It’s been a year and a half since I shared any of the books I’ve read. I’m still trying to trying to figure out the best way to share the books that I read from that period of time because I actually had a great year and a half of reading. I feel like I finally hit my reading stride again. But this year I want to stay on top of sharing the books I read. Here are the books I read in January 2021. Look below the graphic to see my fave and least fave, as well as a short review of each of the books. If you’d like a synopsis, you can find them at the end of the post. What did you read in January?
Fave Book of the Month: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Social commentary with an engaging plot and the cutest relationship between a babysitter and one of the children she babysits. đź’™
Least Fave Book of the Month: Virgin River by Robyn Carr. Just… no. Skip the book and stick to the show.
Listen to on Audiobook: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It’s like he’s talking to you, although sometimes that threw me off since our experiences are different.
If You Like: Crime Non-Fiction, The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a fascinating look at the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and the arsonist who might have caused it. Reminded me of The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson about the theft of rare feathers from the British Museum of Natural History.
Thoughts On the Others:
📚 White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo would be a good “starter” book for those who are defensive when it comes to anti-racist reads because it’s more analytical/educational and less emotional due to lived experiences.
📚 An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz will likely give some historical background that many in the US don’t have.
📚 The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren was cute and the escape I needed after some heavier reading throughout the month. Definitely enjoyed it, but might not remember it in a few months. Another one to listen to on audio.
đź“š The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is probably the most “me” book out of all these. I love a story that explores the what if’s and different paths we could have gone on. It was definitely a contender for fave, but it was a little long. I was sad when Such a Fun Age was over, but I was ready for this to be done before it was.
Here’s a summary of all the books, in the order that I read them.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: In a letter to his son, Coates discusses living as a black man in America by weaving together historical narratives, along with his own experiences.
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo: An anti-racist educator talks through some of the counterproductive reactions white people have when talking about race.
Virgin River by Robyn Carr: A nurse practitioner/midwife accepts a job in Virgin River as she looks for a fresh start following the death of her husband.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean: A lover of books, Orlean discusses her love of books and reading while taking a look at the fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and the person who might have started it.
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz: The history of the United States, looked at from the perspective of indigenous people.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: Emira is the African American babysitter of Briar, the daughter of a wealthy white couple. When they ask her take Briar out for a few hours late one night, a woman and a security guard at the grocery store they go to accuse of her kidnapping. Race and class are explored from a variety of perspectives.
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren: Design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp are about to go on tour for their book about marriage–but behind-the-scenes, the couple can’t stand each other and their marriage has already crumbled. Unable to lose their jobs, it’s up to assistants Carey and James to help the Tripp’s keep up the appearance of a loving couple during their book tour.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Ready to give up on life, Nora finds herself at the Midnight Library–a place between life and death where you can explore all the what ifs of life and explore routes not taken in search of the life you want to live.
WHAT DID YOU READ IN JANUARY?
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