excited to read a book by Neil Patrick Harris would be a total understatement. NPH is my favorite actor of all time! The Magic Misfits was a young reader book about, you guess it, a group of misfits who do magic. I cannot wait to share this book with my nephew! Listening to Neil Patrick Harris read the audiobook too...not a bad thing! I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Let's talk about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab for a minute. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. I was captivated from the very beginning. And I never actually wanted to read this one, but it was the February pick for book club. Imagine living forever, but being so lonely. Nobody remembers you, you leave no mark on history, but you're there for all of it. I felt so many emotions while reading this book and gave it a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

The only reason When We Meet Again by Kristin Harmel wasn't finished in a single weekend was because I read it on my kindle. I don't normally read on a kindle. But I knew I was going to read something extraordinary. The story was captivating, happy, sad, heartbreaking, and filled with joy and sorrow. Only Harmel can do that to her readers. To say I was broken after this book would be accurate. My other 5 out of 5 star books for January for sure.

I ended the month with Verity by Colleen Hoover. Finally, a book I didn't figure out the ending to before I got there, and one that was impossible to put down despite a slightly slow start. The book was scary, twisty, and sexy. I totally see what all the hype around it is about. It's a shame it isn't as popular as I think it should be. Everyone in my book club who's read it has loved it too. This book was a great way to end the month with 4 out of 5 stars.

January was pretty damn successful if I do so say so myself. I'm in the middle of a book right now, but plan to drop everything come Tuesday to read Kristin Hannah's newest novel, The Four Winds! I cannot wait to dive into that one, and I just know that I'm in for something special.

We survived the first month of the year! Barely, but we did it. Onto the next!