Let’s be honest, moms. After the chaos of the holiday, January is the perfect month to reclaim your me-time. Grab a cozy blanket and your favorite mug of coffee (or whatever you may be drinking), and dive into one of these incredible reads. Whether you’re a fiction fanatic or a nonfiction nerd, there’s something here to help you unwind and escape.
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Fiction Picks
When Phoebe Stone arrives solo at a fancy inn in Newport, Rhode Island, she’s mistaken for a wedding guest—but she’s actually there to hit reset on her life. What unfolds is a surprising and heartfelt connection with the bride herself. This sharp and witty novel is perfect for anyone who loves a story about unexpected friendships and fresh starts.
This laugh-out-loud and heartwarming story follows Margo, a young mom trying to navigate life, new motherhood, and her dwindling bank account in a world obsessed with social media. Things get hilariously complicated when her estranged father moves in, and she experiments with a bold money-making idea. I devoured this book in one weekend and gave it 5 stars—it’s sharp, relatable, and full of heart.
This sweeping, multigenerational story explores identity, family, and the secrets we carry. Spanning from Y2K New York, where Lily falls for someone wildly different from her, to 2021 Washington, where her son Nick seeks the truth about his father, it’s a deeply moving tale of belonging and resilience.
This Reese’s Book Club pick had me hooked from the first page. Evie Porter seems to have the perfect life, but it’s all a carefully crafted lie. With a mysterious boss, a high-stakes job, and a mark who’s pulling at her heartstrings, Evie is caught in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game where one wrong move could ruin everything. Fast-paced and full of twists, this book kept me guessing until the end. I gave it 4 stars for its clever plot and edge-of-your-seat suspense!
This twisty thriller had me hooked from start to finish. Lucy’s life seemed perfect—until her best friend Savvy’s murder turned her into the prime suspect. Years later, a hit true-crime podcast reopens the case, and Lucy is forced back to her small Texas town to uncover the truth about that horrific night. With dark humor, jaw-dropping twists, and a podcast host you’ll love to hate, Listen for the Lie keeps you guessing until the very last page. If you’re into thrillers with messy friendships and secrets galore, this one’s a must-read!
When three estranged siblings reunite to settle their mother’s estate, they stumble upon a VHS tape that unearths a long-buried family secret—complete with a bloody scene and their father making a pact to hide a body. What really happened back in 1999? As they dig deeper into their parents’ past, the skeletons (literally) come out of the closet. If you love twisty mysteries with dark family drama, this one’s a must-read!
Imagine a luxury resort’s grand opening where everyone looks fabulous, the cocktails are flowing, and the infinity pool glistens—but secrets, lies, and murder are on the guest list. In The Midnight Feast, Lucy Foley delivers her sharpest mystery yet, unraveling old grudges and hidden agendas among an unforgettable cast of characters (yes, there’s even a bird cult). As the story spirals into a hallucinogenic, murder-filled climax, you won’t be able to stop turning the pages. If you love stylish whodunits with a side of chaos, this one’s for you!
I couldn’t put this book down—it’s 5 stars from me! Funny Story is classic Emily Henry: heartfelt, hilarious, and swoon-worthy. After Daphne’s fiancé realizes he’s in love with someone else (ouch), she’s left in small-town Michigan trying to rebuild her life. Enter Miles—scruffy, chaotic, and totally wrong for her… except maybe not. What starts as a messy roommate situation turns into a summer filled with fake “just for show” photos and unexpected feelings. If you’re looking for a witty, feel-good romance about heartbreak, healing, and surprising second chances, this one’s for you.
After loving Before I Let Go and giving it 4 stars, I couldn’t wait to dive into Kennedy Ryan’s next book—and wow, it did not disappoint! This Could Be Us follows Soledad Barnes, a picture-perfect planner whose life falls apart after betrayal turns her world upside down. As she fights to rebuild her life for her daughters, she rediscovers her strength and courage to start over. When a forbidden, swoon-worthy connection tempts her to trust again, Soledad must decide if she’s ready to take a chance on love. This heart-wrenching yet empowering story is perfect for fans of emotional romance and stories of reinvention.
Nonfiction Picks
If you’ve ever worried about how social media and smartphones are shaping our kids, The Anxious Generation is a must-read. Jonathan Haidt dives deep into the youth mental health crisis, exploring how the rise of the “phone-based childhood” has impacted everything from sleep to self-esteem. With sharp insights backed by data, he connects the dots between the decline of free play and the surge in anxiety, depression, and social comparison among teens. What I love most is that Haidt doesn’t just lay out the problems—he offers actionable steps for parents, schools, and even tech companies to help kids thrive. This one hits home and gives plenty to think about for any millennial parent raising kids in the digital age.
If you’re a millennial who still gets nostalgic about AIM away messages, “going out tops,” and American Girl dolls, Kate Kennedy’s One in a Millennial is basically a love letter to you. Blending humor and heartfelt reflection, Kate dives into the culture that shaped our generation—Spice Girl feminism, purity culture, and all. As the host of Be There in Five, Kate brings her signature wit and vulnerability, making you laugh out loud one minute and nod along in agreement the next. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or navigating millennial motherhood, this book is a total delight.
If you loved Emily Gilmore’s quick wit and undeniable charm, you’d adore Kelly Bishop’s memoir, The Third Gilmore Girl. From her Tony-winning performance in A Chorus Line to iconic roles in Dirty Dancing and Gilmore Girls, Kelly shares the highs and lows of her six decades in show business. Packed with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, heartfelt reflections, and life lessons learned through love, loss, and resilience, this memoir is as captivating as the woman herself. Personal photos and witty anecdotes make it a must-read for fans of Hollywood legends and strong, inspiring women.
In A Well-Trained Wife, Tia Levings shares her powerful and heart-wrenching memoir of escaping the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement and Christian Patriarchy. What started as a desire to be a "godly wife" turned into years of strict rules, isolation, and abuse hidden behind the façade of a picture-perfect family. When Tia realized the only way to protect her children—and herself—was to challenge the very life she had been taught to accept, she faced an impossible choice: stay or risk everything to escape. With honesty and courage, Tia's story is a gripping reminder of the strength it takes to rewrite your narrative and fight for freedom.
In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon, everyone's favorite government teacher from Instagram, dives into the incredible stories of ordinary Americans who shaped our country in extraordinary ways. From telephone operators to schoolteachers, these unsung heroes remind us that history isn't just about the big names and the everyday people who made a difference. You'll meet unforgettable characters like a young boy in a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman searching for her daughter, and a poet riding a train, all proving that small acts can create a mighty legacy. This inspiring read will have you reflecting on how you can leave your mark.
So there you have it, mamas—your January 2025 reading list! Whether you’re in the mood for a thriller, a laugh, or a little inspiration, these books have got you covered. Let’s raise a cup of coffee (or whatever you are drinking) to make time for ourselves this year—one fabulous book at a time.
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