January 2025 reads

Well, last month was... a lot. Thankfully, I found solace (and let’s be honest, some necessary escapism) in books—some shared with my kids, some devoured desperately ignoring the itch to doom scroll.

Books with My Kids:

The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb & The Girl Who Cried Monster – R.L. Stine (Goosebumps audiobooks have transformed our morning school runs.)

Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins

Okay, I can feel some eyebrows raising so let’s address the elephant in the dystopian arena. Yes, I’m reading The Hunger Games series with my older two, and yes, I know it’s dark, heavy, and full of adult themes. But when Jax name-dropped the series in a song, Scarlett and Violet had to know more—so here we are, deep in Panem, snuggled into my bed with at least two sleeping pets for comfort. And honestly? Rereading this series now, with everything happening in the world, has been both devastating and cathartic. The themes of power, survival, and rebellion hit harder, and I’ve lost count of how many passages I’ve wept through. But the girls are hooked (they’re firmly Team Peeta, because duh), and our discussions have been some of the most meaningful and memorable moments I’ve had as a parent.

Books for Me (because nothing soothes existential dread like psychological thrillers and horror):

The Crash – Freida McFadden

An Honest Lie – Tarryn Fisher

The Sequel – Jean Hanff Korelitz

’Salem’s Lot – Stephen King (work book club pick)

Swiped – L.M. Chilton No Road Home – John Fram

Thrillers, horror, psychological twists, oh my! And that’s just how I’d describe how the world feels like right now. Anyone else escaping into books lately? What are you reading? Let’s chat—unless you’re Team Gale. In which case, yikes, go get a baked good.