We’re nearing the end of the first month of the year and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to say goodbye to January. It’s felt long and lonely and hard. Not that everything will magically be better come February 1, but a new month always feels like a fresh start.
To help end January on a comfy and cozy note, I’m hosting a mini readathon that starts TODAY (Friday, January 28) and goes through Monday, January 31. All you need to do is read! Doesn’t matter what format you read in, how long you read for, or how much reading you do. It just gives us all an excuse to prioritize reading and be in community with each other. I have some templates on Instagram you can use to share what you’re reading throughout the four days (find them here). So grab a book, a beverage, and tell some friends – and I look forward to reading with you!
What you’ll find in this month’s roundup…
My reading life
What I hope to read in February
January reading recap (which includes superlatives, plus reviews of The Nix and Cheer Up)
Books I’ve added to my library holds
Monthly links + loves
My reading life
February hopefuls
I have finally accepted the fact that I’m a mood reader. Past me used to set strict TBRs each month and I always ended up reading only one or two (as soon as a book feels like homework I become disinterested). This year I’m focusing on picking books in the moment, based on what I’m in the mood for, BUT, I still like having a little bit of structure and a smaller list to choose from. Having to pick from the over 400 books on my shelf (plus what’s in my kindle and audiobook libraries) can be overwhelming, so instead I’m making a monthly list of hopefuls – books that I’ve been recently excited about, book club picks, and buddy reads – but nothing that I absolutely HAVE to read. This month’s list of hopefuls is…
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (February pick for my work book club and one I’ve wanted to read for a long time)
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (I was curious about this one but afraid it was too literary for me, but when my friend and book twin, Hannah, said she thinks I’ll like it, I added it to my list)
Two to three March releases for Release Love (I’m trying to get better about reading a few titles before their release date)
Mike’s pick (every month I have my husband pick a book off my shelf and if I don’t read it by the end of the month it gets donated)
What books are you excited to read this month?
January reading recap
Favorite book of the month: Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Most surprising book of the month: Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades
Least favorite book of the month: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
(Keep scrolling for my reviews of The Nix and Cheer Up!)
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