With a new year comes new resolutions — eating healthier (cough cough, healthy meal kits), exercising more (perhaps with a brand-new treadmill or rowing machine) and, for the cozy knowledge-seekers, reading more.
The first month of the year is always one I like to soak in inspiration, from making my vision board to allowing myself to be more mindful (thanks to Headspace). However, I’ve always enjoyed reading. In fact, my New Year’s resolution from 2023 was to read at least 50 pages a day, and it became one of my favorite (and achieved!) added rituals to my daily routine.
So, it’s only natural to turn the full gears on for January 2024 and round up all of the fantastic books I read from cover to cover — ranked, and reviewed.
RELATED: Best motivational books we read
In my sought-after mission to have my January book list be centered around current trends and hidden gems, I completed each major book club book: GMA Book Club, Read with Jenna, Reese’s Book Club, Book of the Month January pick and Sarah Selects, the latter an Amazon Book Club.
Additionally, you’ll find a sprinkling of some murder mystery and thriller books because – let’s be honest — they’re guaranteed page-turners. I even consulted some pros — Amazon Book Editors — to share some additional insight on most of these titles.
As the first novel I read this year, “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was one I was initially intrigued in, given its 1950s setting. To me, a historical fiction book is the epitome of cozy, and the cover’s dramatics and alluring charm did, in fact, get to me.
Protagonist Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside shortly after she receives a quite frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her (yes, it’s giving Rapunzel). Unsure of what she will find, she becomes intwined with her cousin’s mysterious husband and mother-in-law — in an eerie mansion she’s caught inside.
Soon, she becomes the glamorous debutante clad in chic gowns and sultry red lipstick. But, don’t let that fool you — behind closed doors, she’s sleuthing to find out all the deets.
“Putting a decidedly feminist and glamorous spin on the gothic tropes of Brontë and Du Maurier, and turning the creep factor up to eleven, Moreno-Garcia’s genre-hopping best-seller is catnip for all who can’t resist the siren song of a dark old house and even darker family secrets,” Vannessa Cronin, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told the New York Post.
I loved the premise behind this novel and fell in love with its spooky, scandalous charm. It was also wittily written and enticing, so it’s a surefire bet to add to your reading list.
OK, I’ve given #FashionVictim” by Amina Akhtar plenty of hype. In fact, it’s a title that has earned a five-star rating on Goodreads after I finished it. Darkly humorous, it’s a modern-day thriller set in the magazine editorial industry. To me, that means one thing and one thing only: say less.
“The fashion world is ruthless, but never more so than in this glamorous and darkly comic thriller,” Seira Wilson, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “A little ‘Devil Wears Prada,’ a little ‘Single White Female,’ this irresistible novel of murder, lively dialogue and Louboutins, is binge-read good.”
On the verge of becoming the next great name in fashion, editor Anya St. Clair is on the verge of greatness, much ado to her killer wardrobe and killer social media following. But, she soon becomes a killer, as her career path is littered with the bodies of anyone who got in her way. In essence, it’s a satire (albeit unrealistic) that emphasizes the extreme drive to get to the top.
I loved how this book was written by a former fashion writer and editor who has previously worked at Vogue (they say it’s the devil in the details, and Akhtar nailed every last one). I’m sure it’s not for everyone — given how wildly unrealistic the storyline is — but it kept me hooked nonetheless and different from anything else I’ve read.
If you love to read, you already know who the woman, the myth, the legend is: Colleen Hoover. I’ve read “It Ends With Us” a year or two ago, though decided to give it a re-read in anticipation for the film adaptation releasing in early 2024 — the major motion-picture starring Blake Lively.
I’ve read quite a few of Hoover’s hits, though, in my opinion, nothing is more well-written and tied-together than this one right here. Disclaimer: it’s a bit heavy on physical and emotional abuse, so keep that in mind while reading.
“If you’re not yet one of the millions of people who have read ‘It Ends with Us,’ don’t wait,” Kami Tei, editor, Amazon Books Editorial, shared with The Post. “The book Colleen Hoover said was ‘the most grueling thing she has ever written’ follows Lily as she grapples with growing up with an abusive father and how witnessing this abuse had lasting effects on her adult life as she embarks on her own love.”
After small-town-girl Lily moves from her quiet town in Maine to the bustling streets of Boston, she meets Ryle Kincaid, the dapper neurosurgeon who’s the poster character for “too good to be true.” Here, you’ll see their love story begin to unfold — and unravel — right before your eyes. Once Lily begins to question Ryle (for more reasons than one), thoughts Atlas Corrigan — her first love — begin to simmer. And no, this isn’t the a-typical love triangle trope you’re used to.
This book surely pulled at my heartstrings, and it only made me want more (spoiler alert: see below for my review on the sequel).
Alas, we have “It Starts With Us” by Colleen Hoover. Surprisingly, this book hasn’t received as much spectacular attention as I would have thought but, contrary to popular opinion, I wholeheartedly loved this storyline.
“Readers were tingling with anticipation and couldn’t wait to get their hands on this sequel to the blockbuster hit, ‘It Ends With Us,'” Tei says. “This story is told from the perspective of the beloved character, Atlas, and readers get to see how his story starts, and where his path leads him in the years he was away.”
It’s more lighthearted than “It Ends With Us” (Hoover even mentions that in an introductory note, saying the story of Lily and Atlas is much easier to swallow, so to speak, than that of Lily and Ryle’s).
After nearly two years separated, the story begins with Atlas asking Lily on a date. However, Ryle is still very much apart of Lily’s life, so Hoover paints an honest portrait of this dynamic throughout the second storyline. Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, this book is the marriage of real-life experiences and struggles with second-chance romance. And, I devoured every page.
“The Housemaid” by Frieda McFadden is a title I’ve been seeing all over Instagram and #BookTok, so I had to read it and see what all the thriller-hype was about. Not to mention, McFadden has been receiving rave reviews — and she just so happens to be one of my new favorite authors (side note: I may or may not have picked up another of her books shortly after finishing this one).
Here’s what to expect: a maid, a filthy rich couple and a secluded attic room that, without giving too much away, is the most eerie locale of the sprawling home. Millie, the maid, is noticing her boss, Nina, to be spreading lies about her to her husband, Andrew. Much drama and inside secrets abound, including a secret love affair and uncovering who some of the main characters really are. That’s all I’m disclosing; you’ll simply have to read this.
“Getting hired by the wealthy Nina Winchester to be housemaid in her palatial home means Millie Galloway can put a prison stretch behind her and move out of her car,” Cronin further describes. “But when Millie catches the eye of Nina’s husband, Andy, the cat is is truly among the pigeons. With whiplash twists and a cast of characters you don’t know whether to trust or despise, McFadden keeps readers guessing until the very last page.”
More, this was a book I finished in nearly one sitting. It’s one of the quickest-paced books I’ve read (and enjoyed!) and recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery and twist.
Surprisingly, “The Storm We Made” by Vanessa Chan was one of my favorite books I read this month. Given this isn’t normally a book I would reach for on the bookstore shelves, I’m considering this one a new release and hidden gem all wrapped up into one neatly bound book – this month’s GMA Book Club pick.
Set in 1945 Malaya, Chan centers the novel around a Malayan mother who becomes an unlikely spy for the invading Japanese forces during WWII. In turn, her three children are all impacted and the story unfolds in the most unique of ways. Toward the ending, my jaw actually dropped; I wasn’t expecting a twist of any kind, but there was one.
“This was one of the buzziest debuts of January — and it deserves the hype,” Al Woodworth, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “A book you can read in two days, ‘The Storm We Made’ tells the story of a family in Malaya during the Japanese occupation during WWII — and just how far they’ll go to protect on another, their country, and fight for what’s right. We named it one of the Best Books of January, Good Morning America selected it for its book club, and it’s received rave reviews, all of which have catapulted it to the best-seller list.”
You’ll find alternating timelines as well, among Cecily and her encounter with the charismatic General Fuijwara (#loveinterest) who lured her into a life of espionage, pursuing dreams of an “Asia for Asians.” Overall, it was extremely well done and a book I wish I could reread for the first time again.
I’ve clearly been on a roll of fantastic books, and “Shark Heart” by Emily Habeck ended up turning out to be another five-star read of mine. The plot line seemed a bit far-fetched at first (a husband who has a genetic mutation and begins to transition into a shark?!) but the sophisticated, emotionally charged poetic language Habeck uses and her writing style makes you think about all of the people you have loved — and how time is truly something to be cherished.
A few weeks after their Wren and Lewis’ wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis in which his physical body will soon become a great white shark. About halfway through, you’ll find a flashback timeline of Wren and her mother’s lives, and how that era of time relates to what the couple is currently facing. It was extremely well-done.
“While the premise of Shark Heart offers quirk and whimsy — a couple fall in love only to discover that in a few months the newlywed husband will turn into a great white shark — the reality packs an emotional wallop, as Habek’s characters wrestle with the life-long promise of ‘in sickness and health,'” Woolworth adds. “This is the perfect example of a book that once you read, you’ll want to talk to everyone you know about it.”
If you’re in the mood to connect with your emotions, possibly shed a tear or two and become inspired to write poetically, this book is filled with some of the most beautiful language (and story) you’ll encounter.
Speaking of poetry, “Home Body” by Rupi Kaur is a collection of poems that are some of the most raw and vulnerable you’ll flip through. Disclaimer: the topics are quite heavy (and, transparently, some were difficult to comb through) but there’s something for each and every reader from cover to cover.
In short, Home Body is a grouping of honest conversations with oneself — ones that remind readers to embrace acceptance, community, family, love and change.
“‘Home Body’ was written in the throes of the pandemic, while Kaur was in the grip of a deep depression,” Erin Kodicek, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “The beginning might be triggering for some, but the whole of the journey this collection takes you on will buoy your spirits, and give you hope; it’s one of those books that finds you when you most need it, when you’re asking the universe a question and it actually decides to respond. For those who think poetry isn’t their jam, Rupi Kaur will make you think again.”
Listen, I’m a self-proclaimed foodie who loves hopping to new restaurants, so it was only fitting for me to pick up “Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D'” by Michael Cecchi-Azzolina this month. I’ve seen it on local shelves at NYC bookstores, and knew it was going to be a soon-next on my list.
This kitchen confidential is told by an industry professional who was front and center at some of NYC’s hottest and most in-demand restaurants. You’ll love the exclusive stories of some of the most popular dining locales, from Raoul’s in Soho and the so-elegant River Café to Minetta Tavern and Nolita’s Le Coucou.
“This is such a dishy, gossip-filled, New York-y book; wildly inappropriate — and great fun!” Lindsay Powers, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “Cecchi-Azzolina spent decades as a maître d’ overseeing New York City’s hottest dining rooms, from the rollicking, greed-is-good 1980s to today’s post-COVID world. In his hilariously jaunty (and at times contrite) voice, he takes readers on a ribald romp through this drug-fueled, sex, grit and glam industry, spilling every detail: which iconic singer is a chronically terrible tipper, which beloved TV comedian was also beloved by servers, which teen star got every staffer dancing, which now-famous chef is kind of a monster, which mobster threatened his life.”
Powers even says it’s the “real-life version of Jay McInerney’s bawdy “Bright Lights, Big City.” It was also an Amazon Editors’ Best of the Month pick.
Though Cecchi-Azzolina writes in a bit of a vulgar, blunt style I’m not totally in love with, the stories are what drive the story. Whether you love hearing about the restaurant scene or simply love the ambiance of a New York setting, this nonfiction work is one to read next.
In my mission to hit every popular book club read, “The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell was on my list as this month’s Read with Jenna selection. In a nutshell, it’s like a Michigan-set “Where the Crawdads Sing” rendition.
Set on an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp — an area known as “The Waters” to the residents of nearby Whiteheart, Michigan — this novel revolves around herbalist Hermine “Herself” Zook, who has healed the local women of their ailments for generations. With her tonics dubbed powerful yet stubborn, Herself inspires reverence and fear in the people of Whiteheart — and even in her own three daughters.
“Set in the marshy islands of Michigan, Bonnie Jo Campbell weaves the story of an herbalist grandmother and her wild granddaughter who together face the gritty secrets that have long haunted their family,” Woolworth details. “With the feel of a dark and stormy fairy tale, this book is ripe for book club discussion (it’s a Jenna Bush Hager pick) and calls to mind best-selling novels like ‘Where the Crawdad’s Sing'”(agreeing with us!)
While the beginning was slow in this book, I especially loved all the descriptive details. In my opinion, it’s a wonderful winter read that has you inspired for warmer springtime weather ahead. It’s not entirely insightful, per se, but the storyline is both meaningful and has you curious, above all else.
This month, “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston was a book I was particularly excited to dive into — the Reese’s Book Club pick for January. Set in the South, Evie Porter seems to have everything: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. But, there’s one caveat to all of this: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.
With a similar idea to the drama series “Imposters,” this novel is a bit more mystery than thriller. Once Evie Porter (aka, protagonist) is given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. These odd jobs saturate the story and make it that much more interesting to see how the ending all unfolds.
“You’re in for a thrill ride of twists in this fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes from start to finish,” Wilson shares. “A young woman whose identity changes depending on the job, her dangerous and anonymous boss, and a handsome new mark, set the stage for a complex game of cat and mouse with a jaw-dropping ending.”
Despite a fairly slow middle, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the book. It’s not necessarily one that’ll keep you up on night but it’s more of a “how-did-the-author-come-up-with-this” and “what’s-happening-next” type of book.
Meet another five-star read of mine for January: “The Fury” by Alex Michaelides. As the author of two psychological thrillers I enjoyed — the best-selling “The Silent Patient” and “The Maidens” — I had high hopes for this one. Little did I know it would end up being my favorite among the trio.
Set on a private Greek island and centering on a famous movie star getting murdered, that’s all I had to read from the blurb to inspire me to grab it ASAP. It’s also a January featured Book of the Month pick, and I always love the books the brand spotlights.
“When a narrator in a novel written by Alex Michaelides promises to tell you ‘a story not like any you’ve ever heard,’ be on your guard, since unreliable narrators are his specialty,” Cronin shares. “In this case, the story involves a reclusive movie star, six of her nearest and dearest, a trip to a Greek island, murder, plus any number of delicious twists and rugs pulled.”
It’s not your typical thriller. It meets the reader where they’re at, as the main character, Elliot, is telling the story from beginning to end. He asks some questions that make you think like “you probably expect XYZ character to be the killer, but…” and gets inside your head a bunch. As a whole, Michaelides puts together a beautiful play with this work — a demonstration of incredible writing style and intellect.
“Anna O.” by Matthew Blake was the January book of the month in Sarah Selects, an Amazon book club. Despite a good amount of thrillers finding a home on this list, I’m not one for extremely suspenseful, psychological thrillers that’ll keep you up at night. Though the overall idea of this book wasn’t my initial cup of tea, it was entirely gripping.
Anna Ogilvy, a near-twenty-five-year-old writer with a bright future, found herself in quite the situation; she stabbed two people to death with no apparent motive — and hasn’t woken up since. For that reason, she’s dubbed “Sleeping Beauty” by the tabloids, yet suffers from a rare psychosomatic disorder known to neurologists as “resignation syndrome.”
“Can Dr. Benedict Price awaken the woman dubbed ‘Sleeping Beauty’ by the tabloids? He’ll have to, if she’s to stand trial for a murder she’s suspected of committing just before she lapsed into a coma-like sleep,” Cronin notes. “Fans of ‘The Silent Patient’ should enjoy this intricate Hitchcockian thriller with its minefield of misdirection.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist and an expert in the field of sleep-related homicides, is said to have hope to solve this famous “Anna O.” case, an effort to finally wake her up so she can stand trial. What happens throughout is truly page-turning.
If you’re a lover of good writing, a journalism major or someone who loves to field the classics, “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion is a must on your reading list. It’s a title that has been on mine for quite some time — and I’m so glad I got around to it this month.
“Written in the wake of the death of her husband, a time that also saw her daughter suffering from acute pancreatitis, Joan Didion’s National Book Award-winning memoir is essentially the grief bible,” Erin Kodicek, senior editor, Amazon Books Editorial, told The Post. “When a dear friend passed away over the weekend, it was the first book I picked up, as if I was seeking comfort in another friend I knew would understand. None of us is immune to experiencing crippling loss, the (near) madness of it. This book will help readers find grace, and maybe even some peace.”
Here, Didion explores both a personal and universal experience: a portrait of a marriage. It speaks volumes to anyon who has ever loved a husband or wife or child, and it’s entirely relatable and well-written.
With the new year comes the onset of new financial goals, so I figured it would be a wonderful time to read “Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth” by Deepak Chopra. I’ve heard plenty of good things about it (not to mention, I love psychology books).
Chopra explains how constantly striving for more often prevents us from reaching something greater: a true sense of inner peace, acceptance and fulfillment. When these internal experiences are held accountable, it’s only at this point when we can allow for great opportunities to pave themselves into our lives.
“There’s no better way to kick off 2024 than by dipping into a Deepak Chopra book,” Powers shares. “The OG advice giver, Chopra will leave you feeling calmer, more informed, and ready to live your best life. His practical advice will soothe any anxious mind. There’s room for all of us to be fulfilled, to live a life of abundance, to feel contentment and peace and to find awe, all of which Chopra helps us achieve.”
While the tips in this book seem pretty self-help-y, I enjoyed the basic thoughts and ideas captured within each page. It’s not the typical “here’s how to make more money book,” and for that, I loved how it went deeper into another layer altogether.
For a feel-good read, I can always count on Sophie Kinsella. I haven’t read “I Owe You One” until this month and, while quite cheesy, was a cutesy page-turner I was excited to finish.
Aptly named protagonist Fixie Farr has always been a Miss-Fix-It type of personality — always fixing things and caring for her family. So, when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees — she ends up saving it from certain disaster (as it turns out, the computer’s owner is an investment manager). As a thank-you, Sebastian (aka, handsome stranger) scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card.
As you may predict, a banter develops between Fixie and Sebastian — and it’ll leave you in love with every last page. It’s an oldie but a goodie, and one to add to your list among new titles for a bit of a balance to your what-to-read-next pile.
Unique in setting and plot, “Super Bloom” by Megan Tady is one of my new favorite reads that I’ll recommend to plenty of people IRL who ask me, “What should I read next?” It’s set at a luxury spa in Vermont (already, I’m hooked) and the character is deeply quirky yet lovable.
Massage therapist Joan Johnston is wallowing in grief over the accidental death of her boyfriend, Samuel, and it’s now seriously jeopardizing her job and her friendships. When she’s assigned to massage celebrity romance novelist Carmen Bronze, she receives an offer she couldn’t refuse (read that in “The Godfather” voice).
Because I recently visited a spa with my mom — Delamar Southport, which was a divine R&R experience with a magnificent spa, to say the least — this title was fitting to pick up. Not only is the cover extremely Instagram-able but it’s a unique read unlike the rest of the litter.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.