What I read in January

Hey there, I hope I'm not too late for my monthly book review. I had a great reading month in January, finishing ten books in total, and I am excited to share my reads with you. Let's hope the year continues just like that!

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder 

I remember I bought this book four years ago, read the book halfway through, and gave up. Recently, I decided to give it a second chance and see if the second half could redeem the book. A perfect read if you have no exposure to philosophy but want to start somewhere. I love that the writer introduced philosophy, from the Presocratics to existentialism, through storytelling and analogy, making them easier to understand and apply in life. The first question of the philosopher to Sophie got me curious: Who are you?  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen 

I bought this pretty Chiltern Edition at Bookxcess at RM 50 and I have no regrets, I swear! When I read Sense and Sensibility, I can now understand why people are so disappointed with Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey and rate them low. While I thought these two books were good, Sense & Sensibility set the bar so high for Jane Austen. I love the love, relationships, and marriage tribulations of the Dashwood sisters and the contrast between them as the central theme of the novel. Personally, the oldest, sweet and precious Elinor feels emotionally closer to me than spunky and dramatic Marianne. No doubt, I will return to this beautiful novel again and reread it more than twice or thrice. 

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

How To Stay Sane In An Age Of Division by Elif Shafak 

I  really, really love her writing through this book. So engaging; it's a pity that this book is short (96 pages) because I wished she had written more. I found myself nodding along while reading her book, finding her words incredibly profound, simple, relatable, and everything just makes sense! Every single word of this book is full of prodigious wisdom and quotes. Precisely what everyone should read at this moment in time. Elif Shafak is officially one of my favorite authors of all time.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adam 

A book about books. Began by discovering a list of books with the heading "Just in case you need it," finding the connections through reading and changing the perspective and the view of the world through a book. Lovely. There are many books from the list I haven't read yet, and now I'm excited to read The Kill a Mockingbird just to feel the same joy as the characters did. Might make one booklist to live by for myself. 

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Know My Name by Chanel Miller 

A memoir of a sexually assaulted survivor. I love her writing, eloquent yet authentic. She opened my eyes in so many ways. Haven't been surrounded by sexually assaulted victims, or maybe, I was too ignorant to know; I knew it was terrible but never knew how awful. There are no words to describe what she went through. I admire her tenacity to fight justice against the defender. She won the case but still didn't get the justice she was looking for as the defender only got three months in jail. She wrote Emily Doe's Victim Impact Statement to condemn the lack of justice after years of trials that went viral, and led to changes in current laws, recalling the judge who presided over her case. The road was definitely not easy, but Miller made it possible. A million stars.

Trigger Warnings: rape, attempted rape, substance use, sexual assault  

                                                   My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Educated by Tara Westover 

A memoir of Tara brought up in survivalist Mormons in an isolated homestead, under a mountain in rural Idaho, and very much 'off the grid.' Tara and her siblings had no formal education and no official birth certifications. Instead of going to the hospital, her mother/herbalist cared for them with alternative remedies. Her first proper education was when she was 17. She got into Brigham Young University after studying independently for the ACT exams, eventually furthered her study at Cambridge and Harvard, and earned her Ph.D. However, it was frustrating to watch her sometimes, to visit her manipulative and abusive family, despite their constant rejection, to seek her family's approval.

Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, emotional abuse, religion-based abuse, child neglect 

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

I love love love this book. This is my first encounter with the Bronte sisters, and I don't regret choosing Jane Eyre as my first book. At first, I expected this book was mainly about a love story. So, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I couldn't understand why she was still in love with the manipulative Mr. Rochester to the end. But then, I learned that it is about a nineteenth-century feminist, strong and liberated Jane Eyre, far ahead of its time. One of the virtues of this story that I adore is no matter what life throws at her; a rotten family, creepy suitor, poverty, Jane remains true to herself. And look at the cover, isn't she a beauty?

 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig 

This is my third book favorite by Matt Haig by far. A journey of Haig battling with his depression, and I cried my eyes out while reading this book. It reminded me that I've actually been there and could relate so much to his struggles. His words sat me, hugged me, understood me all the hell I went through, and reassurance that everything will eventually be okay. All books about depression (not that I read many books about depression) are the best book. I am tempted to grab some more books on depression recommended from this book. You can read my full review here. 

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, depression, suicide & suicidal ideation

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 

If Educated is about family refusing education, I am Malala, shared her experience growing up in Pakistan where females' education is denied during the oppression of the Taliban. There are some parts I found hard to digest, especially on the politics of Pakistan. I had to pause my reading and google to get the background story and better understanding. Malala has been known for her passion for her studies since she was a kid. I respect her bravery; she spoke out and fought for her right to an education, which was heavily influenced and supported by her father. A right that maybe we all took for granted and perhaps not appreciate enough. She was targeted for assassination and was shot in the head by the Taliban on her way home.

 My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5

Before the coffee gets cold, #1 by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 

This book is about a cafe where you can travel back time, with few conditions, you can never change the present, there is only one particular seat and cannot move from that seat. I can imagine the cosy vibes of the cafe while reading this book; the four different people sitting on the designated seat, sipping the hot coffee, travelling back time, meeting people from the past, and undoing their regrets. Made me wonder where would I go if I had the chance to travel the time. If such a cafe does exist, would you take the chance and travel back time? If yes, where would you go?  

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 

I didn't realize ten books was a lot until I wrote my monthly book review. Phew, quite a lot. I constantly told myself that there is no need to rush in reading, and it is okay if I take a week to finish a book. But I'd still end up reading a book within two or three days and get too excited to pick up the next book.

How about you? What you read in January?