January Reading Wrap Up 2025
Every fiction book I read in January.
Welcome to my first monthly book wrap-up! This is where we will dive into the pages of the books I read. Whether it’s a timeless classic, heartwarming romance, or thought-provoking speculative fiction, I hope I can help you discover something new and maybe even inspire you to try a different genre. Let’s talk abooks!
Let’s start with The Wedding People by Alison Espach, which surprised me!
It’s about a girl named Phoebe, who’s in the middle of a life crisis and somehow ends up at a fully booked hotel the same week it’s hosting a wedding. (What can possibly go wrong?)
Right away, Lila, the bride, meets Pheobe and asks, “Who are you?”.
Phoebe says, “I'm Phoebe, and I’m here because my life is a dumpster fire right now.” And, boom, that's when the friendship and fun begin!
The dialogue is witty and sharp, keeping you laughing while subtly unraveling a deeper, darker theme. It creates a perfect balance of dark humor and hides heavier emotional moments.
And although it’s marketed as a romance, it’s more than that. It’s about honesty, communication, finding one's true self, and, most importantly, learning to move forward.
In a book with the word “wedding” in the title, the actual celebration is the experience of Pheobe’s character journey.
If you’re into dark humor, self-discovery, witty dialogue, and a cast of unforgettable characters, buckle up—this one’s for you.
So, let’s talk about The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, a book I definitely couldn’t escape hearing about.
It’s about a girl named Millie who gets hired by Nina, the wife of the estate, to look after the Winchester House. Seems pretty chill. Nope.
As soon as Millie starts her new job, Nina goes full-on weird. And because Millie just got out of prison, she can’t exactly quit this job without a solid backup plan. So she’s stuck.
Things quickly became intense between Millie and Nina, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This book is like a car accident: You don’t want to look, but something inside of you has to keep watching (reading).
Was this the most mind-blowing book I’ve ever read? Nah. Was it the worst book? Also, nah. But here’s the thing: It’s fun. I honestly couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what would happen next with Millie and Nina.
Spoiler: It’s not a typical workplace situation, lol.
This book is not changing my life. Hell, this book didn’t teach me anything besides the fact that If the people you’re living with are bat-shit crazy, get out!
But still, I had fun. The Housemaid is a vibe. You have to vibe with it and have fun! And shocking enough, I will check out book 2 when I’m in the mood for more chaotic vibes.
It seems weird not to like a memoir, but here we are.
Everything I Know About Love is a memoir by Dolly Alderton. In it, she shares her experiences of falling in love, friendship, heartbreak, and becoming a working professional.
But you know what wasn’t working? This book.
I didn’t connect with the book because I didn’t know enough about Dolly and her work. As a result, I was bored most of the time. Shocker, right?
Oddly enough, the one thing I enjoyed was this underlined story about technology and communication. Dolly shares stories about being online early on and using AOL and AIM to communicate.
So, weirdly, this was also a story about growing up with new ways to connect to the world, and that was the part I was most interested in.
I finished the book, but it took me forever to get through it. I didn't DNF it because the writing was so personal and well-written.
However, based on my experience with the book, I wouldn't recommend it if you don’t like Dolly Alderton. You might struggle like I did.
Let’s talk about Jane Eyre, a classic for a reason.
It’s about a girl named Jane who had a tough childhood. We follow her journey as she becomes an incredible young lady, the governess of a mansion, and watch her fall in love with a man with a dark, mysterious secret.
At its heart, it’s about self-discovery and dealing with the mess of social class. It’s a deep dive into what it means to feel like you belong and how to handle life when the odds are stacked against you.
I loved Jane! She’s this total gem who, despite all the crap life throws at her, she stays good—like, truly good. It’s inspiring.
She goes through a lot of pain and doesn’t always get the love she deserves, but somehow, she manages to hold on to her kindness and strength.
And seriously, when a book makes you want to yell at it, that’s a sign it’s doing something right.
If you’re into classic writing that makes you pause and think, “Why don’t people talk like this anymore?” then Jane Eyre is definitely for you. It’s one of those books that reminds you why classic literature is still relevant today.
If you love reading about a young woman navigating life, family, and love in a world that constantly tries to knock her down, you’ll love this. Jane is the kind of character you root for from start to finish.
I wasn’t crazy about the ending, but I’m a fan!
Unfortunately, my month didn’t get any better. Let’s talk about Weyward by Emilia Hart.
It’s a historical fiction that tells the stories of three women from different centuries, all linked by an ancestral connection to a place called Weyward. From the 1600s to the present day, women have faced power, survival, and societal challenges.
I enjoyed parts of this book. The writing was strong, and the setting and the tones of each character were interesting.
I also love stories about witches and historical fiction books, but even that wasn’t enough.
My main issue with the book was that it was too slow for me. Looking back on my time with it, I wish I had switched to the audiobook; maybe that would’ve helped.
It’s one of those books where you know where the story is going, but it takes forever to get there.
Ugh. I wanted to love this book, but sometimes, that’s the way things go.
And that’s a wrap for this month’s bookish adventures—another round of novels tackled without completely disappearing off the grid. Remember to keep it simple, find a pace that suits you, and don’t stress if you’re not finishing novels like a caffeinated librarian. So, pick up your next book, relax, and let the stories work their magic—no pressure!