My 5 favourite reads of January 2022

Hello and yes, despite the fact that we are now almost now through February, Happy New Year and welcome to my 5 favourite reads of January! 🎉

My last post was back at the end of December, which now seems so long ago, and as we’re now three weeks into February I feel that my January wrap up is now slightly overdue.

I really did start 2022 with a bang, reading 16 books! While I had planned to be a little more mindful with my reads this year, trying to encourage breaks etc, this obviously didn’t happen last month but I’m happy, and that’s the main thing!

So, instead of writing about each and every one of those books in this, let’s face it, late post, I thought I’d write about my 5 favourite reads of January 2022 and then share some information on the rest of them at the end. Sounds good? Ok let’s go!

Honourable mention goes to House of Earth and Blood, which I re-read in January in preparation for House of Sky and Breath. While this was undoubtedly a 5/5 star read for me (I was screaming, crying, shouting), I thought that as it was a re-read I’d talk about 5 new to me books this time around.

Here are my 5 favourite reads of January 2022

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

One of my top reads of 2021 was The House in the Cerulean Sea, also by T.J. Klune, so I already knew I would love this. I loved the audiobook of the former, so I tried it for this too but definitely got on with the physical copy more. There was so much I enjoyed about this, from the found family element to the teasing between friends, the relationships to the character development, but most of all the profound thoughts and discussions around life and how you spend your time on Earth really struck a chord with me. Another emotional yet life affirming novel by Klune; I can’t wait to read whatever they publish next!

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another “I’ve read and loved other books by this author so I can’t wait to read their latest!” While it wasn’t quite 5/5 stars, which I did give to Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones, I was still engrossed in this story. The exploration of this family’s lives and passing between the past and present day (which for is technically still the past!) kept me hooked, though I did enjoy reading about Mick and June in the 1960s more. It didn’t quite reach the point I expected when I first read the blurb, but would still pick up anything by this author…

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Obviously on a TJR kick, I came across this on Kindle Unlimited and couldn’t wait to dive in. A short novella, Evidence of the Affair documents one woman’s discovery of her husband’s affair, and the developing friendship with the other woman’s husband, all told through letters. Despite being less than 90 pages long, this definitely packed a punch. I could have read a full length novel about this couple but at the same time I feel like it was really the perfect length. Filled with anger, betrayal, despair and joy, I wish I could read this for the first time all over again.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

Despite reading The Kiss Quotient a few years ago and loving it, it took me a while to finally pick up the final two books in the series. I did enjoy The Bride Test but I loved this. Firstly, I need a Quan in my life (sorry George). Seriously, he has made his way to my list of favourite book boyfriends. I love how Helen creates such three dimensional characters and I know that writing this book came at an important time for her and you can really feel that through her storytelling. Featuring topics such as autism diagnosis and cancer, this book had such depth and I truly loved it.

Read This to Get Smarter by Blair Imani

A bookish resolution this year (which I didn’t post anywhere… oops) is to read a non-fiction book each month. After loving her Smarter in Seconds series on Instagram, this book was an autobuy for me. Although geared towards the U.S., the facts in this book are undeniable and many do cross over to other countries and so the content is still relatable, important and necessary. I learned so much from this book and would highly recommend!

The rest of the books I read in January

A Path of Darkness and Runes by Marnie Norton – 3/5 stars | House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (re-read) – 5/5 stars | Cream and Punishment by Susannah Nix – 3.5/5 stars | Earn Your Extra Credit by Meghan Quinn – 4/5 stars | Darling Venom by Parker S. Huntington – 2/5 stars | Lessons in Corruption by Giana Darling – 2.5/5 stars | Put Me in Detention by Meghan Quinn – 3/5 stars | The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – 4/5 stars | Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado – 3.5/5 stars | Ignite by Melanie Harlow – 3.5/5 stars | Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy – 3.5/5 stars