In January I finished reading all the books on my Winter TBR (plus an additional one) so it’s about time to give a review for the books I read. The reviews below do not contain spoilers.

Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell

As a teenager, Vogue was the primary source for satisfying my craving for fashion. Despite Anna’s lengthy career, I will always associate her with Vogue and therefore have some sort of appreciation for her despite knowing she is not a great person. I really appreciate that the author basically served Anna up on a platter and let the reader decide what they think of her. In a world that seems to really tiptoe around Anna Wintour, I loved that the author did not do that. I went into this book thinking I know a lot about Anna Wintour but I still learned new things. If you love Vogue, journalism, fashion, or personal style then I would recommend reading this biography.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Classics are considered classics for a reason, so I feel like it’s a bit inappropriate for me to review them. That being said, A Christmas Carol is one of those books I have a stronger appreciation for as an adult and I always enjoy rereading it during the holiday season.

The Nutcracker and The Mouse King by ETA Hoffmann

The Nutcracker and The Mouse King is also included in this Barnes and Noble edition. Unlike A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker is something that as I have grown older, it kind of has lost it’s magic. As much as I love the book still, I have always loved the ballet a little more.

Blame It On The Mistletoe by Beth Garrod

I very rarely pick up books that I have not heard reviews or recommendations of, so I believe at some point I heard someone give this book a positive review…and I resent that person. Sometimes I really enjoy a lighthearted YA but this felt VERY YA. The characters were cringey and it was painful to read.

A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel by Amor Towles

I see this book as being divided in two parts- the first third of the book felt slower pace and more thought provoking. The later two thirds of the book felt more plot driven and picked up pace. If you pick this book up and you are having a hard time getting into it, I urge you to try to make it to the later two thirds of the book. The things I loved most about this book is the relationships portrayed. It’s not uncommon to see women finding motherhood in becoming mother figures to children that are not theirs but it’s uncommon to see men stumble upon fatherhood. We get to see a character in this book become a father to a child that is not his, and it because such a beautiful and heartwarming relationship that I love to see unfold. I also feel that we don’t often see strong male friendships as we see strong female friendships. In this book not only do we see endearing and strong male friendships but they develop midlife and last through their older years. If you love historical fiction then this is a must read.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne

I want to make an effort to read more classics, so when I finished my Winter TBR in early January, I picked up Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea to read next. Since it is a classic, I again don’t really feel comfortable reviewing it but I will say I love an adventure tale and Ned Land gives boomer energy.