January 2021 Reading Wrap Up

I was hoping that January was going to be a massive improvement from December but I don't know if it really was... I read 7 books so only one more then in December and two of them I actually started at the end of December as well. I'm reading but just not at the pace or quantity that I was aiming for. I had a decent reading month, I managed to read three books from my five star predictions list already although only one came out as a five star but I did really enjoy all of them. I think my February TBR is a lot more manageable at the moment, you can check that post out here, so I'm feeling good about this month!

Stats 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab 

I have seriously neglected writing my book reviews in January, I currently have three that I need to complete and post, this being on of them. I loved this book, you could probably guess that from the fact that I gave it five stars! It was just so beautifully written, it made me think about where I am in my life and what I want out of it, it made me happy and sad (I'll admit, I was a tad disappointed that I didn't cry though as I've seen so many people doing so). The relationships in here are so well crafted and it's a book I've been thinking about ever since I set it down. 

 

All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia   

This was a super cute festive romance that I began in December but neglected until I pushed myself to finish it in early January. It follows Bailey, who loves all things Christmas and her emerging relationships with a fellow classmate and a cute British boy. I liked this for what it was and probably a lot more because I was reading it around Christmas too. The main couple are really adorable, it could feel a little rushed to some but it is a high school relationship at the end of the day. The little plot twist (if you can even call it that) towards the end was a little odd and took me out of the story slightly but I wanted a cozy romance and that's what I got. 

 

Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5) by Maggie Stiefvater

I definitely wasn't the biggest fan of the original trilogy but this little spin off book was so annoying and pointless. We now follow Cole and Isabelle as the start new lives in Los Angeles and they try and begin a relationship, I guess? I don't really know, I think I've blocked out most of it by now. I was fine to read from Cole and Isabelle's POV's when we had Sam and Grace to balance things out but on their own they're so pretentious and frustrating. I really didn't like them, didn't like their relationship and Maggie Stiefvater's writing for some reason really deteriorated in this sequel compared to the other books. 

 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig     

This has been really hyped for the last couple of months and I finally managed to get a ebook copy from my library. The premise automatically made this a book I wanted to read, a library that allows you to experience the different lives you could have lead? Such a great idea. This has a really strong message at it's core though, how one tiny decision can completely alter your course in life and how beautiful life can be if we let go of our regrets and fears and just live for ourselves. Wonderful writing and a suprisingly likeable main character. My only issue was with the pacing as I sometimes felt that some sections were just a smidge rushed sometimes. 

 

Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney      

I really wanted to like this book a lot more then I did because I really enjoyed Normal People by this author. Sally Rooney has a great writing style that I connect with but her characters I seem to struggle with sometimes. I found Frances and Bobbie very frustrating and pretentious for their ages and just the way they went about things was incredibly annoying. Their relationship was interesting but no one in this book can communicate to save their lives. I will read more from Sally Rooney but this probably won't be a book I'll be revisiting. 

 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn    

I'm so happy I managed to get round to reading this in January, it's a book I've been dying to read ever since I got it in the October Owlcrate. Legendborn is a YA fantasy that follows Bree as she begins a programme at UNC and finds herself seeking answers about her mothers recent death by infiltrating a secret society. This was filled with magic and action, the worldbuilding is very well done and before I knew it I was invested in these characters and the society itself. It's inspired by Arthurian legend which I loved, all the little references were a treat. I will say I found the main relationship a little too insta-love but I can see myself falling more in love with them in future installments. Highly anticipating the next book! Gonna try my best to get a full review up soon!

 

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie   

I don't think I need to tell anyone what this one's about! I listened to it on audio and really enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's narration, he was highly entertaining to listen to and he completely brought the characters to life. The character's voices were all really distinct as well which I appreciated, it felt kind of like listening to a full stage production at times! I will say that I wasn't as intrigued as I maybe could've been but that's only because I've already seen the recent adaptation so I knew the outcome of the mystery. 

That's everything I read in January, a decent month but looking forward to my February TBR a lot.