Booked Solid: What I read and watched in January
This month has left me at a loss for words. I am saddened and angry and disheartened and scared, and I think about the immigrant and Black and brown communities around our country and the protesters who risk their literal lives on a near daily basis. We have never needed love and community more.
I feel an immense amount of guilt not being on any front lines. I have some personal limitations and question what more I can do to help. If you would like to help, you can visit these sites to learn more:
Melt the Ice sweatshirts designed by Carson Ellis and sold by Emma Straub’s bookstore, Books are Magic. 100% of the profits from all Melt the Ice items will go to local and on-the-ground organizations in MN through Stand with Minnesota and Unidos MN.
List of organizations from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
Or support local, independent bookstores in MPLS:
There’s no good way to segue into what I read in January, so here we go.
I find that many people often view January as a restart to something – goals, lifestyle changes, relationships. I’ve often taken umbrage with the “new year/new me” mantra but for some it works, and I’m of the mindset, “you do you.” For me, it’s really all about keeping my anxiety and depression at bay and reading allows me to do that (most of the time).
After a 2024 that saw me personally dealing with a health issue that many doctors and specialists have still never been able to figure out, 2025 allowed me to focus on more reading. It’s amazing how being in pain can cause you to lose focus on so many things, especially activities that normally bring you a lot of joy.
This year has started out with more reading than I anticipated. I’m not sure this pace is feasible, but it’s surprising how much reading you can do when you shut down all your social media accounts (except for Substack) and there aren’t a ton of engrossing new shows on streamers (waiting for all eps of The Pitt, Tell No Lies and Industry to drop)
Book Breakdown:
14 – Total books read or listened to
4 – Literary or contemporary fiction
4 – Non-fiction/memoir
4 – Romances
1 – Mystery/thriller
1 – Young (New?) Adult
10 – New-to-me authors
4 – Debuts or first-time novels
1 – Reread (People We Meet on Vacation)
The Reading Roundup
Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman – I read Matthew Norman’s heartwarming and endearingly charming Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon in December and immediately ordered his back catalog. I love his style of writing and his dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Domestic Violets is Norman’s debut novel about Tom Violet, a struggling mid-level ad man (he calls his office the “Death Star”) married to Anna, who is trying to cope with Tom’s inability to perform in life and love, while they raise their clever daughter and entertain Tom’s father, Curtis, who recently won literature’s highest honor. Throw in a junior copywriter who looks up to Tom at Cubeland (also what he calls his office), his desire to be a Novelist (capital N) and fears of living up to his legendary lothario of a dad, a mother and step-father experiencing their own marital strife, and “Osama bin Gregory,” his nemesis at work, and you have an entertaining romp through one moody man’s middle-age years.
Letter from New York: BBC Woman’s Hour Broadcasts by Helene Hanff – If you haven’t read Hanff’s 84, Charing Cross Road, I highly recommend you pick it up, especially if you’re looking for more epistolatory novels after reading The Correspondent. I picked up 84, Charing Cross Road several years ago and hugged it when I turned the last page. With a desire to read more backlist titles in general, I recalled how much I loved Hanff’s story. I ordered her back catalog, and Letter from New York happened to arrive first. This short and sharp book is a collection of Hanff’s BBC radio broadcasts, which ran from 1978 to 1984. It offers a droll glimpse into her everyday life and neighbors as a Manhattanite. If you like slice-of-life books, I recommend this one.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney – Alice Feeney is an automatic buy for me. Is every book a 5-star read? No. But Rock, Paper, Scissors and Beautiful Ugly had me audibly saying, “Oh!,” so she gets a pass. Netflix recently dropped the limited series adaptation of His & Hers (see my thoughts below), so I wanted to read it before I watched the show. I’ve found that I tend to read the book so far in advance of the movie or show that I forget key parts of what happened or differences between the book and adaptation. I was determined not to let that happen this time. And I’m glad I read the book. While the adaptation was gripping, it is very different from the book. The underlying story is the same – a female news correspondent (Anna Andrews) is drawn back to her hometown to report on a string of murders that her ex-husband (Jack Harper) is now investigating. The catch? The women were all friends in high school and Anna was part of the group. Is Anna next? Is she the killer? Why did Anna leave after graduation and rarely come home to see her mom, who is seemingly suffering from dementia? I could not figure out who the killer was, which makes for a great reading experience (and I hate surprises!). There were at least three times I thought for sure I knew who the murderer was and let’s just say the ending shocked me! If you like suspenseful, twisty thrillers, I recommend this one.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – Ah, the very divisive rom-com from Emily Henry. I had no idea this seemed to be one of Henry’s least-liked books, but it is one of my favorites from her! I loved the alternating timeline (which I don’t usually enjoy), the witty banter, the mystery around what happened to cause the rift between free-spirited Poppy and button-upped, by-the-book Alex. I don’t travel much (damn fear of flying!), so I loved reading about their adventures. This was another book I wanted to read before the movie dropped on Netflix (my thoughts below). I had read it when it came out in 2021, and while I remembered the story, I couldn’t recall the finer details. I still love the book; the movie is another story.
That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers – This was my first audio book of the year. I tend to only listen to non-fiction books on audio. I have tried fiction and I can’t keep track of what’s going on whereas listening to a non-fiction book is like a podcast. I was not familiar with Elyse Myers, but according to her bio, she’s a writer, comedian, and content creator. I am probably not the right demographic for this book (Gen Xer) and the fact that I don’t have an IG or TikTok account didn’t help. Her debut book provides a peak into her real life, unfiltered, awkward moments and all. The funniest bits (IMO) were her tales of living and studying in France, and her “meat cute” of how she met her husband at a butcher’s counter. I also appreciated her candidness and openness discussing her panic attacks and anxiety.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood – This was my first Ali Hazelwood book, and I had no idea what it was about. I picked it up at the store, threw it on top of my stack, and cracked it open when I got home. I felt like I purposely avoided Hazelwood’s books because I had this snobbish view that she was a “TikTok author.” I don’t even really know what that is (yes, I’ve heard of BookTok), but I could deduce its meaning from the table of books at the bookstore. After listening to a podcast (Books I Make My Husband Read), I figured I’d give a Hazelwood book a try. This enemies-to-lovers romance is about two Stanford athletes – Scarlett Vandermeer (diver) and Lukas Blomqvist (swimmer) – who start a fake relationship/fling to help cover up the breakup between Lukas and his former girlfriend, a teammate of Scarlett’s. As they train for the Olympics and work on a project, things get heated and their “arrangement” becomes complicated. This is most definitely open door, so if that’s not for you, don’t pick this up. I’ve already purchased two more of her books.
This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg – Another audio book, this time from comedian Zarna Garg. Someone I was unfamiliar with, but after listening to the Book Riot podcast praise her, I added my name to my library’s Libby waitlist for the audio version. I am so glad I did. I love listening to actors or comedians narrate their own stories. Garg’s narratives about fleeing Mumbai and settling in Ohio to find herself and “become an American” was hilarious and heartfelt. In true American fashion, she threw herself into work while trying to become the perfect mom. On a dare, she did a stand-up comedy routine at an open mic night and found her calling for “getting paid cold hard cash for her big fat mouth.” I don’t have children, but her stories about her kids, fighting with schools about their education and paying for said education while also dealing with the mean moms was funny as hell. And if you listen to the audio version, stick around to hear the extra special treat from her sons and husband talking about their mom/wife the comedian.
Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily R. Austin – Total honesty, this book was a hard read for me. Darcy, a librarian at her local branch, is back at work after a mental breakdown. She’s found love with her wife Joy, a bookbinder, and their two cats but after learning about her ex-boyfriend’s death, she spirals from the guilt and regret. She takes a medical leave of absence from the library and upon returning, she’s met by pesky book banners and protestors. This book highlights the importance of self-care, community and libraries. I’ve also picked up Austin’s backlist to read in the future.
Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel – Billed as The Bachelor meets Miss Congeniality, this rom-com is about Georgia Rose, a music journalist, who finds her way onto the dating reality show, Love Shack, to write a behind-the-scenes expose about the show’s producers. But what she doesn’t know is that her memorable one-night stand from the previous year, country singer Rhett Auburn, is this year’s host. This second-chance romance from the debut author was OK. I think there are better rom coms out there, but I would give Engel another go.
The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan – Chuck Hogan, who wrote the book that eventually became the movie, The Town, jumps into nonfiction with this book about four moms who come together to solve a 15-year-old cold case. As the Covid pandemic ramps up, Samira, Marissa, Jeannie, and Nicole find themselves looking for something to take their mind off the upheaval of their daily lives. After discovering they all share a passion for true crime, they team up to help solve the case of a married couple who vanished from their home. After the twosome disappear, the family quickly closed the father’s business and the bank that financed the company sued them for $1 million. What happened to the couple whose bodies were eventually found at the bottom of a steep ravine? Was it a suicide or were they murdered? With no law enforcement background or training, these four women crack open the cold case. I found the book to move slowly, but I think that may be due to my difficulty keeping track of all the players. The book could have benefited from having a character list at the start. I don’t think the book has been optioned, but I would watch an adaptation.
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash – This may be the buzziest book out right now. I absolutely love books about dysfunctional families, and the Flynns fit the bill. Parents, Catherine and Bud, open their marriage causing waves of chaos for their three daughters – eldest Abigail, who is dating “War Crime Wes”; Louise, who has a secret correspondence going with an online terrorist and suffers from middle child syndrome; and Harper, the brilliant but troubled youngest who thinks that someone is monitoring the townspeople. A criminal conspiracy, a billionaire shipping magnate, an “inner beauty” pageant, those damn gnats, and two affairs wreak havoc on the Flynns, who are just trying to keep it together. The “gn” wordplay grated on my nerves to no end, but I genuinely laughed out loud several times while reading it. If you like messy family dramedies, I recommend this quirky, entertaining book. (Also, one of my favorite covers!)
The Rest of Our Lives by Benjamin Markovits – Shortlisted for The Booker Prize, The Rest of Our Lives is a road trip novel about Tom Layward, who is trying to figure out what happens after his kids grow up and leave home. Tom’s wife had an affair 12 years prior to their youngest daughter leaving for college. He promised himself that when she finally left the nest, he, too, would leave. After dropping her off at college, Tom decides to hit the road with no timeline and no true destination in mind. Along the way he stops to see his younger brother, an old love, a former college classmate and finally his son as he contemplates his past, his current situation, and his marriage. I personally really liked this book, but I know it won’t be for everyone.
Game Changer by Rachel Reid – The first in the Heated Rivalry series, this sports romance focuses on seasoned hockey player Scott Grady and smoothie maker and soon-to-be graduate student Christopher “Kip” Grady. Scott, captain of the New York Admirals, is a closeted gay man who feels the weight of the team and the city on him. He doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his lucrative career, but when he stops into Straw + Berry after a run one morning, he meets Kip, the cute, funny guy behind the counter. He wins the game that night and a pre-game smoothie becomes ritual, as does Kip making it. Scott invites Kip back to his penthouse apartment and what happens behind closed doors soon turns to heady, all-encompassing love. But can Kip be comfortable living in the shadows forever or is Scott ready for the bright lights to be on his personal life? This is the rare scenario where I read the book after watching the show/movie. I LOVED episode 3 of Heated Rivalry. I loved the whole series but particularly episode 3, which focused on Scott and Kip’s relationship. I laughed, I cried, I swooned when watching *and* reading the book. If you’ve seen the series, you know it’s very open door and so is the book. Another rarity where the show was as good as the book. I would love to see more of Scott and Kip, but we already know season 2 will focus on Ilya and Shane. I will absolutely be reading the full series, and you should too if you like sexy, Achillean romances.
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet – I’m coming clean: I’ve never read Little Women (IKIK, it’s on the TBR). But Bernet’s debut thriller, Beth is Dead, a modern-day reimagining of the classic, sounded too intriguing to pass up. Told in dual timelines (Then and Now), the March sisters are living in the spotlight after their father publishes the bestseller, Little Women, based on their lives. Controversy surrounds them and it’s ratcheted up when Beth is found dead in the woods after a New Year’s Eve party. Amy, Jo, and Meg set out to find who killed their sister, but questions start to mount about their potential role in her death. Short chapters move this nearly 400-page book at a brisk pace as does the mystery about Beth’s death and whether this will completely break the March family. If you enjoy books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes or Holly Jackson, consider adding this to your TBR. (Love this cover, too! )
Page to Premiere
Plenty of book adaptations are available for your viewing pleasure. And with the recent Oscar announcements, there’s even more to catch up on before the big day.
Adaptations I watched in January:
People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix) – Adapted from the book of the same name by Emily Henry, this Netflix movie was … a letdown. Going into 2026, the two movies I was looking forward to most were this and Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling. PWMOV simply lacked in so many areas for me. The storyline was weak (way too many changes from the book), and I think it was a disservice to make it a movie rather than a limited series with each episode being one of the destinations. They changed the destination of Alex’s brother’s wedding. Why? It made absolutely no sense to me. I realize there’s only so much you can do in 90 minutes, but Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck were wasted in their roles as Poppy’s parents. Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Miles Heizer were also minimized. Good talent all around that had no time to shine. I’m shocked that Yulin Kuang wrote the screenplay because her novel, How to End a Love Story, was one of my favorites of 2024. One thing I did take away from the film was the discovery of Tom Blyth and Emily Bader, neither of whom I had seen in movies or shows before. They sparkled during the scenes in New Orleans and did what they could with what they were given.
His & Hers (Netflix) – This limited series based on the book by Alice Feeney was twisty and gripping. Very different from the book – from its setting (the UK vs. Atlanta) to that ending (!!!) – it still made for good viewing. I would watch Jon Bernthal read the phone book, and Tessa Thompson made a good foil. This is one of the few adaptations that, despite the differences, I think was as good as the book.
Book-to-Screen Buzz
Lore Olympus – Animated adult series announced by Prime Video; based on the WEBTOON webcomic by Rachel Smythe
Vladimir – Series set to drop on March 5 on Netflix; starring Rachel Weisz, Leo Woodall, and John Slattery. Based on the book by Julia May Jonas (one of my favorite books of 2022! Cannot wait to watch this.)
Whalefall and Angel Down – Two separate feature films based on books by Daniel Kraus; Whalefall stars Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin
Dragon Cursed – Feature from Amazon MGM Studios based on the book by Elise Kova; Premiere date TBD
Percy Jackson and The Olympians – Renewed for season 3 on Disney+; Premiere date TBD
The Nightingale – Feature film starring Dakota and Elle Fanning coming February 12, 2027; based on the book by Kristin Hannah
Murder Your Darlings – Feature film optioned based on Jenna Blum’s novel; Premiere date TBD
The Charm Offensive – Feature film optioned based on Alison Cochrun’s book; Premiere date TBD
The Brotherhood – Netflix feature film based on the true-crime book The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia; Premiere date TBD
The Frozen River – Feature film optioned based on Ariel Lawhon’s book; Premiere date TBD
Best Offer Wins – Feature film based on Marisa Kashino’s book and directed by Greta Lee (!) (This book is bonkers!)
Turning the Page
Looking ahead to February, my TBR is already excessively long, which doesn’t bode well for the short month.
My pile includes:
All the books from 831 Stories
Books 2-8 in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
One & Only by Maurene Goo
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder
Strangers by Belle Burden
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters
Dom Com by Adriana Anders
Vigil by George Saunders
Little Monsters by Olivia Muenter
If I had all the money and all the time, I’d buy and read:
February 3
Clutch by Emily Nemens
In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka
Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon
The Copywriter by Daniel Poppick
February 10
Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees
It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist
Only Friends by Lydia San Andres
Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novack
Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan
This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman
The Jills by Karen Parkman
February 17
Cleaner: A Novel by Jess Shannon
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
Laws of Love and Logic by Debra Curtis
Picking Daisies on Sundays by Liana Cincotti
Last Seen by Christopher Castellani
A Fine Line by Penelope Guinn
A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray
Lean Cat, Savage Cat by Lauren J. Joseph
Evil Genius by Claire Oshtesky
February 24
And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison
I Am the Ghost Here: Stories by Kim Samek
One of Us by Elizabeth Day
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson
The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman
Have you read any of these? Hope to read any of them? Leave me a comment or suggestion. There are never too many books to add to the pile. Happy reading!
I’d like to hear more about The Rest of our Lives! I have a copy