January reading wrap-up!
I read 6 books this month, and I feel pretty good about it even though, according to my reading goal, I'm still two books behind from being on track 😅.
How to Sell a Haunted House
Grady Hendrix
When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home and dealing with all of the things her parents had and did. Most of all, she doesn't want to have to deal with her brother, Mark, who gets fired from one job to the next and resents her success. Unfortunately, she'll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it'll take more than shelves and a new paint job to get it ready. But some houses don't want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them.
Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything
Alyson Stoner
A memoir about Alyson's life as a child actor starting at the age of six, to becoming a well-rounded individual despite everything she's been through. This book takes a deeper look into Hollywood and how unprotected child actors really are against abuse in many forms.
Unoffendable
Brant Hansen
Unoffendable, gives you a concrete, practical way to live life with less stress. In our easily offended, cancel-culture society, learn how to replace perpetual frustration and anger with refreshing humility and gratitude.
Chilling Effect
Valerie Valdes
Captain Eva Innocente and her crew of La Sirena Negra travel the universe delivering cargo when her sister gets kidnapped by The Fridge, a shadowy syndicate that holds people hostage in cryostasis. She has to undergo a series of dangerous missions to pay the ransom. To free her sister, Eva will risk everything, but when the dominoes start to fall and she finds the real threat is greater than she imagined, she must decide whether to play it cool or burn it all down.
Alchemy of Secrets
Stephanie Garber
Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real, especially when she tracks down a local legend named the Watchman, who can supposedly tell you when you'll die. However, her world gets flipped upside down when the Watchman tells her she'll die on Halloween at midnight unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart. With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into the magical world as she chases clues and stories, however she realizes everyone in this new world is lying to her-including a stranger who says her sister sent him to protect her. If she can't figure out whom to trust not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.
Twilight Falls
Juneau Black
4th book in the Shady Hollow mystery series sees Vera embroiled in a case involving star crossed lovers whose affair may have turned deadly. Jonah Atwater and Stasia Von Beaverpelt find themselves battling their families in order to be together, and when Jonah's father, Shelby, goes over the top of Twilight Falls, all signs point to Stasia being the murderer. Orville arrests Stasia because of the overwhelming amount of evidence against her, however Vera isn't so sure and suspects someone is framing Stasia. As Vera digs deeper, her investigation directly opposes Orville and soon she uncovers a whole mess of trouble.
QOTD: What book did you LOVE that you read in January?
#lemon8bookclub #bookwormsoflemon8 #januaryreads #storygraph #bookrecommendations
This past January, I dove into an intriguing mix of genres that turned my reading list into a rollercoaster of emotions and insights. One highlight was Grady Hendrix’s "How to Sell a Haunted House," which blends horror with family drama, making the supernatural deeply personal. The way the house almost becomes a character itself reminded me how setting can hold so much power in storytelling. Memoirs like Alyson Stoner’s "Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything" offered a sobering look at child actors' struggles, a side of Hollywood not often discussed openly. Reading this made me reflect on resilience and the importance of mental health support, which is so crucial in high-pressure environments. "Unoffendable" by Brant Hansen was a refreshing self-help pick. In a world rife with cancel culture and online outrage, learning practical steps towards forgiveness and humility felt like a needed balm. It really made me reconsider personal boundaries and the energy I spend on grievances. Then there’s "Chilling Effect" by Valerie Valdes, which took me on a sci-fi adventure across the universe. The gripping storyline about rescuing a kidnapped sister in a dystopian setting kept me hooked. It made me appreciate how thrillers can explore big themes like loyalty and sacrifice. Stephanie Garber’s "Alchemy of Secrets" plunged me into a magical quest filled with deception and imminent danger. It was fascinating how the narrative played with trust and the unknown, building tension as Holland chased clues to defy her foretold fate. Finally, "Twilight Falls" by Juneau Black added a chilling mystery with star-crossed lovers and family feuds. The investigation’s twists reminded me how sometimes appearances can be misleading, and the importance of digging deeper to uncover truth. Listening to these books mostly as audio helped me make the most of daily routines, turning commute and chores into immersive literary experiences. This variety in format and genre not only broadened my tastes but also kept my enthusiasm alive. If you’re looking for January reads that mix horror, memoir, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, this roundup offers something engaging for every reader.
