Books I Read in January 2019 – Mini Reviews
One thing that is going right for me in this new year is my reading. I am glad that I am doing an above average amount of reading lately. Touch wood! Today, I am sharing some quick mini reviews of the books that I have read in January 2019. And I am hoping to make this as a monthly feature.
Okay, here we go.
BRING ME BACK by BA PARIS
I loved BA Paris’ first book, Behind Closed Doors. It is one of the best psychological thriller that I have ever read till date. It was un-putdownable and simply perfect! Her second book, The Breakdown was not that bad. But Bring me Back was not convincing enough. The twist ending didn’t pack too much of a punch and did not satisfy the thriller fan in me. An OK read.
EROTIC STORIES FOR PUNJABI WIDOWS by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Read this for the prompt ‘book recommended by a celebrity’ and that it has an intriguing title and that it has got rave reviews. The book addresses many issues of the Punjabi widows in Southall, is thought-provoking and is hands down funny and interesting. Highly recommended.
LET IT SNOW by John Green
It’s a collection of 3 holiday romances by J Green, L Myracle and M Johnson. Such cute, heat-warming stories. Loved all of them and the best was how all the characters come together in the end. It’s a perfect Christmassy read.
WHO LIVES, WHO DIES WITH KIDNEY DISEASE by Mohammad Akmal, Vasundhara Raghavan
Who Lives, Who Dies With Kidney Disease has real life stories of people who have dealt with the Kidney disease. In this book there are some 20+ stories of people from all over the world who have experienced the disease. Some people lost the battle while some challenged this chronic disease and lived a reasonable normal life. This is an informative, insightful book and is a must read for anyone who isn’t aware of chronic kidney disease and also for those who are dealing with it.
LADIES COUPÉ by Anita Nair
It’s a story of six women from different walks of life who happen to be in a ladies coupe of a long distance train. They bond with each other and through their life stories reveal the dilemmas that women face in their different relationships. It is a journey towards self-discovery and self realization.
MALICE by Keigo Higashino
I am a huge fan of Japanese author, Keigo Higashino. I loved The Devotion of Suspect X, Salvation of a Saint and A Midsummer’s Equation. But I have mixed feelings about this book. While the story is pretty engaging with greats twists but the motive of the various characters was a bit outlandish and wasn’t convincing enough and that disappointed me. Go for it if you are looking for a light thriller.
GUARDIAN ANGEL by Ruchi Singh
I love books that completely engulf me in the story and Guardian Angel is one such book. It’s a page turner and totally un-putdownable. There’s drama, action, thrill, suspense and romance that’s oh! so beautiful. The characterization is vivid and realistic and the story is fast paced with twists and turns that keeps the adrenaline rushing.
What have you been reading? I’d love to hear from you if you have read any of these books, or want to read. What did you think? Thanks a lot for visiting and happy reading!
February 8, 2019 8:11 am|
I need to step up my reading. Thanks for the reviews. Will pick up some of the books!
February 8, 2019 10:26 am|
That’s an interesting collection Shilpa. I think, I would like to start with Gaurdian Angel.
February 8, 2019 10:34 am|
It’s wonderful that your reading is going well. I think among all those books I’d love Punjabi Widows and Let it Snow. This second one sounds specially good. I like sweet warm love stories. And after a few recent rather heavy reads that’s what I’ll be looking out for.
February 8, 2019 11:29 am|
I couldn’t finish Ladies Coupé, as I found it dull. Behind Closed Doors is on my TBR list. I have read The Devotion Of Suspect X. It was an engaging read, however the flashes of Dhrishyam while I was reading this book was a tad disturbing {I love Dhrishyam}. I have bought Malice. Also, Guardian Angel —I’m looking forward to reading this one as I loved Jugnu and really like the writing style of Ruchi Singh. 🙂
February 8, 2019 11:31 am|
It’s lovely to see your reading has gone so well, unlike mine, which was going very well until things started going downhill due an eye condition that has made any reading difficult for now. Would love to pick up some of the books from your list once I’m done with my current reading list. I’m focussing on a few books this year so, even if I can finish two a month I’ll be happy.
February 8, 2019 11:32 am|
Oh, and I’m reading The Kite Runner {my 7th book, however two books that I read were really short. :)} and Woman To Woman, a short story collection. My
February 8, 2019 1:16 pm|
I really like to read but I have sorely lack of time for this, so I can not spend much time reading lately.
February 8, 2019 2:44 pm|
That’s impressive for a month (I envy you:)). I have not heard about a few books in the list, will look into them, thanks for sharing!.
February 8, 2019 2:44 pm|
Interesting books.
February 8, 2019 3:44 pm|
You always ace the reading habit, you know that! 🙂
I just bought ‘Bring Me Back’ and was looking forward to read it. I loved her first book, haven’t read the second one yet. Let’s see how this one goes.
February 8, 2019 4:01 pm|
That’s an exhaustive list, Shilpa, Interesting collection, I would love to pick up the Guardian Angel and Ladies Coupe.
February 8, 2019 4:16 pm|
You have been doing great with your reading. Out of the 7 books, I have read Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows which I liked for the murder mystery rather than the erotic stories and also knowing mini Punjab in Southall. I am interested in picking up books by the Japanese Author.
February 8, 2019 4:41 pm|
U r really inspiring. although I am reading a lil non fiction these days, but the amount of reading that I do is too less. Your post urges me to read more.
February 9, 2019 9:18 am|
I had planned to read more and when I finished 2 books in first half of Jan, became lax! Your recommendation have motivated me. Will check these books.
February 9, 2019 9:21 am|
From all of the above, I guess I would be interested in Being me back…for me reading book is like a therapy…and I shall surely take out more time this year to read more books.
February 9, 2019 9:36 am|
You have read a lot of books so well to write mini reviews. Great going.
February 9, 2019 3:10 pm|
Behind closed doors was a book I enjoyed, too. And, now, from your list, I wish to read – Erotic stories, The ladies’ coupe and Let it snow.
Thanks for this list, Shilpa!
February 11, 2019 11:55 am|
I need to step up my reading too. Last 10 days have been a bit of a lag.
Quite an interesting list. I am yet to explore Keigo Higashino. Have heard a lot about his books. Someday soon, when I finish my mounting TBR.
And yes, Seven books in a month is no mean feat. You must be quite a fast reader. I struggle to finish one book these days in a month, to be honest. I’m slow as a snail. Though I usually read two-three at the same time. And I wish I also had the luxury to read uninterrupted like I did a decade back.
Please share some speed reading tips Shilpa. 🙂
February 12, 2019 9:42 am|
These all sound interesting, Kudos to you, for reading them all. I have a large stack of unread books, still waiting. One of these days…
February 13, 2019 6:38 pm|
Wow… you read 7 books in a month. That inspires me to read more. I have been wanting to read Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows for a while now. Everyone keeps raving about it.
March 22, 2019 12:48 am|
I have kept GUARDIAN ANGEL by Ruchi Singh in my Reading List. Just Wondering how can you read so much at a time.
Any quick Tips
March 22, 2019 9:07 am|
Hi Aslam. I am sure, you will enjoy Guardian Angel. Tips…. here you go…. https://shilpaagarg.com/2018/02/read-more.html