January Reads 📚
1. Villainess: Bloodfest by S. Bacchante
This publication from a new author had so much going for it. It’s incredibly detailed, has a great idea behind it, interesting world building and an insane list of characters. But this one fell flat for me. Dense writing made it hard to navigate the story and I felt very lost at times. Many scenes shined through but overall I found this one a hard read. Hopefully this author keeps writing because they have something. It just needs to be refined.
2. The Entire Life Story of Nefertiti: Lady of Grace by The History Hour
I’ve always been obsessed with Egyptian culture and history so reading this piece on Nefertiti was a no brainer. Not a lot is known about the woman king but many theories and speculations have been thrown about. It’s vastly interesting and I really enjoyed it!
3. The Bombshell by Darrow Farr
A very interesting read I think could only have been improved if I understood French culture more. Love the manipulative nature of Severine and how she transforms throughout the story. A great crime story grounded in an idea relevant to the world we live in now.
4. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
So I went about this backwards. Watched the Netflix movie and was instantly obsessed. So I ordered the book and I just have to say- Netflix count your days. The characters were perfect aside from the little physical differences but all in all great representation of these characters. But the story was so fumbled and rushed. This is the type of book that deserved a limited series not a movie. I loved all the trips and confessions. So good!
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#bookrecommendations #reading #tbr #2026bookchallenge #emilyhenry
Reading a mix of genres like I did this January keeps things exciting and broadens your literary horizons. For instance, "Villainess: Bloodfest" by S. Bacchante offers deep world building and a large cast, but be prepared for dense narration that can challenge your patience. I found that taking breaks and focusing on standout scenes helped me appreciate the complexity without getting overwhelmed. Diving into history with "The Entire Life Story of Nefertiti: Lady of Grace" was a refreshing change. The era of Egyptian queens is fascinating due to the blend of fact, mystery, and speculation. If you love history, podcasts like The History Hour can make ancient stories come alive with compelling evidence-based research, making the obscure details accessible and engaging. "The Bombshell" by Darrow Farr brought a fresh crime twist with a strong female lead navigating a manipulative world. While I didn’t grasp all nuances of French culture, the coming-of-age elements and tension made it a gripping read. Exploring books with cultural depth often encourages further research and appreciation. Finally, reading "People We Meet on Vacation" after watching its Netflix adaptation gave me a unique perspective on storytelling mediums. The book’s rich character development and heartfelt journeys across summer trips showed me why some stories work better in limited series formats rather than movies. If you enjoy warm, witty romances, Emily Henry’s work is a must-read. Mixing fantasy, historical narrative, crime, and romance enriched my reading month. To anyone curating their TBR (to-be-read) list, consider balancing your picks this way. It makes reading more immersive and keeps you eager for your next page turn.
