Hello!

I am here with my extremely late January 2018 Wrap Up! My one big goal of the year was to me more consistent with posting 😂 which has worked out so well but hey I can only go up from here since things are calming down at my new job.

In January, I read a total of 8 books and 1733 pages. The genres I read this month were poetry, historical fiction, short stories, fantasy, classic, contemporary and non-fiction. I read 5 standalone books and 3 first books in a series.

Onto the ratings!

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★★★★★

Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland 
Oh my god! I was no prepared for all those feels. I do have a full review so I’ll keep my fangirling to a minimum. I adored this world it is the perfect mix quirky, dark and creepy. Jules is amazing! I cannot believe I have to wait so long for the squeal when I have all these questions floating around!

Speaking in Tongues: Curious Expressions from Around the World by Ella Frances Sanders 
I loved Ella’s first book Lost in Translation and it’s no surprise them I love with one too. I am fascinated with languages and how them form so this book was a joy to read. A perfect insight into some of the worlds more well used and interesting expressions. My favourite expression mentioned would have to be the Polish saying ‘Not my circus, not my monkey.’ I might even have to adopted into my everyday language. If you’re fascinated by language and want to learn more about the weird sayings of other countries then this one is for you! Highly recommend!

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★★★★1/2

Beautifully writing and gave me all the warm and fuzzies. The mermaid and her lover the pirate women are so sweet I adore them. Highly recommend. I loved how the collection splits into difference sections and we get poems from both the mermaid and the pirate’s perspective. I enjoyed how the structure of some of the poems ebbed and flowed like the sea. These poems are ones I will visit over and over again.

The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell 

This collection was really everything I was expecting from Jen Campbell. If you don’t know Jen is a booktuber who loved all things fairytales. Her writing still contains the rhythm and melody of her poetry. The best thing about this collection is huge variation of structure. We get a script (The Beginning of the World of the Middle of the Night), a letter (Jacob), flash fiction (Little Deaths) and stories that include coding (Plum Pie. Zombie Green. Yellow Bee. Purple Monster.). These 12 stories are a collection of haunting mix of magical realism and fairytales for the modern day adults filled with all the magic, horror, hope, lost souls, humour and love. My favourite stories were Animals, Little Deaths, Aunt Libby’s Coffin Hotel, Jacob and the title story. Some of these stories are firmly latched onto my heart and are ones I will return to again and again.

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★★★★

Sword of Olympus (The Last War of Gods and Men #1) by P.M. Hansen
I have a full review for this one. I picked this book up after hearing Hansen talked at the HNSA panel. It was clear from the event that Hansen has a deep passion for the history and myth of greek antiquity and I’m so glad that it comes across in his book. It feels like your there. There’s no info-dumping, which is fantastic, we are told just enough to give us context and then get to watch the characters play out their days. There were a few odd point of view shift, but it didn’t bother me too much. I am very excited to pick up the second book and see when famous heroes we’ll meet next. If you’re looking for an immersive read that explores the Ancient Greek Age of Heroes than this one this for you.

Royally Screwed (Royally #1) by Emma Chase 
This was a perfect summer read and just the pick-me-up I needed. Romance and modern day royals what more could I ask for. I loved that even though it’s told in two first person narratives, you can clearly distinguish Olivia and Nicholas’ chapters. Their personality shone through and I never forgot which perspective I was in, which is really hard to do. I will definitely dive into the rest of this series.

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★★★1/3

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
I do have a full review. Wow this book was eerie in a way that I’ve come to associate with dystopian fiction. That fear fuelled but the underlying fact that this could happen to us. Especially with a society so focuses on consumerism, modifications for convenience sake and class systems. Enjoy isn’t a word I used to describe this book, but I was fascinating, in that morbidly curious way that we get. I especially enjoyed the debate about what things a society need to functions and what is more important security or individualism.

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★★★

Footsteps by Elizabeth Etta 
My first read for 2018 and it was one that I did enjoy. Footsteps is a beautiful collection filled with raw candid reflections of everything life has to offer – all the pain, joy and heartache. Her poems on healing and women empowerment warmed my heart and are ones I’ll definitely return to when I need that reminder to not be so hard on my myself. For me, personally, I wasn’t a big fan of the religious metaphors as I don’t know the references which muddied my understanding. Also Etta is a spoken work poet so I think I missed out not getting to hear these poems. I will definitely need to see her perform ASAP.

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That’s it for me. Comment down below and let me know what you’re favourite read of January was.
Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna