A new year means new reading goals! Once again, this year I set my goodreads book goal for 52 books. Reading one book a week seems doable. This month, started out well with five books read and most of them were four star reads! Here are my January reads of 2023:
3 stars:
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman (Thriller/Mystery, September 2022) Harriet is engaged to Edward, who is heir to his family’s fortune. Robert, Edward’s father gives Harriet a tape, in which he makes a startling confession. She is then put to the test when she becomes a participant in the family’s Christmas game. This book was suspenseful, but I found it so unrealistic on so many levels.
4 stars:
The Block Party by Jamie Day (Thriller, July 2023) ARC c/o NetGalley – It’s the Alton Road annual Memorial Day Block Party. But this year, someone ends up murdered. Interspersed through the story is gossip and speculation via the Meadowbrook community Facebook group. As we find out more about the families of Alton Road, we learn that there are many secrets being kept. The story had me guessing and was intriguing enough to keep me interested.
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Historical Fiction, March 2022) It’s the 1960’s and Elizabeth Zott is trying to make her mark as a chemist in the male-dominated field. While working at Hastings Research Institute, she meets Nobel-prize nominated Calvin Evans and the two hit it off. Several years later, Zott is a single mom who ends up with a television show called Supper at Six, where she empowers women to take charge of their lives. I knew nothing about this book before reading it. I really enjoyed Zott’s character as a strong, independent woman, when women weren’t treated as equals to men.
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship by Kim Fay (Historical Fiction, February 2022) 1960’s America and Joan and Imogen become pen pals. The book is told through their letters as they bond over their love of food and reveal details of their personal lives. This was a short and enjoyable read.
The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World by Cynthia Clumeck Muchnick and Jenn Bowie Curtis (nonfiction, September 2020) This parenting book explores supporting teen mental health and navigating the academics of high school and the college admissions process. As a parent of two teens, I found this book to be a helpful resource.
What were your favorite January reads?
I really enjoyed Love and Saffron but I struggled with Chemistry Lessons book and ultimately didn’t finish it. I think Block Party sounds like a fun read.