The Reading List: January

Read more than I thought

Feb 03, 2025

Hi! I’m back! I haven’t written on Substack for a myriad of reasons, nonetheless, I am back. I am hoping to write here more in an effort to wean myself off the reliance on social media and endless scrolling. Will it be effective? Who knows. But I am at least going to try it.

Maybe it was because this month was actually 180 days, but I read 10 books. If you would have asked me, I would have guessed maybe six or so.

One of the things I want to focus on in my reading life in 2025 is being in a good rhythm. I have a tendency to not read for a while, then read three books really quickly. I have found that this doesn’t allow me to read critically or even remember what I read half the time. While I do believe that reading life should be enjoyed and I’m not reading to take a fictional test, I also truly enjoy slowing down and thinking on a book. This month I feel like I did a decent job at this, even if I read something totally outside my normal.

Heartbreaker & Knockout by Sarah MacLean

These are fun, feminist, sexy reads that are exactly what you want them to be. Filled with quippy dialogue, forged friendships and unlikely romances, they are a perfect palette cleanser between heavier reads.
rating: really liked

Trust by Hernan Diaz

I first tried this book over the summer, but it didn’t click. And when I picked it up again this month, it didn’t click. UNTIL I got to parts 3 & 4. It’s worth reading/trudging through the thoughts and background of a man to get to the perspective and stories of the women in his life. Once I got to that part, I was riveted. If you have any interest in economics, you will love the first half. If you have any interest in the alternate views of a same story, you will love the second half.
rating: liked it

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

Usually, when I book starts with infidelity, I do not want to continue. Willing writing characters that make a dumbass choices always makes me question the motivation of the writer. But something about the writing made me want to keep going and trust the author. I’m so glad I did. It wasn’t so much about an affair (a theme also in another read), but about how the past and inflicted consequences can change life trajectories.
rating: really liked it

A Hard Row to Hoe by blessedtoaster

I am not one for fanfics, but

Jamie B. Golden

Erin H Moon

toted its greatness, and I love them and wanted to give it a try. Will I continue to read fanfic? Probably not. But I had a fun time with this monstrosity of a book (over 500 pages). It was a great mix of banter, growth, intrigue, and spice.
rating: liked it

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

THIS BOOK. Wow. What a stunner. I think this is a book that it’s better to know less. Between the nuance of family dynamics, navigating desire, hidden pasts, and how obsession can take over in the blink of an eye- it’s an impressive debut from van der Wouden. And only 270 pages.
rating: loved it

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

For those that love messy family dynamics, here you go. Marley comes into the town of Mercury as a teenager and is immediately intertwined with the Joseph family. Dates one brother, marriesanother, and has a push and pull dynamic with the mother. It’s a book about growth, family secrets, and the roles we play.
rating: loved it

Vladimir by Julia May Jones (audiobook, thanks, Libro.fm!)

I’m probably going to do a whole post on this one because I can’t stop thinking about it. This is the other read that seems like it’s about an affair, but it’s really not. It’s about aging, and families, and desire, and places in the world. I have so many thoughts on the observations and poignant observations made in this read.
rating: loved it

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

This one and Out on a Limb are such good examples of how the accidental pregnancy trope can not only work but be a delight. Eve has an uncharacteristic one-night stand that leads to pregnancy. She decides to keep it which leads to complicated dynamics between her and her baby daddy, her and her childhood best friend who has been trying to get pregnant, and between her and her best friend’s brother who is apparently now single. Start for the romance, stay for the friendship dynamics.
rating: really liked it