January was a fantastic month for me! Not only was it my birthday month (last year in my twenties!), I also was in the Caribbean, Key West, and Miami for the beginning of it. I also started writing a new novel, which I am having a blast creating, and I re-readĀ A Discovery of Witches, which is one of my favorite books ever! And so far I’m winning at my blogging resolutions. Basically, A+ to January.
One Classic and One ARC Per Month
Part of my blogging resolutions is to read a classic and advanced readers copy each month.
Classic:Ā Madame BovaryĀ by Gustave Flaubert
ARC: WOOOOOW Month 1 and I’ve already failed this. Well, I blame Iron Gold, because that was one I could NOT put off.
Links I Loved
- Amy posted about her favorite pyschological thrillers of 2017. This girl reads thrillers like no one’s business, so if you like thrillers, you DEFINITELY need to check out this list.
- Megan talked about her most anticipated sci-fi/fantasy novels of 2018. I know a lot of you read that genre, so you should see if any appeal to you!
- Jackie talks about DNF-ing books and lists her reasons. See if they are the same as yours!
- Annemieke posted about the Goodreads Challenge and why you can be flexible when setting goals for yourself. This is a good reminder for all of us who are avid goal-setters!
January Book Reviews
- [4 Jan] The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor ★★★½
- [9 Jan] Heidi by Johanna Spyri ★★★½
- [29 Jan] The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert ★★★★
Miscellaneous January Posts
- [2 Jan] Blogging and Bookish Resolutions of 2018
- [6 Jan] 2018 Releases: 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To
- [12 Jan] The 10 Worst Books I Read in 2017
- [16 Jan] Bookstagram: Books and Flowers (Why is this always perfect?)
- [20 Jan] Bookish Worlds I Would NOT Want to Vacation In
- [22 Jan] Mystery Monday: Happy Birthday to Me!
- [26 Jan] Why Your Clicks & Subscriptions Matter To Bloggers
- [31 Jan] January Wrap-Up: A Fabulous Start to 2018
January’s Best of Bookstagram
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Find me on bookstagram here!
And don’t miss my “Bookstagram” Post Series!Ā You can see the posts here.Ā
Your Rep Discounts!
I occasionally “rep” for companies/brands onĀ Instagram. That works in your favor, because if you decide you like what I’m repping, you can purchase the product using my discount code and save yourself some money!
- Spireside Candles: Whimsical soy candles and wax melts with all sorts of lovely scents! Use code BANDAR10 for 10% off your order.
- Sudio Premium Earphones: These are awesome, stylish headphones. Use THEBANDARBLOG for 15% off.
How was January for you? What was your favorite book this month?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
Annemieke
I just followed you on instagram because those colors. *.*
Annemieke just posted What I Would Like to Watch in 2018
Ali
Aw thanks girl!! I do like colors š
deertalesblog
i love how you do your wrap ups! i wish i wasnt such a lazy blogger *shrugs* oh well
Ali
Hahaha. it’s actually because I’m a lazy blogger that I do them. it’s basically a series of codes that I put in and everything auto-populates. lazy AF.
Erin
Your wrap-up is so detailed – I love it! Itās nice to see variety, especially in books read. I recently decided to stop pressuring myself to read so much so I completed two books in January and I feel good about it. One I read was The Bear and the Nightingale. So. Freaking. Good!
Glad you had such an amazing month! Always good to start a new year off right š
Ali
Thanks for the kind words (: I have heard nothing but good things about The Bear and the Nightingale! And I agree – it’s nice just to relax on books read for a bit, especially when life gets busy!
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Iām glad you had an A+ January! I hope February is just as good for you.
Aj @ Read All The Things! just posted Review: Elizabeth Is Missing ā Emma Healey
Kelsey
I’m glad someone else thinks January was an A+ month! I feel so good about what I read and about general blogging things; although now jealousy is creeping in because you spent some of the month in warm, beautiful places. š Here’s to an equally wonderful February! (and happy belated birthday!! š)
Ali
Hahahaa, it was very nice being in Florida XD And yes, definitely let’s hope for an equally awesome February!
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing
Discovery of Witches , Iron Gold AND birthday? Your January sounds amazing š
Anyway, happy belated birthday! 2018 is also my last year in my twenties so I feel you LOL
And for me Iron Gold was definitely the best book of the month. I flew through it so I definitely need to re-read it at least once before next book is out.
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing just posted REVIEW: IRON GOLD BY PIERCE BROWN
Ali
It’s my last year in my 20’s too. We can be terribly sad together! To be honest, though, I had never thought of it that way until now and NOW I’M DEPRESSED.
Iron Gold was so intense I am still confused how I feel about it!
Maraia
What a great way to start off the year!
Ooh, thanks for the link about psychological thrillers. I can’t wait to add too many books to my list. š
January was a busy but good month for me. I read too many good books to pick a favorite!
Maraia just posted [Roundup] January 2018
Ali
Well that’s a good problem to have! I hope you found some good pysch thrillers (:
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds like you had one awesome month!! That’s great! I like that you want to read a classic each month – there are definitely classics out there that I need to read! I’m currently collecting the Word Cloud Classic editions, so I might start with one of those.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag just posted FebruHARRY Giveaway: Win Your Own Wand
Ali
I love the cloud classics!! They’re a really pretty set (: