My Top 5 Book Recs from January 2025
Reading is my go-to pastime come wintertime, and this past month did not disappoint. I’m not the biggest fan of giving books numerical ratings because there are so many factors that go into consideration of my thoughts on a book. Also, there are some genres where I have higher standards than others so it just doesn’t seem fair. Needless to say, if you’re looking for an easy star-studded rating, you won’t find it here. However, I’m sharing my spoiler-free thoughts on my top five book recs for January complete with a descriptive visual for those who prefer to skim. You will also find unaffiliated links to purchase the books from one of my favorite independent bookstores: Joseph-Beth with locations in Lexington, KY and Cincinnati, OH. With each roundup, I’m planning to promote a different bookstore in an effort to support small businesses. I hope you enjoy this curated collection and come away inspired with a new TBR that just might become a cherished favorite!
#5 Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
I was a major One Tree Hill fan back in the day, and when I saw that the actress who played Hailey James Scott had written a book I immediately added it to my list. Dinner for Vampires was a blend of heartbreaking, eye-opening, and inspiring. I had no clue what trauma she experienced while filming the show. I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on the deep impact psychological and emotional abuse have on a person. It also showcases how there are people who will manipulate religion and use it to target the vulnerabilities of others.
#4 Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
Growing up, I couldn’t get enough of Kate Brain’s Private series (Northeast boarding school where luxury meets scandal) and Society of Lies felt nostalgic in a sense while taking it to a whole new level. Lauren Ling Brown successfully tackles complex issues ranging from racism, cultural identity, and socioeconomics all while building a highly suspenseful plot that has you questioning who is trustworthy. There were multiple mysteries within the story that kept you on your toes. The shifts in perspectives/time were easy to follow and elevated the suspense.
#3 Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly
Murder in Highbury combines two of my favorite things, Jane Austen and cozy mysteries. While you don’t necessarily have to read Emma by Jane Austen before picking this up, I highly recommend that you do. Part of what I enjoyed so much about this book is how perfectly Vanessa Kelly captured the personalities of Jane Austen’s characters. Knowing both their intricacies and the storyline will help provide context as you read and give you a better appreciation for the work. It truly felt like a continuation of my favorite Austen novel.
#2 An American Beauty by Shana Abé
The Gilded Age is one of my favorite times in history to read about. For one, it was a time that ushered in an era of new possibilities and industries. Rags to riches wasn’t just a fairytale. It was a reality for some—including the heroine of An American Beauty. How did she go from barely scraping by in the war-torn South to becoming one of America’s most wealthiest women? And don’t be fooled, she may have been wealthy, but in New York society riches alone weren’t enough to garner “acceptance” from the old guard. Yes, she is an American beauty, but to me, the real American beauty that this book captures is the ability to pursue what we believe will make us happy. It’s not always the right thing and we don’t always get what we want and sometimes what we want doesn’t ultimately make us happy, but that dream offers hope and where there is hope, there is beauty. Abé’s work was poetic, enchanting, and thoroughly captivating.
#1 The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
The Stolen Queen is a wondrous work of art—and not just because it centers around New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. With a King Tut exhibit set to open and planning for the Met Gala officially underway, the hallways are abuzz as history and fashion unite. And, did I mention, an Egyptian antiquity that was thought to have been lost and rumored to be cursed just happens to arrive. What could possibly go wrong? Follow along through present day (1970s) as the events unfold causing one character to question how her mysterious past (flashbacks to her time working a dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in the 1930s) continues to haunt her present.
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