Even if it does feel like the longest month on earth, we are finally at the end of January which means I can share my January reads post with you. I've done quite a lot of these over the years and they've always proven popular because there is always someone, somewhere looking for book recommendations.
I'm on book seven at the moment so I have six titles to share with you in this post. There's a real variety so I'm sure you'll find something to pick up and read.
Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon
Chick lit has always been a favourite of mine and Jane Fallon has fast become my go-to author for a bit of escapism. This is the sixth book I've read of hers and I always whizz through them because they're just that good. Getting Rid of Matthew is about an affair, a long-term lover and how everything comes crashing down - if you don't like stories about adultery then this won't be for you but they are written in a way that isn't promoted as a good thing - I hope that makes sense! I've just ordered another three of hers from eBay as my friend and I swap these between us all the time!
Chick lit has always been a favourite of mine and Jane Fallon has fast become my go-to author for a bit of escapism. This is the sixth book I've read of hers and I always whizz through them because they're just that good. Getting Rid of Matthew is about an affair, a long-term lover and how everything comes crashing down - if you don't like stories about adultery then this won't be for you but they are written in a way that isn't promoted as a good thing - I hope that makes sense! I've just ordered another three of hers from eBay as my friend and I swap these between us all the time!
The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen
I take part in read-a-longs with Tandem Collective every few months and it's one of my favourite things to do as it's always a book I wouldn't necessarily pick up myself. The Other Half of Augusta Hope was one of those books and although I warmed to it by the last page, I didn't love it. It follows the story of Augusta on a search of where she belongs when an awful tragedy turns everything on its head. It's beautifully written and intoxicating, the words throughout take you on a wonderful journey but I didn't warm to Augusta, to be honest, I didn't like her much at all and I think that is why I didn't love the book. Am I glad I read it? Yes but I wouldn't pick it up again, it's going into our book club for someone else to read.
Your Life in My Hands by Rachel Clarke
I love a medical-based book, I find them fascinating so Your Life in My Hands is one of a long list I've wanted to read recently. This wasn't quite what I expected but I loved it regardless. I was expecting stories from the wards when really this gives an informative and educational insight into Jeremy Hunt's rampage against Junior Doctors and what it was really like on the picket line.
If you use the NHS, you should read this - it's a great look at what is really going on in our hospitals.
I love a medical-based book, I find them fascinating so Your Life in My Hands is one of a long list I've wanted to read recently. This wasn't quite what I expected but I loved it regardless. I was expecting stories from the wards when really this gives an informative and educational insight into Jeremy Hunt's rampage against Junior Doctors and what it was really like on the picket line.
If you use the NHS, you should read this - it's a great look at what is really going on in our hospitals.
Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris
I openly admit I have quite a morbid fascination with the world wars and Auschwitz as I read quite a lot of books about it. I think it has more to do with learning as much as possible as I believe we should all know how gut-wrenchingly catastrophic it was and try and comprehend exactly what those who experienced it, went through. Cilka's Journey is the sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz and one I was eager to read. It is based on facts but the bulk of it is fiction as there wasn't much available about Cilka to help weave the story together. It makes me so sad that Cilka's hell continued after Auschwitz and I think it's so important to keep these stories and memories alive.
The Binding by Bridget Collins
This was another book I read as part of a read-a-long with Tandem Collective and one I definitely wouldn't have picked up myself. I'm not massively into mystical and magical books, I think it's because I'm too much of a realist but I liked the description of this and thought why not. It's written in three parts and it wasn't until I reached the second part that I really felt myself getting into this. It's a bit of a slow burner but once I was there, I couldn't put it down - it's totally spellbinding and completely beautiful. The cover is also gorgeous so if pretty books are your thing, you'll love this one.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
If you have the personality of a cactus, then this one is for you. I breezed through this one and really loved it, it's full of heart, emotion and wonderfully funny. I found Susan, the main character strangely loveable and I couldn't wait for the inevitable ending.
It's a brilliantly lovely book if you need something easy and light-hearted to read.
