Looking Back: January Highlights

Can you believe we are already an entire month into 2014? And in these parts, we're one month, two polar vortexes, and several inches of snow into the year. The cold weather meant the dog didn't get a lot of walks this month, but I certainly got a lot of reading done. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dept. of Speculation, by Jenny Offill: This book only came out on January 28th, and I'm already calling it one of my favorites of the year. Told as a series of vignettes and interspersed with quotes on life, philosophy and love, the novel's structure is unique--but that allows it to tell an otherwise mundane story of marriage, parenthood and infidelity in a way that feels entirely fresh. Read my full review of Dept. of Speculation, and make sure to get yourself a copy sooner than later.

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or, A Neetsa Pizza Employee's Guide to Saving the World, by Rachel Cantor: I first heard of this book on the Twitter somewhere, and I'm so glad I acted on whatever tip it was that pointed me towards it. This is an odd little book, set in a world of fast food chains and corporations that is hard to grasp at first. Once I let go of my expectations and decided to just go along for the ride, I found a heartfelt, if quirky, tale of love, family, and, you know, saving the world. Downright original.

Hollow City, by Ransom Riggs: If you've read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, you already know you're in for a treat with Riggs' second novel of the Miss Peregrine series (and if you haven't read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, get on that, stat). Hollow City continues the story of Jacob and his peculiar friends as they flee the monsters that threaten the entire world, and, like the first volume in the series, combines thoroughly entertaining storytelling with a collection of vintage photographs. And yes, it does end in another cliffhanger, so we can (hopefully) expect more from Riggs in this vein.

The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd: I've long been a fan of Kidd's writing (if you haven't read The Secret Life of Bees, set aside whatever you think you know of the book and go on and read it). The Invention of Wings was picked as Oprah's latest 2.0-or-whatever-it's-called book club pick, which means it doesn't need too much more pushing to find its way into readers hands, but let me just add: If you tend to steer away from Oprah's picks, let this be the exception to that rule. Kidd's retelling of the historical story of two abolitionists in 19th century America is heartfelt and important, and, like her past work, generally incredible.