These are the books I read in January.
Get Plucky with the Ukulele: A Quick and Easy Guide to All Things Uke by Will Grove-White
This was my hands down favorite book I read this month. It is a comprehensive introduction to the ukulele. It shares history and random facts in an entertaining way that makes you become more invested in learning to play the Ukulele. The chord progression taught made me feel like I made progress quickly.
Simplify by Joshua Becker
With my word of the year being “Simplify” how could I not read this book? It is a satisfying short read (46 pages) for anyone thinking about or just starting the process of simplifying their everyday life.
My Blog Traffic Sucks! 8 Simple Steps to Get 100,000 Blog Visitors without Working 8 Days a Week by Steve Scott
Again this is a shorter read (82 Pages). I read this on a whim because it was free with Kindle Unlimited. I basically blog just for me, but because I’m spending time doing it, I thought it might be time to do it “right”. I didn’t like the book as I read it. Probably because “only thirty minutes a day” here and “only thirty minutes a day” are extra time sinks that I am rebelling against. I have no expertise to claim if that time spend would be worth it. I will say that I did get several common sense ideas that I plan on trying out – one at a time. Maybe.
Sovereign (Sovereign Series Book 1) by E.R. Arroyo (At the time of posting, this book is free so read it now!)
If you are a fan of dystopian fiction (a la Hunger Games) then yes, please read this book. Cori has inner dialogue that is acute yet muddied by her own experiences, making the story seem so much more real. You get wrapped up in the plot twists but there is enough predictability to make you feel comfortable with the story. If you read this first, you’ll have to read the second.
The Offering (Sovereign Series Book 2) by E.R. Arroyo
This is the second in the Sovereign Series. You know it is a good book when you mope around because it is finished and no other book seems appealing. It was a satisfying duo and the ending was left with appropriate closure. A small part of me feels there could still be a third.
For my reading this month, I started very strong as most of these books were read in the first week and a half. I’ve been listening to an audiobook (I joined Audible earlier this year) but I’m only half way through listening to it. I have a 15 minute commute so at this rate it’ll take me about a month to get through this 15 hour audiobook. I’m not always the best listener because I zone out, but I’m giving it a try.
Book Count for the Year: 5