What I’ve Been Reading: January 2026

Hello and happy Tuesday!

I can’t believe I already have a month of reading under my belt in the new year. Today, I’m sharing the three books I read this month.

This month, I read two books and listened to one.

{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}

The Wedding People:

Summary:

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe’s plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

Quick Thoughts:

My mom gave me this book as one of my Christmas gifts. She said how much she enjoyed it, and my sister-in-law said it was one of her favorite books too.

This is a pretty popular book, and I’d heard about it…but that one of the main topics was about suicide…so I just never put it high on my list. This book also references infertility, so there are two sensitive topics. That being said, I really loved this book. Phoebe was a great main character, but the “wedding people” really were an ensemble cast. I was rooting for Phoebe, and I loved how the wedding people were all so different and provided various layers to the plot development. The ending was wonderful and while I guess maybe I knew how it would end, there were some special moments leading up to the final page.

Rating:

I’d say it’s 4.5 stars!

Before Dorothy:

Summary:

The greatest journey is the one you least expect…Kansas 1932

When news reaches Kansas that her beloved sister has tragically died, Emily Gale must become a mother overnight. Her sister’s orphaned child, Dorothy, desperately needs a home.

But Emily doubts her ability to fill her sister’s shoes; her life on the barren Kansas prairies is no place for a child.

On the unforgiving plains, Emily’s courage is endlessly tested. The prolonged drought and relentless dust storms threaten to destroy everything – including her home and her marriage.

Can Emily overcome her grief and let Dorothy heal her heart?

Quick Thoughts:

This is the third book I read by Hazel Gaynor (The Last Life Boat and last month I read Christmas with the Queen) I can’t remember if Tanya orSarah mentioned this book which is why I added it to my TBR list, but they both always have wonderful reading recommendations.

I absolutely loved this book. I felt so nostalgic while reading it, and the subtle references to The Wizard of Oz were perfect. My heart ached for Dorothy and Emily for different reasons. This book also had a reference to miscarriage and then of course, they were living through the Great Depression.

I’m a Missouri girl, but Kansas is right next door, and just reading about the Kansas prairie and that time period kept my interest.

The characters had a connection to the original story, and the historical note was so interesting providing background but also where Gaynor found inspiration for characters. Authors note was lovely too as she shared why she wrote the book and came up with the idea for the story.

I’m sure this book will be in my top five reads for 2026!

Fave quotes: (so many wonderful and meaningful quotes!)

• “I’m quite sure if you tapped his chest there would be an echo where his heart should be.”
• “We make room, don’t we. Find space for the things we treasure.”
• “We must never forget our first home. Even when we leave to go in search of another, we must never forget the places that shaped us.”
• “We wouldn’t have the wonderful if we’d never had the wicked. It’s all part of the same story…all connected.”
• “She said there are some things you can’t take with you on life’s journey. No matter how much they mean, or how precious they are, or how painful the parting…and she said that she was never a day without him, that a heart is the very best home of all.”
• “I had to let go, start again, with nothing but hope in my heart and a single grain of wheat in my pocket. That was when I began to understand who I really was.”
• “Home is, quite simply, wherever there is love.”

Rating:

The Windsor Knot:

Summary:

The morning after a dinner party at Windsor Castle, eighty-nine-year-old Queen Elizabeth is shocked to discover that one of her guests has been found murdered in his room, with a rope around his neck.

When the police begin to suspect her loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they’re looking in the wrong place.

For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life since her coronation. Away from the public eye, she has a brilliant knack for solving crimes.

With her household’s happiness on the line, her secret must not get out. Can the Queen and her trusted secretary Rozie catch the killer, without getting caught themselves?

Quick Thoughts:

My aunt knows how much I love the British Royal Family, so she told me about this series. Since the first one was available on audiobook, I decided to list to it. I hadn’t read a mystery in a while, and this one was so fun. I loved that the narrator was British, but it did take me a bit to get used to listening. How fun that the Queen plays a part in solving the mysteries?! I certainly hope to listen to book #2 soon.

Rating:

I’m actually listening to a book and have a book I’m reading on my Kindle. Odds are that I will finish at least one of them this week, but I’ll share them next month.

We have another NTI day tomorrow, so this week is off to an odd start!