Hi friends! Now if January wasn’t one of the longest, yet shortest, month ever, right!? I managed to read a lot more than I originally intended to and I gave myself a few days here and there when I read absolutely nothing. So reading wise, January was a great success!
Here’s what I read in January 2020:
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury – 4/5
Flaming bonkers and riveting book! Recommend big time. Slightly destabilising so be prepared – Montag’s story will hit you like a ton of bricks from every angle. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
Also, read the afterword. It’s wonderfully inspiring. Book 1 of 12 genres in 12 months in 2020 reading challenge – Dystopian. Complete. What a ride!
Saladus Peitub Tundes – Neville Goddard – 2/5
Simply did not do it for me.
The Turn of the Key – Ruth Ware – Kindle – 4/5
The Turn of the Key was my first Ruth Ware book, and boy did I enjoy the ink out of it! 🖋️
Full review here, but in summary:
1) Fast paced
2) Spooky atmosphere
3) Believable characters (some less charming than others!)
4) At least one jaw dropping moment
5) Written as a letter and thoroughly enjoyable I cannot wait to pull the other Ruth Ware books out of my TBR jar.
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas – 5/5
Here’s a review of a book I avoided like a plague! Full review here, but in short: One of the most hyped about books of 2017/2018 and as always I was afraid I’d be the only person who didn’t like it. How wrong was I? Very, very wrong.
Starr Carter’s world is shattered when she is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. As it turns out, I’m a sucker for YA. The Hate U Give is honest, brutal, inspiring, eye-opening and straight up infuriating! I was seething throughout the story. It felt real, raw and honest.
There was no sugar-coating; no trying to make it “sound politically correct”. And that’s what I loved most about this book. “Not a true story” type of book that in reality is based on all of the kids stories who have been unlawfully killed by the very people who are meant to keep them safe and protect them; and who’s murders are covered up and brushed under the carpet.
An absolute must read. Hands down my favourite January read.
Perfect Match – Jodi Picoult – 5/5
Justification is a remarkable thing – takes all those solid lines and blurs them, so that honor becomes as supple as a willow, and ethics burst like soap bubbles.
Perfect Match is the second novel I’ve read by Picoult, and it will definitely not be my last. Again, I can see why she’s so highly praised (and considered immensely controversial!). Her books make you debate, not only with others but with yourself. Perfect Match follows Nina, an assistant district attorney, who considers a court room her office; a space that’s intimidating for many people but not for her, and she knows the rules. Nina and her family’s world is turned upside down when they discover her five year old has been sexually abused. Will she trust the justice system to punish the perpetrator? Would you?
“… Nathaniel wishes just once someone would come up to him and think of him as some kid, instead of The One This Happened To.”
Incredible piece of work.
Misery – Stephen King – 5/5
“This is all very amusing, Paul, writing critics little billets-doux in one’s head is always good for a giggle, but you really ought to find yourself a pot and get it boiling, don’t you think?”
What a cockadoodie book! Absolutely bonkers, hella disturbing and thoroughly enjoyable. My favourite King yet.
Talking with Serial Killers – Christopher Berry-Dee – Audio – 3/5
More like Talking About Serial Killers. I think I expected more of an interview style story-line and hear more from the prisoners, rather than have the author summarise the countless interviews and correspondence with the serial killers he claims to have had.
I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it but I also wouldn’t read it again.
Peaky Blinders – Carl Chinn – Audio – 2/5
I listened to the audio version and quite frankly wanted to DNF about 30 minutes in. I did not appreciate the author’s narration which left my ears ringing. I didn’t engage with the book until about half way through after I got used to his shouting but i think I would’ve enjoyed it more had I read it with my own eyes. Also if you haven’t seen the series, the book naturally does discuss some relationships and characters.
What did you guys read in January? Have you read any of the books above? Do you agree or disagree with me? 🙂
