Month in Review: January 2025

 

And here we are, one month down in 2025!  January is typically pretty quiet around here.  Henry's music classes started again, and that's been a fun activity to do on Saturday mornings.  We spent a Sunday at one of my brother's houses, ostensibly to watch football, but none of the kids or wives paid attention!  We had quite a bit of snow and cold this month.  I took my niece Luna out for her 9th birthday, and she again chose Panera and Barnes & Noble - I wholly approve!  We had fun perusing the shelves with my sister, and she picked out some cool-sounding books.

The Books

All The Beauty in the World // Lost and Lassoed // Happily Never After // The Evening and the Morning

The Au Pair Affair // If I Were You // The Author's Guide to Murder // Heiress Takes All

The Imposter Heiress

The Posts and Reviews

Meet the Guest Blogger!

2024 Reading Year in Review

Michele's 2024 Reading Wrap-Up!

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Let's Call Her Barbie

Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Museum Edition

Michele's Monday Picks #61

Top Ten Tuesday: 2025 Bookish Goals

Romance Quick Reviews: The Single Dad Edition

Little Free Library Sightings: The Jersey Shore Edition, Part 3

Top Ten Tuesday: Recent Additions to Henry's Shelves

Michele's Monday Picks #62

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Discovered in 2024

Can't-Wait Wednesday: We All Live Here

Quick Reviews

How are you doing?

*This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Quick Reviews

If I Were You by Cesca Major (2024)

Amy and Flynn are on the way to her sister's wedding when a strike of lightning causes them to swap bodies, leading to a weekend of strained interactions and many secrets coming to light.  I really liked this book, even if it was a bit hard to follow at times!  Amy and Flynn have been together for two years, yet seem to not be on the same page about their relationship, with Flynn planning to propose and Amy thinking she might break up with him.  Being put in each other's bodies gives each of them a chance to see themselves and their relationship in a different light.  It was funny seeing them try to act like the other, to convince their family and friends that everything is fine, but of course basically every interaction comes off strange.  There were some major secrets exposed, even though it felt at times like the reveals were being dragged out too long.  I particularly enjoyed Flynn's journey, learning about his troubled backstory and how it affected the way he acted now.  Overall, a fun yet emotional Freaky Friday-inspired story!  4 stars

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig & Karen White (2024)

Three American authors head to Scotland for a writer's retreat but are thrown for a loop when their host is found murdered in the castle's tower.  Now, the local detective is wondering if they had something to do with it... I have really enjoyed the collaborations by these three authors, and this one sounded so different.  Usually, they give readers historical fiction, but this is a contemporary mystery and a satire, to boot.  It was funny to see how the real-life authors sort of, kind of based the characters on themselves and their friendship, and of course you can't really go wrong with a setting of a castle in the Scottish Highlands.  All of the characters are a bit over the top and the story does drag a little, but I had fun with it!  4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: We All Live Here

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

We All Live Here

Jojo Moyes

Expected publication date: February 11, 2025

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family. - from Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Discovered in 2024

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is new-to-us authors we discovered in 2024.  As always, there are some big names that I finally got to read, and some of these authors I really look forward to reading more from!

1. Sarah Adams
2. Hannah Grace
3. Bryn Turnbull
4. Jill Shalvis
5. Lisa Scottoline
6. Elyssa Friedland
7. Amy Barry
8. Sarina Bowen
9. Ali Hazelwood
10. Cara Bastone

Who are some new-to-you authors that you discovered in 2024?

Michele's Monday Picks #62

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

*****************************************************************

Promise Me Sunshine

By Cara Bastone

Expected Publication: March 4, 2025

From Goodreads:

Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she’s supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It’s not perfect: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of... a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she’s falling apart.

Miles sees right through her though. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her a proposition. He’ll help her complete everything on her “live again” list if she’ll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

I have loved everything I’ve ever read by Cara Bastone. Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Top Ten Tuesday: Recent Additions to Henry's Shelves

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is recent additions to our shelves.  Here are some books that Henry received for his birthday back in November!

  

The Animal Orchestra Plays Beethoven // My Little Golden Book - The First Moon Landing // My Little Golden Book - Airplanes

  

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? // The Power of Three // Sam & Dave Dig a Hole

  

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to be Kind? // What is the Moon? // Kindness Makes Us Strong

Have you read any of these?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Little Free Library Sightings: The Jersey Shore Edition, Part 3

It's always fun to see a Little Free Library "out in the wild!"  I love to spot them, browse their selection, leave a book if possible, and then look them up on the official website, because sometimes they have interesting stories to go along with them!  There's also an app you can download to find local Little Free Libraries where you can even "check in" to keep track of the ones you've visited!  Here are a few I visited during our recent trip to Cape May!

#173646 - This LFL was well-stocked with lots of big-name authors.  I didn't take anything but probably could have!  I forgot to bring extra books to donate with me on our trip, so unfortunately, I couldn't leave anything.

#108910 - This LFL is called the Little Free Cookbook Library, and that's exactly what it held!  Since I don't cook, LOL, I didn't take anything!  I loved the addition of the letters to Santa mailbox on top for the holidays, and the fact that this library is so unique in form and function!

#171374 - I love how this LFL is set into a planter - so cute!  It was well-stocked, but I didn't take or leave anything.

#188300 - I love the crisp white paint and shingled roof of this LFL!  This one also had a ton of books in it - even during "off season," these LFLs at the shore are really bringing it!

Romance Quick Reviews: The Single Dad Edition

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage (2024)

Gus' demanding job on his family's ranch causes him to need a babysitter for the summer for his daughter, and his sister Emmy's friend Teddy is available.  Even though the two are sworn enemies, Gus has no other choice, but their summer together may have them changing their minds about each other.  I had mixed feelings about this one.  I loved returning to Rebel Blue Ranch and getting enveloped in the closeness of the Ryder family and friends.  I sympathized with Teddy as she worried how her friendship with Emmy was changing, now that Emmy was getting married.  And I enjoyed seeing Gus and Teddy get to know each other better; even though they've known each other their whole lives, there was an animosity there that was relieved by more time spent together.  My main issue with this book is how Teddy is portrayed.  Yes, she's this vivacious, life-of-the-party creative type - but she loses her job at a boutique in town, still lives at home with her dad (granted, she does take care of her ailing father), and has to rely on a babysitting job to make ends meet.  Gus needs Teddy because he has too many responsibilities.  I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I just feel like she was kind of relegated to this downtrodden, damsel in distress role.  I wanted more for her.  3.5 stars

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey (2024)

Hockey player Burgess needs a nanny for his pre-teen daughter, so he hires graduate student Tallulah.  Their working relationship quickly veers into personal territory, as Tallulah helps Burgess get back into the social scene and he comes along on her adventures in an effort to find her outgoing spirit again.  Could these two find real happiness together?  Tessa Bailey's books are always good for a fun time, a laugh, and some seriously spicy scenes.  She injected a dose of seriousness with a scary backstory for Tallulah, but I was rooting for Tallulah to overcome her past.  I appreciated that she did have reservations about a relationship with Burgess, because even though she had feelings for him, she wasn't really looking for something serious.  Burgess, on the other hand, wants to lock Tallulah down almost immediately.  I didn't get a ton of love at first, just a lot of lust, as boundaries are crossed right from the start.  It was a little overwhelming to see Burgess be ready to drop anything for Tallulah (including leaving his daughter home alone in the middle of the night??).  He was too possessive and protective.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2025 Bookish Goals

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is our bookish goals for 2025.  Here are some things I want to achieve in 2025:

• Read my 2025 preorders in 2025.  I preordered a lot of books in 2024 and still haven't read some of them.  If I was excited enough about a book to preorder it, I need to make it a priority.
• Use my library more.  I did a decent job of reading from my own shelves last year, but I want to use my library more (and maybe spend less money on books, ha!).  About 32% of my books came from the library last year; I'd like to increase that to at least 40%, especially since I cancelled my Kindle Unlimited subscription and won't be getting books from there for the foreseeable future.
• Read 75 books.  This is the same number I chose last year.  I read more than this in 2024 (110), but I want to keep the number manageable!
• Attend two bookish events.  Over the past few years, we've been fortunate enough to attend some fantastic events and meet some great authors, so I definitely want to do more of it!
• Complete 30 states in the Literary Escapes Challenge.  My sister and I have been unofficially doing the Literary Escapes Challenge hosted by Dollycas for a couple years.  In 2024, I crossed off 22 states, but I'd like to get at least 30 this year!

Here are Michele's goals for 2025:

• Read 225 books – This is less than my 2024 total, but life has gotten so busy the last couple years.  With my daughter getting older and being involved in more activities and wanting to devote time to other hobbies of my own, I have been trying to be more selective with my reading.
• Read books from a wide variety of genres – my most read genre over the last few years has definitely been romance, but I can see myself getting burned out from it.  I want to read more thrillers, speculative fiction and nonfiction.  My husband and I even have a comic book series we are looking forward to in 2025!
• Don’t be afraid to DNF books or take a break from certain authors – I know every book I pick up won’t be a winner and it’s ok to DNF a book.  Similarly, there are a few authors that I have been really meh about their last few books – I need to really consider whether I should take a break from them.
• Utilize my library more – Especially now with my daughter getting more into reading, I will try to be more proactive in using our township library and its resources.
• Buddy read with my daughter and husband – Luna is reaching the age where she will start getting into Middle Grade books and I am really excited to share those with her.  James got into reading some of my physical books in 2024 so I look forward to finding things we both will enjoy – first up is Onyx Storm next month!

What are your reading goals for 2025?

Michele's Monday Picks #61

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

**************************************************************************

Gradchanted

By Morgan Matson

Expected Publication: March 4, 2025

From Goodreads:

Escape to the Disney Parks in this page-turner about the power of love and friendship. . . and the most inconvenient time loop ever.

Eighteen-year-old Cass Isaac is the queen of ghosting. She's had to move a lot due to her dads' house-flipping business—always a different school, a new friend group. She’s learned that there’s no need for drawn-out-goodbyes with people you'll lose touch with anyway. Which makes Grad Nite at Disneyland the perfect way to finish up high school, and have a magical last night with her bestie, Bryony.

But amid the roller coaster rides and Cars Land dance party, the night turns into one big disaster. When she meets cute British bassist Freddie Patel, she accidentally ruins his big break. Worse still? Cass gets in a major fight with Bryony. And instead of being able to make a quick exit, she’s thrown for a literal time loop. Forced to relive the most dramatic night of her life, Cass will have to find a way to make set things right . . . or be stuck at Grad Nite forever.

Morgan Matson is my go-to for YA and Middle Grade reads. Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Museum Edition

 Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan (2024)

Sir Griffin, a medieval knight, has been trapped as a statue for hundreds of years, cursed by someone he believed to be a friend.  He is brought back to life by Emily, a museum art conservator.  Can the two overcome their differences and find their happily ever after?  Was this book a literary masterpiece?  No.  Was it well-written?  At times.  But, was this a compelling premise that revealed a silly but often romantic story? Yes!  As soon as I heard about this book, I had to read it - a knight brought back to life in the present day?  Sign me up.  It's over the top, it's a bit goofy, but I loved watching Griffin learn about the world he's found himself in, as well as getting to know Emily, who is the perfect match for him with her background in art history.  There were some other elements to the story that I wish had been fleshed out further (particularly with Emily's boss), but ultimately this is the unconventional love story of Griffin and Emily, and it was just the escape I needed.  3.5 stars

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley (2023)

After his brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Patrick Bringley decided he needed a change in his life and so he became a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  He wanted a place of quiet and solitude, where he could be alone with his feelings among beautiful art (yes, even amongst the many daily visitors).  He brings the reader into his world, telling personal stories and ruminating on the role art plays in our lives.  Bringley is a great storyteller, and I loved the behind-the-scenes look at how such a huge institution runs.  We see how Bringley grows over the years, from first wanting to be very solitary in his job to befriending other guards and having conversations with visitors as he works through his grief over his brother.  His love for art comes through clearly, as he brings us to various parts of the museum and introduces us to certain pieces.  I enjoyed his ruminations on art and life, although at times it did feel a bit overwritten.  4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Let's Call Her Barbie

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Let's Call Her Barbie

Renee Rosen

Expected publication date: January 21, 2025

She was only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold new novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.

When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll unlike any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It might just take the world a moment to catch up.

In 1956, the only dolls on the market for little girls let them pretend to be mothers. Ruth’s vision for a doll shaped like a grown woman and outfitted in an enviable wardrobe will let them dream they can be anything.

As Ruth assembles her team of creative rebels—head engineer Jack Ryan who hides his deepest secrets behind his genius and designers Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein, whose hopes and dreams rest on the success of Barbie’s fashion—she knows they’re working against a ticking clock to get this wild idea off the ground.

In the decades to come—through soaring heights and devastating personal lows, public scandals and private tensions— each of them will have to decide how tightly to hold on to their creation. Because Barbie has never been just a doll—she’s a legacy. - from Goodreads

Michele's 2024 Reading Wrap-Up!

2024 was a fantastic reading year!  I was able to read 266 books – here is my breakdown by format, genre and source:

Format

⦁ Ebook 107

⦁ Physical 89

⦁ Audio 70

Source

⦁ Haul (purchased, borrowed, Audible subscription) 151

⦁ Library 56

⦁ Kindle Unlimited 59

Genre

⦁ Romance 133

⦁ Thriller 50

⦁ Adult – Other 27

⦁ YA 33

⦁ Nonfiction 15

⦁ Middle Grade 8

My most read authors were Sierra Simone (16), Katee Robert (8), and Christina Lauren (7).  I caught up on some backlists and also found some really fantastic new-to-me authors.  Romance was still my top genre, but I definitely branched out into some new genres.  Here are some of my favorites of the year:

                           

         

                          

                                  

Do we share any favorites?  What books are you looking forward to in 2025?

2024 Reading Year in Review

Happy new year, everyone!  Today I thought it would be fun to share some reading stats from the year.

Let's start with a look at Goodreads.  I read 110 books this year, which is way more than I thought I would!

Now, onto some more specific 2024 stats - the majority of my reading is still backlist reads.

I'm still reading female authors way more than male authors - the lopsidedness of this just makes me laugh!

Romance is still my most-read genre, although it is more than 10% less than last year.  As always, some books are hard to place in just one category, but I did my best!

Almost half my books came from my unread shelf!

I didn't have a format chart last year but thought it would be interesting to track this year - I'm kind of surprised that I read more audiobooks than ebooks!

Do you have any interesting or fun stats from your 2024 reading year?

Meet The Guest Blogger!

I started this blog in 2016 and occasionally my twin sister, Michele, would contribute posts, but after I had Henry in November 2021, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I wasn't reading as much, but I still wanted to blog.  I asked Michele if she would like to contribute more often, and within a year, she had started her own series (Michele's Monday Picks), was sending me write-ups for indie bookstores she visited, and was consistently coming up with ideas for unique posts and lists of recommendations.  Since she is featured so often (let's be real, she's basically a co-blogger at this point, not just a guest blogger!), I thought it would be fun for everyone to get to know her a bit better!  I sent her a list of questions that she graciously answered!

************************************************************************

Hi Michele!  Tell us a little about yourself.  I am a wife and mom - my husband and I have an 8 year old daughter and we live in central New Jersey.  In my professional life, I work as a CPA and have been with my firm for almost twenty years (I started there as a junior in college!).  When I’m not reading or preparing people’s taxes, I like to travel and attend sporting events with my family, exercise, do puzzles, craft, and bake.  

Describe yourself as a reader - are you a lifelong reader?  A newer reader?  At this point I think I consider myself both.  I absolutely loved reading as a kid - one of my fondest memories was doing the March of Dimes readathon for charity in elementary school and just crushing it.  In my twenties, I was super busy with work and running a household, so I really fell out of reading.  But while I was out on maternity leave with my daughter, Angela lent me some books to fill my time and my love of reading bloomed again! 

What are your top 3 favorite genres?  Is there a genre you would never read?  My top three genres right now are romance, thrillers, and nonfiction.  I’m pretty open to trying any genre, as long as it is a compelling read.  

What is your preferred reading format?  Physical books are probably my favorite, but a great case can be made for e-books (easy to travel with) and audiobooks (which give me the ability to multitask).  

Do you have any unique reading quirks?  I usually have multiple books going at once (although I try to make sure they are different genres so I can keep track of them easier).  Also, I am one of those nuts whose preferred audiobook speed is 2.25x or faster.  

What author would you love to meet?  I have had the best luck in meeting so many of my favorite authors - I’ve been to Book Bonanza and many signing events in the Philly and NYC areas.  But probably top of my list now would be Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood or Morgan Matson.  

Top 3 books you’re looking forward to in 2025?  Only 3?  That’s going to be tough.  Let’s go with: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton, and A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young. 

Any indie bookstore recs?  I don’t have any local indies but when we travel we always are on the lookout for great bookstores.  Two of our favorites from this past summer were Malaprops in Asheville, NC and Buxton Books in Charleston, SC.  

Do you have any reading hot takes or controversial/unpopular opinions?  Too many to list but here’s a few:

1. Illustrated covers where the people have no facial features drive me absolutely nuts.  They all look the same!

2. Special editions - why are there so many?  Especially for books that aren’t especially current.  Who is asking for all of these?  Most of them just seem like a cash grab to me.

3. When authors change the style of the covers in the middle of a series - why are you doing this to people?  Listen, I will never understand people who complain if one book in a series is like half an inch taller than the rest but I can get behind being annoyed if the covers of the series don’t match. 

4. Yucking other people’s yum - please don’t do this.  We all read for different reasons - to escape our reality, to learn something, etc. and our reasons for reading can change from day to day.  It’s not cool to hate on other people’s choices of title, author, genre, whatever.  My feeling is if someone is picking up a book at all, that should be celebrated. 

5. Audiobooks count as reading.

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Month in Review: December 2024

 

Happy New Year!  Let's take a quick look back at December, which was super busy for us.  Henry's daycare hosted a breakfast with Santa early in the month.  It was his first time meeting the big guy, and I think he was a little nervous!  He warmed up to him eventually and gave Santa some good snuggles.  Henry had his last music class, too - since he loved it so much, we've signed him up for the winter session, starting soon!  I did a cookie decorating class with my sister, sisters-in-law, and stepmom, which was really fun.  Then we did a more informal cookie decorating day with all the little cousins at my brother's house - kudos to my sister-in-law Steph for hosting, baking, and allowing the kids to make a huge mess!  In the middle of all this, I bought a new car!  My old car was 13 years old and getting a little small for us, so I've upgraded to something new and safer.  It's quite a bit bigger than my last car, so it'll take me a while to get used to it.  We spent Christmas Eve at my dad's house and it was a great day!  My in-laws came over on Christmas Day, although unfortunately Henry was feeling a bit under the weather.  Post-Christmas, the three of us took a short getaway to Cape May.  We visited the zoo, took a holiday trolley ride, and saw lots of Christmas lights!

The Books

Christmas Shopaholic // Faking Christmas // A Wish for Christmas // The Paradise Problem

The Christmas You Found Me // Her Knight at the Museum // Christmas With The Queen

The Posts and Reviews

Top Ten Tuesday: Jigsaw Puzzles

Henry's Shelves #8

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Stolen Queen

Holiday Quick Reviews

Guest Blogger: NYC Book Tour

Top Ten Tuesday: My Winter TBR

Holiday Quick Reviews

Michele's Monday Picks #60

2024 Year-End Goals Recap

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books of 2024!

How are you doing?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.