Monthly Musings – January 2016

This is a where I look back at what I read (or tried to read) during the past month. I also plan on highlighting my experiences in any book club reads I from the month as well. I will always start with any books I would label as a surprise find/under-read books so if anyone missed my reviews for them, and don’t make it to the end of this post, they’ll be easy to find.

I have absolutely no idea where January went. Seriously, no idea. It was also a slower month for me reading wise, but I’m OK with that. I don’t want to stress about how much I do or do not read. I just still have to be careful not to over request. As 2016 ARCs start becoming available, it gets hard! There are so many upcoming books that I really want to read. But seeing what I already have in hand, I have got to be more selective to keep from feeling stressed or guilty about the books I can’t get to. I am good right now, but I can see how that could easily change.

I am going to try to do a new read for my backlist in Feb. We’ll see how that works out 🙂 I still have one more Rain Wilds book from my binge read that I need to post a review for, but after that, I am definitely going to have to get on to reading more books from my backlist (at the same time all these tempting 2016 titles are coming out!!) I need more hours. Special reading hours where all other time stops and I can read as much as I want. Finish, still get a full nights sleep, etc. Someone, please work on this. If you dream it, it can happen, right? Maybe if we all believe in it hard enough, the world will change to allow this. Which brings me to my next section, because f we lived in the world of Beyond Redemption, it would be possible. We could totally make that happen!

Highlighted Read from January

Seriously, if you are at all a fan of darker fantasy or grim dark, you really should give this one a read. One of the best debut fantasy novels I’ve read. Very original magic system, unpredictable. Just so good. Need more convincing? Go read my review.

Review Summary [JAN 2016]

• [4 Jan] The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson ★★★★
• [7 Jan] Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
• [18 Jan] Night Study by Maria V. Snyder ★★★
• [18 Jan] Night Study (Soulfinders, #2) by Maria V. Snyder
• [19 Jan] The Rising by Ian Tregillis ★★★★
• [25 Jan] Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher ★★★★½
• [29 Jan] City of Dragons by Robin Hobb ★★★★

 MONTH Backlist Burndown

Here’s what other people read and burned off their backlist this month! It makes me happy to see other people joining in with this, so thanks to all of you! 🙂 Anyone else that posted a backlist review this month, feel free to link up!

Looking Forward to FEBRUARY 2016

As always, my plans may change as the time comes, but right now, these are the books I am eying for the next month. Particularly the bottom two (OK, I have started a couple of these, but still look forward to finishing them) 🙂