I don’t typically enjoy this time of year. I find January to be a long, slow month with short days and little sunlight, and it always feels as though spring is a long way away. I also loathe the whole “new year, new you” messaging that seems to be inevitable at this time year, and can’t help but think “What’s wrong with the old me?!”
So, imagine my surprise at having had a truly excellent month! I visited Iceland – a trip booked prior to the recent seismic and volcanic activity – which was absolutely stunning. My other half and I unfortunately missed the northern lights, but we saw geysers (absolutely incredible) and were lucky enough to be able to visit Blue Lagoon which has been closed intermittently in recent weeks. It was a thoroughly relaxing experience, and I’d love to go back (to both Iceland and Blue Lagoon) to explore more of that beautiful country.
Despite a couple of weekends away and being thoroughly distracted by the return of The Traitors on TV, I managed to read nine books this month, and have even been keeping up (just about!) with my reviews!
Books Read and Reviewed
- The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore
- Arsene Lupin Gentleman Thief by Maurice Leblanc
- Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
- Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka
- Things We Lost in the Fire by Marianna Enriquez (translated by Megan McDowell)
- Plutoshine by Lucy Kissick
- The Watchmaker’s Hand by Jeffery Deaver
- The Selfless Act of Breathing by J. J. Bola
- A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
Favourite Books This Month
Other Blog Posts
I also posted my 2023 wrap up and a few of the books that I’m particularly looking forward to in Q1 2024. I decided to join in with the Spell the Month in Books challenge, posting on 31st January! Future months will be handled in a more timely fashion! 😁
Books Acquired
I purchased a relatively modest seven books this month:
TBR Watch
- Books out = 9 read + 1 DNF* = 10
- Books in = 7
- Gives a decrease of 3 in my TBR
*I may come back to the DNF at a later date, but for now it has been removed from my TBR.
Jo's Book Blog 
Your visit to Iceland sounds amazing, it’s a place that I’d love to go to.
Thanks, Jill – I’ve wanted to go for ages, and spotted some cheap flights late last year. It seemed rude not to take advantage!
Absolutely! Always take your chances when you can x
I loved the Blue Lagoon, and Iceland in general, too. I’m happy to read your month was better than expected xx
It’s such a relaxing experience, isn’t it? I’d happily go again 🙂
I know, me too!
“What’s wrong with old me?” Made me smile. I agree with your sentiment. Looks like you had amazing time in Iceland. Wish you a fabulous February.
😁 I’m not perfect, but I really don’t need to be bombarded with self-improvement messaging!
Iceland was beautiful, especially covered in snow as it was.
Sounds like you were lucky with the Blue Lagoon visit. I just looked it up and it was closed most of January and is still in the highest hazard area. Yikes! I’m very impressed you managed to write so many reviews.
Very lucky – it reopened the day that I’d planned to go, and I think it was quieter than it would have been otherwise.