Unlike the bookstagrammers and booktubers who read as many books as there are days in a month, in January I read 5. That is a great reading month for me personally, and I thought I'd talk about them in a bit more depth (than an Instagram story), for anyone who might be interested. So let's get into it!
1. Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
I rated this book 4/5. This is the third book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, and we have left Cafe Funiculi Finicula in Tokyo. The new setting is Cafe Donna Donna in Hokkaido, where Nagare has taken over. Time travel is also possible at this cafe, and all the same rules still apply. Nagare's mother, who ran Cafe Donna Donna, went to America and left him in charge. One thing I wasn't quite sure about is why Nagare left his daughter in Tokyo. I thought this was a bit odd, but it's easy enough to look over. I found myself most invested in the characters and stories from this book than I was in the others, and overall just really enjoyed it. There's not much else I have to say about it! The best part about these books is that they are small and digestible, they are emotional and discuss topics such as grief, but they are not too deep or depressing. I recommend this series to anyone, and I am keen to read the final book, Before We Say Goodbye.
2. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
I initially gave this book 4 stars, but I'm thinking it might actually be a 5. I haven't stopped thinking about it, and the characters have really stuck with me. A rash, green-card marriage quickly descends into mess and madness. When they first meet, Cleo and Frank have great banter and hit it off immediately, despite their 20-year age gap. Frank is a corporate man, while Cleo is a struggling British artist, currently on a student visa in New York. Their marriage is beneficial to them both for all the wrong reasons. Cleo's physical age enables Frank's mental age. He is immature, and can't refuse an excuse to have a drink - which develops into alcoholism. For Cleo, Frank financially supports her and is the reason she can stay in New York, so she can focus on her art all day every day. While yes, they both loved each other, they couldn't see that their marriage was destined to fail. Through Cleo and Frank, Coco Mellors tackles power dynamics in relationships, mental health, substance abuse, relationships, and how one poor decision can affect the people involved, and also the people around them. The side characters highlight the issues with Cleo and Frank's relationship, but also have their own captivating stories. Coco Mellors has a gorgeous writing style that I found hard to put down. This is an unbelievable debut novel.
3. Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
What to say about this book. I was hoping I'd be as obsessed with it as some people are, but that just wasn't the case. I gave it 3 stars because of its entertainment value, but I've never had a more frustrating reading experience in my life. I liked Magnolia. A lot of her lines made me laugh, and I think she had the potential to be a better character/person if it wasn't for BJ. BJ can go die in a hole as far as I'm concerned. He is an awful, disgraceful man and I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy. They seem to be irrevocably attached to each other, and I wanted to throw the book at the wall because Magnolia was SO CLOSE to getting away from him. But no. I'm still debating whether I want to pick up Daisy Haites and continue the Magnolia Parks universe. If you decide to read MP, be warned - you'll probably find yourself loving it and absolutely hating it at the same time.
4. Seeing Other People by Diana Reid
I was loving this book, until the main conflict started. The characters in this story are unlikeable and make questionable decisions. The vibe of this book was similar to Sally Rooney's style, whose work I've thoroughly enjoyed. When done well, unlikeable characters are still likeable in their own way, and while they may be making bad decisions, the reader can understand the motivations behind their actions. However, I didn't find this to be the case with Seeing Other People. I could not for the life of me understand why any of the characters did what they did. It was like watching a trainwreck, but a trainwreck that the characters were in charge of. None of them seemed truly remorseful for the ways they'd hurt each other, either. I didn't find this story particularly pleasant to read, however Diana Reid's writing is striking, and I loved the Australian charm the book had to offer. I rate it 3/5.
5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I don't want to spend too long talking about this one, as you've undoubtedly heard about it at some point, and yes, it's true - it's amazing. I can't believe it took me so long to finally pick up Throne of Glass, but I'm glad I did. I am absolutely hooked, currently reading Heir of Fire and feeling nervous about what I've gotten myself into. SJM has a tried and true way of sucking you into her stories, to the point where when you're not reading one of her books, you're spending every other moment thinking about it. If you're wondering whether to give this series a go, you should. There's a reason it is so beloved in the reading community. TOG is 4/5 for me!
