The first month of 2022 is behind us already. It’s funny, I felt every second of last years January and couldn’t wait it to end. I blinked this year and it was gone. And as usual, my wrap up is a bit further into the month than most so at least we’re staying consistent! In January I managed to read 8 books in total and finished a full series (!!!) and continue another. And possibly a new favourite?

So to recap, with reviews linked, I read the following in January:

• The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (same for the following)
• A Close and Common Orbit
• Record of a Spaceborn Few
• The Galaxy and the Ground Within
• Shadowblack by Sebastien De Castell
• The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch
• The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
• Priest of Bones by Peter McClean

This was an excellent reading month. I’m going to be changing a little how I do these posts (again, for funsies) to discuss a bit more nuance I’m applying to my reading this year. Mostly for my own tracking purposes. But as a quick round up there was 4 scifi, 3 fantasy and 1 middlegrade graphic novel.

Series Continued and Finished:

I can’t quite believe it still but I read the entire Wayfarers series this month. I go into it in better detail in this recap/mini review post but this was my sole reading goal this month and it felt so good to do it. I think as well it really was a good choice to open a new year with such a hopeful series that ended on a lovely cathartic note.

I also continued two series I carried over from 2021 and that is the Spellslinger series and the Rivers of London/ PC Grant series. I’m past rereading the Rivers of London books and now on the final books I need to read to be caught up with the new one in April. This is my favourite ongoing series honestly and every book is just another joy.

The Spellslinger series continues to surprise me with how dark it can become and how nuanced the characters are. I might do a review of the first three books like I did with The Wayfarers but after I am intending to read the third in February.

Priest of Bones sees the start of the War for the Rose Throne series for me. Similar to the Rivers of London,I am going to catch up with the series in time for the final book later this year. This is excellent grimdark. It’s characters and world building are so flawless I’m both dreading and dying to continue.

Comics:

So I’m still embarrassed to say how behind I am on comics that I’m following month to month. In January I did catch up on Catoman: Lonely City and Batman Vs Bigby: A Wolf in Gotham.

Quick thoughts, Catwoman Lonely City is excellent. I love this new take on her being older, Gotham being more controlled and the discussion of how the various villains would be now if they had therapy? The final issue is out in March and would highly recommend.

I’m hugely disappointed with the route Batman vs Bigby continues to take. Now granted, I need not expect more from it than Bigby Wolf in final form punching Batman. And Cinderella is here! But that being said, the mystery is lacking. The plot is weak and there’s not nearly enough punching. I’ll finish this one but it’s sad to see it so poor.

So that was January! I did enjoy so many things this month, do tell me if you read any of the same. Happy reading all!