I can’t be bothered to write a proper introduction to this post. January was a long month, but a pretty chill start to 2021 for me. I hope you had a good one and if not, I hope next month is better. Let’s just jump in, shall we?
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott : Wow. This was a phenomenal, gut-wrenching collection of essays from a Haudenosaunee author. A must-read.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers : Honey Girl healed me, renewed me, clasped me in its warm embrace. I have a full review coming soon, but please read this when it comes out on February 23rd!
The Office of Historical Corrections: A Novella and Stories by Danielle Evans: This collection will grab you by the shoulders and shake you. I was absolutely enthralled and will be thinking about these stories for a long time. There were some pretty shocking scenes, so look up detailed content warnings if you are interested.
The Murders of Molly Southbourne (Molly Southbourne, #1) by Tade Thompson: Lots of weirdness, some body horror, and a dash of violence. I really dig weird books like this.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories by Mariana Enríquez: Super disturbing, but worked? // Goodreads Review
The Thirteen Problems (Miss Marple, #2) by Agatha Christie: I loved this and I’m ready for more Agatha Christie mysteries. // Review
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allend : My most surprising read of the month, a historical fiction taking place in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. I learned so much and would highly recommend the audiobook. // Goodreads Review
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour: What a wild ride of a book. If you like movies like Sorry to Bother You or The Wolf of Wall Street, this here book is for you. // Review
Shiver: Selected Stories by Junji Ito: I don’t know what to say about these horror mangas. They are odd, gross, violent, gory…and I couldn’t look away. I’m glad I finally read them instead of watching/listening to narrations of the stories, which I’ve been doing for years.
Tomie by Junji ito: I liked this collection less than Shiver (above) because it was super repetitive. Glad I finally read it though.
Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3) by Lisa Kleypas: I liked this historical romance at the start despite it’s questionable premise, but it got progressively boring. The first book in this series is the only one I really liked at this point.
The Dark Forest (Remembrance of Earth’s Past, #2) by Cixin Liu: UGH. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!! The first book in this series, The Three Body Problem, is one of my favorites, but this sequel flopped for me. // Review
The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1) by Nora Sakavic: This was ridiculous, but kind of worked? Maybe? Not really. But kind of. // Review
A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: I think YA fantasy is just not for me (with a few exceptions).
Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy, #2) by Deborah Harkness: The wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff made ZERO sense. I can’t get back the time I spent reading this book and yet I still want to know what happens in the third book. // Review
The Raven King (All for the Game, #2) by Nora Sakavic: No comment. I am a glutton for punishment. My curiosity is stronger than my will.
The King’s Men (All for the Game, #3) by Nora Sakavic: Ok but one comment. I can see how the source material is the basis for a fandom that has grown beyond it. I see how time away from it can give the characters a Vaseline lense glow. I just…I couldn’t get past SO MANY THINGS. I am obsessed with how obsessed people are about this series.
Stats
Library Audiobooks: 7 || Library Physical: 1 || Library e-Book: 5 || Owned: 3 || ARCs: 1
I wanted to watch a K-Drama and somehow accidentally ended up picking one about books and people who work at a publishing house. I am in love with every single character in this drama except for the main ones. They can go.
My best friend and I watched this together online in one night. ONE. NIGHT. Who knew a show about super rich Asians would take us on a wild, emotional ride. I need a second season ASAP.
Not much has been happening in my life other than work. I’ve been reading, hanging out with my cat, trying to exercise somewhat regularly, and enjoying the sunsets from my window. I’m trying to cherish the little things.
I figured that I would start posting my monthly journal spreads since some of you enjoyed seeing my journal setup this month. Maybe it will give you a little inspiration! Stickers are from this company (their Etsy has free US shipping, though).
I just wanted to thank everyone who has read (or skimmed) any post of mine, given me shout-out, or followed me this month. Every single like, comment, and mention has made me feel more connected to others during such a weird time and I appreciate it so much. Cheers to a pretty good first month of January and an even better February!
Ali! I’m so happy to hear that you had a chill January to ease into the new year, and SO MANY BOOKS highly rated ahhh… as a historical fiction fan now endeavouring to read more non-world war ones, A Long Petal of Sea sounds really intriguing, it’s going to my tbr. I truly enjoyed your journal spreads (so pretty!!), thank you for bringing the feature back. Lovely wrap up and wishing you an incredible February, Ali! 🥰
Such a late reply sorry! But yes you should so read it if you like historical fiction. It was pretty amazing I think you would like it (hopefully)! Hope you are having a beautiful February, Cherelle!
Seems like you had a great start! Ohh, I’ve been eyeing that k-drama for weeks now, this is my sign to watch it!!
Hope you have a nice February!
Let me know if you watch it! Hope you are having a wonderful February!
Lovely wrap-up Ali! I want to read The Foxhole Court so bad despite how much people dislike it. What can I say, I’m a sucker for sports in stories. 😆 I LOVE your bujo spread! And may the next month treat you well!
Sorry for the late reply! You should read it if it interests you. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it at least a little bit lol. Hope this month is going well for you!
I’m so happy you included your journal spread, I love seeing them ❤️ you’ve read so much already! Enjoying the little things is literally what’s been keeping me afloat during this pandemic, yesterday I saw a rainbow and got so excited that I even showed it to my dog. It’s a bit ridiculous, but it helps so much. Also, that’s one beautiful sunset
Sorry for the late reply! Thanks! It’s truly all about appreciating the little things during such a weird time. Hope you are having a good month Juli!
January was a mad dash for me since I had a huge change and have to adjust, but I did learned a lot and it felt awesome. Everyone has been talking about Bling Empire and I’m curious!
That’s so good, I’m glad you are feeling so well! It is such a funny show. Thanks for the comment Tasya!
Ah, I loved reading your wrap up! Oof, sorry that A Curse So Dark And Lonely wasn’t great for you, I enjoyed it but some books aren’t for everyone! Huh, I’ve never heard of either of these TV shows. Okay, now I gotta give you a show rec because IM IN LOVE WITH THIS SHOW. Anyways, the show is Julie and the Phantoms, it saaaaays it’s a kid’s show for like 10 and up but the main characters are 17, it’s more targeted towards teens and I have seen people in their 20’s and higher who enjoy it. It’s a show for everyone! Anyways, I know we’re already mostly through February but I hope your reading is going well so far this month!
Thanks so much! AHHHH I just finished watching Julie and the Phantoms earlier this month and I am also so in love with it!! Like obsessed, really and I want to talk to everyone about it 😄