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Happy February! Somehow, 7 books were read in January, which is the most I’ve ever read in one month. I have been really getting into going to the library, and lately I’ve been going every few weeks as I have lots of books reserved. We have had so much rain in January that reading inside with my cats and blankets has felt so lovely and cosy.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
StoryGraph synopsis:
A book of hope for uncertain times. Enter the world of Charlie’s four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons. The conversations of the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared thousands of times online, recreated in school art classes, hung on hospital walls and turned into tattoos. In Charlie’s first book, you will find his most-loved illustrations and some new ones too.
What I thought:
This is such a lovely book, with some really important messages of kindness. I would really recommend everyone to read it.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take a Chance on Me by Emily Houghton
StoryGraph synopsis:
She likes to be in control.
Olivia Jackson’s life is one big to-do list. But after her sister tragically dies and leaves her a ticket to go travelling, Olivia has to leave her perfectly ordered world – albeit with a meticulously organised itinerary.
He throws caution to the wind.
Jacob Green couldn’t be more different. He’s been travelling the world for five years and lets destiny decide where he goes next with a roll of some dice.
Do opposites really attract?
When the two first meet, Olivia finds Jacob’s laid-back attitude infuriating. Not to mention her unanswered question as to why he’s been travelling for so long without going back home. But as they part ways, she can’t help but wish her carefully laid plans involved him.
Will fate bring them together again? And if it does, what secret is Jacob hiding?
What I thought:
Emily Houghton’s books are always a 5-star read for me, and this one was no different. I always zip through her books so quickly, unable to put them down! This book had a dual POV, which works so well, especially as the two main characters (Olivia & Lucas) have such different personalities. Their chemistry was brilliant, and I loved both main characters developing across the book. Plus, the side characters added a lovely touch. I definitely related to Olivia’s level of organisation, so it was nice to see her relax and let her hair down.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, translated by Jesse Kirkwood
StoryGraph synopsis:
Based on the Japanese myth of cats returning favours to humans who are kind to them, “The Full Moon Coffee Shop” is the name of a peculiar cake cafe that is run by talking cats, which has no fixed location and instead materialises unpredictably on the night of a full moon. The protagonists of this story – a successful female scriptwriter in crisis, a heartbroken tv director, and two male entrepreneurs – all end up there in the middle of the night, in a semi-dream-like state, and receive life-changing advice on love, work, and relationships from a charismatic tortoiseshell cat who interprets his guests’ astrological chart.
The Western horoscope comes into play, as well as the life phases, one for each planet, that guide what lessons we have or haven’t allowed ourselves to learn. Meanwhile, the customers are served a selection of drinks and sweet treats tailored perfectly to their needs: a Lunar Chocolate Fondant for Aching Hearts, a Planetary Ice Affogato, an Ice Coffee with Sunrise Syrup, or a Bitter Coffee for Mature Souls.
What I thought:
I bought this book in a ‘buy one, get one half price’ offer near Christmas, as I was buying a book for someone else, and this book looked intriguing. This was such a cosy read, and another book that I read very quickly! The coffee shop is only open on full moons and is an invite-only place. The servers are talking cats who serve you what they think you need – aquarius trifle and lunar chocolate fondant were two of the dishes featured. The book revolves around four characters, who are all somehow intertwined with one another. The cats offer astrological advice, which is something I enjoyed reading about.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Continue reading: Books I read in January 2026
In the Garden: Essays on Nature and Growing
StoryGraph synopsis:
An essay collection about gardening and our relationship to nature, following on from the successful At the Pond and In the Kitchen.
What I thought:
In the Garden was a collection of essays written by multiple authors. The book had various topics that the essays were categorised under. I enjoyed some of the essays a lot, but others I found less interesting.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐
The Joy of Wintering by Erin Niimi Longhurst
StoryGraph synopsis:
So many of us have experienced periods of burnout, influenced by a range of factors. This book is a rallying cry to make space for times of feast and fallow to improve productivity, make space for creativity and find your presence in moments of clarity. It is for those who want to unlock their potential and adjust to our new normal, largely inspired by the conversations forced upon us by the pandemic.
Drawing upon different cultures with a strong tradition of rest and recuperation, this book will be full of practical activities, inspirational quotes and aims to provide a space for readers to embrace stillness. The chapters cover: what we see, what to listen out for, what to touch, what to taste, what to breathe; including craft activities, recipes, meditations, and much more.
Through practical tips and lessons from cultures with a strong wintering tradition, learn why rest should be celebrated, not stigmatised, and how to live more consciously and compassionately.
The Joy of Wintering celebrates the ways in which the joys of spring are made possible at any stage of life by periods of rest and recuperation.
How to rest, reconnect and rejuvenate through practical lessons, creativity and conscious living.
What I thought:
The Joy of Wintering is one of my favourite books that I read in January. I haven’t ever really enjoyed winter; it was always about just getting through it until I can feel like myself again in spring. However, in the last couple of years, I have tried to find something good in winter by appreciating the winter wildlife, such as the wintering birds at my local WWT site. This has worked to some degree, but this year I wanted to try and enjoy it, and really understand what wintering is.
I reserved this book from my library and didn’t want to return it once I had read it! I enjoyed leaning into the idea of slowing down and being more in tune with how nature aligns with the seasons. It also led me to delve more into the idea of wintering. A lot of wildlife species hibernate in the winter to rest and not use up their energy resources. They come out of hibernation when they are ready, in time for the warm sunshine and food to recharge. It’s a similar idea to planting bulbs in the autumn, quietly growing in winter and flowering in spring.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam
StoryGraph synopsis:
When Andie lands her dream job as a senior book publicist, she’s ready to take the world of New York publishing by storm.
Until her first day, when she discovers that her biggest author is Jack Carlson – the same Jack who ruined her life in university. Who she hasn’t spoken to in five years. Who is not only still infuriatingly hot but also incredibly successful. And whose campaign she definitely cannot mess up, if she wants to keep her job.
To make matters even worse, the central part of this career-defining campaign is a book tour. For a month, Andie will have to travel across Europe with the man who, if she were being totally honest, she’d like to hit with her car.
But she will not lose this opportunity, especially not because of him. One month on tour with Jack Carlson, visiting some of the most romantic spots in Europe. Deep breath. She can do this.
What I thought:
I found this book in a charity shop and couldn’t resist its sprayed edges and 50p price tag! It took me a bit of time to get into the book, but once I did, I found it very page-turning. I enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, though this book was quite heavy on the former, and I felt it was quite a slow burn. It was more of an emotional read than lighthearted, and also included the theme of grief interwoven into the story. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t my favourite read.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐.5
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
StoryGraph synopsis:
Dani Dorfman has somehow made it to her thirties without knowing what she wants to do with her life. So when an office romance ends poorly and gets her fired, she applies for a job in Amsterdam, idly dreaming of escaping the mess she’s created, but never imagining she’ll actually get it.
Except she does. By the end of her first week in Amsterdam, she’s never felt more adrift or alone. Then she crashes her bike into her high school ex-boyfriend—and suddenly life is blooming with new opportunities.
Wouter van Leeuwen was a Dutch exchange student that Dani’s family hosted, a forbidden love that ended in a painful breakup. Years later, there’s still sizzling chemistry between them, and okay, maybe a little animosity. More importantly, Wouter needs to be married to inherit a gorgeous family home on a canal—and when Dani’s job falls apart, she needs a visa. As the marriage of convenience pushes them together in unexpected ways, Dani must decide whether her new life is yet another mistake—or if it’s worth taking a risk on a second chance.
What I thought:
I have previously read one of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books and thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst I did enjoy reading this book, there was something about it that didn’t fully click with me. I’m not sure what it was, I just found myself cringing a bit as I read the book. I loved Amsterdam when I travelled there, so I feel my good memories of the place spurred me on when reading it. I don’t generally go for second-chance or slow-burn romances (though the previous book I read had both as well!), and I think that was probably why it didn’t click for me. If you like those two tropes, I would reccommend because it was a good book.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐.5
I can’t believe I read so many books in January, and lots of great books too!
What books did you read in January?
Caroline ♡
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