This is my first monthly reading wrap up. I thought it would be nice of me to share what I read in January 2021 and what I plan to read in February 2021. And maybe explain why along the way.
Let me start by saying I do not normally read this much. The first two books I read this month just flew by! Books three and four were quick reads, as well. The fifth book is dragged on and on. I added a short audiobook in there as well. Oh, I also read a cookbook (do those count as actual reading?).
January 2021 Reading Wrap Up:
- I Woke Up Dead at the Mall by Judy Sheehan
- The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib
- They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie
- Shooting War by Anthony Feinstein
- Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Tilly and the Bookwanderers (Pages & Co #1) by Anna James
- Fast Cakes: Easy Bakes in Minutes by Mary Berry
Now I suppose I should give a brief description of each book, and maybe explain why I read them. Oh, and the links above are to the Goodreads page for each book, and the links below are for my in-depth reviews. That way you know more about each book.
Book 1: I Woke Up Dead at the Mall
I choose this book as part of a challenge I issued myself for the year. This one has a blue cover. Simple enough reason, right? The book follows 16-year-old Sarah as she wakes up well, dead at the mall, having been murdered. During her journey through the mall, she meets other teens who were also murdered. Sarah decides she needs to know why she was murdered, and who did it before she can pass on to the next step of her journey. This was a super easy read, I finished it in just over a day.
Book 2: The Girls at 17 Swann Street
I choose this book as part of another challenge I issued myself, which is a location challenge. This book is set in an Olympic Host City, namely St. Louis, MO. We follow Anna after her diagnosis of an eating disorder. I will say right now, there are some trigger warnings with this book. They are eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, and suicide. I had trouble putting down this powerful read. I had it done in just over 2 days.
Book 3: They Do It With Mirrors
I choose this book as part of an Agatha Christie reading challenge that I joined this year, read more about the reading challenge at the Official Agatha Christie website. A book set in a grand house was January’s theme. In this book, you follow Miss Jane Marple as she visits a childhood friend at her home that has been turned into a school for a rehabilitation center for delinquents. There is murder (of course), some romance, and some twists and turns all of which you expect from Agatha Christie.
Book 4: Shooting War
I choose this book as part of a reading challenge from The Uncorked Librarian. This month’s theme was Truth Bomb Non-Fiction. This book was an eye-opener for me, as I have never thought of the mental health of the people behind the iconic images of war and disasters. Shooting War examines 18 such people and their reactions to the images they shared with the world. It also helps the reader to understand how they got there in the first place (at least for some) and where they went afterward.
Book 5: Gone With the Wind
This book has been on my TBR longer than any other book. I decided that 2021 would be the year I moved this from my TBR pile to my Read pile. Did I really understand what I was doing when I decided this? No way! I didn’t realize the book was so thick, and not just in the number of pages.
Book 6: Tilly and the Bookwanderers
I decided to listen to this audiobook as a break from GWTW. And it couldn’t be any more different. Tilly is an 11-year-old girl, being raised by her grandparents, in a bookshop in London. There’s a bit of whimsy, a bit of book worship, a bit of fantasy, and a twist of mystery. Great middle-grade read!
Book 7: Fast Cakes
Am I the only person who enjoys reading cookbooks? Yes, oh ok. Well anyway, this is a great book by Mary Berry (from the Great British Bake Off). There are over 150 recipes in the cookbook. The majority of the recipes are easy to make with minimal ingredients and instructions but not minimal taste.
Right now February’s TBR is short, and contains 4 books. Depends how the month goes, and how well the books flow, if I get to read more.
February’s TBR:
- The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson, reading challenge of a book set in Scandinavia
- Flood Girls by Richard Fifield, reading challenge of a book with purple on the cover
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, TUL reading challenge-book by a contemporary black author
- Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, Agatha Christie reading challenge-a story featuring love
This is my reading wrap up. How was your reading for January? What are your plans for February? I would love to know, please share your reading wrap up with me.
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