What I Read in January 2022

As I’ve mentioned in My Top 5 Books of 2021 post, my goal is to read 36 books this year! I want to chronicle the books I read every month – and to give my recommendations. I know February is almost to an end, but it’s never too late amirite?

A note to the reader (get it): This month’s list is LONG – 10 books long. I started the year with a week of vacation so I had plenty of time to read and listen to books. I’ve really leaned into having two library cards (and a large catalog of unread physical books) so at any given time I’m listening/reading to at least two books. This may not be the trend for the year, but my goal of 36 books is off to a great start!

The books I’m listing below with my comments are my favorite books of the month – all of the okay books are listed at the end.

1. Not All Diamonds and Rose by Dave Quinn

Read if you like: Reality TV, Bravo, Real Housewives, Interviews

As my first read of the year, I could not put this book down. This book dives into the world of ALL of the Real Housewives franchises. In an interview-style book, each chapter covers one franchise: starting with OG Orange County and going all the way through to Dallas. RH of Salt Lake City came after the book is finished, but it’s still filled with piping hot tea. It’s an interesting peek behind the scenes of one of the most successful franchises of all time.

2. Taste: My Life through Food by Stanley Tucci

Read if you like: Celebrity memoirs, cookbooks, books read by the author, Italy, travel

I didn’t realize until I read this, but I love Stanley Tucci. I love Stanley Tucci even more when he’s reading his life stories to me. This was a very enjoyable listen and I learned so much about him. It was great hearing stories of how food has influenced his life. I wish I had the hard copy so I could have the recipes he described so I could re-create them!

3. Blowing My Way to the Top by Jen Atkin

Read if you like: Celebrity memoirs, inspirational books

Apparently, this is the year of celebrity memoirs – and I’m not bad about it! Jen Atkin is a hairstylist to the stars. Adopted to a Mormon family in Utah, Jen talks about her journey to the top and shares her life lessons, reflections, and advice on how to be a successful woman, no matter what industry. I actually took screenshots of multiple pages so I could reference them later and try girl-bossing my way to the top.

4. Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger

Read if you like: Thriller, family dynamics, first-person narratives

My first thriller of the year did not disappoint. On her train ride home, Selena meets a stranger named Martha. They start up a conversation and confide in each other that one is stuck in an affair with her boss and the other thinks her husband is cheating on her. When the nanny goes missing, Selena’s life is thrown upside down and has her questioning everyone she’s crossed paths with. Each chapter is told from one character’s perspective and it flips back-and-forth between the present and the past. This was a “read in the morning, at lunch, and before bed” type of book because it was JUST THAT GOOD.

5. Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster

Read if you like: Celebrity memoirs, broadway, Younger, crafting

If you’re a fan of Younger of an OG Bunheads fan, you will love this book! This memoir is a lovely but heartbreaking at times listen, as read by Sutton herself. She talks about how crafting helped her through the stages of her life: from childhood to Broadway stardom to national TV success. I had no idea she experienced such hardships and it made me understand (and love) her much more!

6. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Read if you like: Mystery, family dynamics, thriller

This was one of Reese’s book club picks so it’s been on my list for a while. To be honest, what made me love the book is that most of it is set in Austin, Texas. In a nutshell: Hannah’s husband, Owen, goes missing with one note left behind – Protect her. Hannah and her stepdaughter go on a mission to find out what really happened to Owen, why he would leave without them, and who he really was. This book was *slightly* predictable and missed the normal shocking twist I love in a mystery, but still a good read – especially if you have a soft spot for ATX.

7. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Read if you like: Historical fiction, World War II, female leads, England

This was my book club’s pick of the month! I don’t think I could have had a better introduction to historical fiction than this. Set in World War II, The Rose Code explores the world of female codebreakers at Bletchley Park in England. This book follows the lives of three women who sacrifice their lives and are in search of the spy who ruined their friendship. I was extra excited to read this book because Drew and I are planning to go to London this year to visit Bletchley Park in the flesh!!

Others

I rated these books 3 stars or less so I won’t be getting into them. But you may find them interesting, so don’t let me stop you from reading!

8. The Housewives by Brian Moylan

9. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

10. Hidden Bodies (You, #2) by Caroline Kepnes

As always, you can follow along with my reading journey on my Goodreads profile!

Happy reading!

Vivian