I’m sure this will be a recurring theme in my round up posts this year but where has the month gone? January seems to have flown by! For the most part, it’s been in a good way – though I have been fighting a stinking cold this last week – and (unlike December, which was a wash out) I actually got some blogging done. It’s been a bit sporadic but I’m ok with that. Here’s a round up of what I read and managed to get reviewed….
Loved
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh, which has a twist I didn’t see coming and changed the book for me completely half way through. Suddenly I was seeing everything I had read with different eyes. That’s hard to do, especially for a debut author, leaving me loving the book.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang, the first book in a long time I can honestly say I’ve devoured. I finished it in a day and story, set in modern day Korea, has stuck with me. It is a dark, at times disturbing book, that gives a glimpse into a highly structured world where it seems like it would be hard to be a woman.
Liked a lot
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell, a book I read in my late teens and found still had the same impact today. Written a 100 years ago it takes on the plight of the working man and makes an impassioned argument for socialism.
Cut The Sugar, You’re Sweet Enough by Ella Leche, which is full of great recipes that are ideal for veggies like me and helped me eat a little healthier without beating me over the head about how bad my diet probably is. Gorgeous foodie photos too.
Cripple Creek by James Sallis, my first book of the year and a good one. The second in a trilogy featuring Turner, a former cop turned prisoner turned psychiatrist turned deputy sheriff, whose life can be as complicated as his CV. I love James Sallis’ books with their pared back noir style.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness, which I actually read in December but didn’t get round to reviewing till January. I stepped out of my comfort zone here for this piece of young adult fiction, which was more complex than I expected and funnier.
Liked
The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, a good – if not great – debut. The story was a good one but the characters needed to be a little more developed for me, including the central character, Ani, who I struggled to not really dislike.
Not for me
Eat, Nourish, Glow by Amelia Freer, a book which had been recommended to me but I couldn’t get to grips with. By the time I had finished, I didn’t feel like I was any healthier, just that I’d been beaten over the head with all the things I do wrong food-wise.
And that’s, as they say, all folks. It’s been a pretty good month for reading, I must say. What about you – what did you read…and what should I be reading in February?
Emma x
One Readers Thoughts 
Great month! I like the way you give us a little snippet about each book. Enjoy the new month!
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It was – I feel lucky to have read so many good books. Thanks for visiting!
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I have I Let You Go in my wish list and sounds like I need to upgrade it to higher up the list! Nice to get a good recipe book, that cuts sugar down somewhat.
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Haven’t read any of those yet, but a couple are on my list for this year. Enjoyed reading your comments about each one.
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I absolutely LOVED I Let You Go what a fabulous twist! This is a great round up post 🙂
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You had a good reading month though. Happy February!
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I really like the way you’ve organised the books in this review🙂
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I’ve got the Patrick Ness book waiting to be read on my book case. I loved A Monster Calls so can’t wait to read it.
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It was my first book by him. I will be reading more!
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Love love loved I Let You Go as well, and HATED Ani also! What good taste you have! 🙂
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What do they say about great minds…😀
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Wow! Looks like you had a great reading month!
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I just requested The Vegetarian at Blogging For Books, can’t wait!
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I hope you love it too. Enjoy!
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I thought I Let You Go was an absolutely stunning debut too – so clever! I do hope February’s reading is just as successful.
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It was one of the best I’ve read in a while. Two books into Feb and I’ve had a hit and a miss so even Stevens so far.
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January did blow by, yikes! Can’t believe it. Usually January seems to drag though (a least for me) so I didn’t really mind. I love books that have a great twist, those are the best! 🙂
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Didn’t it just…now February seems to be flying by too…must be that I’m getting older…they say that’s what happens right?
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I love Ness and I am curious about his YA. I added The Vegetarian by Han Kang to my wishlist!
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I have read so few young adults but I have to say is felt different…smarter? (Probably the wrong description). Hope you enjoy The Vegetarian x
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I’ve got to get I Let You Go! Wonder how I missed The Rest of Us Just Live Here. Have a great February.
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I haven’t read a bad word about I Let You Go yet…hope you enjoy x
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I’m happy to read that you loved The Vegetarian – I just started it and love the narrator and his twisted view of his wife and her actions LOL
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I just couldn’t put it down. I so was rooting for the wife!
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