January 2019 Wrap Up

Welcome to the first wrap up of the new year! If you’re new to the blog, my wrap ups are related to the books I’ve read over the month; what worked and what didn’t work. I hope you enjoy it!

January worried me a little. I felt like I was doing a great job, but then a big book waylaid me over. I couldn’t believe how burnt out it made me, but I wouldn’t take back that time. It was an amazing read!

I’ve also learned that I want to incorporate more comic books and manga into my reading. They won’t be making an appearance on here often (at least not yet), but comic books were really my saving grace when I was burnt out. I think they’ll be great for evening readings or when I’m feeling the slump. They don’t require too much brain power since you have the images created for you. The stories are always intriguing and if you dig hard enough, you can find some really great reads among them.

But here’s to the January 2019 bookish wrap up

Bonfire by Krysten Ritter

This was my least favorite book from the month. I did not like this book. It was good so I ended up reading the entire thing, but I was so confused by the story. I was surprised it got so many highly rated reviews. It made me wonder if we read the same book. The book itself felt all over the place. I didn’t get much cohesion. But I think it has a lot of potential. It could definitely be a great crime fiction novel, but it needs a loving editor’s hand and a huge red marker.

My full review on Goodreads

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I was absolutely floored by this book. I read it for my Backlist Book Club and wow. I love when science fiction takes actual scientific theories and turns them into a story. What happens if you were able to travel across different multi-verses? What if you find a universe where your life is exactly the way you want it? That’s basically what happened to Jason in this novel. And as he tries to make his way home, he comes to some very real understandings of himself, the multi-verse, and the universe’s capabilities.

My full review on Goodreads

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

I really liked this novel, but it’s not a fantasy series I’ll continue to read in the future. It starts off about a young man named Tracker who is on the hunt for a certain little boy that’s important to the whole of society. It’s got great representation, amazing descriptions, and a lot of African history and culture. The only reason I won’t be reading the rest of this series is because the writing wasn’t my style. I’m not a fan of writing like Marlon James’s, but that’s okay. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novel and if you do like Marlon James and his writing style, this book will be right up your alley.

My full review on Goodreads

Heavy by Kiese Laymon

Funnily enough I started reading this book the same day it won an award for best nonfiction. It definitely deserved it because it was an amazing memoir about one person’s life. I think I resonated a lot with this story and I think a lot of people will too. I didn’t think it was sad or uncomfortable, but instead I felt comforted to hear someone so honest with his life and his evaluation of his life. It really made me love his work and I can’t wait to read more from him in the future.

My full review on Goodreads

Golden Child by Claire Adam

Ending the month with this book was like ending your day at Disney with the fireworks show. You’re a little hesitant that it’ll be any good, but you’re just blown away when you get into it. Golden Child was definitely that kind of book. At first, I was a little worried the book would be boring because it started with the missing child and then backtracked to when he was born. I was worried it would be all backtracking, but it ended up turning into a really good book with some very interesting questions. I would whole-heartedly suggest this book for your book club because it will make you think, reconsider, and re-evaluate.

My full review on Goodreads

Books From My Mid-Month Checkin

• If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim
• The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh: I mentioned before that I didn’t finish this book. I’ve come to realize that I’m not a fan of overly poetic writing. I love lyrical language, but sometimes it gets in the way of the story.
• Sadie by Courtney Summers
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi: I loved this book and it’s definitely a series I’ll be digging into more as the books come out. I also love that others loved this book. I’m seeing small convos happening throughout the Internet about it and even fan art! I absolutely love fan art of really good fantasy stories. It shares what the characters look like and it’s always something so amazingly drawn.
• The Obelisk Gate by NK Jemisin