Kira Jeanette

Hello! Despite us being well into 2024 now, this is actually my first post of 2024!

If you were following me last year, and were reading my posts during Blogmas, you will likely be aware that Blogmas did not really go to plan. There are two reasons for this:

• I lost motivation. I pushed myself too fast and too hard and it resulted in me not being able to post everyday. That is okay.
• I was too busy… reading! Ironic I know – I couldn’t talk about books on the internet because I was too busy reading. But, if you have been a follower of mine for quite some time, you might know that I really struggle with reading slumps, and for the first time in a while, I can truthfully say I am doing really well at combatting my reading slump.

As Blogmas did not go to plan, I didn’t get to post a lot of discussions surrounding my goals for the new year, books that I am excited for, and books I read in December/my yearly wrap up. So many posts that I did not get to do, so let me know if you want me to return to them in the future and tell you all about them!

For today though, I am going to get in to my January wrap up.

Books Read: 7

Pages Read: 2,501

Format:

• Audiobook: 6
• Physical: 1

Genre:

• Fantasy: 6         
  • Dark Academia: 2
• • High Fantasy: 3
  • Magical Realism: 1
• Poetry: 1

Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

I have this superstition every year that the first book that I read every year, has to be a 5 star read. To name a couple of examples: last year it was Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim and in 2017, my first read of the year was A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. As many know, the latter is still one of my favourites and I reread it all the time. I wanted to continue this into 2024 and I did take a bit of a gamble.

I had been seeing Fourth Wing everywhere. This book was getting hype outside of the core book community and that could either mean two things for me: that I am going to love it or be disappointed. Thankfully, I absolutely loved this book! It had me laughing, smiling and giggling like a fool, and also balling my eyes out. It was such a fast paced novel and really took off from page one. I don’t think I have ever read a book one in a fantasy series where it was so fast paced.

I finished Fourth Wing really late at night and it took everything in me not to start Iron Flame straight away, but I do think if I had started book two straight away, I very well may have missed work the next day. I loved Iron Flame just as much as book one and I have not been so stunned by a cliff hanger in a long while. I cannot wait for the third book to come out.

The Garden by Tomi Adeyemi

On YouTube, I saw Cari Can Read rave about The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow. When I went to check it out I realised it was a collaborative series called Into Shadow. These are collaborative short stories all by different authors, so I decided to check them all out. The Garden is book one and if I am being completely honest, I didn’t really enjoy it. I thought the writing style was stunning but nothing happened. It is a short story, so there isn’t exactly a lot of time or space to work with, but I was still hoping for a little more from it.

 

The Atlas Six and Sacred Hospitality by Olivie Blake

Next, I finally read The Atlas Six. I have had this one on my TBR shelf for a while now, so when the third novel turned up on my doorstep after its release early in January, I decided that it was finally time that I read this series. It is another one that is quite hyped up, so I was a little wary going in. It did not hook me straight off, but I think that has to do with that there are six main characters and six perspectives to get your head around. I did listen to the audiobook for this one, and I don’t necessarily think that was the right choice. When I read the second one, I will be either following along with the novel whilst listening to the audiobook or reading it physically.

All that being said, it was still a really enjoyable book. Once I got into the groove, it became very difficult to put it down. There were so many characters though, and I am still trying to decide which ones I can trust or which one is my favourite. I am actually going to be hopefully starting book two very soon.

I also read the short novel Sacred Hospitality associated with the series. I don’t think it added a whole lot of depth to the overall series, but it was still a fun read. Particularly the funny scenes between rivals Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

Next, I read House of Earth and Blood in preparation for House of Flame and Shadow being released. As of writing this post, I have already finished the third instalment…and wow. I will share more of those thoughts in my February wrap up though. As for book one though, this was the third time I have read this novel and honestly I think it was my favourite time. There is something about this series that is just aging like wine to me. I think this is by far Sarah J Maas’ best work and the writing style throughout the series is phenomenal.

The Little Mermaid (Or How to Find Love Underwater) by J.M Farkas & illustrated by Gina Triplett

As a little break from fantasy and as the break between House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, I decided to pick up a short poetry book. This one in particular is a blackout poetry version of the classic fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” The poet spins a twist on the story and turns it into an empowering message where the girl loves the sea and her body. It was a lovely poem, and I can see myself reaching to pick this up quite often.

I had a great reading month in January! Especially considering how awful of a reading year the last couple of years have been. I think I have finally worked out my own pace, as well as stopped comparing how much I am reading compared to other people on the internet. I think I have finally come to the realisation that I am never going to be the type of reader who reads 200 books a year, and I am okay with that! I have also figured out a good routine. I am reading every day and have carved out time specifically designated to reading, so I am very happy with how this reading year is going so far.

Let me know below what you read in January and which one was your favourite?

Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Bookshop Affiliate Link ~ Goodreads ~ TikTok