January 2026 Reads

This month I read 11 books 

I DNFed 2 books

These books were 100% fiction

They were 0% physical, 36% digital, and 64% audio

The most popular genres were romance, contemporary, and LGBTQ+

My average rating was 4.09 stars

My longest reading day was the 24th

The Books

➽ The Weight of Ashes by Erin FitzGerald

➽ The Sweetheart Shortcut by Evie Sterling

➽ Oxford Blood by Rachael Davis-Featherstone

➽ Game Changer by Rachel Reid

➽ Just Breaking the Rules by Lauren Blakely

➽ Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke

➽ Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

➽ Dear Red, Be Mine by Bella Greene

➽ Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart by Emma Simmerman

➽ Just For the Cameras by Meghan Quinn

➽ Superfan: A Novel by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

FFAF: Did I Read My 10 Before the End

Intro

Now that 2026 is here, my time has expired to finish my "10 before the end" books of last year. I will tell you now, not all of these were finished and we will get into that. That said, progress did happen, so we are gonna celebrate the wins regardless of completion.

✅ means completed

💔 means untouched

🔆 means progress was made on it

The Books

1. Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely ✅
2. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 🔆
3. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 🔆
4. The Autist's Guide to the Galaxy by Clara Törnvall 🔆
5. Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth 💔
6. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff 🔆
7. My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich ✅
8. Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel ✅
9. Dolls of Our Lives by Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks 🔆
10. Yule be Mine by Piper Rayne ✅

Discussion

See, it's not thattttt bad, I only entirely neglected 1 book. You can also blame my fiancée for two of these being unfinished (The Outsiders and The Autist's Guide to the Galaxy) as we are reading those together and they are way less inclined to reading than I am.

I enjoyed the books I finished and honestly did not read all that much time in December so it is unsurprising I am still in the middle of many of these. 4/10 is pretty good for prioritizing ARCs over anything and otherwise being a mood reader.

Outro

How did you do if you had a 10 before the end? Please tell me I am not the only one who did not finish half of it. I am still proud of kind of committing to a TBR that I considered no stakes. Let's just say, any other TBRs I make in the future of a similar nature are just for funsises.

January 2026 Birthstone Book Covers

January 2026 Birthstone Book Covers

Intro

This is a fun challenge where I match book covers to each month's birthstone based on their colors. It is a fun way to look back at a rainbow of reads by the end of the year! I got this idea from Books Are the New Black so thanks to them for the fun challenge! Let's hope I can keep up with this for the whole year! If you would like to tackle this challenge yourself, consider yourself tagged!

For each month I will find 5 books that match that month's birthstone. January's birthstone is garnet which is a pretty red color that looks like this:

Book Covers

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Once Upon a Holidate by Susan Mallery

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty

Outro

While I did have to dive into my early reads of last year to find enough red covers, it was really fun. It brought back a lot of memories of me giving these books a try. Have you read any of these? Tomorrow I'll be here for a fascinating Free For All Friday!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Without a Clue

 

This week's book is.... Without a Clue

Author: Melissa Ferguson

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Series: n/a

Blurb:

When a mystery writer mysteriously dies on a cruise filled with rabid fans, his protégé (and personal assistant) teams up with a rugged cowboy and fellow writer to crack the case. One part Only Murders in the Building, one part Book Lovers, and a whole lot of laughs, Without a Clue will keep readers guessing and swooning until the very end.

If there's one thing Penelope Mae Dupont prizes most, it's her composure--her ability to stay calm in the face of stress. It's a vital trait in her job as a personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven--seven celebrated authors from different genres who have supported each other through thick and thin--her famed composure is in danger of sailing away. One boat, hundreds of devoted readers, and seven Big Personalities. What could possibly go wrong?

Disaster strikes when, on the second day of the cruise, Hugh is found murdered. And, in the face of gross incompetence by the on-board security force, Pip realizes she'll need to be the one to discover who did it. With the ship stranded in the middle of the Atlantic and no help on the horizon, it's up to her to unravel the mystery. Along with her friend Nash--a dreamy Western author who's just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about. As Pip's composure starts to sink faster than a leaky dinghy, Nash becomes her anchor in a storm of clues and red herrings.

With Nash at her side, Penelope dives into the murky depths of the mystery, navigating treacherous waters filled with unexpected twists and turns. No one, not even a desperately hopeful mystery sleuth named Pip, could anticipate the wild ride ahead. Whether she likes it or not, she is on the adventure of a lifetime . . . and maybe, just maybe, she'll find love along the way.

In this laugh-out-loud funny Clue-meets-Emily-Henry rom-com, Penelope Mae Dupont is about to find out that in the world of mystery and romance, you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.

Explanation:

I am a sucker for a cruise setting honestly. I have been on a lot of cruises myself and can attest that the dynamics in the middle of the sea are unique and never cease to be entertaining. I have also read her other work Meet Me in the Margins and thought it was quite cute. I'm definitely down to give this one a shot. 

Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025

Welcome back to Top 10 Tuesday, following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! (Yes I am now going to try to pull 10 for every week).

This week's prompt is..... bookish discoveries I made in 2025 

These are in no particular order

1. Much more understanding of my niche in terms of books I'll enjoy (I have lowered my tolerance for finishing books I am not loving)
2. Many wonderful indie authors! (including Ariana St. Claire and Rebecca Kinkade)
3. That there are non-fiction books I enjoy (including some celebrity memoirs, psychology books, and random quandaries I have)
4. It is super easy for me to drop off a book in an LFL when done (seriously, I do not need to keep a book I'm not gonna reread, there's an LFL in my neighborhood. There is literally no reason to not let someone else have the chance to enjoy a book too)
5. Quality of reads over quantity is what keeps me out of slumps (if anyone would like, I can do a whole advice post about reading slumps)
6. Fun bookish challenges (like the Summer Reading Challenge or Magical Readathon. They are fun and add a deadline that can really help me finish non-ARCs)
7. Silly little prompts really motivate my reading
8. The power of audiobooks for me to reach my reading goals (I can read an audiobook at 3x speed, which is infinitely faster than eyeball reading for me. It also allows me to keep reading when I have a migraine)
9. Simpler bookish tracking is more sustainable (a fancy Notion setup is simply a headache for me to keep up with. My notes app and StoryGraph is all I need)
10. A tiny shoutout can help an author so much! (especially indie authors!)

What have you discovered in 2025? Any lessons we can all learn from? Lately I have been so picky with my reads, so I will be sticking with authors I already know I love for a little while. Let's all be proud I can do this with my ARC schedule (and the power of a DNF).

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic as always

The weather is quite nuts here, so we shall see if this gets uploaded on time if at all! Please forgive me if it is not Tuesday! Also how is this already the final T10T of January?? I feel like this month has dissolved in front of my eyes.

Spell the Month in Books: January 2026

Spell the Month in Books: January 2026

Intro

This is a fun challenge that I am going to try for 2026. This is inspired by Mehsi-Hime! You can check out their picks here!

I will do my best to pull as many of the books as possible from my recent reads. That will help to avoid too much overlap between months. Without further ado, let's get into it!

The Books

J - Just for the Cameras by Meghan Quinn

A - A Tour to Die For by Michelle Chouinard

N - Nights with Him by Lauren Blakely

U - Untangled by Mallory Thomas

A - All Signs Point to Malibu by Jennifer Snow

R - Rucked Up Ruse by Beatrice Bradshaw

Y - Yule Be Mine by Piper Rayne

Outro

Oh man, finding a second A book was way more challenging that I anticipated. Now I know what letter I better try to read for next month lol. This was a lot of fun!

Can't Wait Wednesday: It's Not Her

 

This week's book is.... It's Not Her

Author: Mary Kubica

Publisher: 

Release Date: February 3rd

Series: n/a

Blurb:

Two families vacationing at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime and mysterious disappearance in this twisty, unputdownable thriller

A stunning discovery…

Courtney Gray's tranquil family vacation is shattered when she hears a blood-curdling scream from the lakeside cottage next door. There she finds the lifeless bodies of her brother and sister-in-law. Her teenage niece Reese is nowhere to be found, while her nephew Wyatt lies asleep upstairs, unharmed.

A shocking investigation…

As the police descend on the quiet resort town, disturbing secrets about Courtney’s family start to emerge. When she learns that the town has secrets of its own, it makes her wonder if Reese is another victim in a brutal crime or if she’s the killer.

A truth no one could have imagined …

As Courtney begins to unravel the terrible mystery, she realizes that everyone around her has something to hide. And the closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to see…

Explanation:

I have read and relatively enjoyed Don't You Cry also by her in the past. I am also trying to keep on the pulse of thrillers this year. As such, I am excited to check this one out in the future. It should be a good read.

Top 10 Tuesday: Goals for 2026

Welcome back to Top 10 Tuesday, following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! (Yes I am now going to try to pull 10 for every week).

This week's prompt is..... goals for 2026

These are in no particular order

1. Prioritize only ARC reading for books I am particularly excited about
2. Have more fun here on my blog!
3. Continue to support indie authors
4. Read at least 10% non-fiction
5. Read 24+ physical books
6. Read a classic
7. Read a lower % of romance
8. Make more money through my content (just being honest it is expensive to simply live)
9. Host an amazing WPS for 2026!
10. Keep reading and loving LGBTQ+ books

Do we have any goals in common? Anything that should be on my list? Feel free to ask for clarification on anything. Let's inspire each other together!

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic as always

I am so excited to help each other stay motivated and accountable on my goals. Y'all are always welcome to keep me accountable on any goals I am slacking on throughout the year. See you next week!

Book Mail Monday #1

Intro

Welcome to Book Mail Monday! I feel like the title is rather self-explanatory. If I got book mail this week, I will share it here and dive into it and what makes it special.

The Book Mail

Books Included

- Lineups and Lyrics by Tina Gallagher

- Nero by S.J. Tilly

- Switch by Beth Christopher

Discussion

Lineups and Lyrics was sent in an absolutely adorable PR package from the author as part of me promoting the book. The book is personally signed. It came with a few book-relevant stickers, a bookmark, a bracelet, a note, a business card, and a pen/back scratcher which says "scratch that itch read a romance" which I find hilarious. 

I have truly never thought I would receive a back scratcher, but I have already put it to use. (Yes it extends). I think including something unique like that will help this book to be additionally memorable. 

Next up is Nero, which was sent to me by Entangled publishing. It is a stunning special edition with metallic red sprayed edges with the book title in black. It came in a cool custom promotional box including an info card with a little bit of information about the book from the author. Entangled is the only reason there are any pretty special editions on my shelves, and I am so thankful!

Last, but not least is Switch. This book mail followed the first book in the series entitled Blackmail. It is personally signed to me with an incredibly sweet message from the author! I am eternally thankful. Also yay for LGBTQ+ rep!

Outro

I am so blessed to now have a side hustle that allows me to make fun content and receive enchanting book mail like this! This is truly fulfilling a childhood dream of mine. Be sure to always show gratitude for the bookish love!

See you next time I have some exciting book mail to share!

Can't Wait Wednesday: My Husband's Wife

 

This week's book is.... My Husband's Wife

Author: Alice Feeney

Publisher: Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar

Release Date: January 20th, 2026

Series: n/a

Blurb:

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

Explanation:

I am trying to be more in the loop with thriller releases in 2026. Will that work out? We shall see. Truly  no guarantees. Given that, this book is one on my radar. It seems like it would be a twisty read that I would fly though.

I have read two of her other books, Rock Paper Scissors and Beautiful Ugly. While neither were a total favorite of mine, I want to give her another chance to see if this an author I want to dive into the backlist of, or one I can note to only read if available with no wait at the library.

Top Five Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026

 Top 5 Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... most anticipated books releasing in the first half of 2026

These are in no particular order

1. All the Little Houses by May Cobb
2. Just Friends by Hayley Pham
3. In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde
4. Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
5. It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Unfortunately this does sort of spoil a but of my upcoming Can't Wait Wednesday posts, so try not to mind that. We can all pretend to be surprised when they come up! Other than Hayley, I have read and enjoyed at least one other book by these authors. Hopefully all of these will be great. Do we have any in common?

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic as always

What are some you are looking forward to this year? I would love to gush together! See you next week!

 Top 5 Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2025

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... best books I read in 2025

These are in no particular order

1. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
2. Bunny Season by Bindi Kennedy
3. The Trouble with Love and Coaches by Harriet Ashford
4. The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
5. We All Fall Down by Erin FitzGerald

I took a break from these in December for my Indie Author Advent, which I really enjoyed. That said, I am very happy to be back to this fun little challenge. I had a lot of trouble picking my top 5 our of my 5-star reads so this is a smidge of a random pull from them. Just know there are a ton of honorable mentions I wish I could've included (which I could if I did top 10, but shhhhh, I do not normally have 10 picks for a prompt).

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic as always

Again so happy to be back to this. What were some of your top reads you think I should give a try? Here's to many fun lists in 2026!