I did not read the TBR… again. I will not be setting one for February just because I feel like these TBRs are almost added stress. January was a crazy month for me, with starting work full-time, having my sister home for winter break, and a big trip to NYC. I definitely read some great books, but not as many as I’d like. Since there will be no February TBR, I’ll just be sharing some books I’m looking forward to at the end of this post.

Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole – I finished it! This was definitely wayyy too long, but I still had a good time reading. I can’t say much without spoiling because this is the third book in the series, but I do think this world is just so reminiscent of Throne of Glass in the best way. Penn Cole, please announce the date of release for the fourth one please!

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli – I have wanted to read this series for so long, and I finally did it (I just finished the last one yesterday). This was also extremely reminiscent of Throne of Glass, and I really enjoyed all of these books. The first one follows Lor, a kidnapped prisoner, competing in the Sun Queen Trials, a Bachelorette x Survivor game to determine the next Sun Queen. Lor is the only human competing and every other competitor is out to get her. On Kindle Unlimited!

The Enemy by Sarah Adams – Adams is one of my favorite authors, discovered through her Rome, KY series, so I am slowly working through her backlist. This is the second book in her Charleston, SC duology and we are following a baker and a chef dealing with their decade old rivalry for their best friends’ wedding. Such a cute “enemies” to lovers, “he always loved her” book!

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli – This was the second book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series, and I really liked it! There was no second book syndrome here at all which was great. Lor has escaped the Sun Court, Aphelion, and now she’s stuck with the Aurora Prince, the son of her greatest enemy. In this book, we get lots more romance, but still not anything crazy, and we start to really build out side characters. I would say this book created ten new questions for me for every one it answered which is frustrating in the moment but I appreciate the mystery and endless guessing.

Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli – Now the third book! I was on a roll. I’m trying to complete series all in one go rather than jump all over the place because I tend to enjoy them more when I do. I don’t want to describe the plot too much here because SPOILERS, but this book really established a more political perspective of the world and further explained a lot of the world outside of Aphelion and Aurora. This was also super good, only complaint is that this book and the fourth are not on Kindle Unlimited like the first two.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight – One of my reading goals this year is to read every Read with Jenna pick. Jenna Bush Hager, a Today Show host, selects a debut author’s book to highlight each month, and she was RAVING about this one. This was her January pick, and I really did not connect with the story. We follow Pen, who moves to Scotland for university in hopes of finding out exactly what drove her parents marriage apart. Maybe it was just me, but I just felt like she was being unnecessarily nosy and could have just flat out asked her parents if she needed to know this bad. Oh well!

And that’s it. Maybe the least amount of books I’ve read in a month in years. Since this would make for a way too short post, I’m going to write what I have on my Libby holds. For those that don’t know, Libby is the digital book app through my library and I read so many awesome books for free because of it. I try to request books that I’m interested in, but may not love, so that there’s no harm if it’s not my favorite.

This is A Love Story by Jessica Soffer – This is the February Read with Jenna pick, so I already put a hold on it because its only in hardcover or a $15 Kindle version. This novel is based in Central Park and features Jane and Abe. Jane is dying, and Abe is recounting their lives together, their work, their marriage, and their son. This almost feels like a more thought-provoking version of the Notebook. Again, this sounds like I may not love it, but I am committed to reading all of Jenna’s picks.

Circe by Madeline Miller – This is one of my 25 in 2025 books (article link here), so definitely check out that post for all the details. Just another outside of my comfort zone read that I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to buying.

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Maria Presley and Riley Keough – This is the autobiography of Elvis’ late daughter, finished after her passing by her daughter, actress Riley Keough. I really enjoy listening to audiobook versions of memoirs personally because it feels like a story, so Libby is where I get all of my audiobooks (Audible is PRICEY).

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi – Those who know me personally know I set some very lofty financial goals for myself this year, and I am on a mission to educate myself in the finance world as much as possible. There is so much that we are not taught, and I want to start out adulthood on the right track.

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young – Another 25 in 2025 pick! This was another case of unsure if I will like it and there’s only a hardcover out right now. This story has a magical realism aspect along with raving reviews, so I am excited to read when this hold came in.

The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah – Yet another 25 in 2025 pick! I really want to read more historical fiction, specifically about events and places that i do not know much about. This story covers the Dust Bowl and the difficult decisions that mothers face in the midst of chaos and normal life.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore – This was the mystery/thriller of 2024, and I feel that I’m missing out by not having read it yet. I’ve heard rave reviews and I’ve heard DNFs, so I did not want to purchase this and risk hating it. I’m eager to dive into this historical mystery/thriller full of rich people problems and unanswered questions.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker – This is another thriller, this time from Read with Jenna and Goodreads 2024 Winners. I am really trying to branch out of my usual bubble with my reading this year, and this thriller seemed like a less scary entry into the obsession thriller genre.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan – Another reading challenge of mine this year is to read all of the Reese’s Book Club picks for 2025. This was not only her January pick but also a Book of the month option, so I am definitely intrigued. Our main character is a famous author while simultaneously being on the run from something in her past, changing identities constantly. Her face has never been seen but suddenly her identity is no longer being kept a secret. This sounds like a fun time!

February is already shaping up to be a fun reading month, and I am really focusing on reading rather than scrolling. That’s all for today! See you soon!