What I’m reading in January 2022: about breathing, an enchanted labyrinth, and civil war in Nigeria

Reading at the beginning of 2022 seems to go better than reading at the end of 2021 🙂 The winter holiday might’ve helped, plus the Christmassy vibes and the super cold days that do now invite for outdoor activities.

During the past month I read 3 books – a super interesting blend of fantasy involving a magic labyrinth, historical fiction with focus on Nigeria, and short stories by one of my favourite authors.

Let’s get the sharing started!

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Currently reading

I am reading Breath by James Nestor. It is a non-fiction book about breathing – something we all do, and it seems we’re quite bad at it. Pulmonology, biochemistry, psychology and ancient wisdom – this books is mind-boggling.

Also by James Nestor I read Deep (my review) – a must read it you’re into oceans and water-related topics (sports, scientific discoveries, and culture).

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Finished reading

I finished reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It is a fantasy story involving a magic labyrinth, a witty young man, and other bizarre characters. Plus – it’s written in the form of a diary.

What a story! Super captivating, intriguing, heartbreaking, and definitely surprising.

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Then I read Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (my review). It’s a historical fiction story covering the Biafran civil war in Nigeria.

This book is a masterpiece. Be warned, you’ll suffer and cry together with the characters when their world is turned upside down. You’ll feel the injustice and the pain, the hope and the bravery.

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Last but not least I read The City of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – a collection of short stories, most of them published in English for the first time.

As Zafón is one of my favourite authors, this was an emotional read, as I knew it was the last time I read a “new” book of him (unfortunately he passed away in 2020).

Many thanks to my brother who made sure Santa brought this book for Christmas 🙏

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Reading next

High on my to-read-list I have 2 books:

• The Chrysalids by John Wyndham – it’s a dystopian story, it involves horses, and I heard of it from Ariel Bissett in her video latest about classics
• The Familiars by Stacey Halls – a story about a witch-hunt during the early 1600s in England; the review written by Chantelle from Wild Library convinced me to read it

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What are your reading plans for the next period? Any new releases you’re super excited about?

Till next time … happy reading!

Georgiana

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Cover photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash