7 Amazing Books I read recently in January 2024
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As we usher in the dawn of a new year, January has proven to be a month of discovery, introspection, and, most importantly, some fascinating literary adventures.
The turning of pages and the exploration of new worlds through the written word have been the guiding stars of my first month in 2024.
In this blog post, I am thrilled to share with you a list of seven incredible books that have left an indelible mark in my reading journey. From thought-provoking plots that challenge perspectives to heartwarming tales that offer peace, this collection spans genres and themes, offering a diverse reading experience that is sure to ignite your passion for the written word.
Whether you're a seasoned bookworm or just starting with your reading journey, these seven amazing books are bound to leave you inspired, enlightened, and eager for more.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the enchanting world of words and discover the magic woven by the talented authors who have graced my bookshelf this January.
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Recent Reads January 2024
My Rating: 5 stars
Published in 2024
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Pages: 377
Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate
A small town where everyone knows everyone, but a chilling secret is about to turn the quiet town upside down. Sunday is going to be the tenth anniversary when Phoebe Dean was killed in a freak accident on the town's most dangerous bridge. But Phoebe wasn't the only one who lost something that day. Becca was in the accident too, but she remembers nothing and Grant Phoebe's older brother was driving the truck and could've saved Phoebe's life if he had called the ambulance as soon as the accident happened. But he wasted twenty-seven minutes. And the ultimate question we are left with is - what happened?
The story starts with Phoebe's ten-year memorial being announced by her mother, and then we are taken back and forth between the day before the accident, to the present. The story has multiple POVs Grant, Becca, Wyatt - another person who went missing the same night, and June, Wyatt's sister who is fighting her demons and trying to get to the truth.
I enjoyed the story immensely. After seeing the mixed reviews this debut author received I thought the book would turn out to be an ok read. However, multiple guesses on what would have happened did not prepare me for the wild and unexpected end. The story had everything - a fast pace, a good plot, a well-thought-out ending, deep characters, and, some crazy ones too, fighting their pain and sorrow in unexpected ways. The author explored this dimension of grief and loneliness very well and had me hooked on all the dark secrets and mysteries unraveling one after the other.
I highly recommend this book to fans of thriller novels. I see a great new mystery author on the rise.
My Rating: 4 stars
Published in 2020
Genre: Fantasy /Novella
Published by Tor
Pages: 119 pages
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
(The Singing Hills Cycle #1)
We here are reading about the story of the Empress of Anh whose sole purpose was to give the Emperor an heir from the north. After she gives the Emperor a child, she is banished from the kingdom to Thriving Souls believed to perish there like the ghosts that roam the area.
But instead, through secret messages and a pilgrimage she undertakes the Empress takes on the Emperor and creates a rebellion of her own.
We are told these stories through a rabbit who was once a handmaiden to the empress, who is now telling the stories to Chi, a mammoth who is a cleric, and Almost Brilliant, a hoopoe bird.
The story is immersive, engaging, and short enough that the readers are left asking for more. The fantasy world is so mysteriously spooky and enchanting that I cannot wait to read more stories from this fascinating kingdom.
The slow rebellion, feminism, and love shown by a woman for a woman are absolutely next level and added subtly into the story. A must-read for fans of fantasy or folklore.
My Rating: 4 stars
Published in 2023
Genre: Romance
Published by Penguin UK
Pages: 396 pages
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Three girls become friends at college and then become family to each other. They have a tradition of meeting in a cottage in Miami every year. But work eventually takes them to different places and they grow apart. But they've decided to meet up at the cottage one last time because this year the cottage will be sold.
Harriet, our protagonist, is expecting a blissful week with just her two girlfriends. But things get awkward when she realizes that all the partners will also be joining the three of them, only her partner Wyn, is now her ex because they broke up five months ago, and no one knows.
I read this 385-page book in 3 days. That says something about its captivating quality. And, of course, it's written by Emily Henry so that's a given.
But I wouldn't give it a perfect score because I felt like the plot was quite repetitive at times. They see each other, feel the sparks and their bodies emote, but their mouths are shut. For God's sake, talk to each other, talk to your friends, and sort it out.
Eventually, they did, but after 280 pages.
I recommend this book to Romance fans not looking for smut or readers looking for stories of friendship or found family.
My Rating: 3 stars
Published in 2017
Genre: Magical Realism
Published by Penguin Random House
Pages: 229 pages
In a city on the brink of war, two people, Nadia, who has left her home and lives alone, and Saeed, who lives with his parents, meet each other at a course and grow to like each other. Amidst the atmosphere of war and new laws and executions their love blossoms, but fear intensifies.
A strange way of escape has opened up. There are magical doors at secret places that take you across cities, even countries. Saeed and Nadia decide to escape, but will they be able to survive the new life that will open up to them, will their love survive the test of time?
An engaging book with a unique take on what our future may look like. The book has been written with clear thought. Although the setting is very dark and unsettling, the plot brings out only positive emotions. I recommend it to readers looking for futuristic love stories without physical intimacy.
My Rating: 4 stars
Published in 2023
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Published by Bookouture
Pages: 327 pages
The Housemaid's Secret by Fredda McFadden
The Housemaid #2
So Millie is between jobs looking to do household chores or babysitting. And she ends up with the Garricks. Douglas Garrick is the CEO of a tech company and lives in a penthouse. It's like a dream job for a housemaid. But something doesn't sit right with Millie, especially the fact that Mrs. Garrick is always locked up in the guest bedroom, and sometimes she hears crying.
Millie is a person who is always helping people in need and her helping attitude opens her up to domestic secrets, while she's hiding away her own from her perfect boyfriend.
I was aching to read a good mystery for a long time, and I'm glad to say I found this one. The plot, you could say is typical, domestic squabbles, and a housemaid hears too much of it. But what typically happens has been given some solid twists and the last twist I did not anticipate, at all.
The pacing of this story is also perfectly done. Never did I feel like we were getting into irrelevant details or a few pages could be chopped. But maybe, the next time I would love to read a perfect mystery that is not set in New York or London.
For want of a better setting, I wouldn't give it a perfect score so rate it 4 stars.
My Rating: 4 stars
Published in 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published by Harper Collins GB
Pages: 368 pages
Weyward by Emilia Hart
In Weyward by Emilia Hart, we are following three generations of women blessed with special abilities. We are following Altha, who lives in the 16th century and is being tried for witchcraft.
Then there is Violet, living in the 19th century but isolated from the world and living in a world of her own with insects and birds.
In the present, we have Kate, who is trying to run away from an abusive husband to the one place that brings all three women together - Weyward Cottage.
The narrative is very engaging, where we alternately follow the story of each of the women.
The eras are diverse, the circumstances and situations are distinctive, and hence, the plot creates intrigue and mystery. The characters pull you in with their innocence their need to do the right thing, and their courage to fight for themselves when they know they haven't done wrong.
My Rating: 4 stars
Published in 2013
Genre: Romance/ Indian Fiction
Published by Harper Collins Publishers India
Pages: 400 pages
Those Pricey Thakur Girls by Anuja Chauhan
Anuja Chauhan's "Those Pricey Thakur Girls" offers a vibrant combination of wit, charm, and familial eccentricity that makes for a very entertaining read. Chauhan's masterful storytelling weaves together the lives of the five Thakur sisters with humor and warmth, creating a story that easily captures the essence of 1980s Delhi.
The strength of the novel lies in its well-drawn characters, each possessing a distinct personality that adds depth to the main plot. Chauhan's clever use of language and witty dialogue keeps the story engaging, while the cultural references provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
However, the pacing occasionally slows as the multitude of characters and subplots can be daunting. I found it challenging to keep track of the many storylines, impacting the overall coming together of the story.
Despite this, "Those Pricey Thakur Girls" is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and family dynamics, earning it a solid four stars for its memorable characters and Chauhan's unique writing flair. And I recommend to fans of Romcoms.
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