Just like that, we are one month into 2024. How time flies! Many are saying that January felt like it was stretched too long, the same as last year. However, I did not feel it. I guess this is because I have been very busy during the first three weeks of the month. I barely felt time slowing down. Nevertheless, I am glad we were all able to survive January. I hope it went well for everyone. I hope that the succeeding months will be brimming with good news, blessings, and victories for each and every one of us. I hope 2024 will be a good one, not only for me but for everyone. More importantly, it is my fervent wish that everyone will be happy and healthy, in body, mind, and spirit.

Before I can wave goodbye to January, let me flashback and reflect on how my January reading journey unfolded. To open my 2024 reading year, I immersed myself in books published in the previous three years that I have yet to read. I have quite a backlog from these years; my backlog from beyond is even more so. It has been my goal to devote more time to reading new books but you can’t take the backlist reader from me. This resulted in the piling up of books I have yet to read. To decongest this, I resolved to read them to kick off my 2024 reading year. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this reading catch-up which took me to various points of the world. without more ado, here is a peek into how my January reading journey shaped up. Happy reading!

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

I commenced my 2024 reading journey with a writer I have long been curious about. I have heard and read positive things about Jesmyn Ward, especially about her novel Sing, Unburied, Sing. When I learned about her latest novel, Let Us Descend, I was seated. Ward’s latest novel was set in the antebellum South and charted the story of Annis, the daughter of a slave who was raped by her enslaver. After her mother was sold, Annis was left to fend for her own. The fate that befell her mother would also be the fate that befell her as she and fellow enslaved people started a long trek to Louisiana. The novel was Annis’ account of the long and arduous journey. It was in the memories of her mother that Annis found comfort. The stories her mother told her about her grandmother were her safe haven. Magical elements were integrated into the story as Annis communicated with spirits. Aza, her ancestor, occasionally made her presence be felt. As the story moved forward, we read about the physical and sexual violence that the slaves experienced. While Let Us Descend chronicles an important phase of contemporary American history, the book is not as groundbreaking as the other books in terms of its discourse on the subject. Ward redeems herself by providing an intriguing mix of history, magic, and lyrical writing.

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

I was excited when I learned about the release of Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s latest novel, Dust Child. I first heard of Nguyễn in 2020 when she published her first English novel, The Mountains Sing. It was easily one of my favorite reads of the year, making me look forward to reading more of the Vietnamese writer’s works. This came true in 2023, rather, in 2024. Nguyễn’s latest novel captures the consequences of one of the most pivotal events in contemporary Vietnamese history, the Vietnam War. The war left a lasting impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people and those who were involved in the war. Among them was Phong who had to face discrimination from his fellow because he was the son of a local and an African American soldier. This made him want to move to the United States but past mistakes made it impossible. Meanwhile, the story toggles to the years of the War where we meet Trang and Quỳnh, sisters from the countryside who moved to Sài Gòn to seek employment. The sisters, barely adult, found employment in the Hollywood Bar, where soldiers seek pleasure. Trang was held back by her values but relented to the trade. She even fell in love with an American GI named Dan who, in the present, traveled back to Sài Gòn. Secrets and darkness – including PTSD, violence, and abuse – hounded the story but it culminated in a hopeful voice. While I liked The Mountains Sing better, Dust Child beacons on its own.

Western Lane by Chetna Maroo

From a familiar name to a new-to-me writer. It was through the 2023 Booker Prize that I first came across British-Indian writer Chetna Maroo and her debut novel, Western Lane which was shortlisted for the prestigious literary prize. This was enough to pique my interest in the novel. The book was rather a short read but brevity can either be a strength or a liability; I admit it, I prefer longer books. Maroo’s debut novel started on a sad note. A mother has passed away, leaving her three daughters – fifteen-year-old Mona, thirteen-year-old Khush, and eleven-year-old Gopi – in her husband’s care. However, their father was debilitated by grief; he soon became uncommunicative, prompting their aunt to take over. Through his sister’s coaxing, their father enlisted them for highly regimented sports training in the titular Western Lane. It was nothing new as they were taught to play racket sports when they were young. In their teenage years, they focused on squash. It was, however, palpable that Gopi naturally excelled in the sport, hence, her more intense training. Western Lane is a compelling coming-of-age read although the insights into the characters were lacking, with some details obscured. Gopi, despite being the primary narrator was a cipher herself. Nevertheless, tender moments between the sisters were the novel’s highest achievements.

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

It seems like January is careening on Asian literature, with my third consecutive novel by a writer with Asian heritage. I was very excited when I learned about the release of Tan Twan Eng’s latest novel, The House of Doors. I loved his sophomore novel, The Garden of Evening Mist. Imagine my excitement when I learned about the release of his third novel which was also longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. Tan’s third novel was cast in the same mold as his sophomore novel: it is a work of historical fiction. This time around, the Malaysian writer transported readers to Penang in the first quarter of the 20th century. The novel’s primary action was set into motion by the arrival of famed British writer Somerset “Willie” Maugham in the home of Lesley and Robert Hamlyn for a sojourn; Robert was his friend. Joining Willie was his private secretary Gerald. It was no simple visit as it was also an escape from the troubles brewing in London. Willie’s marriage was on the rocks. His troubles were exacerbated by his erroneous investments which caused him great financial losses. Gerald, however, lived a decadent lifestyle. Meanwhile, Lesley had her own concerns, such as her friend killing her lover and her husband cheating. All characters were wearing proverbial masks, each one keeping a secret. The House of Doors, with its lush historical contexts, was a riveting read with unexpected plot twists that reeled me in.

If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery

My catch-up into 2023 Booker Prize-nominated books continued with Jonathan Escoffery’s If I Survive You. I only heard of the Jamaican writer through the Booker Prize; If I Survive You was longlisted, and eventually shortlisted for the prestigious prize. This makes If I Survive You just the fifth book from the longlist – and third from the shortlist – that I read. The book was just announced as part of the longlist for the 2024 Dublin Literary Award, another prestigious literary prize. Escoffery’s debut novel charted the fortunes of a Jamaican family of four who moved to Miami in the 1970s in search of greener pastures and stability. The patriarch and matriarch fled from the violence taking over Kingston. The couple had two sons, Delano and Trelawny; the latter was the main character of the eight interconnected short stories comprising the book. The novel vividly captures the struggles of immigrants as they integrate into a new culture, facing blatant racism and discrimination. Trelawny struggled to find his identity even at a young age. His brown complexion made him instantly rejected by the white kids and the African American kids. His fellow children of Jamaican immigrants also rejected him because of his American demeanor. As he treads these two lines, Trelawny grows up passive-aggressive. Overall, If I Survive You is a compelling and thought-provoking story about a slew of timely subjects.

Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto

When I picked Megan Kamalei Kakimoto’s Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare during a random excursion at the bookshop, I thought it was a novel. I guess I was wrong because it was a collection of short stories. Its interesting book cover and title reeled me in. Had I read the synopsis, I would have learned that it was a collection of stories; for context, I read short story collections because I prefer full-length prose. However, there was no turning back as I already started reading the book. Diving in without much expectation, I slowly found myself being reeled in by a different brand of literary magic. It started with a list of superstitious beliefs by a “mother” who could be the author’s own. The first official story carried the book’s title and immediately established the tone for the rest of the story. The story was of a young girl who found herself cursed by a supernatural being after she carried home a slice of pork. Supernatural elements permeated the short stories comprising the book. Magic and mythology were ubiquitous. In the world that Kakimoto conjured, mythology is a vessel to explore seminal and timely subjects. Woven into the book’s lush tapestry were the subjects of colonialism, feminism, liberation of the body, identity, and sexuality. The short stories also prominently featured Hawaii, its people, history, and culture. I hope Kakimoto writes full-length prose.

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

In the past month, I read four of the thirteen books longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. The most recent of these was Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song, the winner of the prestigious literary award. I had never heard of the Irish writer before but when his fifth novel was declared the winner, I knew I had to read his latest novel. I made the book part of my 2024 Top 24 Reading List, making it the first book from the aforementioned list that I read. Prophet Song takes the reader into the Republic of Ireland that transformed into a totalitarian state. The right-wing National Alliance Party seized control of the nation and imposed the Emergency Powers Act which created the Garda National Services Bureau, a new secret police force. This saw the erosion of liberty. Ireland’s descent into chaos was captured through the story of the Stack family whose patriarch, Larry, was the deputy general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland. When protests escalated, Larry disappeared, leaving his wife Eilish to look after their four children. Eilish exhausted all means to have her husband be released but it was all for naught. Meanwhile, trouble was percolating, eventually imploding into a civil war that found its way into the streets of Dublin. Prophet Song is a timely examination of our times. Across the world, many are experiencing authoritarian regimes and it doesn’t take time before more states will descend into the same hole. Despite the terrors, hatred, and descent into pandemonium it captured, Prophet Song is an immersive tale of our time.

The Maid by Nita Prose

From Ireland, I crossed the Atlantic again, to Canada. This journey introduced me to another unfamiliar writer, Nita Prose. Her debut novel, The Maid, barely captured my attention. I was apprehensive about reading the book. Had the book not been a part of several Best Works of 2022 lists, I would have not bothered reading it. Lo and behold, it is part of my January 2024 reading journey. The titular maid is Molly Gray, a hard-working and devoted maid employed by the Regency Grand Hotel. Her devotion to her work earned her the nickname Molly the Maid from her colleagues. While some will be automatically offended by the moniker, Molly took pride in it. Everyone around her rants about their job but Molly silently and patiently performs her job. Her job and loyalty, however, were put to the line when on a typically ordinary day, she walked into the penthouse suite and discovered the lifeless body of a revered hotel guest, Mr. Black; he was murdered. Molly, on the surface, was innocent but a series of unfortunate events led to her being tagged as a prime suspect. But as the murder investigation dug deeper, the secrets hidden underneath the facade of regality projected by the hotel were slowly unearthed. These secrets threaten to destabilize the hotel. Meanwhile, some were willing to stake their lives to help Molly. A plot twist toward the end catches the readers off-guard. Overall, it is a riveting crime fiction.

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

Like Prose, I have never heard of Leila Mottley before 2022. Had it not been for the 2022 Booker Prize, I would not have encountered her and her novel, Nightcrawling. Mottley’s debut novel was longlisted for the prestigious literary prize; Mottley also made history by becoming the youngest author to be nominated for the Prize. Like almost all books nominated for the Booker Prize, I added the book to my growing reading list. At the heart of the book was Kiara Johnson who was only seventeen when the story started. Even though she was barely an adult, Ki had to find work to support herself, her brother, and their neighbor Trevor. Her father died young while their mother was in detention. Meanwhile, Marcus, her brother, was disillusioned by grandiose dreams of musical success. Trevor, on the other hand, was abandoned by his family. Unfortunately, the only stable job Ki was able to find was as a sex worker. The murky underworld of Oakland comes to life but what unfolds is a scathing commentary on a system that undermines the weak. Nightcrawling deals with racism and the corruption that pervades the police force. The novel was based on a 2015 true crime that involved exploitation, brutality, and corruption perpetrated by the Oakland police department. With Mottley’s background in poetry, Nightcrawling is a lyrical work that probes into inconvenient truths and riddled with random tender moments.

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

What would you do if you realized that your husband was out to kill you? This was the quandary that Lucrezia, the youngest daughter of Cosimo de’ Medici, the founder of the influential Medici family of Florence found herself in Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel, The Marriage Portrait. Set in 16th-century Italy, Lucrezia’s story starts with the fear of a death threat cast on her by her husband. The story then flashes back to the past, starting with Lucrezia’s birth. Of Cosimo’s three daughters, Lucrezia was somewhat the odd one out. She was a feisty character, unshackled by the responsibilities that came with her family’s position. Because of her odd demeanor, she was treated differently from her siblings. The course of her life was altered drastically when, at the age of thirteen, she found herself arranged into marriage with Alfonso d’Este. Alfonso was supposed to marry Maria, the eldest of Cosimo’s daughters but Maria’s untimely demise left Lucrezia the only viable prospect for the future Duke of Ferrara; Isabel was already bethroted. At thirteen, Lucrezia was still too young for marriage but a scheme postponed the inevitable until she was sixteen. On the surface, Alfonso seemed sweet and caring. This caring facade belies a dark side that caught Lucrezia off guard. The Marriage Portrait paints a vivid picture of how women have historically and systematically been muted by the patriarchy. Those who deviate are persecuted. Despite the passage of time, it is still a reality that women confront in the present.

Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

I concluded my January reading journey with another new-to-me writer, my tenth for the year. Juhea Kim’s debut novel, Beasts of A Little Land, is the first novel by the Korean American writer I read; I was captivated by the book’s cover. In a way, the novel reverberates with similar images of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko. Beasts of A Little Land chronicles the tumultuous history of modern Korea, particularly during the first half of the 20th century. This part of the Korean peninsula’s history was captured through the stories of an eclectic cast of characters, particularly the former courtesan-turned-actress Jade and the street gangster-turned-activist Nam JungHo. Jungho’s father saved a Japanese soldier from a tiger attack when JungHo was young; this plays an important role later in the story. JungHo and Jade were childhood friends but as fate would have it, their lives converged. As they navigate life, each comes of age. Their eyes were also opened to the realities of life. Each met the different beasts that proliferated the streets of Korea, from Japanese soldiers to abusive patriarchs to unscrupulous businessmen. There is a lot to unpack in the novel as it provides a vivid and compelling portrait of a young nation rising from the ashes of war and colonialism. However, Kim left some gaps. With time leaping forward, important historical touchstones left schisms that the readers are meant to complete. Nevertheless, Beasts of a Little Land is a captivating story of rising above circumstances, very much like the story of modern Korea.

Reading Challenge Recaps
  1. My 2024 Top 24 Reading List: 1/24
  2. 2023 Beat The Backlist: 0/20; 118/60
  3. 2024 Books I Look Forward To List: 0/10
  4. Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge: 12/80*
  5. 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die: 0/20
  6. New Books Challenge: 0/15
  7. Translated Literature: 0/40
Book Reviews Published in January
  1. Book Review # 478: Hello Beautiful
  2. Book Review # 479: I Have Some Questions For You

As expected, the first month of the year was very busy. I thought things would change after I moved to a different unit. However, there are regulatory requirements that we have to complete. I tried to juggle my schedule and complete as many book blogging pieces as I could. Historically, January is also jam-packed with 2023 book blogging wrap-up activities which I prioritized over writing book reviews. This resulted in a measly output of just two book reviews published during the month. This ties in with my January 2023 output. Nevertheless, I am thankful I was still able to complete two book reviews although this means my backlog is getting longer. Anyway, my mantra is still to take it one step at a time. I know I will eventually be able to finish all my pending 2023 book reviews but I sure hope I will be able to find the motivation to write as many as I can.

Like January, my goal this February is to catch up on books published during this decade that I was not able to read in the previous years. I have already completed Stephen Markley’s The Deluge while I am currently reading Miguel Syjuco’s I Was the President’s Mistress. The Deluge was a labyrinthine work but also breathtaking in scope. I also have another thick book in line this month, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers’ debut novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois. I am also looking at Karen Joy Fowler’s 2022 Booker Prize-longlisted novel Booth and Louise Erdrich’s 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction-longlisted novel The Sentence. I am looking forward to reading these books and many more.

How about you fellow reader? How is your own reading journey going? I hope you enjoyed the books you have read. For now, have a great day. As always, do keep safe, and happy reading everyone!