January 2022 reading list – Which books are worth the read and which should you skip?
I did so well with my reading goal in 2021, that I wanted to continue my reading goal for 2022. This year I’m planning on reading 50 books. If you’re on Goodreads, add me as a friend and join me as I reach my reading goal.
As January comes to an end, it’s time to tally up everything I’ve read this month. I read a total of five books which is really great. I thought I was only going to get through four, but one of the books only took me three days! And I was able to add one more book into the last week.
January 2022 Reading List
1. All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Ellice Littlejohn is an educated corporate attorney working for Houghton Transportation in Atlanta, GA. She’s the only black attorney in the office and she’s been having an affair with her married boss, Michael, for several years.
Michael asks Ellice to meet early in the morning in his office, but she finds him dead in his office when she arrives. Instead of contacting authorities, she closes the door and goes back to her own office. And then the secrets start to unravel! Ellice has tried so hard to distance from her rural past, but now she has to go back to her roots when the detective starts asking questions.
2. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This Vanishing Half is a story of twin girls, who come from a very small town called Mallard. This unique town is the home to many black people, but they are so light and often mistaken for white. When the twins’ mother pulls them out of school to make money for their family, the twins flee.
They make their way out to find jobs and a place to stay, but not long after one twin returns home. And they live each live their life with that choice. Fast forward many years later and the author turns the story onto the twins daughters meeting as strangers for the first time in LA – but they don’t know they’re related.
3. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
Beasts of Prey is a young adult fantasy inspired by Pan-African voices, following two characters that go into the Greater Jungle searching for a monster. Young Koffi and her mother are enslaved to the Night Zoo because her father had debts to pay. After an incident, Koffi and her mother flee.
Ekkon enters the scene as he tries to capture Koffi, but is enamored by her ability to turn away the great beast in the jungle: the Shetani. The story continues as Koffi and Ekon decide to go into the jungle in search of the Shetani, the demon who has been killing people for centuries.
4. Emotional First Aid by Guy Winch
I found this book very easy to get through and touched upon a lot of situations and feelings in my own life. The book focuses on how ignoring wounds only makes it hurt worse. The author definitely takes the approach to self help and also touches upon when we should seek professional help.
It is such a good reminder that emotional pain should be treated like physical pain and that his practical suggestions and exercises can help relieve that pain.
5. The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
The Night She Disappeared has multiple points of views from three different people. In 2017, Tallulah disappears. She’s a 19 year old college student who lives with her mother, her baby boy and the boys father, Zach. The night begins with Lula and Zach on a date. Their dinner is interrupted by Scarlett, Lula’s new friend from school. They couple heads to Scarlett’s home after dinner and are never to be seen again.
Sophie and her boyfriend have just moved into the cottage on the same property of the college that Lula attended. The boyfriend accepted a position as head-teacher. Sophie is a mystery novel author. She steps out into the garden one morning and discovers a sign that says “dig here.” And so she pushes forward discovering the mystery of the two missing teenagers.
January 2022 Reading List Summary
I would read All Her Little Secrets again because it was a page turner. Beasts of Prey was beautifully written and explored a jungle with a mythical creature that I couldn’t have ever imagined myself. And The Night She Disappeared kept me on the edge of my seat. If I am in an emotional rut, I will read Emotional First Aid again because it is a soothing read. The Vanishing Half is a little slow (it took me the longest to get through) and a little bit sad, so I doubt I would pick this one again.
What’s on your reading list? Let me know in the comments below!
XOXO,
Katie
