Reflecting on January Reading: A Monthly Wrap-Up of Books, Highlights, and Book Mail

January often feels like a fresh page, a chance to set new goals and embrace new experiences.

Here are my 2026 reading resolutions.

If you’re looking for book recommendations or inspiration to start your own reading journey, this post will offer a detailed glimpse into a month well spent with books.

Publisher Mail

Cape Fever by Nadia Davids is a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant novel set in South Africa in the 1920s, within a British colonial society defined by rigid hierarchies of race, class, and power. The story follows Soraya Matas, a young Black Muslim woman who takes a live-in position as maid and housekeeper to the enigmatic and deeply lonely Englishwoman, Mrs. Hattingh.

Davids crafts a compelling psychological dynamic between the two women, rooted in manipulation and dependency. Soraya, far more educated and perceptive than her employer assumes, hides her literacy, allowing Mrs. Hattingh to control her correspondence with her distant fiancé. This seemingly intimate ritual becomes a chilling symbol of emotional domination, underscoring the profound imbalance of power between them.

The novel is beautifully written and deliberately paced, creating a claustrophobic tension that mirrors Soraya’s confinement. Supernatural and folkloric elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative, enhancing its Gothic tone while deepening its exploration of cultural identity and inherited trauma. Davids handles themes of colonialism, racism, religion, and class with nuance and emotional weight, making Soraya’s endurance both infuriating and deeply moving.

A cozy reading nook with books and tea, perfect for January reading

Stand out Read

Tampa

Alissa Nutting

Tampa is a provocative and unsettling novel that examines gendered perceptions of sexual misconduct through the character of Celeste Price, a teacher who exploits her position to pursue a fourteen‑year‑old student. Rather than seeking sympathy or redemption, Celeste is portrayed as a calculated predator, challenging readers’ assumptions about agency, power, and victimhood.

The novel’s explicit and often disturbing narrative voice is intentionally confrontational, forcing readers to confront societal double standards in how male and female offenders are judged. By presenting a female perpetrator without sentimentality or justification, the book raises difficult questions about gender, accountability, and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of abuse.

Though deeply uncomfortable, Tampa is a bold and thought‑provoking work that pushes boundaries and invites serious reflection on issues often overlooked in contemporary fiction.

Indie Highlights

Last Moon of the Timekeeper

Damien Buckley

For such a short book, this novella does an excellent job at world building and characterisation. The world feels fully realised with tiny dragons and a magic system you don’t yet fully understand. The curmudgeonly old time keeper is a favourite of mine now. Brilliant introduction to the world of The Architects.

The Weight of Fangs

Alexander S. Li-Timmins

Favourite Quotes and Moments

• From Last Moon of the Timekeeper:

  "As if she had forgotten how to die."

• From The Midnight Library:

“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever.”

Book Club Books

The Woman in the Window

A.J. Finn

The Woman in the Window is a slow-burning psychological thriller following agoraphobic child psychologist Anna Fox, who becomes obsessed with observing her neighbours and believes she witnesses a crime. While the premise is engaging and the story pays homage to classic films, the execution is uneven. The first half drags, Anna’s excessive alcohol and prescription drug use stretches believability, and many twists are predictable. The second half is far more engrossing, and the audiobook narration by Ann Marie Lee adds emotional nuance, though the story may work better in print. Overall, it’s an addictive but flawed read, earning 3.5 stars. This was a re-read for me as a recap for book club so that could have impacted my enjoyment of it a bit.

The Outcasts of Time

Ian Mortimer

Ian Mortimer’s The Outcasts of Time is rich in historical detail, evocative prose, and thoughtful social insight, but it ultimately falters as a novel due to its lack of plot. The central concept, two medieval brothers living one day every ninety-nine years, provides an effective framework for exploring sweeping historical change, and Mortimer excels at illuminating how seemingly mundane developments, from clocks to glass, reshaped human life and power.

However, the book reads less like a cohesive narrative and more like a sequence of historical vignettes. The protagonists drift through centuries without sustained conflict or meaningful relationships, and a preachy, predictable conclusion further weakens the impact. While the novel showcases Mortimer’s impressive knowledge of social history, it feels more like a vehicle for that expertise than a fully realised work of fiction.

Looking Ahead to February

Reflecting on January’s reading, I feel motivated to continue exploring diverse genres and authors. For February, I plan to keep reading the amazing Indie authors I have come to know and love. I have some very exciting publisher mail to get in to as well as my book club books.

Let me know your reading highlights in the comments!