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3 In Books/ Lifestyle

8 Books to read this January 2026

8 books to read this January 2026 Winter reading

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There is nothing better to me than curling up with a new book. If reading more is your goal for the new year, or perhaps your favorite way to spend the winter months, I’m sharing some of the best new releases and books to read this January. Scroll down for 8 books to add to your to be read pile.

8 Books to read this January 2026

The Star Society by Gabriella Saab – This historical fiction novel was inspired by the life of Audrey Hepburn and follows two sisters who reunite after World War II and find themselves in Hollywood. This book was just released earlier this month and already has great reviews.

The Star Society by Gabriella Saab - books to read in 2026

 

Woman Down by Colleen Hoover – This is the latest from Colleen Hoover, and if I’m being honest, with the exception of Verity, I’m not a huge CoHo fan. But she’s back with another twisty thriller. Petra Rose is an author who decides to take a break after her latest book to film release didn’t go over as well as she thought. She decides to go seclude herself at a lakeside cabin to write her next thriller.  However, then she finds a detective who shows up at her door with bad news and he quickly becomes her muse for her next novel.

 

Books to read in 2026 - Woman Down by Colleen Hoover

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney – From the author who brought His and Hers, and Beautiful Ugly, this is the latest from Alice Feeney. A woman goes out for a run, and upon returning home, her key no longer fits in the door. A woman who looks very similar to her answers the door and claims to be married to her husband.

Books to read in 2026 - My husband's wife by Alice Feeney

 

Half His Age by Jennette Mccurdy – This is claimed to be THE most anticipated book release of 2026.  17 year old Waldo is filled with all the emotions and finds herself lusting after her very married, teacher. This book is described as intoxicating and inappropriate which immediately makes me want to read it.

Books to read in 2026 - Half his age

 

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston –  Camille is attractive, wealthy, and married to hot shot lawyer Ben. Except that she feels he is hiding a deep secret. Aubrey has been haunted by a terrible event that took place in her past and she’s got a feeling that Ben knows something about it. Fast forward and Camille and Aubrey hatch a plan but ultimately Ben ends up dead. Who did it?

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston - new books to read in 2026

 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo – This book came out in January 2025 but I feel like it’s the perfect read with the winter Olympics starting soon.  Katarina Shaw has always wanted to be an Olympic skater and finds her perfect pair for couple skate in Heath. Together they become champion ice dancers until a shocking incident at the Olympic games. Ten years later, after the release of a documentary, Katarina decides to tell her side of the story.

Books to read in 2026 - winter romance The favorites by Layne Fargo

 

All The Little Houses by May Cobb this is the most recent book from the author who brought The Hunting Wives. This story takes place in Texas and is described as Little House on the Prairie meets botox, scandal and trauma. Here for it.

Books to read in 2026 All the little houses by May Cobb

 

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden to be released January 27th.  For years, Debbie has been the voice behind the column “Dear Debbie” where New England wives would come to seek advice. But now Debbie finds her own life spiraling out of control and she’s done being practical. She’s going to get payback against all the people who have wronged her in her life.

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden. Books to read in 2026

 

Happy reading friends!!!

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8 books to read January 2026

8 In Books/ reading challenge

2025 Winter Reading Challenge

person sitting on couch with blankets reading with a cup of coffee by their Christmas tree and a cozy fire. 2025 Winter Reading Challenge

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The 2025 Winter Reading Challenge is here!!!!

I am not a fan of winter, but one thing I do enjoy during this time of year, is the opportunity to slow down, get cozy and read a good book.

Which is why I started these winter reading challenges a few years ago.  I started it as a way to motivate myself to read more for pleasure and break up the long winter months and it has become something you all have loved and enjoyed as well.

Below I’m sharing how to join in on the 2025 Winter Reading Challenge and giving you some of my book recommendations.

What is the Winter Reading Challenge?

The 2025 Winter Reading Challenge is a seasonal event running from January through mid March.  This challenge has various prompts to encourage you to read a variety of different genres.

Now just like with the previous reading challenges, we will be playing on Instagram.

How to participate in the winter reading challenge:

1.) Download the graphic below or save to your phone or camera roll.

2025 Winter reading challenge bingo card

2.) The idea is to read books in each category to try and get a BINGO or bonus points if you do a cover all and fill in all the boxes! Each time you read a book that checks off one of the boxes, share to your Instagram stories and tag me @ourtiny_nest.

3.) The challenge will end March 16th 2025.  Be sure to share your finished template to your Instagram story with each box ticked off and tag me @ourtiny_nest to get credit! You must be following me @ourtiny_nest.

The challenge will be live from Wednesday January 1st 2025 – Sunday March 16th 2025.

 

Here are some book recommendations to get you started:

New Release for 2025

The Crash by Freida McFadden – If you love a good Freida book, this one comes out January 28th 2025.

Tegan is eight months pregnant and wanting to put her life behind her and start new with her new baby. She sets off to stay with her brother only to be heading into a blizzard. She becomes stranded when her car dies and is rescued by a seemingly nice couple who offer for her to stay at their cabin.  However as time goes on, she realizes she is in danger.

The Crash

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – coming January 21st, 2025. This is the third book in the Empyeran Series after Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

Onyx Storm (Deluxe Limited Edition) (The Empyrean, 3)

Book set during winter

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey – this one sounds like a winter fairytale. It’s 1920’s in Alaska. Jack and Mabel are childless and struggling homesteading in brutal Alaska and slowly drifting apart. One day during a snowstorm they build a child out of snow. The next day, the snow child is gone but in it’s place is a blonde-haired girl of the woods who Jack and Mabel come to love as their own daughter.

The Snow Child: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize in Letters: Fiction Finalists)

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley –This one takes place during Christmas break when a group of friends get together in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year’s together. On New Year’s Day, one of them winds up dead, and someone in their group is responsible.

The Hunting Party: A Novel

Non-fiction read

Be Ready When The Luck Happens by Ina Garten – I can’t think of a cozier non-fiction read than Ina’s memoir.  I have heard that audible is the way to go with this one, as it is narrated by Ina herself. (Click here to get your free Audible Plus trial.)

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir

Alive by Piers Paul Read – this one is the true story about a Rugby Team who survives the Andes Mountains after their plane crashes. Of the 45 passengers, only 16 are found alive.

Alive

 

Happy Reading!!!

And if you really want to get bookish, check out how to host a book exchange brunch with your friends.

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2025 Winter reading challenge bingo card

14 In Books/ Lifestyle

2024 Winter Reading Challenge

2024 winter reading challenge - women holding coffee and book in blanket on the couch

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The 2024 Winter Reading Challenge is here!

I don’t know about you all, but while I am not a fan of winter, there is one thing I do love about it. And that is I fully embrace the opportunity to slow down. It’s the perfect excuse to cozy up and read a good book, or two or three.

If you were here last year, you may remember the Winter Reading Challenge. I started it as a way to motivate myself to read more for pleasure and it’s become something you all have loved and enjoyed.

Now just like with the previous reading challenges, we will be playing on Instagram!

Scroll down to see how you can take part in the 2024 Winter Reading Challenge and for some of my book recommendations.

How to participate in the winter reading challenge:

1.) Download the graphic below or save to your phone or camera roll.

2024 winter reading challenge virtual bingo card

2.) The idea is to read books in each category to try and get a BINGO or bonus points if you do a cover all and fill in all the boxes! Each time you read a book that checks off one of the boxes, share to your Instagram stories and tag me @ourtiny_nest.

3.) The challenge will end March 19th 2024. Be sure to share your finished template to your Instagram story with each box ticked off and tag me @ourtiny_nest to get credit! You must be following me @ourtiny_nest.

The challenge will be live from Tuesday December 26th 2023-Tuesday March 19th 2024.

Here are some book recommendations and suggestions to get you started

Or if listening to books is more your speed, click here for Audible Plus.

Book Set in Winter

Wintering: The power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May – this book is almost like a self care manifesto. It teaches you to embrace this cold, dark season or any difficult season you may be in and see it as a time for transformation or healing.

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake – this is a cozy little read you can hunker down to.

The Hygge Holiday: The warmest, funniest, cosiest romantic comedy of the year

The Resort by Sarah Goodwin– Mila and Ethan are on their way to her sister’s wedding at a ski resort when there car breaks down driving through the mountains. They plan to stay overnight in a cabin they come across but when Mila wakes up in the morning, Ethan is no where to be found. This one is described as twisty with a shocking ending if you love a good thriller.

The Resort: An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist

Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira – This one is like historical fiction, a mystery, family saga and courtroom drama all in one. In 1879 a huge blizzard hits Albany, causing devastation and two orphaned girls to go missing. A civil war surgeon helps search for them and ultimately takes the girls in when they are found and helps fight for justice after everything the girls experienced.

Winter Sisters

 

New Release for 2024

 The Fury by Alex Michaelides– to be released January 16, 2024. I read his first book, The Silent Patient a few years ago and loved it! This is another twisty thriller, a story of an ex movie star and her friends go to vacation in the Greek Islands when they find themselves in a murder mystery.
The Fury
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford– to be released January 30, 2024.  Jenny Quinn sets out to do something for herself after years of 59 years of marriage and her husband’s declining health. She quickly rises to fame after joining a British Baking Show. This is a heartwarming story and a great reminder that you are never too old to chase your dreams.
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame: A Novel
Sugar, Baby by Celine St Claire – to be released January 9, 2024. Agnes is a 21 year old who still lives at home and feels like her life is going no where. Then she meets a woman named Emily, who is the daughter of one of her clients who quickly introduces her to life of being a Sugar Baby. This is a story about race, wealth, and self discovery.
Sugar, Baby

Happy Reading!!!

And if you’re looking for more book ideas, make sure you check out this post on how to host A Book Exchange Brunch.

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2024 winter reading challenge virtual bingo card

 

22 In Lifestyle

2023 Summer Reading Challenge

woman lounging on outdoor deck reading on kindle

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The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge is here!

This is something I started last summer and you all enjoyed it so I thought we’d do it again! Reading is definitely one thing that unites us all and I think we share a love of. So in the spirit of inspiring you all to read more and share some of our recent favorites, scroll down to see how to take part in this challenge!

How to participate in the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge

1.) Save this graphic below to your phone.

Instagram story template Bingo board with summer reading 2023 challenge

2.) The idea is to read books in each category to try and get a BINGO or bonus points if you do a cover all and fill in all the boxes! Each time you read a book that checks off one of the boxes, share to your Instagram stories and tag me @ourtiny_nest.

3.) The challenge will end Friday September 1st. Be sure to share your finished template to your Instagram story with each box ticked off and tag me @ourtiny_nest to get credit!

Whether this is the first time you’re joining one of my challenges or you’re a pro, the idea is simply to have fun and just inspire you to read more!

 

Here are some reading suggestions for each prompt

Book about vacation

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

Book you meant to read in 2022

East Coast Girls by Kerry Kletter

East Coast Girls by Kerry Kletter

 

Romance/spicy read

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

The Deal by Elle Kennedy 2023 Summer Reading challenge

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Twisted Love Ana Huang Summer 2023 Reading challenge

A mystery/thriller

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

The Perfect Marriage: A Completely Gripping Psychological Suspense by [Jeneva Rose]

Ward D by Freida McFadden

Ward D: A gripping psychological thriller by [Freida McFadden]

Book set in the decade you were born

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid 2023 Summer Reading Challenge

A book about family

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson 2023 Summer Reading Challenge

Book you read because of Bookstagram

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by [Sarah J. Maas]

Book that was released in spring ’23

Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune

Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune New Release 2023

The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderband new release of 2023

 

For more of my favorite book recommendations check out

These 22 books to read

And this Book Exchange Brunch is a fun idea for your next book club. Click here to see the details.