January 2019 Reading & Blogging Wrap-Up

Goodbye January & hello February!

January was a super productive month for me both in my reading & blogging!  I hope this momentum will continue throughout 2019.  I read some AMAZING books, two of which will definitely be making my “top books of 2019” list at the end of the year.

I managed to read 12 books in January! Not only that, but I read all 6 books off my January TBR!  Talk about setting the bar high in the first month of 2019.

Let’s see what I read & blogged this month…

» The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth #3) by N.K. Jemisin

A perfect & heartbreaking conclusion to a new favorite series.

You can read my review here ⇒ The Stone Sky (Broken Earth #3)

» The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa

A WWII historical fiction about a family escaping Germany on the St. Louis.  I liked the historical content, but there were a few things off with this book.

» The Thief (The Queen’s Thief #1) by Megan Whalen Turner

A slow moving book with one of the best endings I’ve read in a while.

You can read my review here ⇒ The Thief (The Queen’s Thief #1)

» The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

This book took my breath away.  This is definitely a new favorite & will most likely appear in my top books of 2019 list.

You can read my review here ⇒ The Snow Child

» Arrows of the Queen(Valdemar: Heralds of Valdemar #1) by Mercedes Lackey

*3.5 Stars*

There were so many good things going for this book!  I’m conflicted with my star rating between a 3.5 star and 4 star rating.  I will work out my thoughts in a mini-review to come.

» Every Heart A Doorway (Wayward Children #1) by Seanan McGuire

A short novella that explores what happens to children after they return from the fantastical world they’ve traveled to.  This one didn’t exactly live up to the hype for me.

You can read my review here ⇒ Every Heart A Doorway (Wayward Children #1)

» Where the River Parts by Radhika Swarup

*4.5 stars*

This book is a historical romance at its core, but it was so much more than that.  Where the River Parts is a historical fiction about the partition of Indian in 1947 into India & Pakistan.  It explores the tensions between the Muslim & Hindu people during that time.  This book is truly a hidden gem.

» Arrow’s Flight (Valdemar: Heralds of Valdemar #2) by Mercedes Lackey

*3.5 Stars*

The second book in the Heralds of Valdemar series that I am reading to participate in #ReadingValdemar.  Much like the first book there were aspect about this book I highly enjoyed, and others…not so much.

» Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud during a WWII historical fiction book…  Chris Cleave’s dry humor & witty banter was on point!

» In the Woods by Tana French

*3.5 Stars*

A crime fiction novel where the procedural aspects were well done.  This book could have been 100 pages shorter.  In the Woods didn’t shock me, which is what I want from a thriller type novel.

» Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

#YARC2019

Wonderful MG novel about a young girl in Pakistan.  The author explored very important themes in a way younger MG reader will be able to understand.

» The Winter of the Witch (Winternight #3) by Katherine Arden

Epic.  The Winter of the Witch is the best book in the Winternight Trilogy.  My heart aches that this series is complete.  One of my favorite series EVER.  Top book of 2019!

Goodreads Challenge Update:

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#YARC2019 Update:

Year of Asian Reading Challenge TBR + Progress Tracker #YARC2019

I have read 2 books in January that count towards #YARC2019!

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2019 Goals Update:

» 80% NetGalley feedback ratio = 15 backlist ARCs ⇒ 2/15 books read

I read 2 backlist ARCs this month!

» 30 physical TBR books ⇒ 4/30 books read

I read 4 books off my shelves this month.

» No buying new books ⇒ 0 books bought

» Book inventory spreadsheet ⇒ Progress made!

I completed my eBook inventory spreadsheet and begun my physical book inventory spreadsheet.  I have logged my first 100 books.

» Complete mini reviews for all books read ⇒  4/6 mini reviews completed!

Out of the 6 books eligible for mini reviews, I got a batch of 4 up on the blog this month.  The others will be lumped into a new batch in February 🙂

» Two “creative” blog posts per month ⇒ 1/2 blog posts

This month I shared my bookish spreadsheet templates, but didn’t post a second “creative blog post”

» Backup blog posts to Google Drive ⇒ Progress made!

I have successfully implemented backing up my blog posts as part of my blogging routine, so all of my January posts have been backed up.  I have also made great progress with my back list blog posts.  I decided that I will not be backing up posts like my wrap-ups, TBRs, or weekly memes like TTT or T5W.

» Read at least 3 long books I’ve been putting off ⇒ 0/3 books read

I am going to attempt to read one of these books in March… Don’t let me keep putting them off!!!

 

2018 Reading Wrap-Up + Favorite Books of 2018

Biggest Reading Disappointments of 2018

December 2018 Book Haul

January 2019 TBR

Most Anticipated Books of 2019 (January – June)

Book Review: Marrow Island by Alexis M. Smith

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2018

Bookish Goals for 2019

Book Review: Brighton Belle (Mirabelle Bevan Mystery #1) by Sara Sheridan

Bookish Spreadsheet Templates: 2019 Reading & ARC Tracking Spreadsheets

Mini Book Reviews: January 2019 – Part 1

Book Review: Everealm (Everealm #1) by J.D. Wright

Year of Asian Reading Challenge TBR + Progress Tracker #YARC2019

Book Review: The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

Kids’ Corner: Diverse Children’s Picture Books (January 2019) 

Which books did you read this month?

Have you read any of the books I read this month?  If so, what did you think?

Did you buy any books?  If so, which ones?

Comment below & let me know 🙂