I read some AMAZING Books in January. I found myself turning to audiobooks more than turning on the TV which was a major goal of mine. If you want to start “reading” more buy a good pair of headphones! I listen to books while I’m grocery shopping, cleaning the house, editing photos, uploading Poshmark listings, pretty much whenever!
I really lucked out with good books in January. Here’s what I read:
The Giver of Starts by Jojo Moyes
I LOVE Jojo Moyes! Me Before You is one of my favorite books. I was excited to see she was coming out with a new book and a new storyline. The Giver of Stars takes place during the depression in rural Kentucky. It centers around an English Woman who moves to the US to marry a coal mining tycoon. She is a bit bored with her life and decides to start working at the brand new local library – delivering books by horseback to poor rural families. The writing is wonderful and you feel so much empathy and emotion for these characters! This book is full of drama – murder, lies, racism, deceit and the powers of modern feminism (in a very un-modern time.) Loved it.
9/10
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
I love psychological thrillers but this book is just OK. It’s about 4 women who attended boarding school together and then went their separate ways. They are brought back together when one of the girls texts “I need you.” Lies, murder, infidelity – this book has lots of twists and turns. However, I found most of those turns to be a bit predictable. Don’t get me wrong I didn’t dislike this book – but I also didn’t love it. Ruth Ware also wrote The Woman in Cabin 10 which I did not like. Perhaps, I am just not a Ruth Ware fan!
5/10
The Whisper Man by Alex Noth
Ok, this book is really creepy – like it legit left me with a pit in my stomach at times but it’s a major page turner. It’s like reading an episode of Law and Order SVU – but more detailed, terrifying and deranged. It starts off with the disspaearnce of a young boy that is remincent of similar cases dating back years ago. Detecitves must find the boy before it’s too late – and they must reach out to the notorious child killer they locked up so many years ago for help. Although not based on real events, if you are a fan of true crime series I think you’ll enjoy this book. Also, I am pretty sure this book will be a movie or series one day it’s that good!
8/10
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
This is a great book for my fellow travelaholics! We were supposed to got to Cuba in December but unfortunately the Havana stop was cancelled (thanks a lot President Trump!) After reading this book, I want to go to Cuba even more! It’s a love story, history lesson and family drama all in one! The author explores the Cuban Revolution from different perspectives and timelines that lead us to current day Cuban/American relations.
7/10 Recommend
You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld
Not going to lie, I had NO IDEA that this book was a series of short stories. I was very confused when the first story was over and the new one began. I kept waiting for the story lines to connect somehow (Like Love Actually or that movie Valentine’s Day) spoiler alert – they don’t connect! They truly are just short stories. Some of the stoires I loved and wanted them to continue on into a full book! Others, I didn’t care for as much and was grateful it was just a short story. Curtis Sittenfeld went through the University of Iowa’s Creative Writers Workshop so on a personal level I loved her references to the Midwest and Iowa city. If you’re looking for something a bit different I did enjoy it!
6/10
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
If you are a parent, read this book. It has such a powerful message about the unconditional love a parent has for their child and the lengths to which we will go to protect them. It’s about a family with 5 boys, the youngest son Claude feels from a very young feels like he should be a girl. It’s a story so sincerely told. This book really puts things in perspective. There are no easy paths, no quick solutions, all the love in the world can’t make everything better. I loved everything about this book. It’s heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, uplifting and inspiring all in one.
10/10
Stay tuned to see what I read in February!
Britt Heller 