Books I read in January

Books I Read in January That Wreck, Twist, and Stay: A Journey Through Four Memorable Reads

If you’re anything like me, you measure a book’s greatness by its ability to make you feel deeply. A good book stays with you; a great book leaves you in pieces. Below, I’ve detailed four very different books that impacted me profoundly, each in its own way—some wrecked me emotionally, some twisted my mind, and some wrapped me up in warm, familiar comfort. Let me take you through them.

• Ne Raccroche Pas (Don’t Hang Up) by Julia Dessalles

This book. Where do I even start? "Ne Raccroche Pas" wrecked me in the best possible way. The writing is simple yet effective, which was exactly what I needed for such a heavy topic. It’s not a story you can skim through; it’s one you have to feel.

The novel delves into profound themes: dealing with the death of someone close, regret, unspoken words, and the painful beauty of saying goodbye. The straightforward prose allowed me to immerse myself completely in the storyline and the tidal wave of emotions it brought.

When I reached the end, I had to pause and prepare myself for the closure. I knew it was going to destroy me, and I was right. I read the last chapters alone, soaking in a bath, and as expected, I bawled my eyes out. Few books have hit me this hard. If you’re a French speaker—or even if you’re learning—I cannot recommend this enough. It’s a masterpiece, and for me, every book that manages to make me cry like this one earns a place among my favorites.

• 血の轍 [Chi no Wadachi] (The Trail of Blood) Vol. 1 by Shuzo Oshimi

This is a manga, but don’t let the format fool you. "Chi no Wadachi" is a twisted, emotional ride, and it’s far from light reading. I stumbled upon it in a bookshop, didn’t buy it, and regretted that decision so much that I hunted it down online.

Initially, I struggled to get into it. The pacing felt slow, and I couldn’t figure out where it was going. But then it hit me—the tension, the unease, the creeping realization of what was really happening. Shuzo Oshimi is a master of creating psychological drama, and by the time I understood the story’s direction, I was hooked.

If you’re into stories that get under your skin, this one’s for you. It’s dark, intense, and emotionally charged, and I’m already devouring the second volume to see how much further this twisted journey will take me.

• Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr

If there’s one thing I love about the Virgin River series, it’s that it feels like home. "Wild Man Creek" is no exception.I’ve been working my way through this series via audiobooks, which is perfect because buying the entire collection would take up way too much space.

Robyn Carr’s books are comfort reads for me. Sure, there’s a bit of repetition—sometimes you feel like you’ve read a particular plotline before, especially the way couples come together. But the charm lies in how easy it is to fall for her characters. They’re relatable, endearing, and part of a world you want to keep returning to.

I tried watching the Netflix adaptation, but I just can’t stop comparing it to the books, and the books always win. If you’re looking for something cozy, romantic, and uplifting, this series is a solid choice.

• L'apprenti (Le Porteur de Mort) #1 (The Apprentice, The Death Carrier) by Angel Arekin

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about this one at first. The opening had me worried—it felt like it was heading into taboo territory (cousins as romantic interests), and I was ready to DNF it if that turned out to be the case. Thankfully, it didn’t go there.

Once I got past the shaky start, the world-building drew me in. Angel Arekin has created a fascinating, complex universe that kept me intrigued. I picked up the entire series on Audible, and I’m genuinely excited to dive deeper into it.

The more I read, the more the story grew on me, and now I can’t wait to see where it leads. If you’re into intricate worlds and layered storytelling, this one’s worth giving a try.

Final Thoughts

Books like these remind me why I love reading. Whether they’re emotionally devastating, psychologically thrilling, or simply comforting, they each bring something unique to the table. From the gut-wrenching sadness of "Ne Raccroche Pas" to the dark twists of "Chi no Wadachi", the cozy charm of "Wild Man Creek", and the intriguing complexity of "L’apprenti", there’s something here for every mood.

If you’re a fellow lover of stories that make you feel (and cry), these books are all must-reads. Grab them, dive in, and prepare to be wrecked, twisted, or comforted—sometimes all at once.