In Jauary I read a total of 4 books; let's have a little review and discuss, shall we?
Book the 1st: The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold. A sequel to a book I read (last year or maybe the year before) by an author that I read faithfully as a teenager. Now I will not lie this book is in no uncertain terms smut gasp! *or smut as far as I am willing to read, and therefore not actually smut*. Like my tolerance for spicy food my tolerance to spice in books is next to nothing haha. Was it a quick read? Yes! Did it check all the delicious tropes that we love in a good popcorn rom-com? Yes! Was it as good as the first? I don't think so (truth be told I don't remember). However, this sequel is really happening more before/during and sorta kinda after the events of the first so not remembering much of that book didn't really help. Either way if you like tropes, enjoy a spy story and want some smut I'd definitely recommend this one.
Since my sister is currently solo styling through life we have been actively reading books in tandem. We decided at the end last year that we'd begin 2026 by reading the entire chronicles of Narnia series. Much debate ensued about the order in which to read them. The debate being whether to read them in release date order or narrative chronological order. I pushed for the release date order becuase I felt it would give a more true experience (I won the debate incase you are wondering.)
Book the 2nd: Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Technically the second in the series but the one that most people are familiar with (and for good reason). It holds up as a wonderful stand alone story... and I don't have much else to say about it. The characters behave the way you expect them to and the story is pretty much the same as what you've seen in the movie. The main difference being the book fleshes out Edmond's behaviors and the reasons behind them and the movie builds up the "epic" battles.
Book the 3rd: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. If you think the walking found in the Hobbit is annoying you are gonna just luve this book. Haha. Mostly the characters are confused and walk around... a lot, sometimes they even walk around confused. Then there's a single sorta fight and ta-da book over, the end. Favorite part? The absolute drama of Reepicheep loosing his tail and the reaction of all his little mouse buddies. The movie does a good job telling the story (legit tears everytime the Minature character holds open the gate to allow the Narnia's to escape- obvi not in the book) and giving us something to watch other than children walking.
Book the 4th: Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Eustace sucks, but also the argument could be made that he was definitely kidnapped so maybe he's allowed to suck. This story is enjoyable for a few reason: first Reepicheep reappears and continues to be the most extra. Second the tiny island mini quests where we discover new creates and have new teeny tiny adventures (with invisible mini mushroom people and even a dragon showing up). Is there a third reason? Maybe but aside from those mini quests they really spend the remainder of the time on a boat (not walking though so that's a plus I guess).
Now, my reviews probably have encouraged no one to read any of these books. That wasn't the goal tho (except for the first one- go forth and read that smut, ladies, gents and anyone else interested in such things.) However, for a more accurate review that might actually lead to reading the books mentioned I'd 100% reccomending my sister's Substack about her January reads.
