January 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

Since deciding to go on a no buy for the entire year, I really wanted to get back into my favourite hobby of reading as well as trying to dedicate my time to more productive things.

To see how everything else went in January, see my check-in post here. Today I wanted to talk about the books I read throughout the month and how they made me feel.

If you’re looking for your next book to read, then you might want to try one of these…

1) SPARK JOY : MARIE KONDO 4/5

By now, everyone and their mam knows about The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up. This book is kind of like the follow-up; a book that offers a bit more specific detail on certain points made. As I’d read her bestseller, I already knew a lot of the content in Spark Joy but it was still nice to go over it again – and I did make some notes.

I guess it was a good way to start off a year of collecting less things and a good mindset to get myself in. I actually borrowed this as an e-book from my library, which was a fun experience to try!

2) MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A F*CKING GROWN-UP: SAM BECKBESSINGER 4/5

This is one of the books I mentioned in my January TBR post and I did find it quite valuable. It covered a lot of aspects regarding finance and went deep into subjects I hadn’t even considered like investing.

I did end up taking some notes, again, and managed to create a little list for myself of the financial things I need to look into when I get myself in a better space regarding this subject. It’s a book I’m glad I read, but I’m sure I’ll have to visit it again in the future.

3) NO ONE IS TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE : GRETA THUNBERG 4/5

This was another ebook borrowed from the library and one I mentioned in my January TBR post. I was so excited to read this and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a collection of speeches made by Greta at various different rallies.

I found it both empowering and heartbreaking that someone so young is talking in detail about climate change and the issues it’s causing. She really is such a knowledgeable person and I wish people would take her more seriously.

My favourite speech from this book was the one Great gave at the Houses of Parliament in the UK. Actual chills!

4) 80/20 YOUR LIFE : DAMON ZAHARIADES 3.5/5

This is a book I found through Kindle Unlimited and it packaged itself as an more condensed version of the whole 80/20 principle. There were some interesting points made in this book, and I found a lot of value in the sections that addressed home, health and productivity.

However, not everything applied or was even interesting to me which is why it got a fairly average rating. I also found this book to get a little repetitive by the end.

5) ESCAPE EVERYTHING: ROBERT WRINGHAM 5/5

This was one of my favourite books of the month and may be one of the year if the messages stick with me. It covers ‘escaping’ from societal norms and consumerism – instead creating a life that brings you joy and allows you to do what you need.

It made me feel less guilty about the free time I currently have in my life as someone who works from home and the fact that I aim to have a slow lifestyle (which didn’t end up happening in January, but oh well). Instead it taught me to embrace what I have and make the most out of it, which is something I really needed to learn.

6) MOMMY’S LITTLE GIRL: DIANNE FANNING 4.5/5

This book has been on my list for a while and it covers the Caylee Anthony case. It’s quite a famous case in America, yet I hadn’t heard of it over here in the UK until I found some videos on YouTube.

It’s such a frustrating case and Casey Anthony has been dubbed ‘the most hated woman in America’ – and I can’t say I disagree. There are so many turns to this story and Fanning covers them all, including offering her own opinions which I liked. Even though it’s so in-depth, this book was very easy to read and I flew through it.

7) UNFOLLOW: DR LINDA PAPADOPOULOUS 4/5

This was the first physical book I’ve borrowed out of the library this year and it was another one full of some much-needed advice. It’s aimed at women in their twenties and covers the typical subjects of self-esteem and career, as well as some interesting takes on money and relationships.

I found this book very valuable and comforting – I think I’m going to get copies for some people in my life who I know will appreciate it too.

8) MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER : OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE 5/5

I’ve had this book for such a long time and it was one that I really wanted to read, but kept putting off for some reason. Anyway, when I go into it I basically sat and read it in one day because I just couldn’t put it down.

This is a hilarious and witty book that follows a girl who takes care of her sister – who happens to be on the path to being a serial killer. A wonderfully and weirdly empowering book about sisters and overall female relationships, plus a little bit of dark comedy. Basically, it was almost made for me and I bloody loved it.

9) BECOMING : MICHELLE OBAMA 5/5

This was the last book on my January TBR and I just adored every single page. I simply love Michelle Obama, and Barack Obama of course, and found this book empowering, uplifting and heartbreaking all at once.

Even when she’s talking about the terrible state of affairs that just never seems to be ending at the moment, Michelle Obama has such a soothing and comforting tone to her writing. It honestly felt like she was sat with me as I was reading this book, telling me her story and giving me hope.

This is the perfect antidote for the political mess we all seem to be in – no matter where you live – and I’m so happy we had the Obamas in politics even though I don’t live in America and watched it all unfold from far away. We need more people like this family.

---

What did you read in January?

I haven’t decided if I’m going to be publishing these kind of posts every month, but I though this one might be interesting since I did I TBR. If you like these posts or have any other kind of feedback, please get in touch!

Speak soon,

Rachael.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash