The books I read in January
and other odd news and updates
January was a month filled with snow days, many cups of tea, and an endless stream of books.
It’s in winter I find myself shedding the skin of the previous year, finding a new version of me waiting to be planted in the warm spring soils.
I finally released my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Deleting even my secret Facebook account that allowed me to spend countless hours on marketplace dreaming of ways to fill my new house. It’s been three months since we moved in.
It felt both freeing and scary.
Today marks the half way point of winter and a return to the light. With the sun shining today I feel the excitement in my bones. The magic of the trees whispering of conversations on the horizon.
With all that said, these are the books I read in the month of January!
Fiction:
Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu. Last year I was introduced to this author on a solo trip to Vancouver Island. Book one was called Heavenly Bodies and I loved it, so stepping back into this world made the start of this year a delight. Magic, deities based on the zodiac signs, fated love. Swoon! This series holds all the ingredients my cosmic soul delights in.
Thief of Night by Holly Black. If you love fairies as much as I do, then you have probably heard of Holly Black. Her young adult novels are some of the best in regards to fairyland. This book however is her second instalment in her first adult fantasy debut. Personally I loved it, even though the reviews have been mixed. The premise of this story is unlike any I have read before, which I always find exciting. It’s dark but not too dark, filled with characters you can’t help but fall in love with.
The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski. I mean, the name alone makes it worthwhile to read. Witches, tea, magic, and three identical sisters finding themselves after the loss of their parents. It was the cozy read I was looking for before stepping into my out of fantasy genre book next. A lovely standalone book to warm the coldest of nights.
This year I committed to reading one book a month outside my genre to open myself up to other authors and emotional experiences. 1984 by George Orwell was a doozy! The similarities to what is happening in the world today were not lost on me. This book was shorter than most of the other books I read this month but took me the longest. It’s not one you rush through, instead digesting it slowly. The book made me look at world news through a different perspective and opened my eyes in ways I wasn’t expecting. I’m glad I read it.
Sandwiching 1984 between two cozy fantasies was exactly the right choice for me and The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst was exactly what my tender soul needed after such a heavy read. It began in a library with a talking spider plant which meant I was hooked from page one. Mermaids, magic spells and first loves made each page my favourite as I inhaled the whimsy of this book. I haven’t given cozy fantasy it’s due before this month, and I feel I have found a new love in this genre.
Non Fiction:
As I was putting a new book away on my self development shelf I picked this one up as one to donate. Seeing as I didn’t remember reading, I thought I’d give it a reread before letting it go. Sensitive Soul by Michael A. Jawer surprised me. It touched on many layers of what being sensitive means, from PTSD, synesthesia, and savantism. Introduced the concept of being thin boundaried or thick boundaried and how that effected people. It asked the question of whether being highly sensitive is hereditary or based on trauma and followed up all information with research. I very much enjoyed the book and decided not to donate it after all.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel came recommended by a friend a few months ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it. Speaking to the behaviours of how we spend our money versus how to make lots of it, I found the material very fascinating to read. Even though he talked a lot about investing, his use of storytelling made reading this book easy and accessible. I’ve made some bad financial decisions in my life and through reading this book I forgave myself of all of them. Highly recommend.
Are you Mad at Me? by Meg Josephson is my favourite book I read in January. It came as a recommendation from a dear friend and client and I’ve already recommended it to at least three people. I’ve spent YEARS working on my nervous system. Understanding my triggers, how to regulate myself, and mastering my fight and fight response. Along comes Are you Mad at Me? and all of a sudden I’m confronted with a nervous system dis-regulation I never saw coming. Silly me thought I was reading it to be a better coach only to realize I’m stuck in the fawn response in some of the most important relationships in my life. Read this book. Seriously. Open your browser and download it on Spotify or put it in your cart. You will thank me later.
January in Lunar Witch Society introduced us to Freya. Freya, Lady, Vanadis by Patricia M Lafayllve came highly recommended online but was a super dry read regarding this Norse Goddess. I did learn some interesting facts, and fell in love with Freya’s unapologetic desire to live her life on her own terms through reading this book, so I am glad I read it. It mostly cited other books and authors, however, so if she is someone you want to work with, I would skip this book and find another that calls to you.
Mind Magic by Dr. James Doty fell into my world as I was scrolling through my Pinterest feed. A well placed photo with the title “My Favourite Spiritual Books”, had me clicking through to compare the list they wrote to my own. As I worked my way through all the books, Mind Magic jumped out at me. Written by a neuroscientist, this book walks you through why manifestation works from the level of science, while also giving you the actual tools to rewire your brain to manifest the life you desire. It was witty, fun to read, and full of heart. Literally, you need heart to manifest. I personally loved this book and if changing your reality is on your todo list, I would absolutely recommend this book.
Phew… that was a lot. 10 books in January! I did say it was cold and snowy. What else was I going to do?
Outside of reading I have been binge watching a series called The Librarians. Think magical library with magical librarians saving the world from magical artifacts and you’ve got the idea. I may have had a library orgasm when I saw the library for the first time in season one. Don’t judge! I love books.
It’s on YouTube Premium if early 2010 magic shows are as much your thing as they are mine.
Speaking of YouTube! I also created my first YouTube long video this past month sharing the top 5 books I recommend every empath and highly sensitive person to read. You can check that out HERE.
I know it’s been a heavy winter.
It’s cold, it’s dark, and the world is changing.
If you have been struggling, I’m hoping one of these books might offer you a small pinch of joy.
From cozy fantasy to learning to manifest, reading offers its own kind of magic. Transporting us to worlds and parts of ourselves we wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.
If you have a book you want me to read, or that you would recommend, send them my way.
Let’s make books a way we can come together and connect regardless of where we are in the world.
Sending you so much love,
Avalon
I read The Crescent Moon Tearoom this winter also and I loved it. I loved gow each sister really came into her own and I love books about magical houses. I read 1984 in high school and while a reread would probably be relevant, I was kinda traumatized the by it. I'll definitely check out some of the other titles, because you always have the best reading lists!