January was a pretty good month. It was definitely a month with a lot of pre-orders so I got lots and lots of book mail, which was exciting. I evern chipped away at reading some of those books, which was extra fun. It was also a really good reading month. My students were very helpful in encouraging me to read a book for each day of the month. I didn’t quite succeed in that, but I read a lot, and I read a lot of very good things. You’ll find what I’ve read below, along with the books hauled.
Books I hauled in January:
- The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
- Christmas at Thorne Manor by Kelley Armstrong
- Break Up From Hell by Ann Dávila Cardinal
- The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
- Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire
- The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
- Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
- How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
- Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
- What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
- Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
- Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover
- The Reunion by Kayla Olson
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
- Babel by R.F. Kuang
Books I read in January:
1. The Giver (Graphic Novel) by Lois Lowry
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: The Giver is a novel that I have read many, many times. I enjoyed reading it as a graphic novel, and felt the adaptation was great. The use of colours was very well done. As Jonah started to see colour, more colour was implemented which was a really unique adaptation feature. I enjoyed how the story was told and the way the characters were drawn. It got across a lot of detail.
2. Voices by David Elliott
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read, and well written. It was about a subject that I didn’t know a whole lot about. I liked how the author used snippets from historical documents/from Joan of Arc’s trials. It placed the rest of the story in a strict reality. It made the whole story a lot more compelling. The poetry was well written, and I appreciate the use of shape poetry.
3. Lore Olympus, Volume 3 by Rachel Smythe
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I continue to love this series. The art is so beautiful, and I love how it has been adapted from the webcomic and put into book form. I love the slow burn development of the relationship between Persephone and Hades. Their chemistry is really obvious, and I just really enjoy seeing their dynamic.
4. The Push by Ashley Audrain
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I think that this story is going to be one that stays with me for a long time. It was definitely one that makes you think about the concept of nature versus nurture. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was in it, I found it really hard to put down. I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I also wanted to know if Violet was evil or if it was a series of unfortunate events and her mother’s twisted perspective on what happened. It was interesting that she addressed the novel to her ex-husband.
5. This Winter by Alice Oseman
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I was really excited to get into the prose works by Alice Oseman after reading the Heartstopper graphic novels. This novella was well done. I liked getting to know Tori, Charlie, and their little brother more, and getting to see their perspectives on how this Christmas went. It was interesting to fill in some of the gaps in volume 4 of Heartstopper.
6. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I have been putting off starting this series for a long time, but I’m glad that I finally picked it up. The characters were interesting and I liked the cameos from the people from Caraval. I also liked getting to see more of the Fates. The story kept me guessing. I really had no idea where it would take me next, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
7. I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I knew absolutely nothing about this event, so it was interesting to read about. I found the storyline really compelling, and I really felt for the main character and her brother. There was a good fear factor about it. The bears were quite scary, but you also feel for them. I really enjoyed the art style. It was well suited to the story.
8. I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I recently read a non-fiction graphic novel about Hurricane Katrina, so I enjoyed this one from a comparison perspective. It was also really well written, and I really felt for the characters as they lived through that catastrophe. The story was able to build a lot of suspense and a sense of danger. The art was really beautiful as well.
9. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This was an interesting story. The characters were well developed and well written. I had a couple of things that I was confused about, but on the whole it was a really compelling story, and my confusion was pretty minor. I liked the inclusion of real historical figures in the novel. The art was beautiful.
10. I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I didn’t know much about these shark attacks but there were really interesting to read about. I liked the protagonist and how he struggled to fit in. It made for a compelling character arc. There was some really good tension built into the novel, and I liked how the panels were arranged and designed.
11. I Survived the Nazi Invasion of 1944 by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This story was quite interesting. The characters were interesting as well, and I liked how it played into connections with the resistance group. The story was very action packed and it kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. It had some really good moments of tension. I really enjoyed the design of the panels.
12. I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 by Georgia Ball
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this graphic novel really interesting. I haven’t really read any historical fiction about 9/11, so it was a bit surreal to read about an event that I lived through. It was well written and well illustrated. The storyline was really compelling. I liked the extra historical information on 9/11 at the back of the novel. I was glad that the story in the graphic novel had a happy ending.
13. The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I love Stevie as a character, and it was great to get to spend more time with her but in a new setting. I really enjoyed the mystery in Box in the Woods. It felt really different from the Truly Devious series, however, it was still a mystery solved by Stevie Bell, which was great. The story was well plotted, and I love the way Maureen Johnson writes. She gets so much detail across and adds a good layer of humour to her writing even when she is writing about serious subjects. She does such a great job of layering the tension with moments of levity.
14. The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This book was interesting but probably not my favourite horror that I’ve read. I ended up having fun reading it, so I gave it four stars, however, I will admit that I wish it had more of a concrete ending. I’m looking forward to eventually watching the movie though.
15. The Babysitter’s Coven by Kate Williams
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This book took me a long time to read. I had a hard time getting into it, so I ended up putting it down and not picking it up for a long time. The idea was really interesting to me, but I felt like it was trying too hard to be teen friendly in a way that came across a little bit cringy. There were also a lot of descriptions of fashion, which I didn’t love. Ultimately, though, plot wise I had a lot of fun reading this story, and so I’m glad that I did and I think I will read the sequel, just to see what happens to the characters next.
16. Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I’m glad that I finally got to read the sequel to Crank. It was just as well written, and probably just as hard to read as Crank was. I found Kristina’s journey really interesting, but boy was it devastating to read about. It’s especially difficult when you think about how it was based off of Ellen Hopkins’ daughter. That must have been so hard for her. Kristina is a compelling narrator, and the description of addiction just feels so real.
17. Dig by A.S. King
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: Dig is a very compelling novel. There wasn’t necessarily a ton of plot in this story, but I was still really compelled by the story and the characters featured inside it. I wanted to figure out how all of the characters were connected to each other, nad what that meant for them. It was very well written, and I can tell that a lot of thought and planning went into the story.
18. Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I enjoyed reading about Tom Felton’s journey into acting and his experiences on the set of Harry Potter. It was very interesting to hear about the hijinx behind the scenes, and how he managed to have a fairly normal childhood all things considered. I loved that he narrated the audiobook, because it felt like he was the one telling me his story. It was hard to listen to in places as well, but I really appreciated that he was being authentic.
19. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I’m glad that I finally read this book, however, it is not for the faint of heart. I would definitely suggest that you look into the trigger warnings before you pick it up, because it features descriptions of self-harm and eating disorders. I deeply felt for Lia as she suggered through her delusions and also dealt with the loss of her friend. I had a hard time reading this story, but I also had a hard time putting it down.
20. Something Girl by Beth Goobie
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I love Orca Sounding books because they’re always such a quick read while not shying away from tackling difficult and complicated topics. I liked that this book was a quick read, however, the characters weren’t as well fleshed out as they could have been. Despite that, the story was really compelling and emotional. You really feel for Sophie as she deals with her father’s abuse. Her thoughts and actions felt really realistic.
21. The Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I loved that Sorcery of Thorns was a standalone, but I will admit that I loved this story. It was well written and very sweet. I loved getting to revisit the dynamic between Elizabeth and Nathaniel. I also really enjoyed getting to see Silas again. The plot was interesting as well. I liked the magical tasks and the way the house rebelled against them. I also, of course, loved the sentient books.
22. Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really enjoy Mary Kubica’s thrillers, so this was a fun read for me. I liked getting the two different perspectives on the story being told. It was fascinating to see how far the husband would go for his wife, and to see the destruction of two marriages as they played out in this particular novel. It was compelling and really kept me guessing.
23. Northwind by Gary Paulsen
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: The librarian at the school I work at recommended this book to me. It was definitely interesting, though I don’t super recommend the audiobook. I didn’t feel like the narrator really suited the story. The descriptions were really lovely, and I could really visualize what the character was dealing with. I just really struggled with the narrator of the audiobook.
24. Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: There will be a full review of this up on the blog closer to its May publication date.
25. Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I love a good Stevie Bell mystery. She’s such an interesting character. I also really enjoyed the setting and the mystery in this story. It’s very well plotted. I think the interpersonal struggles the characters were having were very realistic, and understandable. I can’t wait for the next book, at least I hope there will be more books. With the way this book ended, I really need more books.
26. Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are by Kathryn Foxfield
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: There is a full review of this up on the blog here.
27. Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I really enjoyed Alan Gratz’ newest book. It was well-written and well paced. The characters were all really interesting and I enjoyed how they all came together at the end. It was definitely a bit of a challenging read because of how very real it is. However, I highly recommend that you read it.
28. Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This is a great continuation of the series, and I didn’t find it to read like a middle book at all. It was well written, and action packed. I liked getting to know the main character more, and I also enjoyed reading more about Jacks. It’s hard to tell whether he’s trustworthy, but it’s still fun to read. There are some really interesting elements in this series, and I’m excited to see what happens in the third.
29. Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was a fascinating book. I loved the retelling aspect, and picking out the parallels to Lord of the Flies. I also enjoyed the scathing indictments of influencer culture, and how there was a really interesting mystery behind it all. The story really kept me guessing and I ended up really enjoying it.
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