January Book Report
January Book Report
scattered reading to start the year
January was a long year, yeah?
After a 2023 with lots of ice cream books, or brain candy as a friend said recently, I had lofty aspirations to read more vegetables this year. I don’t think the metaphor fully lands… but what I mean is that I want to be more intentional with my reading this year and I hope to sit with some non-fiction books that are already on my shelves.
Or that was my new year aspiration.
And then, January began! One million years ago.
I’ve felt pretty scattered and distracted this month and reentry to the daily grind has been a lot. My book selection has looked like this:
I’ve pulled a LOT of books off the shelf, checked out a ton from the library, and started reading many of them. They’re all stacked haphazardly around the house. Occasionally, I’ll pick one up that I want to read only to get distracted and move it to another pile without actually opening the book.
It is Tournament of Books season, though, which gave me some direction - thank goodness!
Don’t know about the TOB? Learn all about it here — you’re welcome! Remember I mentioned how my competitive nature bleeds into my joy of reading? Well the TOB and the vibrant commentariat meets me in this overlapping space and it’s a joy! This won’t be the last you hear me get excited about the TOB.
As the forever-long month went on, I did settle into more of a rhythm. In fact, I’m currently reading two books I’m LOVING that I’m already excited to share at the end of February.
But for now, let me share the random assortment of my reading from this month.
Disclaimer: potential spoiler alert! I may leak some story elements in the below reviews – continue at your own risk. Also, I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org where your purchases support local bookstores. If you use the links below to make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks!
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
What a book to start the year with! I am not exaggerating when I say that reading this with intention and working to figure out my Enneagram type has the power to change my life.
I have been peripherally inerested in the Enneagram for a while and had this book on my shelf for years; I’m not sure what took me so long to pick it up and start reading. With uncharacteristic behavior, I went back and re-read many chapters, paused to reflect and take notes, and read parts aloud to my husband. It was fascinating and in fact, I’m still sitting with and processeing all that I learned.
Based on my reading and current understanding, I think I’m an 7w8 and I can tell I’ve just scratched the surface of how this tool can help me understand and live in the world.
Are you into the Enneagram? Any other book recs for me? Please share! I want to keep learning.
American Mermaid by Julia Langbein
This one’s from the TOB bracket and I was gripped as soon as I began. The description was a bit strange and I wasn’t sure what to expect but enjoyed that the story was peppered with mermaid-based marine biology, a little fantasy sci-fi, conspiracy theories, and the Hollywood party scene all at the same time. But the whole story had a languishing feel and the middle especially lagged for me. Then the end was a crescendo of drama that felt rather abrupt. Despite the whiplash, I enjoyed it!
The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante
If you were following along for my 2023 Books in Review, you knew this was coming. I finished! And was completely unsatisfied. Have you read this series? Can we please talk about it? I desperately want to understand what I’m missing here — the hype is completely lost on me.
I did not like either of the main characters and their relationship - the focal point of the series’ entire narrative arc - is not what I would describe as friendly. They aren’t authentic with one another and are often horrible to each other. And then the ending was wildly abrupt! The weak resolution was quick and without detail, which perhaps fit with the vibe but was not what I wanted. I just, ugh.
Seriously, who will talk to me about these books?! I need to continue processing.
Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky
This is a book I never would have chosen to read if it had not been on the TOB list (one reason I love the TOB!). In this quick-read graphic novel, Sammie - a newly-out trans artist’s assistant - travels to a futuristic, lawless floating city for his college best friend’s bachelor party. Sammie - the “best man” of the group - immediately questions their decision to go and things go horrifically awry. The story is weird, hilarious, and tender.
Honorable Mention
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling - honorable mention only because no one needs me to wax poetic about my love for HP every month.
I listen to the entire audiobook collection once a year and this just happens to be where I am in the series right now. Jim Dale in my ears reading Harry Potter is like the softest comfort blanket known to man. He helps me fold laundry, do dishes, stay sane in traffic, and sometimes puts me to sleep when I’m anxious and my mind is reeling. No need to say anything else here – if you’re not already a Harry Potter fan, this is not the place for me to sway you. What I WILL say, though, is that if you are an HP fan and haven’t read the series via audio yet, you are missing out on a glorious masterpiece.
How did your reading year start? Leave a comment to let me know! As always, I’d love to add your recommendations to my TBR list.