This month in reading I finished two audiobooks (yay road trips), my book club book, and one faith-based book I was reading for a small group Bible study. Glad the audiobooks picked up my slack!

In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides – I made a happy discovery that my husband recently acquired several audiobooks on Audible that I want to read. He read listened to this one first and couldn’t stop raving about it to anyone who would listen, so it jumped to the top of my list. It is a true survival story about an ill-fated journey to find the north pole back in the late 19th century. It’s strange to think about now, but they actually thought it might be covered by a warm sea (spoiler: it’s not). Although this was perhaps a tad too detailed for me, I was nonetheless captivated by all that the sailors endured. (4 stars, audio)

Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman – This book was a little bit magical and a little bit suspenseful, but most of all I just really enjoyed getting to know the characters and it left me feeling hopeful. All good things. (4 stars)

Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs – I was reading along with this for a small group Bible study at my church and I will say that it made for lively discussions. I love those women so I will always have a positive association with this book. However, it was kind of cheesy. Okay, really cheesy.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – If you’ve heard the hype for this book you might have heard it compared to Gone Girl and I have to say that I agree 100%. I thought it was a complete page-turner, a psychological thriller that kept me guessing till the very end. Although most of the characters weren’t all that likable, I did have some compassion for them. (5 stars)

Reading challenge:

This year I’m participating in Modern Mrs. Darcy’s reading challenge:

• a book you’ve been meaning to read – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (January)
• a book published this year –
• a book in a genre you don’t typically read –
• a book from your childhood –
• a book your mom loves –
• a book that was originally written in a different language –
• a book “everyone” has read but you –
• a book you chose because of the cover –
• a book by a favorite author –
• a book recommended by someone with great taste – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (February)
• a book you should have read in high school –
• a book that’s currently on the best seller list – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins