Monthly Wrap Up | January 2021

 

 
WHAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY
  • A new year kicked off and things did not magically improve just because 2020 was in the rearview mirror. So there was that.
  • A (virtual) meeting with my boss, the CEO, revealed that it is highly unlikely we will return to the office before summer. And there's that.
  • An act of insurrection at the Capitol left me (most of us) shocked and dismayed. And feeling more discouraged than ever by the state of the country. 
  • The inauguration on the 20th helped turn those feelings around somewhat. The overall message of unity and positivity had me feeling an inkling of hope.
  • Both The Husband and my mother received their first COVID vaccinations. I felt such relief knowing they will both be better protected.
  • The NHL season started. This brought me joy.
  • I set up a new workspace in my home library, complete with white desk, pink chair, sparkly lamp, and all the pretty things. This brought me more joy.

WHAT I READ IN JANUARY


4.5 STARS

4 STARS

3.5 STARS

3 STARS



FORMATS
Total Read: 9
2 physical books
3 Kindle/e-books
4 audiobooks


TOP OF THE HEAP
Roommate
No great shock that my favorite of the month is from Sarina Bowen. The woman just does not disappoint. I loved being back in the True North world and Sarina created two main characters that I adored. I hardcore loved Roderick and Kieran. Both of them were dealing with issues that shaped who they were and how they lived. I was pulling so hard for these guys and the payoff was... *chef's kiss*

THE BIG DISAPPINTMENT
Until the Last Breath
I'm not going to spend a lot of time rehashing this one (check my review if you want the full rant), but suffice it to say that this was not the way I wanted to start my reading in 2021. The main character was genuinely unlikable and I couldn't work up a shred of empathy for someone who was so shallow and selfish.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BLOG

I had eight blog posts in October and shared four reviews: 


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING

     


Reading: I'm really enjoying the ARC of The Things We Leave Unfinished. The dual timeline has me completely invested in all the characters even though I know there's some serious heartache coming.

Listening to: The grief these characters are dealing with in Without You is impactful without being overly heavy. Julian is such a good guy but I'm wondering what he was like before his boyfriend's death. Because I'm only seeing him through his grief right now. Deacon is awfully broody (as Julian likes to tell him) and I'm curious to see how their relationship is going to progress and play out. 
 



WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE READ IN JANUARY? 
WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW?

44 comments

  1. My sister just recommended Chloe Liese's books to me, so now I definitely have to try them out!

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    1. Well, I liked one and loved the other... and I'm excited to dive into the third in the series. :) I hope they'll be a hit for you!

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  2. YES! I’m so happy that hockey is back. That’s been one of the few bright spots so far this year. My mom gets her first COVID shot tomorrow. I guess that’s a bright spot too. I hope you’re having a good February!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Hockey has brought back a reason to turn on the TV. LOL Hope your team(s) is doing well. And hooray for your mom getting her first vaccination. That's great!

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  3. "A new year kicked off and things did not magically improve just because 2020 was in the rearview mirror. So there was that."
    I felt this so hard. I knew realistically things wouldn't be better but I still had hopes.
    I'm so glad your husband and mom got their first dose!! I can't wait to be vaccinated whenever that ends up being.
    You had such a good reading month besides that one book! I hope you have an even better February.

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    1. Yes, we were all so focused last year on just putting 2020 behind us that it was rather baffling that the stroke of midnight of 2021 didn't put everyone to rights. LOL

      I hope you have a great reading month, too, Nick.

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  4. So glad they got their shots. Yes, we've been watching the Flyers. Great reading month for you!

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    1. It was a pretty good reading month. Hopefully February will bring more of the same.

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  5. That's awesome your mother and husband got their first shots. My mom is getting hers tomorrow and my dad next week. I can't wait to get mine...eventually. And you had a great reading month, too!

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    1. So great that your parents are getting their vaccinations, too. It's such a relief, isn't? My husband got his second vaccination this morning and my mom with get hers on Friday. I'm sure it will be months (and months) before I can get mine, but I'm happy they're taken care of.

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  6. My reading year has started off terribly (not to mention blogging and everything else) but I enjoyed the 3 books I managed to read in January. You look like you had a good reading month! Only one below 3 stars isn't bad at all. :)

    I'm glad to hear that your husband and mum got the vaccine! I'm so happy that it's being rolled out... We may get some kind of normal back in the second half of the year if it continues at it's current pace.

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    1. Ugh, sorry the year (reading and otherwise) is off to such a rocky start. Hopefully, new month = better things.

      I'm so relived the vaccine is being rolled out. It's going slowly but at least it's going. Maybe by fall we'll all be in a much better place.*fingers crossed*

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  7. Glad to hear you and the hubs got your first dose. FL is actually doing a great job getting its people vaccinated. NJ, not so much. I will be curious to see how you do after the second dose. I heard it ain't easy.

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    1. Well, I haven't got the vaccine yet. It's my mom and husband who got it. I imagine it will be many months before I can get one. My husband got his second dose yesterday. His arm is sore again (like with any other vaccination) but that has been the only side effect.

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  8. Roommate! I just knew that you were going to love that book. I just loved Roderick and Kieran. Yeah, I didn't expect big changes in January but hopefully before the end of the summer things will look up. Yay for the new workspace and your mom and husband getting their vaccine. Have a great February!

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    1. Oh my goodness, Roommate was just so, so good. Both Roderick and Kieran had my heart hurting for them. I was invested in them. :)

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  9. That's wonderful that your hubby and mom both got their first doses of the vaccine. So far no one in my family has gotten it but I just found out tonight that my inlaws will get their first dose on Saturday. That make me so happy since they have so many pre-existing conditions that make them high risk.

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    1. That's great that you in-laws will be getting vaccinated this weekend. It sound like they're the right candidates for it, too - older with pre=existing conditions.

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  10. We have very high hopes for 2021 but the start isn't great... it can only get better, right ?
    I love this idea of your own workspace, decorating a place for your personal use always feels great ! Wow, that cover of "Without you" is mouthwateringly sexy ^^ Enjoy !

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    1. As shallow as it sounds, it was the cover that drew me to Without You. LOL But the story is quite good and more emotional than I anticipated.

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  11. It definitely has been a month to remember. I'm so glad to read both your husband and mom got their vaccine. That must feel like a relieve.
    You've read some nice books. I haven't read any books by Sarina Bowen yet. I'll have to check her out ;)

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    1. I know they're both relieved to have the vaccine... and I'm so relieved for them!
      I think you would love Sarina Bowen, Maureen!

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  12. Glad to hear your hubs and mom got the vaxx! January was quite a month wasn't it? The cover of The Things We Leave Unfinished reminds me of the movie The Lakehouse.

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    1. Can you believe I've never seen that movie? I love Sandra and Keanu but somehow never saw the movie.

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  13. At least you only had one really disappointing book in that bunch! Go Leafs Go! Happy February!

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    1. I guess I should be happy that I got the lousy read out of the way first. :)

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  14. It's been a roller coaster for sure but I have to believe we'll start moving in a better direction. Right???

    I read Roommate. I think you liked it a bit more than me but I still enjoyed it a lot.

    Kevin is supposed to be eligible for the shot now but it's such a mess that he can't figure out if he can or not.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. The vaccine roll-out has been rather clunky so far. In my city there have been all sorts of issues. My mom is one county over and and it's worked like clockwork. I hope Kevin manages to get vaccinated soon!

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  15. You definitely have me wanting to pick up Roommate! And I feel like I'll never get caught up on either Bowen's or Quinn's books, but I so thoroughly enjoy both of them! Fingers crossed that 2021 will start to improve as the year progresses!!

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    1. The both are pretty prolific, aren't they?! I hope you'll love Roommate if you decide to give it a go. :)

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  16. I'm so glad to hear they were able to get the vaccine. That's got to give you a lot more peace of mind.

    I also expect we'll be working from home well into the summer at the least, so I've taken some steps to make our guest bedroom (office number 2) more comfortable.

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    1. I think a lot of people have done the same over the last year... guest rooms (or dining rooms) being turned into home offices.

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  17. Nice that you can work from home still! Hopefully at least until you get the vaccine, right? Good to hear your hubby and mother received their first shots!

    I just put a hold on Always Only You after reading your review. Looking forward to it!

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    1. I'm so excited that you're going to give Always Only You a try! I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. :)

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  18. I’m trying to persuade my hubby that we should clear out the junk in the back bedroom so I can have a dedicated office/book nook, he is taking some convincing!

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    1. You definitely need that office/book nook! Good luck getting your husband on board. :)

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  19. I envy your cozy and girly desk! And I am also reading The Things we leave Unfinished.

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    1. I finished The Things We Leave Unfinished this morning and was just STUNNED. Absolutely loved it and it's my first 5 star read of the year!

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  20. I still have no idea when I'll be returning to the office, I hope it's not until summer. The vaccine has been a pain to find in Chicagoland. I saw my doctor the other day and they're trying to find the vaccine for her mother and they're searching postal code by postal code. What a headache.

    I request pictures of your new office!

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    1. Yeah, the vaccine roll-out seems to be going *much* slower than what was initially expected. I hope with a sane adult now in the WH there will actually be a plan in place and things will pick up. As it is now, I'll be lucky to get the vaccine by summer. *sigh*

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  21. This will be the year I read Sarina Bowen! And I can't wait to see what you think of The Things We Leave Unfinished! I'm hoping to dive into that in the next week, fingers crossed we both love. :)
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. I LOVED The Things We Leave Unfinished, Jen! I don't even know how I'm going to write the review. It will definitely be among my favorites of the year... that I'm already sure of.

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    2. Oh YAY! I'm starting that one tonight wheeee!

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    3. I can't wait to see what you think of it, Jen! I hope you'll love it as much as I did!

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