Yes, it’s February. Late into February too. Nevertheless, here are all the books that I read in the month of January, 2020!
Due to being stuck at home for the second half of the month, I read quite a bit more than is usual for me! 10 books in total, which is a smashing way to start the year, and a great start to my Goodreads reading goal of 52 books 😁 It was also a good month in terms of what I read, having really enjoyed the majority of them!
If you want more information on each book, just click on the book cover to be taken to the relevant Goodreads page.
1. Drums of Autumn – Diana Gabaldon
5/5 stars 🌟
This is the fourth book in the Outlander series, which I am very slowly making my way through! Though the first one is still my favourite, this one came a close second. For once, the narrative is split between Claire Fraser and her adult daughter, Brianna, a fact I liked because there are times when not a lot happens with Claire and Jamie. Having that extra narrative worked well for me! Anyway, this was a 5 star read for me! 2. Darkly Dreaming Dexter – Jeff Lindsay
2/5 stars
Oh dear.
I adored the TV series’ of Dexter, and finally thought I’d give the book a go. I only just managed to finish it. The characters irritated me, Dexter is not likeable at all, and I found the plot boring. If you’re a fan of the show, then perhaps this book is not for you…
3. The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
5/5 stars 🌟
I really loved this one! This needs no introduction as a talked-about psychological thriller that came out last year. This kept me guessing the whole way through and that twist at the end had me right in its grips. It was indeed a thrilling ride!
4. Melmoth – Sarah Perry
4/5 stars
This was a novel that surprised me at every chapter. I went into it thinking it was gothic historical fiction. Whilst it’s most definitely gothic, it’s set in present-day Prague. Still, the dark, haunting atmosphere and the fantastic story telling by Sarah Perry meant that I was thoroughly creeped out and closed the book knowing that it will not be my last by this author.
5. The Silent Companions – Laura Purcell
5/5 stars 🌟
One of my new favourite authors! Good grief, her writing is incredible. Another thoroughly creepy novel, with perfect characters and a fascinating setting, and a story that kept me up reading into the night. I have now read all three of her books and felt bereft that I have no more left to read! Here’s me, eagerly anticipating a new Laura Purcell novel 😍😍
6. The Travelling Cat Chronicles – Hiro Arikawa
5/5 stars 🌟
This was a surprising read for me, completely unexpected! It was such a sweet book, with gorgeous characters that you can’t help but love. Told from the perspective of Nana, a cat, it’s an interesting narrative, full of humour, love, friendship and sadness too. I adored this book, and my eyes welled up with tears when I finished it.
7. Chocolat – Joanne Harris
5/5 stars 🌟
This was a re-read, because I want to get to The Strawberry Thief this year – the 4th book in the Chocolat series. I loved this book as much the second time round as I did the first, and I adore Vianne Rocher and her chocolate shop. Such a heart warming novel, filled with magical realism and mouth-watering descriptions of her chocolate.
8. The Lollipop Shoes – Joanne Harris
5/5 stars 🌟
Another re-read, this time the second book in the Chocolat series. This is a strange sequel to the first book, because we lose much of Vianne’s voice as we are introduced to the antagonist – Zozie. This book expands on that magic that was seen in glimpses in the first novel, and we see both the good and the bad side to that magic here. It’s a much darker novel, but I enjoyed it very much.
9. The Stillwater Girls – Minka Kent
4/5 stars
I saw this randomly on offer in the Kindle store and went for it. A psychological thriller of sorts, it’s an odd book that begins with two separate storylines with different sets of characters that take half the book to meet. I spent that first half imagining wild things that bring them together in an explosive way, but none of those things happened. In a way, that’s great – I didn’t guess the ending of the book. However, it then kind of fell flat towards the end. It was a good book, but not explosive in the way I was expecting.
10. Pet Sematary – Stephen King
5/5 stars 🌟
I loved this! My first delve into the writings of Stephen King, and I loved his character building and the setting that is small town Maine. This book gave me the heeby-jeebies and fully creeped me out, but actually I really enjoyed the entire story. Not my last Stephen King for sure! I also then watched the newest version of the movie adaptation, and though it was creepy and weird and very thrilling, I enjoyed the novel more.
Book of the Month:
SUCH A HARD ONE.
But actually there could only be one choice.
*Drumroll!*
The Silent Companions!
I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. I devoured Elsie’s story, and I adore the gothic atmosphere that surrounds it. I cannot wait to check out aaaallll future books by Laura Purcell, because she has become an auto-buy author for me. Ohhhh you must check out this novel if historical fiction is your thing!
And there you have it!
Have you read any of these novels?
Let me know what you think of them!
Bookish Wanders 