Thanks for this list! I’ll take a look. Always adding to my TBR. I think my favorite book this month was either The Secret Life of Sunflowers - historical fiction Where Van Gogh’s SIL fights to bring his work to the world after his and his brother’s deaths.
Or, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both were fast paced, immersive reads.
Okay, I'm going to have to grab a Maeve Binchy novel sometimes soon. And I'm currently reading Shy Creatures! Glad to hear it was a hit for you. Small Pleasures was a rec I got from you and I loved it.
Yes!! Add her to your list. I really enjoyed Circle of Friends and Tara Road. I read A Week in Winter a few years ago and enjoyed it but not as much as the other two.
I haven’t read any of your January reads! Probably, my favorite book in January was Nikki May’s “This Motherless Land”, it’s has such an interesting story with vivid scenery and well-developed characters.
I just read and loved Rental House, and you’ve made me even more eager to read Chemistry. I’m also looking forward to Andromeda and the Shipstead collection.
I agree with The Sequel! I really liked The Plot but found The Sequel not as strong because of the repetitiveness. I love Maeve Binchy and have been revisiting some of her work recently, too. My favorite read of January was probably Beartown by Fredrik Backman and The Favorites on audio by Layne Fargo.
Maeve Binchy is so cozy but still brings the drama! I had never heard of her until I started working at the library and saw sooo many of her books in the stacks.
Cozy and brings the drama is such a great way of putting it! I can see parallels between her work and Sally Rooney in the way that she writes these very simple descriptions of life but still has stories and characters that are packed with so much nuance.
So many new-to-me books to explore—what a great way to kick off 2025! I started Tuesdays in Winter, a short story collection by Lily King, and this post reminded me to pick it back up. I sometimes struggle with short story collections, finding it hard to dive back in after each story wraps up. I think I just need a little reset between each one to fully re-engage. Still figuring out the best way to navigate that!
I listened to a What Should I Read Next podcast episode about short stories last year and Anne recommended listening to them on audio because you can just make your way through one at a time and that has been a game changer for me to build momentum! It's kind of like watching one episode of a TV show at a time.
Great recommendations! I’m heading to the library today and grabbing a copy of Tara Road.
Enjoy it!
Thanks for this list! I’ll take a look. Always adding to my TBR. I think my favorite book this month was either The Secret Life of Sunflowers - historical fiction Where Van Gogh’s SIL fights to bring his work to the world after his and his brother’s deaths.
Or, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both were fast paced, immersive reads.
I love a fictional book about artists’ lives! I’m going to look up The Secret Life of Sunflowers, thanks ◡̈
I really liked it! Hope you do too!
Wonderful recommendations. I just downloaded Small Pleasures from Hoopla to give Clare Chambers a try. 💜📚
Please report back and let me know what you think!
I've read all of Maeve's books, but now you're tempting me to begin some rereads. What a wonderful writer.
I missed The Plot (I've been in a RomCom reading stupor for years). Adding to my TBR. As well as Rental House.
Oh, you’re in for such a treat with that stack Nina!
Okay, I'm going to have to grab a Maeve Binchy novel sometimes soon. And I'm currently reading Shy Creatures! Glad to hear it was a hit for you. Small Pleasures was a rec I got from you and I loved it.
I’ve apparently just been in a very UK/Ireland historical fiction mood lately. So good!
Maybe I need to pick up some Maeve Binchy? She sounds a little Rosamunde Pilcher-esque, who I love.
Yes! I’d say she’s Rosamunde Pilcher-esque but a little funnier? She’s a delight and I think you’d really enjoy her!
OK. I think my heart literally skipped a beat reading your notes on ANDROMEDA. Tracking it down NOW. 🤓📚😂
It feels like a book that would be right up your alley! I can’t wait to hear what you think if you end up reading it.
I’m intrigued to try Maeve Binchy’s work! I’m traveling to Ireland for the first time in April and looking to read some Irish lit in anticipation ☺️
Yes!! Add her to your list. I really enjoyed Circle of Friends and Tara Road. I read A Week in Winter a few years ago and enjoyed it but not as much as the other two.
I haven’t read any of your January reads! Probably, my favorite book in January was Nikki May’s “This Motherless Land”, it’s has such an interesting story with vivid scenery and well-developed characters.
I’ve been seeing lots of great things about that one! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.
While there’s sadness in the story, there are plenty of funny moments, too.
I’m struck by the pictures - you have such beautiful light in your home! I feel like January was so gray and overcast for me
Thank you, Laura! We have a ton of windows in our home and get the best light in the early afternoon in the winter.
I just read and loved Rental House, and you’ve made me even more eager to read Chemistry. I’m also looking forward to Andromeda and the Shipstead collection.
Ah, wasn’t Rental House just so good? I’m so impressed how Wang can do so much with her characters in such slim novels.
My favorite was A Winter's Tale by Shakespeare
I loved Andromeda so much that I flipped right back to the front to read it again when I finished.
It was mesmerizing, wasn’t it?
I agree with The Sequel! I really liked The Plot but found The Sequel not as strong because of the repetitiveness. I love Maeve Binchy and have been revisiting some of her work recently, too. My favorite read of January was probably Beartown by Fredrik Backman and The Favorites on audio by Layne Fargo.
Everyone has been raving about The Favorites on audio, I may have to give it a go!
Maeve Binchy is so cozy but still brings the drama! I had never heard of her until I started working at the library and saw sooo many of her books in the stacks.
Cozy and brings the drama is such a great way of putting it! I can see parallels between her work and Sally Rooney in the way that she writes these very simple descriptions of life but still has stories and characters that are packed with so much nuance.
So many new-to-me books to explore—what a great way to kick off 2025! I started Tuesdays in Winter, a short story collection by Lily King, and this post reminded me to pick it back up. I sometimes struggle with short story collections, finding it hard to dive back in after each story wraps up. I think I just need a little reset between each one to fully re-engage. Still figuring out the best way to navigate that!
I listened to a What Should I Read Next podcast episode about short stories last year and Anne recommended listening to them on audio because you can just make your way through one at a time and that has been a game changer for me to build momentum! It's kind of like watching one episode of a TV show at a time.