One goal that I really wanted to focus on this year was reading. Probably because it feels like the one goal that 2021 can’t ruin for me. In 2020, I fell in love with reading again and found a passion for writing about it as well! I wanted to find a new way to round up the month and combine my reading goals. Never did I think for one second I’d be here sharing the 11 books I got lost in this January.
The books I got lost in during January 2021
This is me – Mrs Hinch
I am not an autobiography reader and neither am I a celebrity follower, normally! For some reason though, Mrs Hinch and her rise to celebrity has always been one that has intrigued me. I remember seeing her popping up on Instagram a few years ago. There was something about this cleaning fanatic that won me over.
A Christmas gift that I was very keen to get started. For an autobiography, it is pretty well written. If you’ve seen anything of Mrs Hinch, this book is very HER. She is open and honest although a little contradictory at points. I certainly feel quite fond of her still after reading her story. An interesting read that gives a real glimpse in to the social media world and just how it works.
Book 1 – 4/5
Verona: A Ghost Story – Benedict Ashforth
A book that I read in an hour indicates my enjoyment level. All it took was some mood lighting, a hot bath and an hour of my day. I was hooked. Ghost stories have always fascinated me but often they are so far fetched. This book was unlike any I’d read before because I completely believed it.
The story moved fast and there was no time to get bored. If i’d not been in the bath, I’d definitely of been on the edge of my seat! I was worried that as a short story it wouldn’t be enough to hook me in and offer a suitable end. I was so wrong. Definitely the best short story I have ever read.
Book 2 – 5/5
The Patience of a Dead man – Michael Clark
This is a book I’d heard of thanks to another blogger’s review. It was a book I knew I needed to read, added to my Christmas list in fact! I was excited to get started.
Very quickly this book was under my skin. Every character in the book was likeable. Even the less pleasant characters, I could feel a certain connection with. Not wanting to give too much away here, I’ll keep it brief.
We follow recently divorced Tim as he buys a fixer-upper home. Little did he know what story this house has to tell. What I loved about this book was how clever it was, story telling at it’s finest. Scary and intriguing all at the same time. I was worried that as this book was the first part of 3, I’d be left on a cliff hanger. For a change though, this book answered all my questions while still leaving it open for the next installment.
One that I can’t WAIT to get my hands on!
Book 3 – 5/5
Now you see them – Elly Griffiths
This is not my usual read, a crime series set in the 60’s. When a teenager from a private school in Brighton goes missing, the race is on to find her. What the police uncover though is several missing women, women who left notes telling people they were leaving. No one had any reason to doubt their story. Until one of them turns up dead.
I enjoyed the book but I am not sure if I would read one again. It was a satisfying end t a well written book. Certainly not a predictable or obvious ending.
Book 4 – 2.5/5
This time next year – Sophie Cousens
This is more my kinda book, although after some heavy reading, I was worried this might be a bit slow! Wrong! We meet Minnie and Quinn. 2 people who share more than just a birthday. It feels like a typical girl meets guy story, and I suppose it is but I loved it. I loved the unfolding of their individual stories, connecting the dots and the character development.
I feel a lot of love for the characters in this book, so if you don’t like it I might fight you! Joking… A little! It’s not often I’d read a book again, but this one I think I could.
Book 5 – 5/5
Where the Crawdads sing – Delia Owens
I have finally started reading this. I was worried about getting in to this book because of all the hype. Hype worries me. But I’m now half way through and it’s under my skin.
That takes us to 6 physical books read in January. That’s about 3 more than I would normally read in a month. But I promised you 10 books, so how did I get another 5 in?
Books 7 to 11
Audiobooks. Something that until now, I had ZERO interest in listening to a book. No hate, but I thought it was cheating! Sorry. With online lessons now the background noise of my working day, I needed a distraction. Audiobooks enter stage right!
So what have I listened to in January?
Someone we Know – Shari Lapena – 3/5
The Summer House – James Patterson – 2/5
The Liar’s sister – Sarah A Denzil – 4/5
I am watching you – Teresa Driscoll – 4/5
Then she was gone – Lisa Jewell – In progress
I’ll be honest and say that I don’t always follow the story completely while working but certainly enough to know if I enjoyed it and what actually happened. I do find some of the narration a little distracting but it is a great way to fit more books in. Plus try something that I might not have picked up before.
I wonder what February will bring. Not sure I’ll fit in as many, there are 3 days less of course!
If you want to check out my reading challenge, feel free to follow me on Goodreads.
What have been your top reads this month? What would you recommend I add to my TBR pile?
I’m adding a few of these to my reading list. I only read 3 books in January, one was Mrs Hinch like you first snap. Another was the first Harry Potter book!
Rosie
Oh I am really tempted to re-read the HP books x
I have heard a lot of people talk about the Mrs Hinch book, I really need to get a copy of this.
It is really good, a very easy read x
I really want to read This Time Next Year but haven’t got the chance in January. I’ll check the rest and hope to find some new titles to be added to my TBR 😀 Thank you for sharing this x
My TBR pile is just ever growing! I just love reading so much x
This time next year sounds good, although with that title I cannot get Only Fools and Horses out of my head. In regards to audiobooks, yes it feels like cheating, but I’m dyslexic and struggle with reading large amounts of text at once – audiobooks are great!
I have been using youtube for them, I am amazed how many are on there, and of course they are free!
I’ve never been a big reader but I really want to give Mrs Hinch’s books a go!
Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com
It’s such an easy read and I really like her x
ohhh thise titles sound interesting! can’t wait to check out the patience of a dead man – seems very interesting! you really do have an impeccable taste in books.
Thank you so much. It’s very varied my reading choices but I like to mix it up x x
I really want to read “where the crawdad sings”, it sounds like my kind of reading! I am adding some of them to my list, thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy it, It’s a beautiful story x x
I’ve heard so many good things about Where the Crawdads Go that it’s high up on my to read list!
Tash – A Girl with a View
I can’t recommend it enough! I still have a little bit left but I think I am going to be really sad when it is over x
I haven’t read any of these but it sounds like you have found some great ones for January. I follow mrs hinch not avidly but if she pops up I will have a look. Thank you for sharing your book recommendations. Lauren x
I definitely want to read Mrs Hinch’s book(I’m pretty sure my sister has it so I might be able to pinch it once she’s read it)😂 I absolutely love her.
I’ve never had an interest in audiobooks either but I did manage to crack the ebook hype in January and start getting into using my kindle that I’ve had for years and barely used!!
You definitely need to pinch the hinch book!! Lol
I’ve been listening to them on youtube, so free which is a bonus!
Thanks Lauren. I do really like Mrs Hinch, she seems so normal x
I haven’t read any of these yet so definitely need to check these out 🙂 thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did x
I have three of these on my wish list, but not read any yet. I read 5 books in January. And I love audio books. I never used to, as like you thought that it was cheating. But love listening to them when I have my daily walk or when I am cleaning the house.
It is such a great way to devour more books, I am amazed how much I am enjoying them x
I absolutely ADORED Where The Crawdads Sing, it was the first Christmas book I read and I’m so glad I waited to read it. I’m curious about Verona and Now You See Them – neither are my usual fare but you’ve made them sound like must-reads! Congrats on reading so many books in January too 🙂 xx
Thank you! I am a bit slower this month, but I am now about 70 pages from the end of Crawdads and I can’t get enough of it x
Where The Crawdads Sing is such an incredible read and I got lost in it too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I am so close to finishing now, It has taken me a while to read but it is so beautiful x
I would love to get back into reading, so hearing recommendations really help me out. I am obsessed with cleaning at the moment, so I think Mrs Hinch would be interesting to read. Thank you for sharing your recommendations 😉
Em x
Oh if you love cleaning then Hinch is for you. Amazing how far cleaning has got her x
I haven’t come across any of these books before. I love the sound of This Time Next Year I will definitely be checking that a few of the others out.
I think that was definitely my favourite of the month x
I actually had Mrs Hinch’s book in my basket the other day and took it out as I only had a certain amount to spend. You’ve tempted me to actually get it!
I really enjoyed it. I kind of thought I would hate it but it was pretty well written and easy to read x
Wow, you’ve read so many books this year already! I’m yet to try audiobooks, and maybe I will have to soon as my physical books are beginning to stack up and take over the house ;P
Haha yes mine too! I have been listening to them on youtube as well. I was amazed how many were on there and of course they are free!!
I’ve not heard of a lot of these choices, thank you for sharing these recommendations! I love getting lost in a good book 🙂 x
Oh me too. It is the most incredible way to escape the day to day x
I’ve read The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths and it is INCREDIBLE so would highly recommend that if you loved the other E.G book you read! I want to pick that one up now you’ve mentioned it too, so thank you for the suggestion! xxx
I think I would read another of Elly’s actually. I think reflecting on it, I actually really enjoyed it x
Ooo what a fab list – The patience of a dead man sounds like it would be a good one. Adding to mine and the hubbys must read list xx
It was so good. I lent it to a friend who has now bought the other books so I am waiting to borrow them!
This Time Next Year sounds like such a cute story, I really like the cover too. I hope you enjoy the rest of Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia is an amazing writer 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
I am almost finished now and I am so emotionally invested! I had to drag myself away from the book already this morning so I could work!
Wow you read so many great books in January. I read This Is Me a few months ago and enjoyed it too.
She is such a lovely person, hard not to like her x
I love the sound of This Time Next Year. I’ve been starting to get more into these types of books during lockdown.
It was such a lovely story, I think it would make a good film actually x
I need to check these books out! I need to get back into the habit of reading as well. I have fallen of the bandwagon with that here lately
It is so easily done, I barely read for 3 years. Only got back in to it last year x
I loved Olive by Emma Gannon in January, and also Ghosts by Dolly Alderton. I’m impressed you’ve got through so many books and I’m so happy you enjoyed crawdads, it’s so good isn’t it? x
I am 70 pages from done with Crawdads and I am so emotionally invested now. I will check those others out, thank you x
I’ve had This Time Next Year, on my list for so long!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
It is such a lovely book, I really do think I might re-read it. And I never re-read books x
I did not know Mrs. Hinch has a book, need to check it out and you had read/listened to some really interesting books.
If you’re a hinch fan it’s a great read x
I’ve been reading The Secret Commonwealth which is Part II of The Book of Dust for the last month. It’s a great book and I don’t want it to end!
I love it when a book gets you like that x x
Some fabulous suggestions here and most which I have not read yet. I love Mrs Hinch and follow her on instagram but just realised I have not read her bio book yet. So need to add this to my reading list
It was really good. She is so lovely and she has certainly made me love cleaning x
This Time Next Year sounds really good and think it would be the one I most enjoyed if I picked up any of these. Looks like you’ve had a great starting to your reading in January!
Hannah | acupofwonderland.com
It was such a lovely book. It is a bit of a slower reading month so far but I am really enjoying buying more books!!
These are amazing reads. I have never heard of or read any of these but the Crawdads sing, This Time next year and A ghost story sound like books I would enjoy. Xx!
I am obsessed with Where the Crawdad sings right now, I’ve had to force myself to put it down to get to work today!
I love the sound of Veronica, the fact that you devoured it in an hour shows just how good it must be. If you like scary books, I’d recommend The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware, it’s a fantastic book!
Thank you Kelly. I will check that one out. I am always looking for recommendations x
I love mysteries, and love stories too. 🙈😂 and the books you mentioned are very interesting! I’d love to read one someday. Thanks for sharing this! xx
They were some really lovely books, I hope you check some out x
I haven’t read any of these books! I love reading ghost stories, so would love to read the VERONA: A GHOST STORY first 😍
It was brilliant!
Looks like you have had some interesting reads. I am delving into the second eve of man book at the moment
A good selection of titles you have . I was given Mrs Hinch for christmas but I have not read it yet. I hope to start reading again soon.
I love The Crawdads. It’s one of my favourites. I’ve just started listening to audiobooks at the moment too but find it hard to concentrate with the kids always around!
I’ve genuinely started to really enjoy audiobooks! I love putting them on in the background why I type! Thanks for sharing these recommendations gal X
Aah this is EXACTLY what I needed to read, really struggling to find books I enjoy at the moment! Thanks for sharing x
These all sound so wonderful and intriguing! Thank for sharing your list 🙂