Read time: 5 minutes
January was one of those rare reading months where everything just worked. No slumps. No filler. No books I pushed through just to get to the end. Instead, I was fully immersed again and again, pulled into cozy mysteries, paranormal reads, thrillers, and character‑driven stories that reminded me exactly why reading is such a constant in my life.
Because of that, I’m doing something a little different this month: I don’t have a single favorite read. Every book below earned its place here, and ranking them felt both impossible and unnecessary. This is a month of excellent reads. Full stop.
A quick note before we dive in: I didn’t write a short story this month. I usually try to write one alongside my reading, but January turned into a reading‑first month, and I’m giving myself permission to let that be enough.
ARC Highlights (mostly NetGalley, except one signed delight):
Arranged below in the order of release date:
- The Killer on My Doorstep by T.J. Brearton — gripping opening with a complete thriller arc. (Publisher: Joffe Books)
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover - Gabby Green Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida — sharp, funny, and a strong follow‑up to Errands and Espionage. (Publisher: Forever)
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover | Publisher’s site
Also check out Errands and Espionage: Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - The Locked Room by Holly Hepburn — a rewarding fourth installment in a historical mystery series I’ve followed from the start. (Publisher: Boldwood Books)
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - Murder by the Book by M.R.G. Davis — a solid series starter with a cozy, bookish setup. (Publisher: One More Chapter)
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - Tell‑Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow — a paranormal cozy with a refreshing cultural perspective. (Publisher: Minotaur Books)
Release Date: 27 January 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover | Litsy | Publisher’s site - Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson — witty, clever, and a standout continuation of the Ernest Cunningham series. (Publisher: Mariner Books)
Release Date: 17 March 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site - The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris by Mark Pryor — best enjoyed with series context, but atmospheric and intriguing. (Kensington)
Release Date: 31 March 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - A Novel Crime by Deborah Vadas Levison — bold, genre‑bending, and darkly humorous. (Publisher: Thomas & Mercer)
Release Date: 31 March 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela Dutra — a signed physical ARC and pure cozy joy; even stronger than book one. (Publisher: Crooked Lane Books)
Release date: 12 May 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - The Black Cat Detectives by Kit Gray — delightfully unique, told partly from the kittens’ perspectives. (Publisher: Crooked Lane Books)
Release Date: 26 May 2026
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Litsy | Publisher’s site
Other Books I Loved (No Particular Order)
- What a Ghost Wants by Danielle Garrett
A spectacular introduction to Beechwood Harbour and the start of Scarlet’s journey. Fast‑paced, charming, and effortlessly engaging — paranormal cozy done right.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - Welcome to the Murder Week by Karen Dukess (Publisher: Gallery Scout Press)
More about self‑discovery than mystery, this book shines with found‑family vibes and emotional depth. A warm, thoughtful read about connection and belonging.
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site - The Guncle & The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley (Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
Funny, tender, and deeply human. These books focus on love, grief, and chosen family, and I could not get enough of the relationships at the heart of the story.
The Guncle: Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site
The Guncle Abroad: Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Litsy | Publisher’s site - Book ’Em, Eddie by Laurie Cass (Publisher: Berkley)
A bookmobile, a librarian, and a cat named Eddie — cozy perfection. Full of heart, charm, and comfort, with Eddie stealing every scene.
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Litsy | Publisher’s site - A Killer Wedding by Joan O’Leary (Publisher: William Morrow)
A brilliant debut thriller packed with twists right up to the final page. Sharp, smart, and impossible to put down.
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site - The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Publisher: Henry Holt and Company)
A touching, introspective novel about identity and rebuilding your sense of self. Thoughtful, heartfelt, and beautifully paced.
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site - The Law (The Dresden Files #17.2) by Jim Butcher (Publisher: Imaginary Empire LLC)
Urban fantasy at its finest. Harry Dresden’s sarcasm, moral grey zones, and high‑stakes magic make this series endlessly compelling.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - Ghosts in the Garden by Danielle Garrett (Publisher: Tantor Media LLC)
An excellent expansion of the Beechwood Harbour universe, following Blair the shape‑shifter. Cozy, paranormal, and deeply immersive.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Publisher’s site - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (Publisher: Tor Books)
A second‑chance read that completely paid off. Addie’s longing to be remembered is haunting, emotional, and unforgettable. Don’t let the size intimidate you.
Review Link | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Open Library | Litsy | Publisher’s site - Death by Java by Alex Erickson (Publisher: Kensington Cozies)
A binge‑worthy cozy mystery with a strong female lead, a charming setting, and a mystery that unfolds smoothly and satisfyingly.
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Pagebound | Hardcover | Litsy | Publisher’s site
January reading Highlights
What a powerhouse month! 56 books crushed (16 five-star stunners!), nearly 17,000 pages turned, and cozy mysteries ruling at 18 strong. Audiobooks dominated with 46 listens for those Toronto snow walks, plus 11 fresh ARCs hot off the press. Storm Publishing led publishers (8 reads), and 2025-2026 releases made up over half my stack. Prime binge fuel.
Final thoughts
January 2026 was a reminder of what I love most in reading: heart, character‑driven stories, comforting mysteries, and worlds that invite you to stay awhile. With 56 books read and no clear favorite among them, this month felt less about ranking and more about immersion.
If you’ve read any of these, or if your own January reading was impossible to rank, I’d love to hear about it. Full individual reviews are linked where available, and I’m already looking forward to seeing how February stacks up.
As always, happy reading!!
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