JANUARY READS

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January was a great reading month for me with some major accomplishments. The majority of my reading time over the last month was spent focusing on Les Miserables and I feel that I barely touched anything else yet I somehow powered my way through 7 books! 

I'll admit that about half of these were short, quick reads but nonetheless I am so pleased with what I read and I hope I can keep reading as much throughout the year!

Meet Cute by Various
This was my first ever anthology and I found it fairly enjoyable, giving it 3.5 stars. There were some stories I loved and wished were full novels, and there were some that I was glad lasted only a few pages. I have a full review here.

A Shiver of Snow and Sky by Lisa Lueddecke
This book was such a slow burn. It was enjoyable but I found I much preferred the second POV that we get sporadically throughout. I think this reminded me too much of Abi Elphinstone's Dreamsnatcher books but less action packed and thus, at 3 stars, this was a little disappointing and I don't see myself continuing the series.

Bad Girls with Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten 
I don't think any other book I actually finish reading this year could top the disappointment this gave me. I won't dive too much into it as I have a review up but I hated the mental health rep, I hated the "mystery" that was anything but. Just no. 

The Chaos of Longing by K. Y. Robinson 
After reading Rupi Kaur's Milk and Honey, I really fell in love with free verse poetry. This collection was a 4 star read, although I didn't find it as relatable as others I have read. 

Daubigny's Garden by Bruno de Roover
This graphic novel was beautifully illustrated which is fitting seeing as it is a biography of sorts for the artist Daubigny. I knew from the first few... is there a name for each scene thing? I don't know my graphic novel terminology, sorry! I knew immediately when Van Gogh appeared that I was going to love this and I did, giving it 4 stars.

Jerome K Jerome Bloch: AINA by Alain Dodier
Another of my netgalley graphic novel arcs. This, again, was beautifully illustrated and it was fast paced. My only qualm was that there are quite a few dialogue heavy scenes in another language and I think it would be interesting to, at the end of the novel, have those scenes translated so we can understand what was happening even more.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
This was by far, and will undoubtedly remain, my biggest reading achievement ever. Over 1000 pages and I read it all from about the 3rd of January up until yesterday, the 31st. I'll admit I skimmed some parts but there's only so much discussion on the history of the paris sewers I can take. Naturally, this was my first 5 star read of the year and I am so glad I was able to reach my goal of reading it before I go to Paris (tomorrow, Feb 2nd!!)

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I'm feeling super motivated to hit my reading challenge and power through my TBR! Goodreads claims I'm one book behind but considering I read Les Mis I'm surprised it's not more! How are you guys all getting on with your goals for the year?

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