January Wrap-Up and February TBR - PART 1

I could say the month of January was quite a successful month for me. First of all, I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 120 books, almost doubling my goal from last year. Already, I am two books ahead of schedule, which has never happened at this time of the year.

I decided to bring the monthly Wrap-up and TBR post back. I decided to discontinue writing it about a year ago since I wasn't reading as much as I am now, and because I set some unrealistic goals I could never meet. This post is not just about books. It's a post where in addition to telling you about the books I read in the past month, all the happenings, and what to expect from the next month, I'll be letting inside my (sometimes a bit messy) life.

Review: Swan Song

'' The plan was to come to London, connect sufficiently with my mother to move past the grief that's been choking me, and then say a final farewell to London and go home -strong, centred, focused on a life beyond dance. ''

★★★★☆

From Goodreads:

LOVE AND LONGING IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF LONDON
When iconic ballerina Beatrice Duvall died, a nation mourned – and a legacy was born. Sixteen years later, her daughter Ava comes to London to take part in a high-profile tribute to Beatrice, and to learn about the mother she never knew.
There’s just one snag: the tribute is a ballet, Swan Lake. Which is infinitely painful for Ava, because she can’t dance. Won’t dance. Not since she quit the Royal Ballet School last year and walked away from everything that defined her.
But this is London, colourful and crazy, and with actor Seb at her side, there’s so much to discover. Like Theatreland razzmatazz and rooftop picnics and flamingo parties. And a whole load of truths Ava never knew about her mother – and herself.
When the time comes to take the stage, will Ava step out of the shadow cast by her mother’s pedestal? And who will be waiting for her there, in the bright lights? A coming-of-age novel about family and first love, in the city of hopes and dreams.  

The classic problem: Will the child of a famous dancer live up to her parents? Ava doesn't want to. She didn't get to know her mother before she died. She refuses to dance anymore, and now she is invited back to take part in the tribute the Ballet company is paying for her mother's memory.