What I read in January 2025
January was another month that seemed to go on forever, without the benefit of a pleasant break at the end (or much pleasant at all, really *glares in approximate direction of the U.S.*).
One good thing (other than reading) was a trip out to Orford Ness as part of the Beach of Dreams project. It was a stunning sunny winter’s day and we heard some fascinating things about the Ness’ history. There was a writing activity after we walked around the island, and I actually feel motivated and inspired to develop what I came up with, which makes a change.
I took lots of pictures on the day, which you can see in my Mastodon thread about Orford Ness (no login required).
Anyway, books.
City of Night Birds, by Juhea Kim - 4*
Cursed Under London, by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch - 4*
What You Are Looking for is in the Library, by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts - 4*
Orbital, by Samantha Harvey - 4*
A Council of Dolls, by Mona Susan Power - 4.5*
A Closed and Common Orbit, by Becky Chambers - I love her books so much, I’m going to feel so bereft when I’ve read them all. 5*
At the Bottom of the Garden, by Camilla Bruce - 4*
The Ten Thousand Doors of January, by Alix E. Harrow - wonderful. 5*
In Judgement of Others, by Eleanor Anstruther - 4*
That Bonesetter Woman, by Frances Quinn - marvellous. 5*
The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter, by K.J. Charles - short and sweet. 4*
The Garden, by Nick Newman - 4.5*
The Autistic Brain, by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek - interesting stuff, but too much generalisation, and don’t get me started on the whole ‘young autistics these days are work-shy and should mask their traits to get and keep jobs, as that’s the only way to contribute to society’ thing. 3*
Looking ahead…
Through my writing group, I’m privileged to know some people who are doing really cool things. This month, two such writers have books out that I’m reading for review – I’m on the blog tour for Katy Wimhurst’s An Orchid in my Belly Button, and am reviewing The Mune, by Sue Dawes, at the author’s request. So exciting!
In the meantime, I’ve started Record of a Spaceborn Few, by Becky Chambers, and so far I’m enjoying it as much as expected (i.e. a lot).