January 2026! What are you reading??

[Anonymous]

I'm reading the Doorman by Chris Pavone. I relaly liked his Two Nights in Lisbon, but this one I'm having a harder time. I'm over 120 pages in and I feel like it's not achieved lift off yet, just lots and lots and lots and lots of backstory. I'll keep going but was hoping for something more immediately grabbing me.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been reading the series, “Journals of Emma M. Lion,” perfect for the snowstorm. According to the publisher, the narrator recalls Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse & L. M. Montgomery. While she falls short of these authors—the comparison is apt and even reaching 30% of that high bar is pretty darn enjoyable. The “books” are very short and episodic & I have zoomed through four in the last week.

I am also almost done Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi—an intergenerational tale following the families of two sisters from the Gold Coast, one who marries a British slaver in Africa, the other who is brought to America as a slave. I thought the first half of the book was really strong, and very readable, even though the events described were brutal. The second half is less compelling as it moves through the generations, sort of literally losing the throughline. But I often have this impression when reading family sagas—e.g. loved the early parts of Pachinko, but ended up DNF’ing before I got to the end—so this may be more of a “me problem” than a weakness of the book?

[Anonymous]

Recently finished Code Name Hélène. It takes a lot for me to pick up another WWII novel but this one had a unique perspective and fascinating story. Based on a true story to boot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading the Doorman by Chris Pavone. I relaly liked his Two Nights in Lisbon, but this one I'm having a harder time. I'm over 120 pages in and I feel like it's not achieved lift off yet, just lots and lots and lots and lots of backstory. I'll keep going but was hoping for something more immediately grabbing me.

I got this on Audible and only got to (about the equivalent of) 120 pages in too... and then sort of tentatively DNF'd. The characters in the building all seemed awful as well as dull, and we all know if an author chooses the former, they must avoid the latter. If you find it picks up though PP, let us know!

[Anonymous]

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney, on my Kindle. I think this one might be my favorite of hers so far. She's really good at twisty plots but her writing is a little bit smarter than the Freida McFaddens of the world...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Small great things by Jodi Picoult. I’ve never read anything by her before. I’m reading it on Libby on my phone, and I just started it last night and I’m about 30% through. It’s ok so far. Quick.

I finished a Marriage at Sea on New Year’s Eve. That was wonderful.

I read Small Great Things a few years ago and thought it was an awesome book. I still think about it often.

[Anonymous]

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loved listening to Belle Burden’s new book on audible and my house got really clean because it was so gripping and I needed things to keep me busy as I listened.

Oh, I love books like that! When the book is done, my house is spotless!

[Anonymous]

I listened to 6 audiobooks this month and just got started on the 7th one.
First I listened to "My Italian Bulldozer" by Alexander McCall Smith, which I mentioned earlier this month. It is about a guy who has a business trip to Italy and his rental car reservation falls through so he ends up renting a bulldozer to drive around during his visit.
Then I listened to the 14th book in a cozy mystery series about a caterer in Colorado who keeps encountering freshly murdered people during her catering events.
Then I listened to a book in a cozy mystery series about a woman who lives in a campground. Tonya Kappes is the author and she publishes a new book every couple weeks. They are all cheesy and superficial, but they are short and they march along quickly so I can listen to an entire book while making dinner for the family and cleaning up after dinner.
Then I listened to a kids book called Finally Heard. It was about a girl who recently emigrated to the U.S. from China. I liked it.
Then I listened to the 15th book in the cozy mystery series about the caterer in Colorado. I decided about 6 months ago to listen to all 17 books in the series and I only have 3 more to go. I find I need to listen to a "fluffy" book or two in between each of her books because I need a break from all the murdering.
Next was a book called "Definitely Better Now", which I finished yesterday. It is about a 26 year old woman who has one year of sobriety in AA and is trying to figure out how to "do" life sober. I liked the book, though it felt a little like it was more of a young adult book at times.
I just started listening to "Tilt" today. It is about a woman in Portland who is 37 weeks pregnant and shopping for a crib mattress when a massive earthquake hits the area. She can't find her phone or her purse or her car keys in the mess so decides to walk home. The main character narrates the story as if she is talking to the baby in her belly, which is kind of different but okay I guess. I am about 1/3 of the way through the book and enjoying it.