January wrap-up
All the things I read and loved in January.
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I spend a lot of time on Substack critiquing things, so I thought I would change it up at least once a month and send out a monthly newsletter that celebrates all the things I read this month and books I discovered that I want to read. So, welcome to the monthly wrap-up!
January was a difficult month for all of us (for obvious reasons) and truly seemed like it lasted five years. Personally, January was a month of difficult real-life stuff that just seemed to keep popping up as nasty surprises, but because of that, my escapism was out in full-force. I dove back into my comfort of fantasy (and loved it) while balancing it out with some horrific non-fiction reads.
I’m going to try something new this month in my wrap-up and focus more on my reading stats and favorites. Let me know what you think about this format.
By the numbers
I was an English major, so numbers in any other context scare the shit out of me. But, for some reason, when it comes to reading? Give me all the data.
Shout-out to The StoryGraph for always providing me with the stats I need every month and every year. If you haven’t already started to track your books on Storygraph, what are you doing?
Some reflecitons on my reading stats this month:
It’s always an unofficial goal of mine to read and equal amount of non-fiction and fiction every year. I’m usually pretty close, but rarely do I get a perfect 50/50 split. So far, I’m nailing it this year.
It’s also always a goal to read as many books from different countries that I can. I have a world map that I’m digitally scratching off as I try to read a book from every single country in the world (more on that later). But, last month, I discovered that you can add your own custom tags per book on StoryGraph, so I’ve been tracking my countries that way.
The country tag I give per book is either based on where the author is from or where the book takes place/it’s primary focus (usually, they’re the same). This month, every single book I read was from a different country, which I’m really proud of.
Favorite fiction book: “A Dance of Lies” by Brittney Arena
Synopsis: Vasalie Moran was once a dancer in King Illian’s court, until he framed her for murder. Barely surviving her two years in the dungeons, she’s suddenly called to face her king. He offers her a deal: become his spy at the six-week royal Gathering and he’ll grant her freedom.
As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing her to harm and betray those around her, Vasalie discovers that the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster—one far closer to home. With her world threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the infamous King of the East.
Review: Obsessed. Firstly, this cover may be one of my favorite fantasy covers I’ve seen in years and it perfectly captures the book. This is my favorite type of fantasty book: heavy on political intruigue, strategy, and manuvering and heavy on character development. With a sprinkle of romance.
I loved all of the characters in this book. I thought every single one of them was layered and complex, making you not know what their next move was going to be. The main character and her development was really well done. The representation of chronic illness and PTSD and what a different kind of strength can look like in a fantasy book was absolutely remarkable. The author herself has a chronic illness and as someone with PTSD, I really appreciate the cre that was put into this aspect of the book. The character navigating these two things and her acceptance of them gave me absolute chills. And also, the love interest (I won't name names) was swoon-worthy.
Can't wait for the rest of the world to read this.
Favorite non-fiction book: “Cockroaches” by Scholastique Mukasonga
Synopsis: Scholastique Mukasonga's Cockroaches is the story of growing up a Tutsi in Hutu-dominated Rwanda--the story of a happy child, a loving family, all wiped out in the genocide of 1994. A vivid, bitterwsweet depiction of family life and bond in a time of immense hardship, it is also a story of incredible endurance, and the duty to remember that loss and those lost while somehow carrying on. Sweet, funny, wrenching, and deeply moving, Cockroaches is a window onto an unforgettable world of love, grief, and horror.
Review: I can’t stress enough how important it is to read this book. This memoir does an incredible job at portraying how genocide isn’t just something that happens over night. The violence, hate, and preparation for a government to ethnically cleanse a group of people is an act that happens gradually over time. This memoir follows Mukasonga and her family from the 1960s until the 1990s, leading to the horrific genocide in 1994 where Mukasonga lost 37 members of her family.
This memoir is her story, but it’s also everyone else’s story. This book is an important witness and record of all the lives lost.
What I’ve added to my TBR (to-be-read)
“Eyes of Gaza” by Plestia Alaqad: A memoir of one of the incredible journalists who has been covering the genocide in Gaza.
“Elegy for the Undead” by Matthew Vesley: I saw Kayla read this book and she said it’s for lovers of “Our Wives Under the Sea” and “And Then I Woke Up”, two books I loved.
“Blood on Her Tongue” by Johanna van Veen: I’m going to be honest, the cover and title got me with this one. But it’s also a gothic horror about twins, so I’m sold.
“Regarding the Pain of Others” by Susan Sontag: An exploration on the effects of viewing photographs of suffering and as someone who once seriously considered doing war photojournalism, I’m looking forward to be challeneged.
Families I’m supporting
In the midst of a ceasefire, mutual aid and support is so incredibly important to help families rebuild their lives and to help provide them with continued opportunties for safety. If you’re able to, please support a family:
Mahmoud, Tamer, and Tala. I last heard from Mahmoud last week and this family is still in Dai Albalah in the middle of the Gaza strip. They lost their mother and wife earlier this year. Tamer has Autism and navigating this cruel world is especially hard for him.
The Tareq family including Amani who is suffering from multiple medical conditions and needs urgent care
Mohammed’s family including his wife and three kids as they struggle to survive in Khan Younis
Rozana’s family including her husband and three-year-old son (Ziad) who used to live in Gaza City and now have no home or clean food and water which is making Ziad’s health deteriorate.
In case you missed it
Here’s a look back at all of my Substack posts from this month:
See you next month,
Kaitlyn
I am SO excited for A Dance of Lies, I've been following the author on instagram for a long time and it's so exciting that the book is finally here! Which countries are on your list to read from this year?