Turning Page

For those who have been around since the heyday of the blog, you may remember my book review posts I titled "Turing Page" (a la the Sleeping At Last song off the Breaking Dawn, Part 1 Soundtrack.) Well, some things haven't changed. I still read like a fiend and I will forever be a Twihard. So...here's my January reads recap I am still titling Turning Page. Now I have an intense need to go watch Bella walk down the aisle.

With three 4 star reads and one 5 star, January was a good month! It felt like a perfect mix of thought-provoking, dramatic, twisty, and deeply relatable. 

107 Days – Kamala Harris
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

This was such an intimate, fast-paced look at what it’s really like to campaign at the highest level, especially on such a compressed timeline. What stood out most to me is how relatable Harris comes across. Her exhaustion, her self-doubt, the strategic decisions, the moments of hope. I know the emotional weight I carried during that time. She shares the load she beared too, quite well. I appreciated that she didn’t shy away from missteps or tough calls, which made her recollections feel honest rather than polished. I enjoyed her thoughts on leadership and the realities of public scrutiny while still keeping the narrative personal and accessible. Even if you’re not deeply into politics, it read more like a behind-the-scenes leadership memoir than a campaign recap. 

Gone Before Goodbye – Reese Witherspoon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Audiobooks can be a hit or miss for me, depending on the narrator. I think listening to this one may have improved my overall thoughts/feelings! Reese narrates the main character herself with a full supporting cast. It felt more like listening to a TV series or crime podcast - super immersive and fun. The plot is twisty without being confusing, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, another reveal hits. More than once I had that clever "aha!" moment that makes a thriller memorable. The pacing is quick, so even when "heavier" topics like loss, family secrets and AI infiltration made the page, the stakes stay high to keep you invested. I found the emotional backstory to be the saving grace, providing depth and charm when certain plot points felt a little too contrived. 

Writers & Lovers – Lily King
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

I've had this on my bookshelf for YEARS, no joke. When my bookclub picked "Heart The Lover" (a prequel and sequel, by same author) as it's next read, I knew I had to pull Writers and Lovers off the shelf and get started! While some may say the two books are stand alones, it's my opinion they are both immensely more enjoyable when read in order. Lily King is a genius when it comes to character development. This one felt like a quiet, honest snapshot of a woman in that messy in-between phase of life. Casey’s struggles with creativity, love, grief, ambition, money stress, relationships, and trying to figure out who she wants to be before the world decides for her - all of it felt deeply human. And having managed a restaurant at that same stage of life, I absolutely loved all the scenes set at her workplace - the coworkers, the chaos, the small moments that somehow shape you so much during those years. It’s was a slower, reflective read but rich with emotion and insight, and it made me even more excited to continue the story with my book club’s February pick.

The Favorites – Layne Fargo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

This was pure drama in the best possible way. It's a modern day reimagining of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (think obsession, ambition, toxic relationships) set in the glittering but brutal world of elite competitive ice dancing. The main characters, Katarina and Heath (hello Catherine and Heathcliff) are intense, messy, passionate, and so deeply flawed. I found myself vacillating between rooting for and yelling at them! What made it a five-star read for me was the competitive rivalries, and complicated love stories all told from various POVs and alternating between past and present timelines, in a way that felt more like a documentary than fiction. Within Kat and Heath's (many) rise and falls, Fargo does a great job showing the cost of chasing greatness - the sacrifices, the manipulation, and the blurred line between love and control. It’s dramatic, addictive, and perfect if you love stories about ambition and complex relationships. And so timely with the Winter Olympics, Heated Rivalry and Glitter and Gold all dominating our airways!! Who knew in 2026 we'd all become so obsessed with the rink? 

If you've read anything lately that you'd recommend, I'd love to hear it in the comments. I am always on the hunt for my next 5 stars!