January 2020 Wrap Up & February 2020 TBR

This is the first TBR and Wrap Up post since last August – wowsers! 

I went on a hiatus which I’m sure you all know about by now which is why there has been a large gap between these type of posts.

I’m largely going to stick with the same format as I always have done with the recap on what I’ve read and my sexy stats staying the same. The ‘what will I read section’ will remain but is more about what I feel like I might read next rather than my trying (and failing) to adhere to an absolute rule of what I’ll ‘definitely’ be reading next.

I’m still sticking with the ‘what have I been up to’ but want to include writing updates if only to hold myself accountable.

The big change is that I’m going to incorporate my blog hop here instead of each week.

But that’s it! You’ll find it mainly the same!

The first of the two ARC’s that I read this month – The Mercies is due out on the 6th February 2020 and my review is pending and should be up on release day. This was a book that I enjoyed and I’m very glad I read but didn’t fall in love with. I would rate this a solid 3 stars but my reasons will be in my review.

The second of the ARC’s and one that I should have read and reviewed last year. I wasn’t in the head space to read it in 2019 which is why I didn’t get around to it. The Undying is a non fiction account of a poet’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Because it’s an ARC I will post a review of this and hopefully that will be up in the next couple of weeks. It’s sadly a 1 from me.

I only read two books this month but actually I didn’t mind because I’m not letting numbers get to me this year.

• 1 book got 3 stars
• 1 book got 1 star

This means January’s average is 2 because that 1 star really did a number on pulling it down!

There are two in particular that I would like to get around to in February:-

1. Bone China by Laura Purcell
2. The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey
   

January has been January. Literally the month that lasts a million years!

The month didn’t entirely go to plan (we got broken into for a start) but I feel more in control this month then I have for a long time.

I’ve joined Instagram and have started hand lettering which I’m finding incredibly calming. I also finally got around to start writing out brief summaries for my original fiction WIP’s because at the moment they exist solely in my head. Over 13,000 words in January just on 17 summaries – it’s a start!

Here are just a few of some of the awesome posts that have been put out into the blogosphere this January!

Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek talks about why it’s ok to take a bloggin break (something I wholeheartedly agree with and support).

Sam @ Fictionally Sam celebrated National Science Fiction Day by discussing when science fiction becomes reality.

Louise @ Foxes and Fairy Tales gives us her Top 5 Unreliable Narrators.

Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books tells us about her favourite mysteries and thrillers which is helpful to me as this month’s book theme was thrillers and so I could always do with knowing more!

Sophie @ Me and Ink discusses statistics or more importantly – blogging statistics. Something that is both informative and emotive for bloggers.

Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books gives us her reason why she will or won’t read a blog.

Margaret @ Weird Zeal explains why she won’t buy books from Amazon and it’s an eye opening read if ever there was one.

The team at UKYABA (UK YA Book Blogger Awards) are needing some volunteers to help with the awards between March and June of this year so head on over if you think you can help.

So how was everyone’s January? Was it the longest month in existence for you or did it go by surprisingly quick?

Let me know what you’ve been reading or what you’re planning on reading and let’s have a chat!