January Wrap-Up // This Month Was Actually Decent??

The first month of 2021 is over.

And it was better than I thought it would be! Even though I didn’t read as much, I had a lot on my mind but was more productive than usual.

So much happened this month, and surprisingly, most of it was good!

I read 11 books this month! Less than usual, but surprisingly, I enjoyed most of them. BUT. one of them may or may not have disappointed me *cough* Six of Crows *cough*

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong ☾ this was my most anticipated release of 2020, and as I thought, it exceeded my expectations and I loved it so much! ★★★★☆ [4.5]

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco ☾ the concept of this was so fascinating (a world split in two, with one part plunged into freezing darkness, and the other half constantly living in a scorching desert), and I can’t wait to read the next book! ★★★☆☆ [3.5]

The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk ☾ this book made me soft. so soft. RTC! ★★★★☆

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf ☾ I loved this way more than I expected to?? the OCD/mental health aspect was so interesting but also so heartbreaking 💔 ★★★★☆

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang ☾ the powerful finale to one of my favorite trilogies (I have strong feelings about the ending 😔) ★★★★☆

Beyond the Ruby Veil by Mara Fitzgerald ☾ I was confused by the plot but also completely understood everything, which was odd. but it was such a bloody and dark fantasy I enjoyed ★★★☆☆

Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders ☾ this reminded me of Star Wars, but queer. there are several neopronoun users, and not to mention sapphics in space! ★★★☆☆

Slay by Brittney Morris ☾ I loved this one!! this celebrated Black culture so openly and unapologetically and I enjoyed the video game aspect too! ★★★★☆

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He ☾ this was SO. GOOD. I felt for Hesina so much but that ending I cannot aksdjlkj ★★★★☆

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo ☾ the first time I tried to read this book, I DNF’ed it. I tried reading it again this month, and I liked it enough to finish it. but the hype has, once again, raised my expectations to be too high 🥺 ★★★☆☆

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo ☾ this was slightly better than SoC, and I really enjoyed the deeper look into the Dregs’ personal lives ★★★☆☆ [3.5]

top posts

• Becky @ Dusts of Magic interviews Elizabeth Lim, one of her favorite authors!!
• Sara @ Words With Wings writes an incredible discussion on whether writing only positive reviews makes you a “less credible” blogger, it’s full of insight on this topic ❤️
• Saniya @ Sunny Side Reviews recommends books based on your favorite Avatar: The Last Airbender & The Legends of Korra characters, and as a big fan of these shows, I loved it!
• Ash @ Starlight Strands matches books to songs she loves; this was such a fun idea (and I got some music recs out of it too!).
• Rain @ Book Dragonism shares a list of Webtoon recommendations I didn’t know how much I needed until I found it !!

I got back into Bookstagram! I originally started it in September 2020, posted a few times, and then just,,, stopped (I’m lazy, yes I know). But this month, I wanted to be more active on there and started posting again. Hopefully I’ll stay longer!

I watched the latest (and final) season of Carmen Sandiego. And it BLEW MY MIND. 20/10 would watch again 😌 The animation was so well done and I loved all the characters!

School,,, is boring but what else is new. I’ve been on distance learning for a while now (five months??), and my school had hybrid learning for like two months but cases were rising again so now we’re back! I actually didn’t go to school for the hybrid schedule so nothing changed for me.

IT RAINED!! For the second time this winter. It’s been cold here (like in the 40 – 70 degree range (4 – 21 degrees Celsius for people who use it)). I hate cold weather but I love rain and makes suffering in the cold worth it!

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how was your january? what good books have you read this month? do you also love rainy weather??