January wrap-up

It’s time for the first monthly wrap-up of 2022, and this post coincidentally (not really) falls on my actual birthday. I am 60 today; how did that happen so quickly? Anyhow, there will be a small book haul to celebrate in a separate post, but this is all about the month just ending, so here we go….

Books read = 4

Pages read = 1076

Goodreads progress = 6% of 65 book target (1 behind schedule)

Actually quite pleased with that; I don’t pay much attention to where I am on the schedule but it’s nice to know I suppose

I didn’t write reviews of the four books I read so here are the details and a few thoughts:

A Killer by Design by Ann Wolbert Burgess – a memoir of her career including the many years she collaborated with the FBI BAU – she is the basis for Anna Torv’s character in Mindhunter. I hadn’t originally intended to buy this but I heard her talking on The Murder Squad podcast and she sounded fascinating, so I gave in and actually devoured the book in a couple of sittings. A worthwhile addition to any true crime library
Love, Bombs & Molesters by Kenneth V. Lanning – the author is one of Ann Burgess’s colleagues in the BAU, specialising in the sexual exploitation of children; I didn’t warm to him as a person as much, but his thoughts on the “Satanic Panic” about which he became increasingly sceptical, and the impact of his Catholic faith on his work stood out to me as highlights
Beneath a Pale Sky by Philip Fracassi – a really interesting collection of horror stories; will definitely be reading more from this author
Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone by GS Denning – if you have been here for a while you will know that I love all things Sherlockian and this was huge fun; I giggled a lot and have already bought the rest of the series.

February’s pre-orders:

I’m trying to be more intentional about my pre-orders, making sure that I’m sticking to those books I really feel that I absolutely must have with everything else going on my wishlist. So I am limiting myself to: