What I Read In January 2021

And just like that, the first month of the new year is complete! If I had to categorize January, I’d say that it was grey and sluggish. I struggled with my morning and evening routines, struggled to nourish my body with healthy foods, struggled to find balance.

Our new year didn’t start out on a great foot, I’m more angry and frustrated with the pandemic than I have been since it began, and I’m feeling more and more hopeless about the possibility of having the wedding we dreamed of, after postponing three times. Sigh.

But, I did read 11 books which is pretty average for me so I’m pleased with my ability to escape into some pages when the days felt bleak.

What I Read in January

New Years Kiss by Lee Matthews—This was a fun and festive book to read in one sitting on New Year’s Day! It was cute, very YA, and easy to read. It has a great atmosphere!

You Have a Match by Emma Lord—I need to give up on Emma Lord’s books, they’re just not for me. I love YA but sometimes I am painfully aware that I am not the intended target reader and that was true for this one!

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare—My first foray into historical romance! This book is hot and steamy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton!

Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis—One of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and it was so satisfying to read right when it arrived in the mail! That’s a feeling I miss with my most anticipated books so I was happy to fall right into this world. Review here and it definitely made me miss Broadway and the city.

The Comeback by E.L. Shen—I adored this middle grade novel about a competitive figure skater! Even though I am not twelve, like the main character, I still was able to enjoy this book. It is enjoyable for readers of all ages!

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas—Probably my favorite read of the month! Angie Thomas writes the most vivid characters and I fell in love with Maverick’s story. I loved his vulnerability and humor, his friends and family, his home. It’s such a good book, you’ll want to read it in one sitting!

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob—Another favorite of mine! This set me off on a graphic novel binge and I can’t recommend it enough! Mira’s story is full of nuggets of priceless information and wisdom and the format is really digestible.

March: Book One, Two, and Three by John Lewis—These three books are a must read and need to be in every classroom in America. There are some graphic moments, so young readers may have questions, but they are real so I think that is more important.

All They Want For Christmas by Angie J. Christopher—I needed a fast romance after four heavier books and uh…this was fast and as Ashley would say, Romance with a capital R. Don’t read if you don’t like taboo romance topics or steam because this is pretty much all steam! But I will say, I have no issue with explicit intimacy in books. Sex is natural and healthy and I wish didn’t get such a bad reputation.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (reread)—It has been a huge joy for me to reread this series slowly in preparation for A Court of Silver Flames out this month! If you’ve been around a while, you know I love this series for a lot of sentimental reasons.

In February, I am aiming to find routine and progress again. Routine for work and routine in my mornings/evenings. Reading lots of romance and carving out time to journal every day. I also really want to get back into a solid writing routine.

So if you haven’t guessed it…my word of the Month is ROUTINE. What about you?