January was a great reading month for me, especially when it comes to numbers. I read ten books, which is more than normal. I usually read around eight books a month.
The main reason that I read more than normal this month is that I read more fiction than normal. Three of the books were historical fiction books that were easy fast reads.
Reading ten books in January is a great way to start my 2023 reading year, but I highly doubt I will keep up that pace all year long.
As I write this I am iced in, so the above picture seemed like the perfect picture for my January reading post. I spent much of the last two days inside reading by the fire. Reading inside where it is warm is the perfect place to be this time of year.
January Reading 2023
Click on the title of each book and it will take you to my full book review.
Fiction
The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in an English village. It was published in 1992, so I don’t think it is a series many people know about. We need to change that. It was a fun read and I can’t wait to read more in the series.
The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin. I read the nonfiction book, The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin a few years ago. Both the nonfiction and historical fiction books are good, but be sure to read my full review because I enjoyed the nonfiction version better.
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin. If you love WWII historical fiction this is a great read. It is different than other WWII books that I have read.
The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen. Julie Klassen is one of my go to authors when I want to read a light, clean, romance type of book. Her books usually have a good storyline while also being clean, quick reads.
Shadow of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen. Yes, I read two Julie Klassen books this month. I needed some easy lighter reads this month.
Until The Leaves Fall In Paris by Sarah Sundin. Sarah Sundin is another author that I enjoy when I want a quick, easy to read, historical fiction book. This book set during WWII might be my favorite Sarah Sundin book.
Nonfiction
The Eagles of Heart Mountain by Bradford Pearson. This book slowed my nonfiction reading down this month. I almost quit this book several times. I am glad I didn’t, but be sure to read my full review on this one if you are interested in reading it.
Christian Nonfiction
This month I read more Christian nonfiction than normal. Christian nonfiction books are usually slower reads for me, but not this month. Hopefully, this great start to the year will continue reading wise.
A Place to Belong by Megan Hill. This book was published in 2020. It has been in my to be read stack for awhile. In fact, I started it sometime last year and never got it finished. I picked it up again recently and am so glad that I did.
Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen by Scott Sauls. “Strong souls tend to emerge not from a life of surface comfort but from rock-bottom experiences. The most remarkable humans with the most remarkable faith are usually the ones who have come to the end of themselves, suffered deeply, and lost much.” page 174. I needed this book. It was the right book at the right time for me.
Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton. I listened to this on audio and although I enjoyed it, I did not love the narrators. I also had some mixed thoughts on the book in general so be sure to read my full review.
I would love to hear what you read in January. Did you read any great books?
What a productive reading month! 🙂 As always, thanks for giving suggestions and reviews. I’m halfway through Middlemarch (audiobook), halfway through a biography of Thomas Jefferson, and doing a deep dive Bible study of the book of Revelation. I’ve been needing to find some light hearted reading to mix in with these heavier, longer books. From your descriptions, it sounds like M.C. Beaton or Julie Klassen might be just the right thing.