Whatcha Reading? January 2023

By: Cori Reed Photo By: @bookishly.vintage

We started the year off strong! Read on to find out about some of Team OwlCrate's favorite books from January.

Leave a comment letting us know which awesome books you read in October for a chance to win a $25 OwlCrate shop gift card! The winner will be randomly selected on Monday, February 6th.


Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

My first read of 2023 also ended up being my favorite of the month - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett! It was a perfect atmospheric slice-of-life story as we follow Emily on her adventures researching different species of fae. I love books where the setting feels like a main character, and you definitely find that in this story. I also loved the diary entry writing style, the faerie lore that truly felt researched in such a unique way, and of course... the witty flirty banter between Emily and her research partner Wendell. If you enjoy grumpy sunshine romance and whimsical fantasy, this would be perfect for you!

— Korrina

- - - - - - - -

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

I've been in such a mood lately for comforting reads, and this delightfully witchy story with an enchanting found family element is exactly what was needed. We follow Mika Moon, a real witch who posts fake witchcore videos online and who has never stayed in one place long enough to establish anything deeper than casual acquaintances. She unknowingly attracts the attention of the residents of Nowhere House, a country estate that homes a cast of eclectic caretakers and three young witches struggling to control their powers. Mika agrees to tutor the girls and slowly develops a closeness to the house, the girls, and especially to the grumpy and cute librarian Jamie. But as Mika is completely unfamiliar with the type of warm and loving family unit that is the very heart of Nowhere House, she can't help but wait for the bottom to drop out.

— Shanleigh

- - - - - - - -

Last Looks by Howard Michael Gould
Last Looks
When a book becomes a movie, I always want to read it first. This was exactly the kind of crime fiction I have been missing. Though set in present-day Los Angeles, it has this golden era of Hollywood/film noir/whodunnit vibe. Charlie Waldo, a disgraced ex-cop, trying to live a solitary life in the mountains, is pulled back into the life by a P.I. friend and an eccentric actor who has allegedly murdered his wife. There are so many moving parts, random side characters, and backstories, but it all comes together in a satisfying way. It has that classic P.I./Philip Marlowe/Sam Spade kind of humor I always love. This was a crime story that definitely ticked all of the boxes for me and I will be reading the others in the series.

 

Hasta Mañana by Nathalie De Los Santos
Hasta Manana

I treat the Vancouver Central Library like a bookstore. I love browsing the main floor and taking home something I wouldn’t deliberately seek out online. I saw Hasta Mañana on the shelf and picked it up thinking it may be a play - it’s a very slim book. It ended up being a short story/novella but seemed interesting so I took it home. What. A. Gem. I can’t even explain what made it so special but it was captivating and personal. Mariposa is a 12-year-old gamer and the story is her reflection of sorts on a significant time in her life when it was all about her best friends, gaming, and growing up. It kind of felt like someone emailing an old friend out of the blue to reflect on old times. It definitely tugs on the heartstrings. It was nice to find and support a local BIPOC Vancouver author.

— Crystal

- - - - - - - -
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
The Stolen Heir

Holly Black takes us back to the land of the Folk 8 years after the Battle of the Serpent and does not disappoint. We follow Suren on a journey with Oak and others to the very place she fled, the Ice Needle Citadel. Oak is now seventeen and described to be charming, beautiful and manipulative. Throughout the novel, the reader is just as confused as Suren. Should she or should she not trust Oak? What are his real motives? Does he really have her best interests in mind? This left me waiting on the edge of my seat for the second installment. I'm excited to see how Suren and Oak's story will continue to unfold.

— Christianne

- - - - - - - -
The Lovers Grim by Olivie Blake
The Lovers Grim

The Lovers Grim is the third volume in Olivie Blake's Fairytale collections. Each collection can be read on it's own, so no need to start at volume one. 

First of all, I love Olivie Blake's writing. I've read several of her books, but I think these fairytale collections might be my favorites. They are haunting, yet clever. Romantic, yet sinister. I couldn't tell you a single story in any of the volumes that I didn't enjoy. You get to see jilted lovers brought back to life, seeking revenge; the devil spending the summer at a library, causing chaos; finfolk, who against their nature help a mortal man captain the Ship of Souls; and so many more stories that had me devouring these collections.

— Cori

- - - - - - - -

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
Signal FiresI’m a sucker for family drama stories. Especially those spanning multiple decades, so of course I was going to pick up Signal Fires. This story revolves around the Shenkman family, opening on a summer night in 1985 when a reckless decision leads to tragedy and lifelong held secrets. Jumping back and forward in time, we follow each family member as this secret alters the course of their lives. A story that is as heartbreaking as it is heartfelt, but always beautifully told.

 

 

— Cheryl

What great books have you read lately? Let us know in the comments!


Click HERE To Subscribe To OwlCrate Now!

 Use code OCBLOG15 to save 15% off any new subscription purchase.