I’m pretty much done with January books (although I will slide in one short memoir when it releases tomorrow) and it was a surprising reading month. The books that worked for me were not my usual fare. You’ll hear more in tomorrow’s January 2019 Books to Read (and Skip) post.
I’m excited to dig into February releases since there are a lot of books coming out in February that I’m excited about!
Podcast
Episode 2 of the Sarah’s Book Shelves Live podcast came out last week! Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books and I share 18 books we’re excited about in our Winter 2019 Book Preview (more details here).
Episode 3, Fiction Audiobook Recommendations with Susie of Novel Visits, is coming on Wednesday!
New on the Blog
- My Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2019 – includes lots of books I didn’t talk about on the podcast (and a few I did).
- My 2018 Reading and Blogging Stats – including why I’m not setting a 2019 quantity goal and what goal I’m setting instead.
- 2019 Rock Your Reading Tracker – I used my “Rock Your Reading Tracker” this year to track all my reading stats in real time and figure out who my best recommendation sources are…and, my reading QUALITY improved 42% from last year! The new and improved 2019 tracker is now available for $14.99…get more details here!
Hosted by The Book Date.
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I finished reading…
The Suspect
A solid straight-up mystery partially set in Thailand. Mini review coming tomorrow.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
Talk to Me
I’m almost finished with this Brain Candy about a newscaster who falls from grace and it’s a fun meditation on today’s media climate. Smartly written and snarky. Mini review coming tomorrow.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
Sugar Run
DNF at 18%
I was really excited about this one…the premise seemed right up my alley. But, I ended up feeling really disconnected from the characters and felt like too large a percentage of the writing described scenery and surroundings rather than focused on the characters.
Upcoming reading plans…
Joy Enough
Annie Jones from From the Front Porch podcast loved this memoir from a grown daughter caring for her mother who has cancer. And, I talked about it on my Winter 2019 Book Preview podcast episode.
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I took a week off.
Two Years Ago: I was reading a string of dark books.
How was your reading week?
bermudaonion (Kathy)
It sounds like I need to pick up The Suspect.
Ellie
February does seem like a massive month for new releases. There are certainly more new books I want to read than time to read them all.
Beth F
I have the Suspect on my list … Work’s been killing my reading time lately, but hope that changes soon.
Susie | Novel Visits
Talk To Me does sound fun. It’s one I never really considered. I’ll be really interested to hear what you think of Joy Enough. The writing just didn’t work for me, and even though there were portions of her memoir I thought were solid, much of it rambled.
JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing
Talk to Me sounds like fun… this is the first I’ve heard of it. Will look for your mini-review tomorrow!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I’ve been wanting to read The Suspect…and now I’m also curious about Talk to Me. Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Kathy Martin
I keep meaning to try Fiona Barton. This book does sound good. I hope you continue to find great books now that you are into February’s. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Amanda
Ah! As soon as I heard about Sugar Run I knew a) I wanted it, b) you’d read it and vet it first 🙂 bust. I will put it on the library list to try eventually though.
Sarah Dickinson
Ugh. Sorry 🙁 I almost wonder if I’m not as into Grit Lit as I used to be. It’s been a long time since I really enjoyed one.
Pussreboots
Sugar Run is on my wishlist. My weekly update.
Tina
I love your love of Brain Candy. I need more of it in my life!
Sarah Dickinson
Amen sister!