One of my 2021 goals is to read a book every week.
I’ll post the details, including a synopsis, genre, and my review around the beginning of each month.
I’m ahead of the game already with a few days to spare, so here’s what I read in January.
Nothing but a little fun, and hopefully some book ideas for you.
Title: The Wim Hof Method
Author: Wim Hof
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3nCThLl
Genre/Area: Personal transformation and self-help
Synopsis: The ‘Iceman’ Wim Hof shares his remarkable life story and powerful method for supercharging your strength, health and happiness.
Wim Hof is widely celebrated for his astounding achievements, breaking world records withstanding extreme temperatures and running barefoot marathons over deserts and ice fields. Most of all, he’s shown us that these feats
My review: ★★★★★
Wim’s method (at least the cold exposure) isn’t for everyone but the science is clear – it works. Can alleviate or cure many inflammatory diseases, as well as numerous other physical and psychological benefits.
I’m convinced and will be trying it.
Title: Seven Days
Author: G Michael Hopf
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/39sP33G
Genre/Area: Post-apocalyptic science fiction
Synopsis: When the guns went silent and the last bombs were dropped, billions were lost and the world had become unrecognizable.
Nine years later, Reid Flynn and his eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, live a protected life behind the walls and rules of their small hamlet, Deliverance. Life is hard there but safe… or so Reid thought until Hannah showed the first symptoms of the plague.
Once someone was symptomatic with the plague, they’d die in a week’s time. With the clock ticking and only the rumor of a cure a thousand miles away, Reid must leave with Hannah in hopes that he’ll find a cure.
My review: ★★★★
Despite following well-used post-apocalyptic trends, Hopf has done a decent job.
The separate stories of characters converge nicely, and he paints a realistic view of life after the event.
Worth a read.
Title: North To Alaska: The True Story of An epic, 16,000-mile cycle journey the length of the Americas
Author: Trevor Lund
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2MW4ppY
Genre/Area: Memoir – long distance cycling
Synopsis: Tells how the desire to fulfil a burning ten-year dream helped me overcome illness, injury, exhaustion, loneliness and so much more; how I, a normal guy from a working-class family in Leeds – among many other adventures – found myself singing to bears to keep them at bay, ran out of water crossing the driest desert in the world, had a volcano rain ash down on me and found myself hiding out from bandits.
My review: ★★★★
Quite the feat, some 16,276 miles of cycling along a bucket route list for many, from the bottom of south America to Alaska.
Captures long-distance cycling well – days in the saddle in all conditions, surviving on a meagre budget and days spent under canvas with no luxuries. The kindness of strangers, you appreciate the simple things.
A minor observation that the editing and formatting could be better, but that shouldn’t detract from the story.
Title: True Places
Author: Sonia Yoerg
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2MrIpmH
Genre/Area: Literary fiction
Synopsis: A girl emerges from the woods, starved, ill, and alone…and collapses.
Suzanne Blakemore hurtles along the Blue Ridge Parkway, away from her overscheduled and completely normal life, and encounters the girl. As Suzanne rushes her to the hospital, she never imagines how the encounter will change her—a change she both fears and desperately needs.
My review: ★★★★
This is not what I expected, but part of my book a week plan is to read different genres, and try new stuff. I think (somehow) my mind mislead me after seeing ‘woods’ (thinks ‘thru-hiking’, the outdoors etc).
What was I thinking?
Not my usual choice, the girl in question unintentionally makes Suzanne realise what’s missing in her life, how she’s lost her intentions amongst the mess of a husband, kids, parents and a busy life.
Whilst I wouldn’t return to this type of book, despite enjoying it, I’m pleased I tried something new and if this your thing, I’m sure you’ll like it.
Please note the links are affiliate, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase.