Auntie's Annex January Books
Starting the year off with a .... slow simmer
And suddenly, January is almost done and gone. I had to write down the date on a form today and the idea of 2025 is awkward and yet, here we are, one month nearly down. It is time for another Auntie’s Annex, where I put down the kid lit and give you my monthly roundup of what I have been reading for me. So go ahead and kick out the kids and tell me what stack of books are on your bedside table.
When January hits I love to stand in front of my bookshelf, pull out a handful of books I have never read, and say “maybe THIS will be the year!” And you know what? Maybe it will…except if this month’s reading pace is any indicator, perhaps I should set the bar low. It’s been a real slow crawl and I am OK with it. I’ve even considered rethinking my Goodreads Goal (gasp) in an effort to be less concerned with quantifying everything and do what feels good.
That is my advice to you, dear friends. You don’t have to count up your life to value it. You have permission to do what feels good for a little bit (or for a long bit). It is still winter — be gentle with yourself and stay cozy.
MY JANUARY TOP PICK
FATES AND FURIES by Lauren Goff
When Lotto, the budding actor and heir of a fortune, first lays eyes on quiet and reserved Mathilde from across the room at a college party it is love at first sight, or so (his telling of) the story goes. But every story has two sides. And every relationship has its secrets.
Groff’s writing is shattering. This book is so smart I will have to read it again and read it very slowly, looking up every reference that I skimmed right over on this pass. I would be eager to do this reread right away, that is how much I liked this book. Oddly, it isn’t the characters you love — in fact, you kind of don’t like them. But you won’t be able to deny their complicated and fascinating humanity. They have a richness to them that feels as thick as the southern summer air that Lotto grew up in. They are glamorous and flawed, disappointing and charming. Just when I started to wonder where the book was going, it took a sharp left turn and surprised me. It is a masterpiece in prose, both disturbing and delightful. My husband says it reminds him of Franzen, for me Great Gatsby came to mind, but with writing rich and electric that excites me as much as Maggie O’Farrell’s. I will be reaching for more books by Groff, though her writing may require that I give each read some space to breathe before diving into the next.
Have you read it? What was your take?
FROM THE STAX
THE FALSE PRINCE (#1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
(YA) Sage is an orphan about to come of age and leave the orphanage behind when he is suddenly purchased by a nobleman with a devious plan. Alongside three other orphans, he is forced into a risky plot to impersonate the long-lost prince, secure the throne, and stop the kingdom from entering a civil war. Only one boy will be chosen to represent the Prince, and the rest must be silenced forever or the plan will fail. Expected competition and chaos ensue.
Is this a retelling of the Prince and the Pauper with a TWIST?! I was hooked right away by the excellent plot and the intriguing characters. I was surprised by the plot twists and I loved the outcome. I look forward to reading the second book in this series.
THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon
Martha Ballard is a midwife living in Maine at the end of the 18th century. When a body is found in the river one long and brutal winter, it is up to Martha to stand up and be heard, to fight against the powers that run the town, and to stay true to her convictions, regardless of how few are willing to listen.
This book came to me SO highly recommended by so many and happened into my lap at the wrong time. Following Fates and Furies, the characters fell very flat. The pious and righteous are so good throughout, and the evil characters are so thoroughly evil. They lack the complications and nuance that make humanity interesting and complicated, and it felt too easy. It is a book of black and white, and though the message is a powerful one, I wanted the humans to be more complicated and layered, and a little less stagnant. Also, I don’t even want to talk about the fox.
A BETTER MAN (#15) by Louise Penny
Part of the Three Pines series, Armand is back (almost) as head of homicide, and Jean-Guy is on his way out, so for one full book the two share the title while solving a particularly vexing case of a missing (perhaps murdered) woman.
GUYSSSSS I finally finally finally finally knew who-dunnit before the reveal and I am feeling pretty smug about it and also wondering if it means I am just getting better at guessing what Penny is going to do, or if this one was more obvious than the previous 14. Doesn’t matter, it is always fun to travel to Three Pines and spend some time listening to these stories on audiobook. If you are looking for cozy crime, this series will keep you entertained for a very long time.
ON THE NIGHTSTAND:
in hand: Fat Talk by Virginia Sole-Smith and Icebreakers by
in ear: All the Devils are Here (#16) by Louise Penny
on kindle: The Runaway King #2 by Jennifer A. Nielsen
ON DECK
See the earlier pic of nightstand TBR’s. January is the time for lofty goals.
ADULTING
My daughter and I were on a rare misty morning walk this week when we were approached by the world’s friendliest puppy. He had no collar and I didn’t know what else to do but bring him home to see if we could find his owners. No luck yet, so it has been a fun 48 hours of adventures in puppy-care while we do everything in our power to find out who he belongs to or how best to care for him. We have posted to all the socials, we have taken him to the humane society for a chip check (none) and vaccines, we have signed up to foster him for a week while he gets put in the database. Meanwhile, he is winning me over with belly rubs and a general eagerness to be a good boy. Be still my heart.
Does anybody want to start the betting pool - is he ours forever or just until he finds the perfect home?
Happy February reading y’all! See you soon for my regular Kid Lit programming. Subscribe so you get it straight to your mailbox.
Don’t forget to share my work if you have a friend who loves to read but never knows what to pick, or for those busy moms who need recs for their little kids post storytime.
Tell me what lofty reading goals you have. Tell me how you successfully train a pup. He is 33lbs and an estimated 4 months old. Oh my.
The Fates and Furies lore goes hard in my bookclub. We read it when it first came out (pre-HBO's Big Little Lies adaptation) and tell me I'm not wrong when I fancasted young Alexander Skarsgård as Lotto.
I’ve heard so many good things about Frozen River and I think your take is so interesting and sways me away. I hate characters that are too one note.