the books I read in January (2025)

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I'm excited about reading the books you read in January. I would love to walk away from here today with a lot of recommendations, and I hope to do the same for you. I read a lot of books this month! I always start strong in January, and then it fades. I'd love to read more books than ever before this year, but I'm not sure I'll be able to accomplish that. Here's to trying, though! Without further ado, here are the books I read this month. (Click on each picture to be redirected to a separate Amazon link.)

This was a wonderful little book! Filled with beautiful pictures of one of my favorite cities, it was full of practical advice for traveling to NYC during any season. I hope to go there in December of 2026; that'll be the year I turn fifty! I'd like to do this with my sisters. 

Call of the Wild was what we read for book club in January. I loved this book and it was my first time to read it. Are you familiar with this book? It's told from the perspective of a dog; the book starts with the dog as a pet, then after he's stolen, he becomes a very hardworking dog as one of the Alaskan sled dogs. This was a wonderful book! I found myself feeling all of the emotions: joy, heartbreak, laughter, and tears. I'd like to read White Fang eventually; it's the book that comes after this one. 

Daphne believes the world has a plan for her; every time she meets a man and starts dating him, a piece of paper shows up telling her exactly how long they'll be together. Finally, though, she meets the man of her dreams, and he doesn't come with an expiration date. As they date and get to know each other better, Daphne begins to doubt what the papers say; who's to say any of it is right? She knows that he would be heartbroken over some of the things he doesn't know about her. 

I thought this book dragged on for way too long, and though it wasn't predictable, it jut wasn't my favorite by this author. I really loved the one before this one that she wrote: One Italian Summer. That's been my favorite of hers so far.

When Sophie finds out just before her wedding that her fiancé has cheated on her yet again, she enlists her friends to hire a professional objector. That night in a celebration of her canceled wedding, Max the Objector shows up to the suite to collect his money; and in the process of him joining the festivities, she finds out more of what he does. He feels like his job is valuable because he stops people from wasting their lives. When they run into each other several months later, he asks her to help him, and she decides to give it a try. In the process, they become fast friends...

I'll stop there, but I loved this book. It was a little too racy for me, but I just skimmed over those parts. I do recommend this one; it'll grab you from page one! 

This is the incredible story of a woman who had twenty one surgeries before she turned thirteen. Vaneetha survived polio as a young girl; then years she was diagnosed with post polio, a condition in which she begins to lose her mobility and independence. Her entire life is marked with tragedy, yet throughout the pages of this book, she points to the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus. I highly recommend this book! My friends Jenna and Rachel gave me this back in the fall, and I just got around to reading it finally. 

I love books like this, do you? This was an inspirational and beautiful book on my favorite style of decorating. It was a very quick read with wonderful pictures, and I loved the inspiration it lent to me. 

I loved listening to Ina Garten narrate this book on her life with parents who mistreated her, Jeffrey who redeemed her terrible childhood, and hearing how she got her start with Barefoot Contessa in Westhampton. 

This was a great book! It was filled with ideas and inspiration on how to stay cozy during all the seasons. There are bucket lists, wardrobe staples, craft or cooking ideas, and more. This is free right now on Kindle Unlimited! I read the physical book form that I borrowed from my library. 

This is the third time I've made my way through this book, and each time I get something new. This time I paid more attention to the end of the book, now that my life isn't such a shock to me anymore. According to what she shared in one of the last chapters, I've made my way to the final stage of grief, which is acceptance. (I'm talking about the death of my marriage, in case you're wondering.) I believe that the stages of grief are unique in that you can experience them all together at one time. The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I could write a book on each one! Most days I'm fine and am rarely sad or angry; I rarely think about him most days. Time really does make a difference! I'm thankful for the fact that I am where I am right now in this process and not back in the beginning of it all, though I do know that I could experience any of the stages of grief at any given time. 

I loved this book and what she says about doing what is the most important to you. She included things like filling your home with things you love, altering your habit of the need to hang onto stuff, and she encouraged decluttering and simplifying as well. You can see why this kind of book stands out to me right now; I'm in the process of getting my home organized and uncluttered as I prepare for my future A.D. (After Divorce). (My life will forever be divided into two categories, as most of ours are. Mine are before divorce ((B.D.)) and A.D.)

This beautiful book was inspiring and fun to read/look at. I love reading books like this, do you? In my next home, I plan to have coffee table books, and this would make a great one! 

This was my final and twelfth book to read in January. The title is self explanatory, but I always love an Elizabeth George book! This was full of practical advice on how to live a balanced life for the Lord. I highly recommend this one, friends! 

What did you read this month? I can't wait to read your posts. Thanks for linking up with us today! Love to all. 

P.s. I have another post (Thankful Thursday) right below this one if you want to keep reading. 

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