Congrats! Here we are at the end of our first January pop-up challenge! I know for some of you it’s summer time, but for many, it’s cozy-inside-reading-inside time. Not that we needed it, but this challenge was a good excuse to read the books we got at Christmas (even though I only read one of mine and was distracted by other books 😉).
This challenge was fairly simple: read three books, your choice from Christmas to January 31, and be entered to win one of ten $10 Amazon gift cards.
We also did four “Friday reading for good” and helped with low income car repairs in Minnesota, loved on international students in Boulder (our only fail 😪), supported refugees in Minnesota, and invested in under privileged youth in Mozambique. I love that we can combine reading and making a difference in the world.
Here’s what I read and listened to:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I got this for Christmas and devoured it! I loved it so much I also listened to it. I recommend doing both. The audio book uses different voices so you don’t get confused who wrote which letter or email. I’ve shared before this book is like Olive Kitterage (the person) plus letter writing. As a reader and writer, I am so impressed with Virginia Evans ability to move a story forward through letters. I love this book so much. Please, if you do anything in 2026, read or listen, better yet both!, to this book. (500 out of 5 stars)
Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono. I heard about this book in someone’s monthly newsletter and got the audio book. It was okay. I’m wondering if I read it with my eyes, I would have tracked on how he structured it, but listening, I felt it was all over the place. A friend who lived in Ireland told me that Irish people are circular in their thinking and that could be it too. I’m not a huge music person, so I really could only name one U2 song; music people would probably love this book. I appreciated reading how four people (in the band) have managed to stay together and continue to pursue a creative life. I also was interested in how Bono, a person of faith, lived it out and wove it in to his actual life and found ways, looking back, that he would have done things differently as he knew more. I like Bono the person after listening to this, but I don’t need to read it again (😉). (3.2 out of 5 stars)
The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak. Read for my in-person book club. The title is 100% not what this book is about, instead Will you Believe Me? is probably more accurate. Both Gia and her sister Margot have experiences where there are no witnesses and people pick sides — one with a teacher who was inappropriate and the other with an abusive husband who is beloved in the community. This book is decent, but not the best book I’ve read. However, for the question of do you believe someone when their are no witnesses but they have no reason to live, was thought provoking. There is one unnecessarily descriptive sex scene that felt very out of rhythm with the rest of the book. (3 out of 5 stars)
107 Days by Kamala Harris. I read and listened to this book for an online book club. Like Bono’s book, Kamala Harris read the audio book. Fascinating peek behind the scenes of a presidential campaign. My takeaway was third grade Amy dodged a bullet when she grew up and did not run for president as she had planned!
And that my friends is why I love reading! Fantastic stories, thought provoking themes, new knowledge, and connections with friends like you 💚.
All who comment between now and February 6th (Friday evening in America) with the names of the books they read will be entered to win one of ten $10 Amazon gift cards. To enter, leave a comment on this post.
I can’t wait to see what you’ve been reading.
Thank you for joining in!
Amy
Amy
1. The Banned Books Club (Brenda Novak) – I thought it was decent but didn’t love it as much as my book group did. Looks at a 17-years-ago sexual assault and presents the question (with that and another thread) about believing an accusation when you don’t witness it.
2. The Crossover (Kwame Alexander) – LOVED IT!!! A young adult novel all written in verse. So so different and good! Basketball, growing up, family,… :-)
3. Sandwich (Catherine Newman) – I did not love it. A 50-something woman wrestling with being a mom, menopausal, abortion, aging kids, aging parents.
4. (2 Samuel commentary for a Bible study. Not light reading but done! ;-) )
Midge returned your copy of The Crossover and loved it so much! I can’t wait to read it :)!
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A (December) birthday gift from me to me. About evil witches and young women who fought against them. Dark and creepy. Loved it. 5 stars.
Such a Beautiful Thing to Behold by Umar Turaki. A mysterious epidemic in an African town. About kids who found community and learned to survive after all the adults died. Thought-provoking. 3 stars.
One with Christ by Hudson Taylor. A commentary on Song of Solomon. Made me realize that I’ve never heard this book taught really well. I appreciate it so much more now. 5 stars.
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. For book club. I read it in 8th grade, but remembered nothing about it. A swashbuckling adventure. 4.5 stars.
Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs. I think I had read this before, but many of the Brennan books blur together in my memory. Still fun to read. 4 stars.
Hudson Taylor’s commentary on Song of Solomon used to be called Union and Communion and it completely changed my view of that book and actually sent me down a road of intimacy with Jesus I’m still on! I read it in, of all places, Rachel, KENYA- at the guest house in Kijabe- in 1995!
Amazing!
I love the book connections :)! and now I’m wondering if “commentary” needs to be category for our longer reading challenge!
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 8 by Beth Brower. So far, this is my favorite in the rollicking, poignant series. I listened to the (delightful) audiobook version, having previously read the ebook.
Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn. (A reread). The writing flows well, but the book felt incomplete and its approach to difficult subjects was not to my taste. I did like the previous volume in this two-part biography.
The Man Who Was Thursday by GK Chesterton. Not my normal genre, but I enjoyed the fast-moving pace and even its very puzzling storyline and was usefully challenged by what I could catch of the spiritual truths behind it.
If Only We Could See by Jennifer Trafton. I accessed this art-focused biography of Lilias Trotter as an advance reader and (with minor quibbles) found it to be beautiful, nourishing and joyful.
I just checked out the first of the Unselected Journals (before reading your comment). I wasn’t sure if i was going to continue listening to it, but now maybe I will :)!
The Code Girls about the code breakers during WWII
Rocket Men about the Apollo 8 mission (listen to it!! So so good!!)
Run for the Hills super quirky and a dast read
Death comes to Marlow I have a thing for cozy mysteries…I never try to figure out who did it, I just read the story
The Impossible Fortune another cozy mystery, better than Death come to Marlow
Holy Listening-for my spiritual direction program
I’m actually surprised by how much I’ve read!!
Good on you for reading so much as you are also in a spiritual direction program! And I’ve added The Rocket Men to my list! Thanks :)
1) I re-read The Book of Signs, David Jeremiah, so obviously I liked it: Most of us struggle to understand the Book of Revelation –the end times. He explains many key signs with his easy to read writing style and how current world events were foretold in the Bible.
2) My book club read The Song of Sourwood Mountain: Ann H. Gebhart, which is a Southern historical romance set in the 1910 Appalachian Mountains; A young schoolteacher follows a young Christian pastor into Eastern Kentucky and embraces the opportunity to teach memorable children – a heartwarming story.
It’s fun to re-read books we enjoyed :)!
1. Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God – a behind the scenes look at his life. Recommend! This has some great nuggets I will come back to repeatedly.
2. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard – somewhat interesting and a quick read, but not super memorable personally
3. Funding Your Ministry by Scott Morton – full of lots of great questions and ideas. Had some points I don’t quite agree with, but great starting point for inspiration/encouragement and structure in fundraising!
4. A Better Man by Louise Penny – this month’s easy-read for a brain break. Storyline went a little darker than I was expecting but I generally enjoy her main characters.
Now I’m trying to recall what Louise Penny book (s?) I’ve read . . . off to go look! Alright, I’m back buy done of the covers look familiar. Now I’m curious if I have read her or not.
1. Letter from Japan by Marie Kondo. I learned so much about Japan.
2. American Predator by Maureen Callahan. Couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one after reading her book Ask Not. True crime is my favorite genre and Maureen is an excellent writer.
3. Slow AF Run Club by Martinus Evans. I started out with the ebook but found the audiobook more enjoyable because you get to hear the author’s voice. I have not started to run yet, but this book gave me (a slow runner) lots of encouragement.
4. To the Last Breath by Carlton Stowers. Winner of the Edgar Award for true crime story. I finished this page turner in two days.
In addition to being a slow runner, I am also a slow reader, so I am surprised I finished four books in January. Thanks Amy for hosting!
Okay, Elaine, I think you win the award for “most books added to Amy’s to-read list!” You know I read Ask Not last summer, so I’m intrigued by Maureen’s other books!
I actually managed to read three books! An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff, proved to be a heartwarming, but sometimes troubling memoir demonstrating the life altering impact one person can have on the life of another. Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin, who also wrote The Music of Bees resulted in a lively book group discussion. We loved Garvin’s extensive research into the behavior of crows and also her tenderness as she described a child on the Asberger spectrum. Finally I read a short but powerful book of poetry, The Raft, by Ted Kooser. Ted is a past Poet Laureate of the US and a Pulitzer Prize winner who just beautifully describes mundane items, storms and smells of the Midwest, and people in his poetry.
I’ve just requested Crow Talk from the library :)!
I read Insignificant Events in the life of a Cactus by dusti Bowling, The Adventures of Guppy and Meep (a friend’s picture book) and The lost Story of Eva Fuentes – this was my favorite – it chronicled the lives of 3 women living in 3 different eras connected by a lost story. An ode to book lovers everywhere!
I’m also finishing Slow Productivity but it would be wrong to rush that in order to count it here. ;)
Your last sentence made me laugh :)!! I haven’t heard of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes and just added it to my to-read list (so many good books in the world!)
1. The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb – Heartbreaking and insightful look at addiction and it’s affects.
2. All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols – I don’t often read poetry but I really appreciated the beauty of this writing. I much preferred one section over the others.
3. Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan – This was a surprising and at times slow, look at infidelity and date-rape from various points of view.
4. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin – I’ve decided I’m not really a short stories person.
5. Balancing it All by Candace Cameron Bure – Either I’ve read this before or she repeats a lot of her material throughout her memoirs.
6. Be Frank With Me by Julia Clairborne Johnson – I loved this book about a quirky family and their lives as they try to hide from fame.
7. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – A domestic abuse thriller that was hard to read at times and will definitely be triggering for many people.
This was summertime for me, and as a teacher aide it was my longest break time during the year. I did have some part-time work but was able to spend a lot of my time reading.
Mary, happy summertime reading :)!! I heard Wally Lamb talk about The River is Waiting (at a Minnesota zoom thing . . . so not in person). But it was an intriguing talk and the Q and A. I’ve got the book requested from the library and am eagerly waiting my turn :). Thanks for joining in!
Thanks for adding this challenge, Amy! Some were re-reads for the days not in the mood to focus on something new. :)
I have added some books that were posted on Fridays to my ‘to-read-pile’ and can’t wait to get to the bookstore when I am home this summer.
1. ‘Clouds of Witness’ Dorthy L. Sayers (reread)
2. ‘The Scorpion God: Three Short Novels” William Golding
3. ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ Mark Twain
4. ‘Cross’ James Patterson (reread)
5. ‘The Nick Adams Stories’ Ernest Hemingway
6. ‘Worst Case’ James Patterson (reread)
7. ‘Run for Your Life’ James Patterson (reread)
8. ‘ The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic’ Mike Duncan (Very interesting and a smooth read)
9. ‘The Underground Railroad’ William Still (A good read, amazing stories of individuals)
10. ‘The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America’s Enemies’ Jason Fagone (definitely recommend. Amazing and insightful)
11. ‘ Abide in Christ’ Andrew Murray
12. ‘God on Mute’ Pete Greig
13. ‘ To Cut a Long Story Short’ Jeffrey Archer
Looking forward to the Summer reading Challenge!
Rhonda, you are always an impressive reader :)! And I love that reading makes room for all types of readers. I’ve added books from the Friday reading to my to-read list too :)!
So fun to see what everyone is reading!
Here’s what I read:
1. Away by Megan E. Freeman —this one was pretty good and I was glad I read it to help round out the story in her book Alone.
2. The Sleeper and the Spindle by Noel Gaiman —this had potential but I didn’t like it. Felt a little scattered and I didn’t love the ending.
3. The Tale of Despereaux —this was a fun re-read with my children
4. The Fight for Us by Rebekah Lyons —I wanted to like this one but it was just okay. A lot of basic info and a few stories that didn’t quite fit or almost hinted at some unhealthy views. Some good, general/basic counseling tips though.
Katy I agree!!! So fun to see what everyone is reading :) . . . you included!
My favorite part of these challenges is seeing what people read and recommend!
I read:
1. The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Entertainment by Robert Farrar Capon- This was a nice way to slow my brain down and get a bit reflective during my winter break.
2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi- Recommended in a summer reading challenge a year or two ago and I had enjoyed her previous novel. I was surprised at how different this one was, but I liked it.
3. Deal of a Lifetime by Frederick Backman- A novella at the end of break and my least favorite Backman book. I will definitely still read him, but I didn’t like this one.
4. Tried by Fire: The Story of Christianity’s First 1000 Years by William Bennet- This felt really long, but I liked it because of the way he puts that part of Church history in the context of social, political, cultural history overall.
5. Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth- a young adult novel from the point of view of a rural Indian boy whose family migrates to Mumbai where he ends up trafficked. Having lived in that region for many years, I can attest to how typical the story is, and also appreciate the hopefulness the author gave to the character in what is usually a very hopeless situation.
I agree :) . . . seeing what people recommend is one of my fav parts! And like you, I read Transcendent Kingdom a few years ago and was surprised how different it was from her previous book. I supposed that’s a sign of a good writer :) (or one of the signs) :)
Readin through the other comments, I love how many of us are doing this together!
Here’s mine:
1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou – Always love memiors and this was no different. My suprise when some of it took place in my home state. Never knew!
2. Furiously Happy – Jenny Lawson – It was..interesting. Could take it or leave it. Listening to the audio version made it sound a little bit complain-y.
3. Mary Poppins – P. L. Travers – A family book listened to with the girls. Didn’t realize how different it was from the movie.
4. Frindle – Andrew Clements – Funny YA book. I pick these up every once in a while for a quick read and this one was perfect. I enjoyed it!
5. How Dare the Sun Rise – Sandra Uwiringiyimana – Another memior. I’m suprised I didn’t stumble upon this book sooner. Very eye opening and appreicated her view on immigrating to America following war.
6. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barabara Robinson
7. The Best School Year Every – Barabara Robinson – Again, more quick YA reads that were fun to listen to while the girls played and I worked on a craft.
Raven, I love picturing you and the girls listening to books as they play and you craft! And I love memoirs too :)
Blackstar of Kingston by S D Smith
The Blue Castle by L Montgomery
The Door in the Wall by M deAngeli
An Elephant in the Garden by M Morpurgo
Had so much fun!
I’m so glad :)!
I enjoyed this challenge and the Friday challenges! The beginning of my year has been heavy with nonfiction/memoirs, which is weird for me, but I’m enjoying.
1. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri–Read this for my in-person book club. Definitely worth reading with the audio, but the audio by itself was jarring.
2. The Elite by Kiera Cass–a reread for another fun in-person book club.
3. Simply More by Cynthia Erivo–the audio for this is stunning, and I enjoyed hearing her story.
4. Heart the Lover by Lily King–Did NOT enjoy this one
5. We Did Ok Kid: A Memoir by Anthony Hopkins–the best part of the audio on this one is the selection of poems, monologues, etc that Hopkins reads at the end. Even though his voice is weakened by age, he’s still got something special.
6. 107 Days by Kamala Harris–I listened to this one for an online book club I’m part of, and wow! was it fascinating.
7. The CIA Book Club by Charlie English–This one was trying too hard to be something it’s not, and the title was incredibly misleading. Still a fascinating story of how books and underground printing were used to break the Soviet Bloc.
8. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston–a nice twisty mystery
9. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins–another twisty mystery set around an old hotel on the Gulf.
10. A Tour to Die For by Michelle Chouinard–this is the second one in this series–both are really fun murder mysteries set in San Francisco, where the main character is a tour guide, so you get a lot of tidbits about the city. They make me want to visit SO much!
Sarah, I’m so glad you enjoy the challenges and the Friday reading :) . . . I never know if I’m a pest to people with these ideas of mine, but I also figure, if someone doesn’t want to do them, they don’t have to :)! I’m guessing we are in the same online book club (wink!) are you in the IG too :)?
I have a new year goal to be more transparent with what I’m reading… This past month I read:
The Young Elites, by Marie Lu, a young adult fantasy.
Animal Farm, by George Orwell. This was a graphic novel for kids and was excellent!
The Deeply formed life, by Rich Villodas. This was a great book about creating life giving missional life stuff. Very good! Lot’s to think about from this!
Just for the summer, by Abby Jimenez. A fun rom-com from a Minnesota author. I appreciated how she approached the complex relationships that can happen with family.
Leaving a comment allowed you to live out your goal :)! Thanks for sharing your list. I saw recently that Animal Farm is being made into a movie! I’ve added it to my list because I’m always on the look our for good graphic novels!
Here’s my list!
– Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
– Tempests and Tea Leaves by Rachel Morgan (I don’t like cozy books usually but discovered I enjoy cozy fantasy)
– The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
– The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
– The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow
– The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Most of these books fit categories for my local library’s winter reading challenge, which got me going with a strong reading start to the year! :)
First of all, I love a strong reading start to the year :)! Yay us!! :) . . . and I am not a big fan of cozy books either and had never even heard of cozy fantasy!! Maybe I’ll have to try it. :)
I love seeing familiar names and what everyone is reading! Thanks for making January a bit brighter for everyone, Amy!
As an aside, I completely skipped the part where this was supposed to help us read the books we got for Christmas – must do better at reading books I already own! Here’s what I read starting just before Christmas until end of January:
1. Time of the Child – Niall Williams. Loved that this was set in the same small Irish town as This is Happiness. Lots to ponder from this novel. Would recommend. (It’s set during advent into Christmas so the timing worked out really well, but I think you could read it whenever suits)
2. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop – Satoshi Yagisawa. I wanted to read a book set in Japan so this one fits the bill but my notes state this was charming but more than slightly odd.
3. While the Earth Holds Its Breath – Helen Moat. Non-fiction. I read this book based on its premise of being about a woman learning to enjoy winter and traveling to places where people fully embrace winter but I found it really disappointing and not promoting of contentment or resilience. Would give it a pass. Would highly recommend those who struggle with winter pick up How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz instead.
4. The Secrets of Winter – Nicola Upson. A murder mystery set on Mont St. Michael – would love to visit this location someday. Book was not brilliant but still enjoyable.
5. Andromeda – Therese Bohman. A deeply nostalgic book set in Stockholm, Sweden. The first half follows the narrative of a young woman who comes to work at a publishing house and the second is from the perspective of her mentor.
6. The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey. Enchanting book, based loosely on the Russian fairytale but set in 1920s Alaska. Really enjoyed this one and would recommend if you are looking for something a little different to read.
7. Meet me at the Museum – Anne Youngson. An epistolary novel but ended up being sadder than anticipated. Features two people past the prime of their life trying to determine how to make sense of the losses they have experienced and what to do with the time left to them.
8. The heart of winter – Jonathan Evison. A very gentle novel about a couple married for 70 years wrestling with growing older, facing health crises while looking back at their life together. In ways this felt very relatable but in others not so much.
9. After You – Jojo Moyes. I had read the first novel in this series a few years back and wanted to pick up the second. This one deals with grief and what it means to move on so was a heavier read than I had been hoping for. I gave the 3rd book a try but DNF’d it.
Honourable mention – in the autumn, Grace Hamman released her new book “Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life” (Highly recommend – very devotional in nature and would be a great lent read!). Anyway, this led me to want to learn more about the medieval church (so like post-fall of Rome up to the reformation) so I also finished reading Going to Church in Medieval England by Nicholas Orme as well as the first half of Stripping the Altars by Eamon Duffy. Those are both academic texts but still highly readable. (Although Duffy did not feel the need to update any of the Middle English he is fond of quoting which was an added challenge). I felt compelled to mention as those made up a lot more of the non-fiction I read in this period and may explain some of the lighter books I read on the side. :)
My oldest also joined in on some of our Friday challenges this round. If anyone has any great books to recommend for a 7-year-old boy who loves to read that would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Sara;
I taught second grade for 14 years, 32 years in K-2. Look at the Secrets of the Hidden Scrolls by MJ Thomas. It’s a Magic tree house structure with Biblical overtones. My grand sons LOVED them. I have a review of them on my website tonyaann.com
Sarah, as usually, I love reading through your list and then hearing a bit more of what you read in the fall, where that took you, and what you recommend to us :). Thank your son for joining in on the Friday Reading for Good!! We needed him :)!! I’ll ask my friend what recommendations she has and email them to you :)
I loved this challenge. It’s always so fun to see what other people are reading, and I find that it helps me finish books. I tend to start a lot of books at once, but then don’t always finish them quickly. The four books I read in January were:
Magic in the Monotony: Sanctification in the everyday moments of motherhood by Tia Ralls (3.5 stars) Short and sweet. A good reminder to be fully in the season that you are in.
On Our Way Home Reflections on Heaven in the Face of Death by Colleen Elisabeth Chao (5 starts) Really love this author’s deep and honest writing as she faces her cancer journey. This is the second book of hers that I have read, and her candid perspective on life and death are so insightful.
Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies by Alison Cook and Kimberly June Miller. (5 stars) Such an excellent book. One that I will probably re-read, and I rarely re-rebooks. I have read books on the IFS (Internal Family System) before but felt that this book really helps with practical application and holistic healing.
Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference by Larry Crabb (3.5 stars) This book has been on my shelf for awhile, so I finally decided to read it. I felt like the title is a bit misleading as the topic of the differences in men and women isn’t even discussed until halfway through the book. Some good insights, but overall the book felt more of a critic on complimentary vs egalitarian views and how the author didn’t agree with either camp, which I actually related too, but then there didn’t feel as much of a clear view of what the author did believe apart from that humans are selfish. Overall some good insights, but also a lot of vagueness, so for me the book didn’t really land.
Ruth, I’m the same . . . this (these) challenge(s) help me to actually finish books and not bounce between too many without making progress. I love Boundaries for Your Soul and the idea of managers, firefighters, and (drawing a blank!). Thanks for joining in!
My books!!
I read The Color of Ash by Abigail Wilkes. I absolutely LOVED this book!! It’s a Christian fantasy that really shows that it’s worth it to give up everything for your faith. Not only that it had twists and turns, great characters, and a very rich setting. 10/10 recommend!
The second book I read was The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. I had just finished Percy Jackson and I was ready for a similar series. It had all the great humor, battle scenes, and world building of Percy Jackson, my only complaint was that it felt a little long. After just finishing the Percy Jackson series which is about 300 pages a book the 500+ pages was a little overkill. I had nothing against the plot or characters, but by 300 pages I was just a little done. 8/10, I still loved it!
The last book was the next book in the Heros of Olympus series, The Son of Neptune also by Rick Riordan. This one was amazing!! It was still long, but I didn’t feel as ready to be done by the end. It was awesome that Percy Jackson was back as a main character and it had amazing humor, battles, and twists, just like I would expect from Rick Riordan. Absolutely amazing, 9/10. The end of this one perfectly meshed with the first book and I can’t wait to read the third!
Thank you Amy for this January reading challenge! It was so much fun <3
Rylie, I love reading what you read :) . . . and seeing the variety of books in the world! Your thoughts on The Lost Hero has me wondering if I need to edit a current project down… hmmmm. Thinking :)!
It was fun to have something to look forward to in January. Thank you for hosting this Pop-Up Reading Challenge, Amy!!
I read:
1. No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity by Ashlee Piper- This provided good motivation to start the year with a no-buy month.
2. The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen- A twisty thriller that was just so-so for me.
3. Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields- I like reading Brooke Shields’ thoughts and reflections on her life.
4. Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza- A tradwife influencer murder mystery. This was a page-turner.
5. The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas- Another twisty thriller that was just so-so for me.
6. The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson- A mystery that was pretty fun.
7. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood- A middle-aged, burned out woman seeks rest and refuge in a religious community. There’s a mice infestation that was a bit too much for me.
8. If You Must Go, I Wish You Triplets by Virginia DeLuca- My favorite book of this month. A memoir by a woman whose 60-year-old husband decides to divorce her because he wants to re-marry and have babies.
9. Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu- My second favorite book of the month. Written by Chu while he was at Princeton Seminary and also working at the seminary farm. I liked this book so much that I’m sending the author an actual snail mail card to tell him how much I appreciated his thoughts on life, theology, farming, and grief.
10. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Sutanto- The sequel to Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. A fun read!
Elaine! What a fun list to read through :). And this title: If You Must Go, I Wish You Triplets . . . brilliant! I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for joining in :)!!!
OK, three of the books I read were:
1. My Beloved by Jan Karon — wonderful visit to the Mitford community I’ve come to know and love over the years.
2. The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door — Fun, different, and lived up the hype.
3. The Christmas Book Flood — Absolutely marvellous! Charming romance under an overarching story of the start of the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood tradition.
Thank you for sharing Rachel! I was curious about the Christmas Book Flood and google says, “the “Christmas Book Flood,” is Iceland’s cherished tradition of exchanging books as Christmas gifts, especially on Christmas Eve, followed by a quiet night reading them, often with hot chocolate. This practice began during WWII when books were a readily available gift, and it has evolved into a major cultural event, making Iceland a highly literary nation with one of the world’s highest publishing rates, creating a cozy ritual of reading and storytelling.” Wow! Love it! Several years ago my family switched to a book exchange for Christmas — get two books, give two books. We draw names . . . next year I think I will call it the Christmas Book Flood and thank you!
1. Christmas at the Women’s Hotel Daniel Lavery ( a book that made me wonder about publishing. How do such bad stories get published?)
2. The Widow by John Grisham ( a typical Grisham novel with some surprising twists, 3/5)
3. Andriana Trigiani’s Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen’s Unsung Characters ( I enjoyed it and the stories were awesome, it helps to be familiar with the minor characters in Austen’s novels. I wasn’t completely 4/5)
4. By the Book by Julia Sonneborn 5/5 Her debut novel and I hope there’s more coming, a book about characters who love books and references the classics with a little light, clean romance thrown in. The obligatory politically correct characters are included but the story centers around literature. I loved it!
5. I do a lot of audio books because I drive so far everywhere. I listened to Evan Friss’ A History of the American Bookstore. It was interesting to hear the history of some famous indies including our own Tattered Cover.
Tonya we could have quite the discussion on how “bad” books get published!!! I love listening to audio books too :). And I just placed By the Book on hold! Thanks for joining!
1. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – not my favorite, but interesting enough to push through. (3/5)
2. Straight Man by Richard Russo – I had devoured Empire Falls in December, had been one of my favorite reads of 2025 so was excited for this one. However, did not enjoy this one nearly as much, and the other Russo I tried I didn’t even finish. (2.5/5)
3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – enjoyed this novel quite a bit. (4/5)
4. The Personal Librarian – similar themes to the Vanishing Half, only based on a true story. (4/5)
It’s so disappointing when a book we’re anticipating is a let down! I enjoyed listening Tom Lake because Meryl Strep read it :) (but I respect that it wasn’t your fav!). I haven’t heard of The Vanishing Half, but have The Personal Librarian, so will need to check out TVH. Thanks Katherine :)!
I read a few things this month! Thanks for the Challenge Amy!
1. Shift by Hugh Howey
This is the second book in the Silo series and honesty it was better than the first one! I first watched the show on Apple TV so the first book felt like a repeat of watching the show but the second one goes back in time and explains the Silos and it is so well done!
2. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Thanks Amy for posting and pushing me to read this as everyone else had been recommending it as well. I listened to it and the audiobook was so well done and I loved the characters you meet. It reminded me of my days of reading Regarding the Fountain growing up!
3. My Friends by Fredrik Backman
I have been waiting for this forever on hold at the library and it just finally came through. I didn’t love the story as much as I thought I would but Backman has such a beautiful way of writing that I can’t yep but love the stories that he tells and his way of capturing the human condition just perfectly.
You’re welcome Megan!! (and I’m so glad you enjoyed The Correspondent). I listened to “My Friends” this past summer, in part as I thinned a large iris flower bed and accidentally gave myself heat stroke. I do NOT recommend heat stroke. Awful. So, it’s funny that I read that title and think a tad about the book, but more about heat stroke. Ha!! I agree, that Backman has a way of capturing the human condition just perfectly! Thanks for joining in!
Thank you friends! Winners names have been drawn and they have been contacted. What a fun way to start the year :). See you in a few months for our longer reading challenge :).