January felt like it lasted for five full years, but we’re finally through it now and in retrospect, it was a great month for reading. My little one is now into a more routine nap schedule and during these pauses (of which most are still on me), I’ve been propping up a book to read while she snoozes away. It’s been relaxing for the both of us and I’m thoroughly enjoying these slow mornings and afternoons. 

I read a full seven books in January, which is my best total count in a long time. Five of these books were fiction, which is what I’ll focus on here. I’m dreadfully behind on reviews for this blog, so I’ll be endeavouring to post a couple each week this month to get caught up. For now, here are some quick thoughts on the books I made it through in January. 

Books Read in January 2025

1. Sorrow and Starlight by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti— this was the eighth Zodiac Academy book and at over 1200 pages, might be the longest fiction novel I’ve ever read. It was equal parts devastating and hopeful, coming in as one of my favourite books in the series. I rated this one five stars with a full review to come. 
2. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson— this was my first Sanderson and I’ll admit, I get the hype! It took me probably half of the book to understand the world and get invested in the plot, but by the end, I couldn’t put it down. This was an easy five-star read for me with a full review to come. 
3. The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon— this was the third book in The Bone Season series and let me just say, this series just gets better and better as it goes on. I loved how action-packed this book was and seeing Paige come into her power was perfection. An easy five stars with a full review to come.
4. All This And More by Peng Shepherd— one of the more unique premises I’ve read in a while, exploring the nature of quantum physics and reality TV with some thoroughly unlikeable characters. It was also a choose-your-own adventure-style book which was admittedly quite fun in an adult format. This was a four-star read for me with a full review to come. 
5. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros— this was the third book in the Empyrean series and one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I was in no way disappointed. I loved how much more of the world we got to see, and how much more focus there was on the dragons, and I didn’t see some of the most major twists coming. This was my favourite book yet in this series, an easy five stars with a full review to come. 

TBR Lists

I added a handful of books that I’m excited to read in the (hopefully) near future to my TBR. Books I added this month include: 

• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine: this one is billed as a space opera with some really intricate political, cultural, and alien aspects. I’m exceptionally intrigued and can’t wait to pick it up. 
• The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao: a romantic fantasy based on Hindu mythology with comparisons to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, a series I absolutely loved. 
• Fireborne by Rosaria Munda: a story of revolution, class battles, and dragon riding, all things I love in a fantasy. 
• Arcana Academy by Elise Kova: a new romantasy due in July about a woman who wields magic tarot cards that ends up in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy. I can’t wait to pick this one up when it releases. 

What I’m Loving Lately

Beyond reading, which I’ve had ample time for, I’ve also been trying to find my way back to myself now that post-partum is feeling more manageable. My little one is getting busier and busier and I want to be the best version of myself as we both grow alongside each other through these changes. 

Beyond making time for my main hobby (reading and ranting about reading), I’ve also been focused on feeling my best. I’ve started waking up early enough to get a shower and breakfast before she wakes to make things feel less hectic, and I’m back into my full skincare routine, which honestly feels like such a luxury after so many months of just survival. It feels good to make sure I’m taken care of to a minimum standard.

I also gave up on waiting for my body to completely return to what it previously was. I have no idea what my new normal will be so I finally went out and bought some clothes that fit and that are not athleisure. I wore my first pair of jeans in nearly a year the other day and it was absolutely transformative. 

Lastly, my husband and I have been focusing on organizing, cleaning out, and design planning in our house. We bought our home about six years ago and have been making updates semi-regularly so we’re finally down to our last few rooms. I’m loving pulling together Pinterest boards and collages that are inspiring the direction we’re headed in for these rooms. 

That about covers January! I’m endeavouring to post a couple of new book reviews each week this month in order to get caught up on the huge backload I currently have on the go, but as with all things right now, so much of that will inevitably depend on how hectic life is. Regardless though, I’m determined that February will be a month of continuing to chase joy and, of course, of reading exceptionally good books.