Hello, everyone!

Is now a good time to make a confession? I feel like I might as well admit that I started 2026 with a severe case of burnout, and still haven’t quite recovered. Thankfully, I have been able to finish (and enjoy) a few books lately, but the first part of January was rough, and it shows. That’s partly why I haven’t been able to post here as often as I would have liked, something I hope to work on, but since I’m also mid-DIY project, working with a new book promo site, and trying to (FINALLY, hopefully, at least) catch up on the eARC/ARC deadlines I fell woefully behind on these last few months…Okay, the last six-going-on-seven months, really. Eep! The burnout symptoms and signs of fatigue have actually been going on about that long too, a little longer in some ways. I took on too many projects and beta reads, and never fully recovered. I’m slowly makign some head-way now, but not enough to be quite caught-up yet.

I have reduced my commitments dramatically, and stopped signing up for things…A trend I hope to carry through 2026 and only sign up for the handful or so of books I already know I want to read, and possibly some sequels to my favorite series(es) if they happen to release this year. That’s it. Does that mean I plan to reduce how many books I read? Not really, the opposite in fact. I want to focus more on the books I haven’t gotten to read this year, or those that I found and have added to my TBR but haven’t even had the chance to think about while I’ve been so busy. I want the freedom to read what I want, without all the hassle and the devastating stress of deadlines and the impending rush to finish on time.

Basically, I want the freedom I once enjoyed when it came to reading. To read what I want, when I want, and to be able to share the books I love with my wonderful friends here in the bookish community. That’s it. That’s my hope (book-wise) for 2026. Less stress, more stories.

–This has been confessions of an upper young adult lady and her rambling thoughts.–

Now, on to the good part! The books!!

What I Read in January:

January Reads:

Somehow, I managed to read five books last month! This surprised me when I checked, since I started out in such a slump, and really didn’t feel like I read that much at all! One of them was also a non-fiction book, which was interesting. I’ve found that I’ve started enjoying non-fiction more again in the last few months, so you might see more of them mentioned from time to time if this becomes a recurring trend.

Detecting Deadly Threats by Carol J. Post –

I read most of this one around the end of December, but ended up finishing a few days into January. I needed something quick and enjoyable, and this one delivered. Not my favorite book, but definitely an enjoyable read.

To Outwit Them All by Peggy Wirgau –

I’m torn on this one, and don’t really know how to express my thoughts here. It was good, and I loved it at times, but I also felt like the story and characters weren’t always as strong or complete as perhaps they could have been? It was an interesting story, and held my attention for the most part, but by the time it had begun to near the end, I was just ready to move on and be done with it. Not that this was a bad read, just… maybe not the best for the mood/headspace I was in at the time? Who knows?

The Last One to Know by A. W. Anthony –

This one… Wow, I can say a lot about this story, but I also don’t know what to say without spoiling anything. This was yet another where I sort of loved/hated it? I loved the powerful testament of forgiveness and loving the unlovable, but also… sort of hated that Siegfried even had to go through all that?

Still, I’m really glad I read this one, even though it was such an emotionally draining story; it was also an inspiring read and one that really made me think. I’m not sure if I would read another from this author, give then chance though. Perhaps? I really couldn’t say, but even if I don’t, this one was an eye-opening read and will stay with me for a while.

Riders on the Storm by Sherri Kukla –

Um…yeah. While I was reading Siegfried’s story, I was also alternating back and forth with this one. Since this was about a true crime story involving a serial killer, I didn’t want to read it before bed, so I was switching between the two. (Although they were both soo emotionally taxing, that I highly recommend you don’t try reading them together! Lol!) But I did end up loving this one! I actually hesitated to read it, but I’ve enjoyed other books from this author, so I wanted to at least give it a try… I’m so glad I did, and highly recommend it if true crime is your thing, but definitely warn that it’s a hard read and requires a good headspace since many of the details and conversations were taken from actual court records and related resources. It’s eerily realistic and so well written. As a result, though, it’s definitely a heavy story.

Unlearning What Worked by Matthew West-James –

It might sound strange, but after reading those two, this one was such a relief! It was a change of pace, to be sure, but also as a no-nonsense non-fiction, it offers a different type of reading that I really appreciated. I also found that I could relate to some of the authors observations, and found myself reflecting on some of the situations and experiences in my own life that had become pivotal and places that either needed to change, or that shone a light on skills and talents I had that I could use more efficiently in the future. I loved that, and enjoyed his approach with this book as it encourages the reader to look at their own life in a similar fashion and evaluate what’s working, and what isn’t, with a fresh perspective.

(Each title listed is directly linked to the corresponding review post for that book)

All of these were review requests in some way or other. This month was a bit of a jumble between blog tours, direct requests, and a few others. I managed to (thanks to God!) hit all but one deadline I had pending in January, and I’m working on reading that one now.

January Alpha/Beta Reads:

  • In Every Chapter by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

January Book Mail:

January Book Mail:

I’ve been horrible at keeping track of exactly when I receive some of the books I’ve gotten recently, so I don’t remember if these were in January or late December…

  • Scars of the Revolution by Megan Soja
  • Blaze of Courage by Avrie Swan
  • The Maiden and the Mountie by Denise Weimer (Denise Farnsworth)
  • Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar

These were all from the same publisher and were each part of a blog tour. After not getting any books in so long, it seems strange to be adding books here to this list now, haha, but I have more to add next month…Including a few that I have wanted to own/read for a good while now! I’m excited!

Audiobooks:

  • None

I did attempt to read an audiobook this month… But it turned out to be a ghost story with the MC literally being a ghost, and a young lady obsessed with death even before facing her own… It was a quick DNF and deleted, so not worth including here. BUT the fact that I did attempt an audiobook in January did seem worthy of mentioning. Hopefully, I’ll find some good ones to enjoy soon. I know my library’s Libby app has a few I might try.

Have you read any of the books listed this month?
Are any of them on your TBR?
Or, tell me what your favorite book in January?

Feel free to comment about them below!

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