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Welcome back!
Here’s my first monthly round-up of books I bought or borrowed in 2023! January was very much a reading month with all the awful weather we had. It might’ve caused some spontaneous purchases…
Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries – Alan Rickman
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: In progress
Sad Cypress – Agatha Christie
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: Yes
Read as part of the Read Christie 2023 challenge. A short, fun read but also kind of forgettable.
Partners in Crime – Agatha Christie
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: No
I’ll be reading this one as the February book of the Read Christie 2023 challenge. I actually ended up with two copies of this in January as I bought the eBook, totally forgot about it, and then picked up a copy at the charity shop. I’ll be shipping off the hardcopy to my friend who is also doing the challenge.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: DNF
I didn’t rate this at all. DNF’d fairly early.
The Passenger – Cormac McCarthy
Format: Hardback
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: No
I was fairly elated to find this at my local charity shop for £2.99 in excellent condition.
The Virgin Suicides – Jeffrey Eugenides
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: No
I’ve had The Virgin Suicides on my ‘to read’ list for literally years and years. I’ve seen the film a few times and I’m really curious to read the book. Another charity shop bargain, lightly read.
Pottermore presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Kindle Unlimited)
Read: Yes
Pottermore presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Kindle Unlimited)
Read: Yes
Pottermore presents: Hogwarts – An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Kindle Unlimited)
Read: Yes
The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side – Agatha Christie
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Kindle Unlimited)
Read: No
That Bird Has My Wings – Jarvis Jay Masters
Format: eBook
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Kindle Unlimited)
Read: No
I stumbled across this book by accident and borrowed it immediately, having just last year read The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff. He tells Masters’ story beautifully, but I can’t wait to hear from the man himself.
Cook Slow: Light and Healthy – Dean Edwards
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Library)
Read: Yes (Well, as much as you can read a cookbook.)
I’ve enjoyed cooking for a while but the New Year brought on some resolutions that meant I needed to up my game and start eating better. I borrowed this book from the library and I have made some amazing recipes from it. I love that you can either do it the ‘conventional’ way or in a slow cooker. I ended up buying my own copy on Kindle and returning this one to the library for other patrons.
Miss Benson’s Beetle – Rachel Joyce
Format: Hardback
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Library)
Read: No
Undoctored – Adam Kay
Format: Hardback
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Library)
Read: DNF
Sadly, Kay’s latest book was a DNF for me. I have nothing but praise for This is Going to Hurt and Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas, but Undoctored missed the mark for me.
Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – Johann Hari
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Library)
Read: No
I had intended to read Stolen Focus when it was first released and honestly just didn’t get around to it. I picked it up at the library on a whim and I’m looking forward to hopefully working out why I’ve got the attention span of a drunk gnat.
The Moving Finger – Agatha Christie
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Borrowed (Library)
Read: Yes
The Moving Finger is the March book for the Read Christie 2023 challenge but the premise really spoke to me so I decided to read it early. I don’t feel it’s one of the better books, it’s a bit slow going but I ultimately still enjoyed it.
And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: Yes (in the past, planned re-read)
An Introduction to Mythology – Lewis Spence
Format: Paperback
Purchased or Borrowed: Purchased
Read: No
Comment below!
What books did you get this month? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to share a link to your own blog.
Wishing you a bookish week,
Laura
Roachie's Reviews 
The first Adam Jay book was excellent but the Christmas one felt far too flimsy. I was hoping Undoctored would be a return to the quality of the first one, and have similar insight about the way the NHS treats its staff.
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