It is practically the end of February and I have not posted my January reads yet. Well, I have been busy reading – ha! Not the way I intended to start the year, but not surprising either. In the spirit of catch-up, I will make this one quick.
I completed 5 books in January and one of which easily will make my list of top 10 books ever. The Heart’s Invisible Furies was so good I dare to say that EVERYONE should read it. It is that good. There was also one book this month that was a DNF. Two of my books that I completed in January are a part of my 2022 To Read List, so that is a good way to start the year – with two big check marks. They were both great too, easily my best reads of the month.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies – John Boyne
This is a long one, no doubt. And I was a tad overwhelmed with its length – which is why it took me about 2 years to move it from the top of my TBR list to actually read it. What a mistake that was! This is an amazing book and likely one of the best I have ever had the good fortune to devour. Mr. Boyne weaves a complicated tale as we meet Cyril Avery. “Cyril Avery is not a real Avery or at least that’s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be.” You will hear that sentence over and over just as Cyril did. Cyril struggles his entire life to find himself, his place in the world and his path. It is so completely heartbreaking that you will wonder how many times can a book break your heart and yet remain to be one of the best books you have ever read? I will never forget Cyril’s story.
🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
The Girl with the Louding Voice – Abi Dare
Adunni is a teenage girl growing up in Nigeria that wants nothing more than receive an education and make something of herself. Instead, she is subject to a system of arranged marriages for trade and continuously plotting how she can change her circumstances. It is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting and a reminder of what is going on in other places in the world (today!) as well as and the human spirit and drive for survival.
🍷🍷🍷🍷1/2
When Ghosts Come Home – Wiley Cash
Although I don’t remember who at the moment, I picked this one out from another book blogger’s recommendation. As she suggested, I went with the audible version. While I was drawn in by the story, I never got over the very heavy feelings that start in this book early on. It is all very sad. While entertaining and I was drawn in, I could never move far past those initial feelings to become deeply connected to the characters, probably because I couldn’t get past the train wreck occurring. I wanted to really enjoy the book but I couldn’t quite get there and I really didn’t like the ending. An entertaining read but was missing something for me.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Chloe Cates is Missing – Mandy McHugh
Jennifer Scarborough is a mommy blogger that controls and exploits her now 13 year old daughter Abby in every way to get enough clicks and likes for financial gain. She has lost touch with reality and built a perfect persona for her family, which is known at the Cates Family. The Cates family seems perfect and is nothing like the Scarborough’s. It is completely messed up. Think Kardashians meets Hannah Montana. One day Abby, who her mom only refers to as Chloe, is missing. Add to all that a police detective that has a past with Jennifer and you’ve got yourself a pretty unbelievable story.
While fairly entertaining, this mom was so horrible that I couldn’t enjoy the book fully. It is a dark, family drama that will mostly keep you guessing and scratching your head and wondering, Why?
Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Chloe Cates is Missing is now available.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
My Lady Jane – Cynthia Hand
This is a goofy little book that also was recommended as delightful read. Being that I recently saw the musical Six in NYC, I decided to give it a go. While entertaining, I often struggle with fantasy/magic and suspending reality. King Edward is dying and he wishes his bestie and cousin Lady Jane the bookworm to become the Queen of England upon his death. He has arranged for Jane to marry Gifford – however Gifford has this rather odd condition that he becomes a horse for half of the day, every day. The whole thing is a mix of loose history, comedy, magical fantasy and conspiracy. I did listen to this one and it was entertaining enough while engaged in other tasks but was a bit too far from reality to ever fully embrace.
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DNF – Somebody’s Home – Kaira Rouda
Book of the Month – The Heart’s Invisible Furies – John Boyne – Could be my book of the year! Time will tell.
