My January Book List | 2021

I bought quite a few new books last year but didn’t get round to reading any of them because I just didn’t feel motivated to. This year however, I’m determined to get back into reading and I’ve even signed up to Goodreads to keep myself on track. I’ve given myself a small target of 10 books 🙂

I thought writing a post about the books I’ve read, what I’m reading and what I’m going to read next would also help to motivate me and also maybe give some of you some recommendations on what to read 🙂

The last book I read:

I finally finished Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer at the start of January, after starting it back in September!! I picked up a hardback copy in Asda for £10.

Synopsis:

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?
In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

Verdict:

The book is the retelling of Twilight from Edward’s perspective and it gave me all the nostalgic feels!! If you’ve read Twilight and/or seen the films, you pretty much know what’s going to happen, although I liked the fact you got to read more of Edward’s backstory, plus there was more backstory on the other Cullens too.

At the beginning of the book I delved right in and was taken right back to the world of Twilight as though I’d never left. However, a few chapters along, I wasn’t particularly gripped by the book anymore as it was, for the most part, incredibly predictable. I ended up taking about 4 months to get through it because I just didn’t think to pick it up and read it when I had some spare time to relax.

If you were a Twilight fan back in the day, and you were looking forward to reading the book until some of it got leaked on the internet and Stephenie abandoned it, I’d definitely recommend it, otherwise not so much.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading All Fall Down by MJ Arlidge. I picked it up from Asda in the 2 for £8 section and was drawn to the front cover (yeah I know what they say about front covers, but I’m a visual person and good front covers draw me in). I didn’t realise that when I picked it up, it was actually the 9th book in the DI Helen Grace series, so I might have to buy the other 8 (if I enjoy it).

Synopsis:

“You have one hour to live.”
Those are the only words on the phone call. Then they hang up. Surely, a prank? A mistake? A wrong number? Anything but the chilling truth… That someone is watching, waiting, working to take your life in one hour.
But why?
The job of finding out falls to DI Helen Grace: a woman with a track record in hunting killers. However, this is a case where the killer seems to always be one step ahead of the police and the victims.
With no motive, no leads, no clues – nothing but pure fear – an hour can last a lifetime…

How I’m finding it so far:

I’m really enjoying it and I’ve been struggling to put it down! It’s definitely my kind of book; mystery, intrigue and lots of murders!

What I might read next:

I want to read something a bit more light-hearted so I think I’m going to crack open Christmas Shopaholic from Sophie Kinsella. I got this book as my other 2 for £8 choice from Asda. I love reading Sophie Kinsella books and I have a few in my collection, although I’m not sure I’ve ever read any of the Shopaholics books (I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the film though!!)

Synopsis:

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It’s always the same – Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door neighbours coming round for sherry in their terrible festive jumpers.
And now it’s even easier with online bargain-shopping sites – if you spend enough you even get free delivery. Sorted!
But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky’s parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she’ll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong?
With sister Jess demanding a vegan turkey, husband Luke determined that he just wants aftershave again, and little Minnie insisting on a very specific picnic hamper – surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear . . .
Will chaos ensue, or will Becky manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas?

What are you currently reading? What have you just finished? I’d love it if you left some book recommendations in the comments below 🙂 xx

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14 Comments

  1. I’ve not read any of these books but I’ve just finished Where The Crawdads Sing which was AMAZING! And I’m halfway through re-reading the His Dark Materials Trilogy, which is even better than I remember 🙂 x

    1. I’ve heard so many things about Where The Crawdads Sing, I might have to get a copy 🙂 I’ve not read His Dark Materials before! 🙂 xx

  2. I am reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It is sooo good. You’ll have to check it out.

    Helen
    Tea in the Tub

  3. Im currently reading ‘What you did’ by Claire McGowan. I was gifted a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas as well as Prime books, this is the first book I’ve downloaded and I cannot stop reading it! Its really gripping, highly recommend.

    1. Oh, I’ve just read the synopsis and it sounds exactly like the kind of book I love!! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂 xx

  4. I do love a good crime/mystery novel so I’m definitely going to check out the DI Helen Grace series. I’ve not heard of them before.

  5. Nice post! I’m looking forward to your update on ‘All fall down’ as that’s my kinda book too! Although I too have signed up for Good Reads so that I can get more recommendations for things I wouldn’t normally read or know about – jig things up a little bit. I just read ‘sometime I lie’ by Alice Feeney of a recommendation on there, which I enjoyed – it was along the crime mystery vein that we like, about a woman in a coma that was still mentally aware of her surroundings and was trying to piece things together about what led her there. It kept me hooked till the end, I really enjoyed it. I’m thinking of going down the science fiction route next, so I’m going to look at some of the Good Reads lists for some good ideas!

    1. Thanks, I’ve nearly finished All Fall Down so it won’t be long until there’s a review on the blog 🙂 Oh I didn’t think to use Goodreads for recommendations, thanks for the tip!!

      Ohh, that sounds like my kind of book so I’ll have to check it out! Thanks 🙂 xx

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