January Reading Wrap Up/February TBR

Usually it feels like January is the month that seems to go on and on. However, it seems as if this month flew by.

January was one of my slower reading months. I read 7 books, but I feel like I have entered a huge reading slump since Goodreads had said that I am already falling behind by two books.

That said, I am proud to get to one of my Mashed Potato Books, which was such a good read. So, here are the seven books I read this month:

Untamed by Glennon Doyle, Five out of Five Stars: I loved this book. I started reading the audiobook, but finished reading the physical. This was one of the most inspirational reads that I could have entered the new year reading. It talks all about being free and learning to avoid being unhappy, as well as living a life that is true to you. I did purchase Love Warrior, but haven’t read it yet.

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, Four out of Five Stars: This book was amazing to kick off the new year with as well. It is about Minnie Cooper, who was born on January 1, and suffers through string of bad luck on her birthday. Quinn Hamilton on the other hand, is extremely lucky. And, he shares the same birthday as Minnie. Both of their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital at the same time, and the two have crossed paths and never met. That is, until now. This book was a really cute read. I love it that it reminded me of Nora Ephron movies where the love interests would never get together until the very end. I liked it, but I was not head over heels over it.

The Vanishing Half by Bri Bennett, Five out of Five Stars: Stella and Desiree Vignes ran away from Mallard in the 1960s. One sister came back, while another found a life of luxury while trading her identity of African American to white. While the sisters may lead separate lives, their daughters eventually end up crossing paths. I really loved this book, and I highly recommend reading it if you haven’t yet. This book gives you so much insight on how race was perceived, and is just an amazing story.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, Five out of Five Stars: Enchanted has a dream of being a famous singer. After auditioning for a talent show, she meets Korey Fields. Months later, Korey is found dead and Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands. This was definitely one of my favorite reads of the month, because the writing was amazing. The content of the story is definitely one that is triggering, and I don’t want to forget that. It talks about grooming, rape, and abuse.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Five out of Five Stars: I am not going to write a review for this since I have a post about it. I already wrote my opinions down in that post, but I still highly recommend it.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover, Five out of Five Stars: Fallon and Ben met by chance at a restaurant on November 9. Despite their instant attraction, the two decide to wait to begin a relationship. However, they do decide to meet every November 9th for the next five years. This book was amazing, and I think that I will always be a fan of Hoover’s writing. That said, I loved the romance, and it was a story that tugged at my heartstrings from beginning to end.

Confess by Colleen Hoover, Five out of Five Stars: Yes, another Colleen Hoover novel. This one is about Auden, who has lost so much before turning 21. She just moves to Texas, where she encounters Owen a painter with a mysterious past. The two fall in love, despite many forces that are keeping them apart. Okay, so Colleen Hoover can write. This novel was one of those novels that have kept me engaged from the moment I picked it up to the second it finished. This was not my favorite one by Colleen Hoover, but I definitely enjoyed reading that one.

Now that I talked about January’s reads, let’s move on to February. I hope to read a lot of romance during this month, and I have a ton to choose from on my shelves. I also hope to read Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, since that was my Book of the Month choice.