It's still a little hard for some of y'all to believe, but I didn't really grow up reading. Clif Notes were a lifesaver in high school. I'd read 'enough' to get by, but I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required", but whatever the reason, I'm glad I took the challenge to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023, 224 books in 2024 and 136 books in 2025). The majority of my reading recently has been listening to audiobooks, but it still counts! Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope I can add that back into my routine on a more regular basis. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading (so I don't forget and in case anyone is curious) and to stay accountable. So, without further ado, here are the books I completed in the month of January:
- The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren - Last month I mentioned that when I got back from Michigan I had to check on my little library because of the rain we had been having. At that point I saw a few new adds to the books and grabbed one that caught my eye. When I was putting it back, this one stuck out because it was by the same author. The premise was a scientist created a technology that would match people based on their DNA (think DNA mouth swab that would match people based on their compatibility). Said scientist is matched (almost perfectly - 98%) with a local single mom and the two decide to put the technology to the test (even though at the offset of the 'relationship' the two don't seem to have any type of connection). You know it's a good book when you're left wanting more. I actually got sad when I got towards the end because I could feel how few pages left there were and I wanted so much more of the story. The idea of science vs fate was an interesting one to tackle and I liked how the two authors went about it. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc - This had popped up on both my Hoopla and Libby apps as recommended, so I took it as a sign and grabbed it. The little blurb (or at least the first part that I could see before clicking into the full synopsis) said something about Gilmore Girls, so obviously I was all in. I really wanted to like it, but I didn't. It had the cozy vibes of a coffeehouse setting, that small town feel of Gilmore Girls, the autumnal experiences one pictures when they think of a Hallmark movie, but still I couldn't buy in. The main character Lucy seemed like too much of a brat and I couldn't get over it. There were moments I was hopeful, but then her petty attitude would shine through and I'd get frustrated again. It's hard for me to like a book when I can't root for the main character and that's how I felt. I would give it a 5 out of 10.
- Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala - I'll be honest, the little wiener dog on the cover is what drew me into this book. I was scrolling through the 'series starters' on my Libby app and when I saw that little sausage I was hoping I had stumbled upon greatness. I don't know I would go THAT far, but it was a fun little read. It was a murder mystery centered around a young Filipino woman, her aunt and grandma (and, yes, her pet Dachshund does make a small appearance, but definitely not as much as I would've liked) along with a whole host of other characters. Lila moves home to help her aunt with her failing restaurant, but little does she know she will soon be the main suspect in her ex-boyfriend's murder. Lila, along with help from her community, attempts to piece the puzzle together and figure out what really happened. I'm not sure how the series (which seems to be like six books long) will continue, but I'm along for the ride. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manasala - This is the second book in the cozy culinary mystery series. Thankfully for Lila, she was not at the center of the murder scandal. Well, backup, let me clarify and say that she was not a suspect in this book's murder, but you better believe she was still all wrapped up in it. This time around Lila gets involved in a local beauty pageant where her cousin is accused of killing one of the judges. The cast of characters from the first book are all still involved and very much meddling in the case. I listened to this one while walking in between rain storms and found myself wanting to know what would happen next. I found it a bit more serious than the previous book (focusing on topics like mental health, predatory behavior, etc), but enjoyed it nonetheless. Maybe the next book will have more Longanisa. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Happily Never After by Lynn Painter - While waiting for more of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen mystery series to become available I came across this book. I have read a few of this author's books (and actually was in line for one at the moment), so I thought I'd snag it to listen to. The premise of this one was pretty original. Sophie discovers her fiance has cheated on her (once again) and decides she no longer wants to go through with their wedding. Rather than call it off (and have her future father-in-law potentially fire her dad), her best friend hires a professional objector. This objector's role is to stand up at the wedding (when they ask for objections) and point out Stuart's cheating to the congregation. The plan goes off without a hitch and Sophie moves on with her life, only to get a call from the objector, Max, months later with a proposition. He wants her to help him out and be an objector. The pair team up and through it all, strike up a friendship. Even though both have sworn off love/ relationships, the two eventually fall for one another. I won't ruin the ending, but seeing as it's in the Romance genre, you can probably guess there's a Happily Ever After involved. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack - I saw this on a few people's 2025 book recap lists, so thought I'd snag it from the 'series starter' list on my Libby app. It was a fun whodunit story with a billion and a half (or at least it felt like) suspects. A group of mystery authors go on a book tour in Italy with two of the said authors seem to be under attack and death surrounding them. I liked that sometimes the author was speaking right to the audience, like she was letting us in on a little secret (or checking in to make sure we were following all of the clues). It was clever and kept me guessing until the end. Now the only bummer is I having to wait for the second (and third) book to be added to my audiobook app. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Year of No Garbage by Eve O. Schaub - This book popped up on one of my Libby app lists (probably one of the 'new year's resolution type lists) and it grabbed my attention so I thought I'd give it a listen. This author (along with her family) took the challenge to live a year without creating any garbage. Now of course there were small nuances (for example, they had a health and medical waste exception for things like bandaids), but overall the goal was to go a full year without sending anything to the dump. I found this very intriguing (could I live zero waste?). I also found it very disheartening (recycling is a lie). Processes like recycling shouldn't be as convoluted and confusing as they are. Companies shouldn't be able to make claims that they can't back up. Manufacturers (at least in my opinion) should be held accountable for the end of life disposal of their products. Although this book was about garbage, it essentially became about plastics - specially single use plastics and how us as a society can't get away from them. This book easily could have become a book making you feel bad about everything you consume, but I appreciate that the author did her best to use her platform to open people's eyes and try to get others to change their thinking (and hopefully habits). I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- His & Hers by Alice Feeney - I saw this book last month when I was favoriting some titles on my Hoopla app. I noticed the Netflix sticker on the cover and it caught my eye (either meaning it was already or soon would be turned into a Netflix movie/ series). While I was waiting for some of my other books to become available I thought I'd try this one. It was written from three separate perspectives - his, hers and the murderer's. He was a London detective. She was a news anchor/ correspondent. The murderer used a voice changer so you didn't know who it might be. (Each of the characters were read by a different actor, which I always enjoyed.) The three of them become entwined in a murder investigation in a small British village that keeps everyone on their toes. The detective and news reader (both who seem to be unreliable narrators) were seen as investigator and suspect at different points throughout the story. I thought I had it all figured out (at least a few times throughout the book), but the twists and turns kept me guessing right up until the end. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala - The third book in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series popped up as available on my Libby app so I grabbed it. I've gotta say, this was my least favorite so far. the plot seemed a bit too convoluted. I was expecting it to be more about the winter festival or the nine nights of Christmas (maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part, but I guess when it was mentioned a few times I thought they'd have bigger roles in the story). Of course there was another murder (although I wasn't really expecting it from the title - just thought there'd be some blackmail involved), but I wasn't as invested as I had been in the previous books (even still, I will probably continue with the rest of the series at this point). I would say I'm glad Lila and Jay have coupled up though - they seem cute together. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak - While I waited for more of my books to become available, I scrolled through the Young Adult section of my Libby app and came across this one. I had seen it pop up over and over again, so figured it was time to give it a go. Jackie moves to Colorado with a family friend after her parents and sister die in a car accident. She doesn't realize it until she is on the flight from New York across the country that said family friend has twelve kids - eleven of them boys. As she moves into the chaos, she tries juggling going to a new school, mourning her family and not falling for any of the guys she's been forced into close quarters with. As I'm sure you can guess, it isn't all smooth sailing and she is torn between two of the brothers. Cole is the bad boy with girls fawning all over him, while Alex is the nerdy, safe choice. I can see why Netflix picked this up, it's full of all the high school love triangle drama one needs for an after school special. And, yes, in case you were curious, I already have the sequel downloaded and ready to go. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- My Return to the Walter Boys by Ali Novak - I had grabbed the sequel to the first book when I downloaded the first one (I've realized that if I don't do that when it's available I often have to wait when I'm ready... and since it only takes me a day or two to finish a book I figure it's not a huge inconvenience for the next person). Jackie went back to New York for the summer to try and work through a bit of her grief and figure out if she wanted to really be with Cole when she returned. I wish I could say I was as invested in this one as the first, but I wasn't. The relationship between the two sort of just happened and neither of them seemed to have much personal growth. The storyline jumped around a bit and I never really felt like I could settle in (and those plots never really had a conclusion, like the rummage sale or Parker's rugby). The ending left much to be desired, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see if a follow-up will be on the horizon or not. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala - This is the fourth book in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series (and the last one that is currently available on either of my audiobook apps). As you could guess by the name, this one had another murder in it. I actually enjoyed this one more than the last - I think because the Calendar Crew was at the heart of it and those gossiping aunties make me smile. This one centered around the godmothers opening a local laundromat and the fallout that ensued. I enjoyed how the "cousins" all seemed to be working together this go around. I also like the strong group of women Lila has surrounded herself with - although you think they'd be weary with all of the murder that seems to follow her. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao - We might as well keep the mystery books a-comin'. I saw this one when I was scrolling through the trending section of my Hoopla app and I thought it looked enjoyable. It said it was part of a series (but none of the other books were available on the app, so who knows), which I tend to enjoy because it means I don't have to search for the next book to read. This was a fun mystery about three women who find out they were dating the same man. The trio decide they are going to prank him as a way to get back at him, only to discover that he was killed in his apartment. The women try to solve the murder because if not, it seems as though Kat and Olivia might go down for the crime. It was fast-paced, humorous and quirky. Here's hoping that there will be more books in the series. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Paper Hearts by Ali Novak - After finishing My Life with the Walter Boys, I went searching to see if the author had written anything else... and I found this series. I didn't know anything about it, but assumed it'd be similar to the Walter Boy set - cutesy, quick and YA. Well, I made a mistake and accidentally downloaded the second book in the series first, but thankfully they seem to be pretty standalone stories. This was about Felicity, who met Alec, one of The Heartbreaker bandmates, at a masquerade ball (and, of course, since they were wearing masks didn't realize he was a member of a famous boy band). The pair embark on a journey to try and track down Felicity's older sister who ran away four years previously. I could easily see this being turned into a cute teen-y bopper type movie. It's a great beach read that made me smile. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak - This was technically the first book of the series, but like I mentioned, I accidentally listened to them out of order. Thankfully the stories seem to stand on their own and although it would've been nice to have some history of the boy band (or their significant others) when I listened to the second book, it wasn't a make or break move. This book was about Stella, an aspiring photographer who got linked up with the group and ultimately fell for front guy Oliver. Surprisingly (because it was such a "swoon worthy" little story), there were quite a few serious topics in this one - including Stella's sister's cancer, Oliver's family relationships, etc. I would say it was a little predictable, but cute nonetheless. I already have the third book downloaded and can't wait for the fourth to be released later this fall. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Heartstrings by Ali Novak - This is the third book of the Heartbreakers Chronicles, which centers around Indie, the sister of superstar Violet James, and Xander, the lead guitarist of The Heartbreakers. The two connect at a chaotic comic con and strike up a relationship. Although I appreciate that the boy band isn't the main focus of the series, I was left wanting a little more of the foursome during this book. I'd also say that I didn't like Indie as a character for most of the book (unlike Stella and Felicity from the first two books, which I enjoyed from the jump). With that being said, I'm pretty sure I like this series more than the Walter Boys and think it would've been a great option for theater adaptations (maybe movies instead of a series, though). Now we have to wait until later this year for the fourth installment (JJ's love interest) to be released. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze - I saw this book in the new section of my Libby app and thought I'd give it a shot. I didn't know anything about this author/ comic, but normally I enjoy memoirs (and assumed this would be something of the sort) so I grabbed it. I am sad to report I didn't love this one. I think it was the self-deprecating humor that just didn't sit right with me. Don't get me wrong, some of the stories made me smile or even chuckle out loud, but overall I wasn't blown away by his humor. If you love him as a comic then you will probably enjoy a look behind the curtain into how he was raised and some of his family dynamics. I would give it a 6 out of 10.
- One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune - I saw this book on one of my friend's recently read lists and thought I'd try it. Neither of my audiobook apps had it available so I looked and the local library did so I checked out the physical book. This was the story of Alice, a professional photographer, who was in a slump after a breakup and when her grandma breaks her hip decides to take the summer off to care for her. For a summer when she was seventeen Alice stayed with her grandparents at a lake house, so she thought it'd be a great idea to let her grandma heal at said place. While Alice is there she connects with Charlie, the neighbor handyman who she incidentally took a photo of during that teen summer. This is a slow burn romance and come to find out there was a previous book in the same vein (I was already in line for it on my Libby app, but I didn't realize it was the same characters, just set three years prior). The two seem to be standalone stories (or at least I didn't think I missed much by apparently reading them out of order). I enjoyed the banter back and forth between Alice and Charlie, just wish they would have gotten together earlier in the story so more of their life together would've been catalogued for us (I need more than a 5 page epilogue ;)). I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- Is She Really Going Out with Him by Sophie Cousens - I don't remember why I had this on my 'for later' list (meaning I don't remember how I came across it in the first place), but it became available on my Libby app and I needed something to listen to for an afternoon so I grabbed it. This was a cute romcom about a journalist who was getting back on the dating scene and instead of turning to the apps to find her next romance, she is letting her kids pick her dates (and writing about it in her column). I thought it was fun, flirty and fresh. I was obviously pulling for Anna to find love, but finding herself in the process was just as good (and, of course, since it's technically a romance you know there was a 'happily ever after' eventually coming). I appreciate that this was a book about getting back on the horse after being out of the dating game for a while (finding love later in life seems like it's no joke, but joking about it lightened the mood a bit). I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman - I read the first two books in this series back in 2024, but the third book wasn't available on either of my audiobooks so I sort of forgot about it. That was, until I got back on my local library's website and saw it was available in physical book form. I may have forgotten what the first two books were about exactly (meaning what murder they were solving), but I could never forget the cast of characters. It was like I picked up right where I left them, that quirky Thursday Murder Club. This mystery was about a decade old case involving a local newsreader. With the crew on the case you knew it was going to be solved, you just didn't know how many twists and turns would be involved to get to the finish line. I just can't help but smile when I'm reading one of these books (as well as sit on the edge of my seat because I never quite know which way the case will lead). I love that the story is told from different perspectives (including portions written in Joyce's diary), it keeps it fast-paced and jumping around so you have no time to stop and ponder whodunit or where/ what the amature sleuthing will lead to next. I would give it a 9 out of 10.
- If I Stay by Gayle Forman - I had seen this book in the 'series starter' section of my Libby app and liked that it was only 5 hours long (which meant it was the perfect length for the walk to and from the library) so I snagged it. This is the story of Mia, a seventeen year old girl who was in a car accident with her family. She finds herself having an out-of-body experience (watching herself from outside her body). This novel follows her for about a 24 hour period where she has to decide if she wants to go and be with her family who have all been killed in the accident or if she wants to stay alive. I'll be honest and say that since I knew there was a follow-up book I was expecting her to stay the whole time, but that's not the fault of the author - more the fact that I am reading the book about 15 years after it was originally released. I will check out the sequel, but am disappointed to say that I am not as invested in the story as I would have thought. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
- The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman - I was stoked that the fourth book of the Thursday Murder Club series was available at the library, so of course I picked it up when I was dropping off my last batch of completed books. I was looking forward to come chuckling, some witty banter, some murder, and I got all that, but I've gotta say it was a little more somber than I was expecting. For some reason I felt like this one was a bit more convoluted than previous books. I liked that Joyce was standing up for herself a bit more and that Ibrahim got to play a bigger role (and share some about his past), but I found myself hurting for Elizabeth often and that's not normally something I feel towards her (which felt off). I did appreciate that Stephen playing a key role, as he had in the previous book. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Dear Manny by Nic Stone - I had been waiting for this book to hit one of my audiobook apps for a while now, but it just hadn't, so I had to grab the printed version from the library. This is the third book in the "Dear" series from Nic Stone. It's the story of Jared, a white college student who grew up with Manny and Justyce from the first two books. Jared is working his way through his white privilege, trying to do better now that he knows better and starts writing letters to his dead friend, Manny. He decides to run for class council president and eventually falls for one of the candidates he is running against. I will be honest and say I was a little shocked that the main character was a white, cis, heterosexual man, but appreciate that the author decided to focus on Jared - showing that he could make mistakes, change and make a difference. Not the strongest of the series (at least in my opinion), but a quick read and good nonetheless. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Even though I wasn't super sold on the first book in this series, I was interested to see where it would go (especially since it was such a short, quick listen). I didn't realize it when I first downloaded it, but this one was set three years after Mia's accident and was told from Adams perspective. At this point, Adam's band has blown up and Mia is an amazing cellist. Although Mia decided to stay (and not die with her family in their car accident), she did not stay with him. The two reunite randomly for one night and all of the history comes tumbling out. As with the first book, most of it is told in flashbacks. I actually enjoyed this one more, which is surprising because I normally don't prefer sequels (or at least the majority of them never seem to stand up to the original). The emotions felt more real, raw and heartbreaking, and, dare I say it, I think I liked Adam (or at least his POV) more as a main character than Mia. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Fake Skating by Lynn Painter - When I saw this book added to my Libby app I got in line right away. I always find this author's books cute and her YA ones are definitely less spicy so I was excited for this one. The fake dating trope never seems to get old with me and I always love when a book switches back and forth between perspectives (and when audiobooks are read by different actors I'm a huge fan), so I was all in. Throw in a hockey obsessed midwest town and you know I'd be hooked ;) [I mean 'the original six' was even mentioned!] As expected, it was a sweet rom-com that I enjoyed and never wanted to end. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan - After borrowing my friend's copy of the first two Percy Jackson books and reading them last month, I had to grab the next installment from the local library. I took it camping with us when the hubby, pup and I went to the mountains for a weekend. If you read the first two, you know what to expect. Percy and his friends, other half-bloods, go on a quest to save Olympus. Along the way they fight monsters, learn about themselves, struggle with difficult choices and, of course, come out victorious. Seeing as there are seven books in this series, I have to assume the hero won't die this early on, but the author still does a good job at keeping the tensions high. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- No One was Supposed to Die at this Wedding by Catherine Mack - Earlier this month I read the first book in this series and when I saw our local library had the second book I went ahead and snagged it. I really enjoyed the first one and figured the second one would be more of the same - and I was right. Eleanor Dash is the narrator and a mystery author. As with the first book, when she is on vacation (this time in Catalina for her best friend's wedding) someone winds up dead and she is tasked with trying to figure out whodunit before more people end up murdered. There are tons of possible suspects and Eleanor must go back and forth finding the one(s) who have the means, motive and opportunity. I actually listened to the first book of the series on one of my audiobook apps, so didn't realize all of the footnotes that would be sprinkled throughout. I'm sure some people find this annoying, but I found it to be an interesting way to fill the crowd in on what was going on. I would say that it was a bit overwhelming to have so many characters and suspects (trying to keep everyone's storylines straight), but that's part of the intrigue and a way to keep the reader distracted. The only bummer is that the third and final book of the series isn't set to be released for a few months. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen - This popped up in the YA section of my Libby app under the young love section so I thought I'd give it a try. It had all the fun rom com tropes - fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, you name it. It was a sweet coming-of-age story about two high school seniors, Scottie and Irene. The two get into a car accident and are forced to carpool together. When Scottie sees how much attention this gets her (and the girls basketball team) she propositions Irene to fake date in exchange for paying Irene the amount she owes for the car repairs so she won't have to quit cheerleading. Of course the two eventually fall for one another amid the chaos of senior year. I'm not running to the bookstore to buy a copy for my personal collection, but it was cute enough that I enjoyed the listen and cast of characters. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman - I have always loved everything I've read from this author (in fact, I currently have two of his books in my personal library), so I have been on the lookout for this book for a while now. I had seen it on a lot of 'best of 2025' lists, but neither of my audiobook apps had it. Once I finally returned to my local library after a way too long absence I knew I had to get in line for this one. Let's just say I was not disappointed. This is the story of a group of friends, specifically about one summer, twenty-five years ago, when they were growing up. It's a story of loss, art, loyalty, hope, pain, overcoming, friendship, grief and so much more. This author has the ability to hook me from the jump and take me along for all the feels. I smiled, I cried, I gasped, I mourned. The characters feel so real, the story so raw. I would give it a 10 out of 10.
- Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein - I don't remember how I heard about this book, but I am glad I grabbed it from the library. This is the story of two sisters navigating the loss of their mother. It's all about love, loyalty and sacrifice with a backdrop of women's soccer. I read it in one day, not wanting to put it down. I went through moments of liking and not liking each of the characters, but that's to be expected when people aren't perfect - they're real, messy, flawed. The ending felt predictable, but I enjoyed it. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
With that, January is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list!
What's the best book you've read lately?
