I am a little late with my monthly wrap-up. With all that has been going on in my work life, my routine has been a little skewered. 😦 As I have finished reading my first book for February, I thought I had best do my wrap up post before posting the review of my completed read.

During the month of January I managed to read 7 titles:
- Courtney Alameda & Valynne Maetani Seven Deadly Shadows – Young Adult Fantasy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars
- Rebecca Raisin The Little Bookshop on the Seine – Women’s Contemporary Fiction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4 stars
- Lamar Giles Not So Pure and Simple – Young Adult Contemporary ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4 stars
- Christina Lauren Twice in a Blue Moon – Romance ⭐️⭐️2 stars
- Martin Michaud Never Forget – Police Procedural ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars
- Abbi Waxman The Bookish Life of Nina Hill ⭐️⭐️⭐️3 stars
- Karen McBride Crow Winter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars
The title of my favourite book kept shifting as I read more books during the month. After reading Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda & Valynne Maetani, I was sure that this amazing fantasy novel would remain my best read. However, Never Forget by Martin Michaud was just as good, though a different genre. After reading Crow Winter by Karen McBride, the novel immediately took first place as I knew it would be my favourite.

This debut novel touched me to the core in unexpected ways. The imagery used was beautiful; and I loved seeing the growth and development of a young woman as she overcomes her grief for her father and connects with the cultural traditions of her ancestors. The story also has a sub-story as colonialism is referred to. The Anishnaabe group are seen as grieving over the loss of their culture; and yet there is hope as the young people turn back to the ways of the past and the Europeans living on the traditional lands attempt to make restitution. If you are interested in reading more about my thoughts on this novel, you may find it here.
Many of the books I read in January were good choices and I look forward to seeing what February will bring me.
What was your favourite read in January?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2020
I LOVED “On The Plain Of Snakes”, Travel Writer Paul Theroux’s journey along the US/Mexico border, then deep into Mexico along back roads and small villages. He gives a voice to the people of that country who have been demonized in the press….beautifully written, insightful and with great perspective…I posted about it last month if you are interested in seeing more: https://johnrieber.com/2019/12/18/paul-therouxs-on-the-plain-of-snakes-his-incredible-mexican-journey-here-are-the-best-books-to-give-as-holiday-gifts-heres-a-list/
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This sounds like an interesting read John. It is so important that people be given a voice and it sounds like Theroux has done it for this group of people.
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Yes, and not just along the border: he travels through Mexico City and south to some of the poorest regions of the country.
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A voice for the dis-empowered.
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Nice month!!
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Thank you 😀
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No comments box on your latest post, Colline, so I just popped in here to wish you well with the struggle. Still reading American Idols by Neil Gaiman. 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for letting me know Jo. I was struggling so much with that post yesterday – uploading photos, etc. I will go and fix it.
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