january reads ☁️ ❄️
here are all the books i finished this month, and their rating!
1. Half his Age by Jennette McCurdy, 5 stars, my only 5 star read this month! i absolutely love this book. it was blunt and vulgar, and touched on so many topics and i felt represented them in a realistic way. it made me cringe, it made me uncomfortable… and that’s exactly what it was suppose to do. i listened to the audiobook for this one, because i love jennette, her story telling and narration made this book even better.
did yall read this new release? how did you feel?
2. Lights Out by Navessa Allen, 1 star, i really wanted to love this… everyone said i would. but i didn’t. i think i am about done with “dark romance” … i have yet to read one that made me feel anything but annoyed and dissatisfied. this one in particular felt like there was no actual story, and im not convinced they are even in love… they couldn’t have one conversation that didn’t end in sex. just another fmc with the personality of white rice, being stalked by some not-poor, smart, handsome, and always good at hacking, mmc.
3. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, i gave this 3 stars… but it is based only on the writing and story telling aspect, anyone with a memoir… especially one where they are kidnapped and tortured and eventually found, well there isn’t really a way to “judge” that. i could never put a rating on someone’s tragic life story like this one. but the book itself, lacked an editor, lacked someone to help her tell her story in a better way. even as she narrated it, she sounded like she was still that little girl. i feel like some parts were so detailed, while others weren’t… and for me personally, i wanted to hear more about her experiences and life… and less about the animals and pets, i mean those chapters were longer than any other. i understand that was something that helped her get through each day, forming bonds with the animals…. but for me, i didn’t really want to hear SO much about it. this girl went through a life i couldn’t never imagine, something my nightmares are made of, and because of that… rating it at all doesn’t sit right with me.
4. Girl in need of a Tourniquet, Merri Lisa Johnson, 3 stars. i love any type of memoir on mental illness and mental health in general. i love reading about my diagnosis through other peoples experiences… i i appreciate this woman taking time to write her story. however, it wasn’t my favorite, the book flowed like one big stream of consciousness… and i can enjoy that too, but this one made me feel confused and i couldn’t really understand what she was trying to say. it was mixed with raw and real emotions, while then being like a textbook. again, i love the premise, i love that she put herself out there… but it wasn’t my favorite.
5. Simply More, Cynthia Erivo, 3 stars. i absolutely love cynthia’s voice… i could listen to her read a washing machine manual and still be entertained. this book was a little nugget of nite size chapters, a light and easy read. while it had bits of her life, it felt more like a try to be relatable… while shoveling motivational phrases at me. i am still kind of torn about how i feel about this one.
6. The Lake Escape, Jamie Day, 4 stars! this was a great fun, fast paced thriller… it was a fun break from what i usually read. the story was good, the twist was good, and overall a solid book… i feel like this would be a great beach/ vacation read!
5. & 6. Under Your Scars, and Under Your Scars: Delilah, Ariel Anderson, 1 star & 5 stars, i hated this book. hated it. i wasted so SO many hours on this, and for what? another “dark romance” with an unbelievable romance, with annoying and frustrating characters… and went on for way too long. and the ending? absolutely pointless.
i gave the novella 5 stars, because it was short, and tied up all the loose ends, and Caroline was the only character i didn’t hate. it was also so short… it took less than an hour, while the original is sitting at around 25 hours to finish. crazy work. i gave it 5 stars because it was the end of a terrible series, and it didn’t waste my time to get to the story. i think i am done with dark romance for a while lol.
what was your favorite read for january?!
Reading through a variety of genres in one month really broadened my perspective on storytelling and character development. For instance, Jennette McCurdy’s “Half His Age” stands out not just for being a blunt and raw memoir, but for her unique narration style that makes the audiobook experience captivating. Listening to an author’s own voice can add a deeper emotional connection, which I highly recommend for memoir fans. On the flip side, my experience with dark romance books like "Lights Out" and "Under Your Scars" was quite frustrating. The genre sometimes tends to rely heavily on unrealistic romantic tropes, which left me feeling disconnected from the characters. It made me realize how important it is to have a plot that balances relationship development with meaningful storytelling, rather than constant romantic or physical conflict. Memoirs such as Jaycee Dugard’s “A Stolen Life” and Merri Lisa Johnson’s “Girl in Need of a Tourniquet” offer powerful insights into mental health struggles and personal trauma. While these books sometimes feel uneven, I appreciate authors who bravely share their experiences, even if the narrative feels raw or disorganized at times. It reminds me how complex mental illness and trauma recovery are, and how no two stories are alike. Thrillers like Jamie Day’s “The Lake Escape” provide a refreshing change of pace with fast, engaging plots perfect for vacation reads. I found it essential to mix up my reading list with different genres to prevent burnout and keep my interest alive. Overall, my January reading journey reinforced how diverse books can evoke a wide range of emotions—from discomfort and sadness to excitement and motivation. I encourage readers to be open-minded, try various genres, and listen to author narrations when available. What’s your growth in reading these types of books been like, and which genres do you find yourself drawn to when seeking something meaningful or entertaining?