January 2025 Reads

Picture shows all the books I read in January.
Welcome to Pawnee by Jim O'Heir

This book was different than I expected. I expected more behind-the-scenes stories, more dirt. I did enjoy seeing the show from a different perspective than the lead’s. I also enjoyed how O’Heir brought in many people to read for the book. I just wish there was more substance.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This book was really sweet. My favorite aspect was the relationship between the three sisters, more than likely because I’m one of three sisters. I loved how unique they each were and their problems. I loved the partners in their lives, and the children. I especially loved the task set upon them. I’m a sucker for small towns coming together.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss

Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala

This installment was okay. I think this series is becoming a bit predictable. There were a few plot threads that I felt were dropped: Elena being elusive, Jae saying I love you for the first time. The book just didn’t seem to have the magic the other four seemed to have. I’ll have to think about if I want to read the next installment or not.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I love this series, I really do, but Mia is my age, and she still reads as a teenager, and that was disappointing. I think that’s really what took me out of the book. The plot was fine, it was just Mia’s voice that really threw me off. I was hoping she would be more mature as an adult.

Rating: 3 out of 5.
The Quarantine Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I forgot how much I really loved this book. I think it hits differently as an adult than it did as a high school student, but all the tangled webs and hypocrisies and some of the symbolism just stood out more. And I truly felt sorry for Gatsby who was trying to fit into a class that would never accept him and who would let him take the blame for things he did not do.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Quinn’s Story was at once heartbreaking and inspirational. Her character development was phenomenal. I loved her relationships with her friends. I especially loved her and Oliver together – the labyrinth was magical. I wish her art was real so I could see it. Everything about this book was amazing, and it had me staying up late and crying in my office at work.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Weight of Water by Jamie Seitz

Is She Really Going OUt with Him? By Sophie Cousens

This book was great! I loved everything. The writing was witty; the story was fun and plausible, and the characters were great. Plus – there were all my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, there’s only one bed, AND he falls first. Anna and Will were great together – their banter was top-notch, their falling in love beautiful. The only thing that would have made the book better would have been more interactions between Will and the kids!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

After setting it aside last year, I’m glad I tried it again. This book was delightful. I loved Tress and her pirate friends. I loved her love for Charlie – and his for her. The twists, the turns, the world-building – it was very unique, while also feeling a bit like The Princess Bride.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Tress and the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

I went into this book not knowing much about Ina Garten and I walked away loving her – especially her relationship with her husband, Jeffrey. This book was simply delightful to read. I loved hearing about her journey to where she is today.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This book was a very fascinating read. I grew up in the 90s and didn’t know a lot of this was going on. I remember hearing about a lot of these events, and forming the exact opinions the author talked about – so the author was correct and the media worked. The book is going to give me things to think about.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
90s Bitch: Media Culture, and the failed promis of gender equality by Allison Yarrow

The Favorites bye Layne Fargo

Since I was young, I’ve been obsessed with figure skating. In high school, I became obsessed with Wuthering Heights. Kat and Heath fulfilled a need I didn’t even know I needed. The book was dramatic, and full of excitement and so much passion. I loved the behind-the-scenes drama of international figure skating. This book is my new obsession.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I’m not going to say much, since I don’t want to spoil anything, but this book was amazing. it was very much the middle book of a series, setting up so much and not really answering questions. But, I think the crumps Yarros spread were satisfying. And I will wait (mostly) patiently for the next installment.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

The London Detective Agency

Decoding the Heart

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