Bookish Thoughts for January
The biggest highlight of January was adding to my home library thanks to many thoughtful birthday gifts. Through a combination of birthday money, gift cards, and gifting, I added 14 books to my collection this month. I also pre-ordered a March new release. Woo hoo! When I realized that my birthday was going to be very quiet, I went to the internet started my online book shopping. I had hoped to visit a couple of bookstores in-person, but the weather didn’t accommodate. Oh well! I got my books, one way or another!
When adding to my home library this month, I went back through my Goodreads ratings for the last few years. If a book rated 4 or 5 stars, I added to my wish list. I also went through my Kindle and selected books that I’ve re-read digitally more than once. Since you can’t let friends borrow Kindle books, I wanted to add physical copies to my shelves so can share my favorites with others. Adding to my home library isn’t just about me. I love sharing books amongst family and friends.
Also this month, I did a little research reading for Owen. I remember reading Hatchet and The Twenty-One Balloons in elementary school and I wanted to refresh my memory on the stories. I believe Owen will enjoy these stories in the next few years, so I’ll look to add them to our home library in the near future. I’m also currently reading the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson. I was gifted the first book and there is a good chance I will pick up the complete series at some point. It’s been a solid 3 star series for me, but I could see my boys enjoying this YA Sci-Fi series in the future as well. Because a friend gave me the first book and is now letting me borrow the rest of the series, it’s been fun to connect with her and her daughter over this shared reading experience. I love when books bring people closer together!
I’m still enjoying my discounted subscription to Kindle Unlimited thanks to a Black Friday deal in November. The price will increase later in February, so I’m doing my best to get as my KU books read as possible in the next few weeks. I’m “on again, off again” with KU. I can’t justify the price monthly, but I enjoy the strategy of waiting for a decent about of new books to become available and then I re-subscribe for a short period of time. For the times when I don’t have KU, I’m thankful for the library, the Libby app, reading from my home library, and borrowing from friends. I’m never without access to a good book! What a wonderful thing!
Top Picks for January
The Book List for January
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.
Non-Fiction:
- Modern Miss Mason: Discover How Charlotte Mason’s Revolutionary Ideas on Home Education Can Change How You and Your Children Learn and Grow Together by Leah Boden – 4 stars
- Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. by John Mark Comer – 5 stars
Fiction:
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen – 3 stars
- The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pène du Bois – 3 stars
- Starsight by Brandon Sanderson – 3 stars
- Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson – 3 stars
- The Good Part by Sophie Cousens – 3 stars
- Landin’ in Trouble by Brittany Larson – 3 stars
- Just One Look (novella) by Brittany Larson – 3 stars
- That Fine Line by Cindy Steel – 3 stars
- Double or Nothing by Cindy Steel – 3 stars
- Stranded Ranch (novella) by Cindy Steel – 3 stars
- Falling in Line by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
- Sadie and the Bad Boy Billionaire by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor – 3 stars
- Play Me Once by Carina Taylor – 4 stars
- Tuesdays Like That by Carina Taylor – 4 stars
- A Fish Out of Water by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
- He is So Not My Valentine (novella) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
- But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor by Annah Conwell – 4 stars
- Selling Out by Martha Keyes – 4 stars
Amy Scott's Thoughts 