Happy New Year, fellow bookworms! I hope you all had wonderful holidays. Baby, it’s cold outside which means I give myself permission to Amazon and Peapod all of the essentials over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully this will translate into more reading, blogging, and blog-hopping time for me!
Looking Ahead is a new monthly meme hosted by Tina at Reading Between the Pages. At the start of each month, I’ll be posting my anticipated TBR. Here’s what I’m planning on reading in January:
I just finished Sharp Objects last night (actually it was one o’clock this morning) and need a thriller break after the book hangover I’m left with. So I’ll be starting It Ends with Us today. Though I’m not going to quantify it and call it an official goal, this year I’d really like to read one or two books per month that I’ve had on the shelf or on my Kindle for a while.
Little Fires Everywhere is our January book club pick and I can’t wait to read it. I’m hoping it’ll live up to the hype for me. I’m optimistic as there seems to be a good deal of consensus on this one.
The Chalk Man is another much-hyped book but again, I’ve got a really good feeling about it. My stop on the blog tour is coming up on January 18th. There will be a giveaway as well!
I download the audiobook of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine several weeks ago but haven’t started it. I’ve never listened to an audiobook. I’m sure it sounds quite silly but I’m a little intimidated by it. I’m not sure I have the attention span necessary to listen to an audiobook. I’ve promised myself that I would get out of my comfort zone and at least try it.
My stop on the blog tour for Girl Unknown is January 20th and really looking forward to it. A thriller with family drama, a questionable identity, and a gorgeous cover – who could ask for more? And there will be a giveaway!
I’m a sucker for forensic-heavy thrillers so when I saw Dennis’s review over at The Suspense is Thrilling Me, I knew I had to request it!
What are the books you’re most looking forward to reading in January?
I’ve been training my brain to cope with audiobooks this year, and my hint if you find it difficult to keep your concentration is to find something for your eyes to focus on. I used some of the relaxation videos on youtube with the sound down – waves on beaches, crackling log fires, etc. It really helped… 😊
That’s a great idea! I wouldn’t have thought of that. I was hoping to listen while I walk but this weather we are experiencing here in CT makes looking at a cracking fire sound much more appealing!
Good luck with your first audiobook! I love listening to nonfiction on audio as I don’t often like the narrators for a lot of the fiction I’ve tried. The narrator is key I think so don’t give up if you don’t like Elenor, there’s lots of others you can try.
Thanks, Renee. I’ve heard that it’s sometimes easier to start with nonfiction. If this doesn’t work for me, I’ll be asking you for some nonfiction suggestions. 🙂
What a great TBR!! I liked It Ends With Us. Little Fires Everywhere and Eleanor Oliphant are two I want to get to this year. Happy reading!
Thanks, Grace. Glad to hear you enjoyed It Ends With Us!
Looks like a great month of reading and Eleanor is a wonderful audio to start with. I also have a hard time just sitting and listening, but try it while driving (or commuting some other way), exercising, cooking dinner, etc. Sometimes when the weather is good, I’ll go for a long walk JUST so I can listen to a book. When I really get into one then I can just sit and listen! Good luck!
Thanks, Susie! If only it weren’t so cold outside I’d start with a long walk. I’m not sure I’d feel the same about it on the dread mill. 😉
I used to be worried about reading audiobooks as well. 2017 is the year I really embraced audiobooks, and I finished so many more books because of it. I think you have to find the type of book that works best in audio for you….it’s different for everyone. I definitely can’t listen to anything to technical or heavy.
That’s what I’m hoping, Lisa. If I can train my brain to listen in the car or train or while I work out, I could probably finish at least one more book per month.
Happy New Year Ann Marie! I am having trouble commenting on your blog. I keep getting an error message that says “invalid security token” ?
Amanda, you are the second person this week. Did you figure out what worked to get it through successfully? I think I’m going to have to contact my WP consultant…
I hope you enjoy Little Fires Everywhere. I’ve been considering that one too.
Thanks! I’m really looking forward to it.
Thanks, Nina! I’m going to try yo begin with no expectations because I seem to be frequently disappointed with book that are so hyped. At the same time, I’ve got high hopes. 😉
I hear you. I hope you enjoy it.
Oh, gosh! You have some exciting reading ahead! I loved both Eleanor Oliphant and Little Fires; I hope you have a great reading month!