What's on your bookshelf co-host badge
Posted on by Debbie

What’s on your Bookshelf? January 2022

Welcome Readers!

A new year of reading is ahead of us!

It’s lovely to have you back for another month of the What’s On Your Bookshelf Challenge, #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and of course, me.

We are all thrilled with how our ‘challenge’ has been accepted, thanks to everyone who has joined in since we started back in August 2021.

My reading challenge for 2022 is set and I’m keen to read some good books again this year.

Who are we?

Co-hosts – Sue, Donna and Jo – are all different and we all lead very different lives, so it stands to reason all of our WOYBS posts are different too.

I always enjoy reading their posts and seeing how they have treated the monthly challenge, picking up new titles to add to my ever growing list of books I want to read. We don’t discuss what we’re writing about beforehand, just in case you were wondering, so it’s always a surprise!

Reading is the winner

If you’re into reading feel free to join us, even if it’s just to leave a comment with what you’ve been reading lately. We’ve now added a linkup so you can add your posts directly there and see what others have posted for the month.

The simple purpose of this challenge is to share our love of reading.

So what’s on my bookshelf?

I asked for, and received, quite a few books for my birthday in December and then a few weeks later at Christmas. Others I asked for but didn’t get, I have ordered for myself, usually in ebook format but a few are actual real books.

So what did I get? Here’s a selection:

  • Still Life by Sarah Winman – just starting this one now! With beautiful prose, extraordinary tenderness, and bursts of humor and light, Still Life is a sweeping portrait of unforgettable individuals who come together to make a family, and a richly drawn celebration of beauty and love in all its forms.
  • Love Stories by Trent Dalton – I love the premise of this book and the image of Trent Dalton sitting on a street corner asking people to tell him a love story. It’s a compilation of the stories he collected. A heartfelt, deep, funny, wise and tingly tribute to the greatest thing we will never understand and the only thing we will ever really need: love
  • The Comfort Book by Matt Haig – I read it this in ebook format last year and decided I needed the hard copy! For anyone in search of hope, looking for a path to a more meaningful life, or in need of a little encouragement.
  • The Nightingale by Kirstin Hannah – this has been recommended by many, so I’m keen to read it! I’ve enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Kirstin Hannah. A heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
  • Three Sisters by Heather Morris – the breathtaking conclusion to The Tattooist of Auschwitz trilogy.
  • Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar – In the darkness of night, magic awaits…The Nutcracker for adults – it sounds fascinating!
doublebooking
doublebooking

Currently reading

For some reason, I have put off starting the books I really want to read and instead I’ve read some easy to digest books; library books that have to be returned by a certain date; things I’ve had sitting on my kindle for ages but not got around to reading – you get the picture??

And as a result I’ve been left a bit dissatisfied, stretched too thin with more than one book on the go at a time. Reading something I’ve not really wanted to be reading – so I’m changing that as of NOW!

The Harriet Blue series by Candice Fox (and James Patterson)

I’ve said it before, I find it hard to get into audio books and find myself resenting the time it takes to listen to them, if I’m not driving or walking that is. I find it hard just to sit and listen as I would just sit and read – isn’t it strange? But this hasn’t stopped my enjoyment of the Detective Harriet Blue series and I now would rather listen to these than read them – I’m even confusing myself!

  1. Never, Never ✅
  2. Fifty, Fifty ✅
  3. Liar, Liar – listening now
  4. Hush, Hush

What has made these audio books more enjoyable has been a good narrator in Federay Holmes. I love her reading to me and think I’ll now listen to the remaining 2 books in the series rather than ‘reading’ them. She has a fabulous voice and just gets Harriet Blue perfectly. They are fast paced crime thrillers, set in Australia, and I’ve really enjoyed discovering Candice Fox as an (Aussie) author over the past few months.

Still Life by Sarah Winman

I’m now about halfway through this book and I’m absolutely loving it! I know Sue really enjoyed this recently, so I’ve been looking forward to getting into it.

Still Life by Sarah Winman

I feel like I’m being transported to a different world as I read this book – it’s just what I needed!

I often need a good book to get stuck into, one that sucks me in, transports me to a different world and makes me want to hurry up and slow down at the same time, at the thought of finishing it – does that made sense?

I think I’ve found it in Still Life.

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

If you’ve been following along, you know that in our on-line bookclub we’ve slowly worked our way through the works of the Bronte sisters – Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Agnes Gray, Tenant of Wildfell Hall, The Professor, Villette and finally Shirley. I say finally because I’m almost Bronte-d out, but I have to say Shirley has some spunk to it that Charlotte hasn’t shown in her previous novels and I’m actually enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I’ve not had to resort to listening to it read at speed 1.3 times faster than normal, as I did with some of the others 🙂 and that’s saying something!

Other books I’ve enjoyed this month

January reads so far
January reads so far

My previous editions of WOYBS from 2021

Since we started this monthly challenge, back in August 2021, I wrote about the ‘Most…’ books this year (in 2021) and enjoyed sharing my thoughts and breaking down my favourite reads.

In my 2nd WOYBS post (September 2021) I talked about reading Vs listening to books and included some of my 5 star ratings.

In October I talked about library books (October 2021) and having a due date to read them by, which helped me prioritise what to read next.

In November 2021 it was all about Children’s Books with a few examples of books I have bought for my grandchildren for Christmas.

Last month (December 2021) I talked about some Aussie Christmas Books, my top 3 books for 2021 and a general update.

Guidelines for WOYBS:

What: What’s On Your Bookshelf #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge
When: Third Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Third Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere).
Why: Share a love of reading.
Where: Linkup below, Blog, Blog Comments, Instagram or other Social Media.
Who: This linkup is open to everyone.
How: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. Include the special hashtag #Whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge so that we can find you and include your link in our posts.

But Wait, There’s (Even) More!

To show our appreciation to all participants, contributors are welcome to display a contributor’s badge on their blog, website or social media.

Sue, Donna, Jo and I hope that you will join us in this fun series! If you have any questions just ask us. You can also link to any, or all of our posts, with a pingback. We now have a linkup – so all your posts can be added directly!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js…

Don’t forget to tell me about the book(s) you’re reading at the moment!

You can read more from my stunning co-hosts here:

Jo from And Anyways…

Sue from Women Living Well After 50

Donna from Retirement Reflections

We’re all in this together, sharing our love of reading 🙂

Happy reading to you.

Deb xx

You can see all my reading challenges and books here on my Book Page

You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.

Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here

Copyright © 2023 debs-world.com – All rights reserved

55 Replies to “What’s on your Bookshelf? January 2022”

  1. Hi, Debbie – I am always very impressed by the quantity, quality, and diversity of books that you read each month. Your December-January list is awesome. I’ve been on the lookout for Trent Dalton’s ‘Love Stories’ but have not yet found it in our local bookstores (in Vancouver Island, Vancouver or Kelowna). And, sadly, it is not yet in our local libraries. Hopefully, it will appear in a bookstore or library near me soon.
    I also agree with you on Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Shirley’. That’s a much better read than I had been expecting…at least so far! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks Donna, that’s so lovely of you to say. I read fast and enjoy a variety of genres, trying to mix it up as much as possible. I hope Love Stories makes its way to you over there. And yes Shirley has been a pleasant surprise so far!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Hi Janis, I don’t know what to say except that I love reading and make the time to read, mainly because I don’t enjoy housework much! Your short story was fabulous and such a great addition to our challenge 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Pingback: What’s On Your Bookshelf? January 2022 – Lifestyle Trend Reports

  5. I’ve heard good things about a few of these, but I’m loving the sound of Midnight in Everwood. It sounds different enough to my usual reading for me to give it a go. I’m actually enjoying Shirley so far…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. So much to love here Deb. I loved Love Stories and The Nightingale l. I listed to Harriet Blue as audiobook and loved it. Like you I can’t sit and listen to an audiobook. If I’m sitting I’d rather a real book. I listen while doing housework, gardening, walking or driving. Thanks for continuing #whatsonyourbookshelf in 2022

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The Harriet Blue series has been really good to listen to Jen and I’ve just noticed that the final one is read by a different person so I’m hoping I won’t be disappointed. So pleased you’ve enjoyed our monthly challenge and continue to join us.

      Like

      Reply

  8. I adored Still Life, Deb and it prompted me to read A Room with A View which I had not read before. I’ll be checking out the Harriet Blue series. As for audiobooks I only ever listen to them if I go for a run or in the car. It’s strange as I can sit for hours reading a book but feel differently when it comes to audio books. Thanks for co-hosting WOYBS and here’s to another enjoyable month of reading. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’ve just finished Still Life Sue and loved it, thanks so much for the recommendation. Audiobooks have their time and place I’ve decided. I’ve now finally started reading The Nightingale, another of your suggestions, thanks so much!

      Like

      Reply
  9. Pingback: Books About Books and #TheReadingList [Book Review] #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge | Reading Ladies

  11. Hi Debbie
    Looking forward to writing my post this month. As usual you have been super busy with all your reading. I haven’t read any of your books so will add some to my list. Still Life sounds good. I’m like you and can sometimes have several on the go at once!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. I find that I can only listen to audiobooks while driving too; luckily I am in my car quite a bit so I do manage to listen to at least one story a month. I haven’t heard of many on your list and didn’t even realize the tattooist was a trilogy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Pingback: January #whatsonyourbookshelf and my favorite books from 2021 – Eat, Play, Live

  17. Oh my, I understand putting off reading or in my case mostly listening to a book, and I have done that with Trent’s book! Savouring or saving?! Mmmm. I have not taken more than a small bite out of Brene Brown’s Atlas of the heart BUT spent my time in a PCR queue listening to Matt Haig finishing Comfort. I too have the book. My most recent audiobook was 10 Doors Down, a story of his adoption in 1951 by former labor MP Robert Tickner. It was enthralling, sad and uplifting all at once!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. A – you read a LOT! B – I always find something new from your lists and this was no exception as I did not know that The Tattooist of Auschwitz was a trilogy so have the second one loaded in Libby. C – probably reading mostly kids books for the near future so will likely be MIA from your linkz. Take care. Bernie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. I am embarassed to admit that I have yet to read a Kristin Hannah book and I’ve been hearing so many good things. There’s even the Netflix show, Firefly Lane, which I have yet to watch. I am also intrigued with “Midnight in Everwood.” Nutcracker for adults drew me in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I haven’t seen the Firefly lane show or read the book but have lots about it too Julie. Yes the Midnight in Everwood sounds fascinating doesn’t it? I’d not heard of it before so will make sure I mention it once I’ve read it.

      Like

      Reply

  20. I’m definitely pushing Still Life to the top of my list. I just finished reading The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride. It is a touching story about the relationship between an elderly man and a young boy. If you read it, keep the tissues nearby for the ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Pingback: Late Night Sunday Stills Wild-eyed Coffee Share of one of my Memorable Vacations for LAPC – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
  22. Pingback: Challenge Host Interview Series: What’s on Your Bookshelf? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  23. Oh you’ve made me regret not picking up Trent Dalton’s love stories at the library! I saw it and worried it would be another like his other 2 books which were good stories but so very sad and violent! I think I might actually really enjoy this one of his, so thank you for the recommendation, I’ll have to pick it up next time I see it! 🙂 Good luck with your reading goals for the year too!

    Hope that your week is going well 🙂 It’s a relaxing day here as it’s a public holiday 🙂 We spent the morning at the playground.

    Like

    Reply
  24. Pingback: WQW #4: Word of the Year or Double Dipping – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  26. I love to get book recommendations. My last 3 books haven’t blown me away so I’m looking for something very absorbing that I can’t put down. I’ll definitely check out Still Life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  27. Pingback: Do you have any ‘Marmite’ Books on Your Bookshelf? – Lifestyle Trend Reports
  28. Pingback: How Charlotte Bronte used writing to #BreakTheBias before it was even a hashtag – Lifestyle Trend Reports

Let's keep the conversation going...

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Blog at WordPress.com.
%d bloggers like this: