January felt like the longest month ever. Even so, I didn’t read as much as I wanted to. But I did enjoy most of the books I read, which is always a win!
This month, I also discovered yogurt custard toast (the viral TikTok recipe), and I’ve been eating it nonstop. It’s such an easy, tasty snack or dessert. So far, my favorite variation (and my husband’s favorite) has been chocolate custard toast. It’s so fudgy and yet somehow pretty healthy! Pure magic.
Below, I’m sharing my favorite reads from January, so you can enjoy them too! There were a couple that I loved even more than I expected (including a historical fiction book, which is a genre I need to get back to reading more of!).
*I received some of these books for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
**Please note, some links on this page are affiliate links. If a purchase is made through an affiliate link, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure policy here. Thanks for your support!
Books I Read in January 2022
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett
Genre: Thriller/Horror
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Synopsis & Review: A woman returns to her small hometown after she learns her childhood friend was found comatose at the strange house in the woods they discovered as kids.
This story has a:
- Remote, small town setting
- Creepy abandoned house with a sordid past
- Back-and-forth timeline
- Themes of coming-of-age, trauma, identity, and friendship
While the beginning of the story intrigued me, I wasn’t quite hooked until the second half of the book. It’s more character-driven than plot-driven – which isn’t a bad thing at all, just not what I expected at first. Overall, I really liked it – it was easy to read, with interesting characters. If you’re looking for a slower-burn mystery with creepy vibes, check this one out!
My Rating: 4 (out of 5) stars
Release date: February 22nd, 2022
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
Genre: Literary Fiction/Speculative Fiction
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Synopsis & Review: This breakout international bestseller is about a woman who is determined to follow a flock of birds as they attempt their annual migration, in a near-future version of Earth where most animals have gone extinct.
This book reminded me a lot of Station Eleven. Not quite so much in scope, but in tone. It was sad yet hopeful, with character development you can really sink into. It’s not an easy read – there’s a lot of trauma, and it’s frightening how relevant the environmental issues are to our current age – but it’s an important one. Beautifully written, too.
My Rating: 4.5 (out of 5) stars
Release date: August 4th, 2020
The Maid by Nita Prose
Genre: Mystery/Contemporary Fiction
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Synopsis & Review: The Maid is like a cross between Agatha Christie/Clue and Eleanor Oliphant. It’s about a woman named Molly who works as a maid in a fancy hotel. She has trouble understanding social cues, and lives her life by the teachings of her beloved Gran. But things take a turn when she finds a man dead in his room, and she becomes involved in a murder investigation.
This was a fun cozy mystery with a unique, lovable protagonist! Molly the maid is a wonderful character that’s easy to root for. I love hotel settings in books too, and the fact that this was set at the opulent Regency Hotel definitely didn’t hurt. Definitely recommended if you’re looking for a lighthearted mystery!
My Rating: 4.25 (out of 5) stars
Here are more details about The Maid series by Nita Prose!
Release date: January 4th, 2022
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Genre: Historical Fiction/Retelling
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Synopsis & Review: Taking an under-appreciated character from a classic story and giving them a voice such a cool idea for a book. (Kind of like what Jennifer Saint did for Ariadne from Greek mythology). And it was done so well here, with the Wife of Bath from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (which, admittedly, I haven’t read).
I raged, I laughed, I cried – I felt a wild range of emotions. And I couldn’t put it down. I can only imagine the skill and knowledge this must have taken to write. Highly recommended, especially for fans of historical fiction (as long as you can handle flawed characters who sometimes make infuriating choices)!
My Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars
Release date: January 25th, 2022
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
Genre: Literary Fiction/Suspense
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Synopsis & Review: This book is about a serial killer who’s about to be put to death, but more so about a handful of women who are somehow connected to him.
It was superbly written; a masterpiece of literary suspense, with fascinating character development and plenty of tension. I was glued to the page the whole way. Definitely recommended!
My Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars
Release date: January 25th, 2022
What were your favorite reads this month? I hope you had some great ones like I did!