January Reading List

It’s a new year, a new month, and another chance for me to hopefully read some great books. But mostly, it’s time for me to finish some of the books I started – or meant to read – in 2020. So this might look like a pretty ambitious list, but I’ve already read portions of a few of these, so it’s not completely insane. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

But I think I have a pretty good mix of things on this list. The first two books are ones I started last year and never finished (even though I was really enjoying both of them). Then I have two books I have ARCs of, one that I meant to read last year, and one coming out next month. And, finally, two books I just feel like reading this month.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

I feel like I’ve said this approximately a thousand times, so I’ll keep it brief. Basically, I started the for a book club last year, and then no one else started this, so I put it on hold. And then my book club kind of dissolved so now I’m just going to finish this on my own. Because I was really enjoying it. And I am determined to finish it this month so I can finally be done because it’s been sitting on my currently reading list for way too long.

Grant by Ron Chernow

I was really enjoying this when I picked it up last year. And then The Great Slump of 2020 hit, so I decided to put this one on hold so I could read something maybe more entertaining with the hope of coming out of my slump. Which clearly didn’t happen, and this book just stayed partially read. In my defense, it’s a massive biography. But I really want to finish it, and I want to try and spend more time listening to audiobooks this year. Hopefully starting with this one.

Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo

I’ve had this ARC since before it came out… in September. I read kind of a lot of not great romance last year and just wasn’t quite in the mood to pick this up. But I do really want to read more diverse romance, so I am willing to give this one a shot. Also, I have an ARC so I feel like I have to read it because I requested it from Netgalley. If I’m being honest, I’m not convinced I will love this, but hopefully I enjoy it.

The Project by Courtney Summers

Last year, I finally read Sadie and I loved it. So when I saw there was a new Courtney Summers book coming out this year, I requested a copy. I want to read this in January so I can talk about it in my wrap up, which will be posted just a few days before this book comes out on February 2. It sounds fun and mysterious and I’m pretty excited about it.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Because I don’t have enough going on this year, I have decided to participate in the Buzzword 2021 Reading Challenge created by BooksandLala. I love that it’s more relaxed and flexible, and I’m excited to participate. This month’s theme is “dream”, so books with “dream” in the title. I already read Brown Girl Dreaming and I just kind of wanted to see if I can squeeze in one more. This has been on my TBR for a while, and is one of the books I’ve been putting off and it’s a great excuse to finally read it.

Unf*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers  by Faith G. Harper, PhD

One of my non-bookish goals this year is to work on my mental health. I love that this book is short and concise, but still addresses pretty much all of the issues I deal with. I came out of 2020 better in terms of depression, but my anxiety has multiplied. A lot. And I really want to work on that, because it’s starting to affect my everyday life more and more. I’m hoping this book might give me some techniques to use so that I can continue to work on that because it’s also affecting my physical health at this point.

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Ok, that’s it for January. I really hope I’m right in thinking the slump is over and I can get through all of these books (plus some) this month. What’s on your reading list for January?