January — New Year, New Series/Author…Plus, My Reading Goals For 2023!

First of all, Happy New Year!!

I don’t know about you, but I am so glad the shitstorm that was 2022 is officially in the rearview window.  Time to recharge and look forward to 2023.

First up, my January theme:  New Year, New Series/New Author.  I like to start off the new year with this theme as it just seems fitting.  This month I am looking forward to these two titles…

For the new series, I picked up The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick.  This sounds right up my alley, with a mix of fantasy, mystery, and magic.  Added bonus:  it’s set between Christmas and New Year’s, a perfect fit for this time of year.  My other selection is a brand new release from new-to-me author, Garrett Cook.  Charcoal is described as “a dark allegory about the nature of art and the monsters that create it.”  I’ve been holding onto this one since it arrived a couple months ago, and I can’t wait to finally start it.

As for my 2022 goals, and my new ones for 2023…

I did complete my Goodreads challenge of 150 books (final count was 155).  However, I fell a bit short with my personal “22 books for 2022.”  Why do I always seem to put off reading the longer titles until the end of the year?!?!  I am currently reading the last two from that list, Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll and Black House, and while I want to finish them up soon, I also don’t really have them on my priority list at the moment.  But I do have my must-read books set up and ready to go.  This year I’m setting that goal to twenty…

FICTION (10)—The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

Genocide of One by Kazuaki Takano

The Bottoms by Joe Lansdale

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Road Seven by Keith Rosson

A Quiet Belief in Angels by RJ Ellory

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

NONFICTION (3) — The Lizard King by Bryan Christy

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

American Overdose by Chris McGreal

KINDLE (5) — Children of the Dragon by Frank Robinson

City of Endless Night by MM Hastings

The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters

The Hobgoblin of Little Minds by Mark Matthews

Whimsical Leprosy by Brandon Faircloth

CLASSIC (1) — The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells

MEGA (Over 600 pages) (1) — 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami


I’ll also be making a few small changes to my Weekly Mash-Up, I should have that up in the next day or two.

What are your reading goals for 2023?  Drop me a line, let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe, and Happy Reading!