January 2025
- Katie Peterson
- Jan 1, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 4, 2025
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Something new: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Something steamy: This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
Something true-ish: Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
Book club pick: Lights Out by Navessa Allen
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
In Five Years
Rebecca Serle
Reading this book was like riding a rollercoaster. As you're on the slow and steady climb up, you start to see how all the pieces fit together. Each twist and turn is surely leading to the ultimate drop at the end. But, when you get there, you find that there's a loop-de-loop you couldn't see coming that makes your stomach absolutely plummet. As the brakes screech and you exit, your mind is whirling with everything that was thrown at you. It's a whirlwind, but trust me, it's a ride you want to get on.
Dannie has always lived her life according to a plan. She's meticulous and detail oriented. She loves her work in corporate law because she can surround herself with numbers and data. While in an interview to advance within her company, she's asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Not only does she give a perfectly crafted answer, but she also truly believes it will happen. When Dannie is offered the job, as well as a proposal from her boyfriend, she knows everything is unfolding seamlessly. When she goes to sleep, she feels content in knowing her life is right on track.
When she wakes up, she's disoriented and confused. She's in someone else's bedroom, in an apartment she's never seen before. But it's her clothes in the closet and her toiletries in the bathroom. She has a different ring on her finger than the one she just received at her proposal, and a man who is not her fiance is cooking dinner in the kitchen. The clock tells her it's 10:59 p.m. and the TV shows the date as December 15, 2025, 5 years later than it was when she fell asleep.
Inexplicably, Dannie knows that it's not a dream. Somehow, someway, she spends exactly 1 hour in the future before being jolted back at midnight. She spends the next 4 1/2 years wondering how her carefully crafted life scheme gets from where she is to that night. But in those final few months, as the days creep closer and closer to December 15th, the order and predictability of her life is thrown out the window and she has to rethink everything. And when she finds herself reliving the evening that she glimpsed so long ago, everything is the same, and yet nothing is as it seemed.
This is a book I'll likely be thinking about five years from now. It's that good.
Good to know before reading
-This book involves a lost cancer battle. If this is a sensitive or relevant topic for you, it might not be the best fit for you to read right now.
My rating:
Steam rating:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Alix E. Harrow
January was named after the god Janus, known for presiding over the places 'between': past and present, here and there, endings and beginnings. As an 'in between' child herself, this name fit. Neither one race nor another. Not from any particular place. She is neither desolate or wealthy. She is just January, living at Locke House under the care of Mr. Locke while her father travels for work. He seeks rare and valuable treasures for Mr. Locke, his travels sometimes keeping him away for months at a time. Although he always brings back small gifts for January, as she grows older she wants more: time with him.
One day, while exploring the countryside, January happens upon a Door. Not just a door, but a Door. One that leads, upon stepping over the threshold, to a whole new world. As January recounts her adventure, she senses that the concept of openings such as these are something Mr. Locke and his colleagues are familiar with. The men destroy the Door immediately, making it impassable. Locked away in her room and forbidden from speaking of it again, January is determined to learn more about the magical Doorway. And as if by magic, a book is delivered to her room. She isn't sure how or from whom, but "The Ten Thousand Doors" becomes her lifeline...to her past, her present, and her future.
As January delves into the book, she finds that she's in a race against time. As determined as she is to discover the Doorway that may help her learn more about where she comes from, there are others just as intent on closing the Doors...forever. Her adversaries are powerful and will stop at nothing to keep January from finding the Door that she seeks.
My rating:
It took awhile to get into, but it was such a dazzling, magical story. The way it weaved and flowed was just such a beautiful read.
This Time Next Year
Sophie Cousens
Okay-confession! This was my 'steamy' pick for the month...BUT---I knew (based on reviews and past experiences with this author) that it was likely going to be a very mild romance. We had already chosen our book club read for the month-and that one was Capital S. Steamy...so I decided to put a lighter love story here. If you're into romance, you can take your pick for which direction (or both!) you want to go this month!
Minnie Cooper was born on New Year's Day in 1990. Unfortunately, she was born about ten seconds too late to award her parents the cash prize for first baby born that decade. The honor instead went to Quinn Hamilton, a boy destined to not only steal her accolade, but also her name. Although her parents had had the name Quinn picked out, a birthing mother sharing a labor suite with her mom ended up delivering first...getting the money and the naming rights.
Fast forward to New Year's Eve 2019. Both Quinn and Minnie are celebrating their birthday...unbeknownst to them at the same place. Although they've never met, both have heard (albeit very different versions) all about their special deliveries all those years ago. Meeting Quinn in person seems to confirm everything Minnie has felt all these years: her unlucky birthdays began on that fateful day when he stole all her luck. Sure enough, she spends this birthday locked in a bathroom of a club with someone else's vomit all over her shirt, only to be rescued by: none other than Quinn. As they spend more time together, Minnie's aversion to him fades, and both of them realize that maybe their lives have been more entwined than they even realized.
My rating:
A cute love story with New Year's Eve as the setting. A perfect, easy read for the New Year.
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Adam Higginbotham
A non-fiction accounting of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, from the events leading up to the explosion, the horrific moment broadcasted on live television, and the investigation and aftermath, changing the outlook of the space program forever. The author uses original news reports, audio recordings, and loads of research to paint a picture of, quite frankly, ignored warning signs and a likely preventable tragedy.
The thought of spending time in space for many is so outlandish that it's fascinating. An unreachable feat. For the crew members onboard the Challenger, it was seen as the utmost adventure. This book includes details about each crew member and the shuttle, beginning years before the fateful final countdown. It's a true tale of the American way: ambition, dreams, and the desire to push further than anyone has ever done before. Rushed jobs, cost cutting procedures, and questionable decisions all play a role in the doomed mission.
Although non-fiction, the author is a true story-teller and I was compelled from the first page. I've always been drawn to information and stories about space. Apollo 13 is one of my favorite movies. The Challenger catastrophe has always been so somber, not only because of the magnitude of the loss, but because of the way it unfolded in a way that was viewed by both loved ones and the nation as a whole. The inclusion of a teacher, who according to interviews was so excited to experience this once in a lifetime moment, makes it even more unfathomable. If you like non-fiction and space, you'll like this one!
My rating:
Lights Out
Navessa Allen
[Wipes brows]. This one is steeeeeamy. Suggestion from a book club member: If you have a child who has the ability to read--do NOT keep this one lying around. ;) There are trigger warnings about a page long prior to reading, so I'm not going to repeat those here...but if you decide to partake, make sure to peruse them first.
Aly is a trauma nurse, drawn to the profession by surviving a traumatic accident as a teenager. Unable to save a loved one has propelled her to devote her life to saving as many patients as she can. To unwind from the stressful aspects of her job, Aly spends her free time scrolling through social media. Her favorite videos and images include masked men, with one poster in particular drawing her in. She could never imagine that a drunken text typed to him would be read, let alone acted on.
Josh is a professional hacker, spending his days hidden behind a screen. Disturbed by his past and terrified of becoming like a depraved family member, Josh avoids any form of relationship, lest they connect his familial history. Although he is a recluse in real-life, he finds ways to engage with others by posting thirst-trap videos on social media. When a fan sends him a suggestive message, he uses his hacking skills to make her darkest fantasy come true.
So begins a relationship where Aly and Josh explore just how dark they're willing to go. Unfortunately for Aly, Josh isn't the only person who's set their sights on her...and this one has only sinister plans for their time together. Can Josh and Aly fight their way out of the darkness...or will it be lights out?
I loved this book right up until I didn't. There was a background/family addition that was fun and helpful to the storyline...but it was completely out of left-field and felt a little too convenient. I thought it added something that the book didn't need and a different solution [more believable and likable] could have been found. Honestly-this one storyline made this book go from 5 to 3 cups. It was still a fan-favorite in my book club and dark romance lovers should definitely jump in!
My rating:
Steam rating:
Read along with me in February
Something old | The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead |
Something new | The Favorites by Layne Fargo |
Something steamy | P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly |
Something true-ish | Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate |
Book club pick | Wild Love by Elsie Silver |
As always, send any book recommendations, comments or questions my way: sosnssst@gmail.com.
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