Five Things to Tell You vol. 5
January book releases, James, literary criticism, and more!
Hello readers! Yet again, I am sharing five things I simply had to tell you, and would love if you would respond either in the comments or via email with something you simply have to tell me in return ♡
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I very purposely slowed my reading way way down for the last few days of the year, dipping into three very different books, bits at a time, and also catching up on perusing my review publications and listening to podcasts.
One of the books I read over break was (finally) James by Percival Everett. It was the best possible book to close out the year with ~ I got to spend the last few hours of the year texting my friends and siblings about this masterpiece!
Along with everyone else in the bookish universe who read this book recently, I don’t think I have anything much to add to the conversation, except the fact that I was delighted by just how propulsively readable it was. I was tempted to try it on audio, but am so happy I slowly appreciated it on paper, only allowing myself to read a few short chapters at a time. I had actually intended it to be my first finish of 2025, but once I got close to the end, I just couldn’t stop reading on New Year’s Eve.
The language is gorgeous, the entire premise brilliant, the plot immersive, the depictions of racism and slavery rightfully devastating, and the ending blew me away.
James made me think and feel in the very best way. Loved it. No notes1.
There are SO MANY amazing books releasing in January! I yet again created a collection of my most anticipated January titles on Bookshop.org for you ~ the 35+ titles (of the many, many more releasing this month) that I hope to maybe read someday. Please do head on over and take a look!
And if you’re more interested in books that are already out on shelves, please do take a look at my collections from previous months ~ it’s a great way to fill up your library holds list!
I listened to a wonderful podcast episode on a walk last weekend, featuring Kara Swisher interviewing two esteemed book critics about their favorite, least favorite, and overall thoughts on books of 2024. I absolutely loved their conversation about when it makes sense to write a very public negative review of a book, especially as I can’t stop thinking about an absolute scorching review I recently read on an online news site of one of the most popular books of 2024. A scorching review written IN DECEMBER about a book published LAST FEBRUARY. (no, I’m not linking to it - it was elitist clickbait)
My point being, this podcast episode talks about literary criticism in a very nuanced way that I really appreciated.
In family news, the oldest is off again! She left on Thursday to drive to Colorado to spend a few weeks in the mountains with my mom and stepdad before making her way west to Sacramento and her next adventure in conservation and trail work at the end of the month. As anyone with young adult kids knows, this phase is an interesting one, with the entire household shifting and changing every time she comes and goes. Here’s to finding a new equilibrium this season.
In case you’re looking for a way to focus your reading this year ~ consider one of these fun reading challenges!
The apocalypse of 2020 pretty much wiped my brain of many of my favorite reading things, but I’m returning to my favorite challenge of all this year ~ the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. Yes, I already have titles planned for many of the prompts, and yes I printed the tracker AND made a digital version for myself.
I adore the Book Girl’s Guide Reading Challenges, and am planning to loosely work on both their Book Lover’s Reading Challenge and Backlist Reading Challenge this year. I am a paying member of their Inner Circle and love getting their printables to go along with their book lists and challenges!
Do you have a most-anticipated January release? What’s your favorite podcast right now? Are you participating in a reading challenge we should know about? Got a book rec for me??? Please do share!
That’s all for this week ~ thanks for reading!
I love to hear from readers, so please do reach out to me with questions or feedback at mindfullibrarian@substack.com . If we aren’t already connected on Goodreads, I would love to see you there as well!
Like Everett needs or needs my notes. hahahahahaha
James is a perfect way to end the year! So smart and gripping.
I (unintentionally) took the week between Christmas and New Year off from reading, and it was unexpectedly such a nice reset to slow down in that way before the turn of the calendar. It gave me a fresh perspective on 2025 reading!