JANUARY 2022 WRAP UP

11 Books with 2 New Favorites!

My first post! It feels so right starting on the first month of a new year. 2022 is shaping up to be a fantastic reading year. I was a mood reader this month – funny because I read a book called “The Book of Moods”. Today I’ll be sharing my JANUARY 2022 BOOK WRAP UP!

There are some definite new favorites in this group – books I will PUSH on you all!

Open up your Goodreads account and get ready to add some of these to your “want to read” lists!

Good Rich People – by Eliza Jane Brazier

RATING ★★★☆☆

I was not sure about this one. I wanted to love it. I heard it was pretty disturbing which is something I actually look for in a thriller. I want to be shocked and I feel like it takes a lot to really do that to me. This book was twisty and weird which is why I kept going but I was not loving the characters. The interesting part of this is… I don’t think I was supposed to like them. I have a feeling this is going to be a popular book this year and if you’re interested in reading something different and hard to classify then I’d give this one a shot – but it may leave you feeling “meh” like it left me.

The Nightingale: A Novel – by Kristin Hannah

RATING ★★★★★

MY NEW ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK! You heard it here – but not first. I’ve been telling everyone about my love for this historical fiction novel by a very well-loved author. I sat on this for entirely too long. My mom, mother-in-law, multiple friends, the entire internet and more told me I would love this book and I did. I really, really did! I read this on the treadmill, in my bed, while trying to blow-dry my hair and in my favorite reading chair.

I felt like I was right in the book with Vianne and Isabelle. I felt the fear when Vianne wanted to protect her children. I felt Isabelle’s desire to rebel and follow her instincts to help in any way she knew how. I loved how this was based on a true story and that we got to see a different side of what was going on in German-occupied France during World War II. This was the side of how important the roles of women were during this war. I know this book isn’t a new one but if you haven’t read it and have been considering it – do yourself a favor and make this your next read.

After I Do: A Novel – by Taylor Jenkins Reid

RATING ★★★★☆

TJR is honestly one of the best! I am a huge fan of Seven Husbands and Daisy Jones (2 – 5 star reads for me!) After I Do was great. It was intense because it was relatable. This story is about a marriage that starts out brilliantly – full of fire and passion. The honeymoon phase ends and we are left with 2 people who are constantly taking digs at one another and who are feeling “loveless”. Seeing as how I’ve been married since 2015 and am currently raising 2 small children with my husband, I can see how easy it is to fall into a rut. I know, for a fact; however, that the steps this couple takes to “salvage” their marriage are not ones that my husband and I would ever embark on. This book was a VERY fast read and I would recommend every single book TJR writes so this one is a good one to add to your list!

The Next Wife – by Kaira Rouda

RATING ★★☆☆☆

This one was a struggle for me. I’m going to just start with that. I was very excited about this book. The cover is a wow-factor, the premise sounds super intriguing and domestic thrillers are my JAM! I wanted to love this so much but what I found myself reading was a merry-go-round of phrases. The same thoughts and context was coming back over and over. I wanted the story to drive forward but it felt like Groundhog Day in a way. I don’t hate this book I just wouldn’t recommend it as your next read and would probably suggest trying a book like The Last Mrs. Parrish if you’re looking for your next great domestic thriller.

The Girl Before: A Novel – by JP Delaney

RATING ★★★★☆

What a WEIRD ride that was. The writing style was so neat! I loved the atmosphere of the setting of a modern home. The characters were very fun to read along with and I definitely get why some people classify this as a must read. This is going to be a 4-part adaptation by HBO Max which I am so excited for. I don’t want to give anything away with this one. I went in blind and highly suggest you do as well!

A History of Wild Places: A Novel – by Shea Ernshaw

RATING ★★★★★

BEST BOOK BEST BOOK BEST BOOK ALERT! Am I yelling? Yes! A History of Wild Places was ENGROSSING! I was camped out under the covers at 3 AM trying to finish this book and I did. I devoured Shea Ernshaw’s novel and wish I could go back and re-read it for the first time again. I am recommending this to everyone I know. My own mother took my copy from me to Arizona with her and I’m going to fly there in March to retrieve it – if she hasn’t read it by then… too bad so sad. Her loss. GO IN BLIND! Do not read anything about this book other than my review right now. If you haven’t brushed your teeth, gone to the bathroom, said hi to your significant other.. anything.. who cares. None of that matters more than getting your hands on a copy of this book right now. Do it. NOW! PLEASE! And then let me know how you feel about it.

In Five Years: A Novel – by Rebecca Serle

RATING ★★★☆☆

I kept being told to keep my tissues out for In Five Years. Rebecca Serle was supposedly going to “break me” with this novel. I was ready for it! I think I was too ready.. because I did not cry. Am I heartless? Maybe (no – I’m not – I swear). I think the issue for me with this read is that my expectations were too high. I am the person who cries when an egg falls out of a nest. I cry when I see an older person eating alone at a restaurant. I am supposed to be the person who would cry at this type of story. I think maybe it was bad timing for me? Am I making excuses here? I just didn’t LOVE it like I thought I would This was an okay book and had a lot of hype. I think it’s going to be a game time decision for you if you love it or not. I’m curious as to your thoughts.

Sleet Sugar: Book Two of the Sleet Series – by S.J. Tilly

RATING ★★★★★

There is something about this Sleet Series that I just LOVE. Maybe it is that S.J. Tilly is such a genuine soul. She sent me a copy of her first book, Sleet Kitten and I ate that one right up. It was the cutest story ever. I’m a sucker for a sports romance novel and hockey is my go to. I loved the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy and this Sleet Series gives me that same type of energy with a little bit more sweetness. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fun book that could definitely make an adorable rom-com movie!!

The Book of Moods: How I Turned My Worst Emotions Into My Best Life – by Lauren Martin

RATING ★★★★★

My only non-fiction book this month did NOT disappoint. It actually WOWED. The Book of Moods was such a perfect book for me this month. I’ve been finding that little-tiny triggers set me down a path of negative moods. For example – if I forgot to empty one of the garbage cans in my house on garbage day, I would find myself snapping at my husband later on when he mentions something insignificant like “we need more eggs”. My own mistake put a damper on my mood which also impacted the moods of everyone around me. This book by Lauren Martin is very educational when it comes to understanding why our moods happen and how we can turn them around or give ourselves watch outs to avoid that draining negative mood we find ourselves in so often. Read this if you’re a person. That is all.

Without Merit: A Novel – by Colleen Hoover

Oh Colleen – my favorite author. The writer of epic novels. This one was fine!

RATING ★★★★☆

The story was about Merit, a depressed teenager living in a church-house with her bizzare family. This family is full of secrets and it seems like Merit knows all of them. I definitely felt for Merit as she went on day to day living with this toxic bunch of coconuts. The more days that go by since reading this book the more I think I appreciate it. The feature of mental health in Without Merit is beautiful and necessary for the time we are in. This isn’t a new book but it is timeless.

The Wife Stalker: A Novel – by Liv Constantine

RATING ★★★★☆

I needed this one to cap off the phenomenal month that was January, 2022. The Wife Stalker was not easy to predict. I definitely figured it out but I’m not sure if the average person would have figured it out. My mind is a twisy and weird place to live. I was all over the place trying to guess what was happening which is so fun for me. I was re-reading chapters to see if I was on to something and this felt like a game! I highly suggest reading this book if you loved The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine – she keeps on bringing out some fun and twisty books! Love it!

Thank you for coming along on this wrap up with me and I can’t wait to see what February, 2022 brings! I’m always open to suggestions and would love to know your thoughts on the books I read! Let’s chat!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small compensation to help support my blog if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.