December & January Reading Wrap-Up
Here’s a wrap-up of my December 2024 and January 2025 reading adventures. The Gorilla with Glasses Book Club dove into the intriguing world of Brandon Sanderson…
Bookclub read for December/January: Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
For the past two months, our book club tackled Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson. Once again, the fifth installment of the Stormlight Archive explores the intricate magic systems and rich world-building that Sanderson is renowned for. While I didn’t enjoy the book overall, the pacing was immaculate. Sanderson’s improved narrative rhythm made the reading experience noteworthy—even if my personal connection with the story wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped.
I read Wind and Truth twice. After my first read, I was shocked by the flood of 4-star(+) reviews on Goodreads, BookTok, and Bookstagram. Because of my own personal disappointment, I assumed my vibe was off and I needed to give the book another shot.
Though the magic of Roshar and my love for the characters kept me hooked, I didn’t enjoy Wind and Truth as much as its predecessors. Despite my experience with Wind and Truth, I’m not done with Brandon Sanderson and I’m excited about what’s next, especially with hints of a promising future for Shallan in Mistborn era 3… I’m really hoping Ghostbloods is going to be sick.
My Personal Reading Journey
In February we’re going sci-fi for our literary adventures. Our book club has voted, and I’m ready for Project Hail Mary—a title that’s already captured my attention as it’s been on my TBR for quite some time. In addition to Project Hail Mary, I’m about 50% of the way through Iron Gold by Pierce Brown, and it’s proving to be a very good read so far. I’m always on the lookout for new books to add to my TBR, so if you have any recommendations, please share!
A Few Short Reviews
Horus Rising by Dan Abnett
This one was pure fun. I breezed through it in no time, completely swept up by the action and the quirky imagery—super soldiers with cartoonishly large shoulder armor. It’s a quick, enjoyable ride that I think many will enjoy.
7 and 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
If you’re into murder mysteries with a twist, this book is a must-read. The narrative is as imaginative as it gets, reminiscent of the vibe I experienced with Piranesi. I managed to finish this one over a weekend, and it was absolutely incredible—a fresh take on the classic whodunnit that kept me guessing until the very end.
We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan Peterson
This was… something different from Jordan Peterson. I’m not a big “Jordan Peterson fan” but I’ve really enjoyed his 12 rules books — namely the first one. We Who Wrestle with God was a departure from the self-help style writing of 12-rules. While enjoyable at times, this book was more scholarly than I expected bordering on pastoral and a little too slow for me. As a church-kid, I’d previously heard pretty much everything in these pages. With that being said, the completeness of his analytical reviews of the biblical stories is something of a marvel. The tie-ins to other non-abrahamic religions and enlightenment stories was unique and quite interesting.
Looking Ahead to February
With Project Hail Mary on the horizon for the book club, I’m excited to see where the story takes us. I’ve shared a link in my stories if you’d like to join in—there’s always room for more!
Thank you for joining me on this literary journey. Whether you’re part of the book club or exploring your own TBR pile, happy reading—and here’s to many more exciting stories ahead! Feel free to share your recommendations or ask questions on my socials!