Title: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 260
Length: 7h 3m
Narrator: Scott Brick
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating: Romance Rating: 
My Thoughts
What a beautifully written bittersweet story about love, loss, grief, healing, and second chances. At first, I didn’t really like A.J. Fikry. He was too curmudgeonly for my taste, but he grew on me. I loved his relationship with Maya and Amy, his friends, and his patrons. I loved his enthusiasm for books and reading, even if his tastes were a little hoity-toity. I loved reading his character growth.
The Spectacular
Author: Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 368
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator: Kimberly Farr, Rachel L. Jacobs
Source: Owned
Reason: Book Club
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
I really love the historical aspects of Fiona Davis’ novels. In The Spectacular, I loved the setting of the mid 1950s and early 1990s, and I loved learning the history of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. I had no idea about the Mad Bomber (or Big Apple Bomber in the novel) and I had no idea it was the case that put criminal profiling on the map. That was all fascinating. I thought the mystery aspect of the book was a bit far-fetched, but it kept me interested and reading. The romance disappointed me as it was a little lacking.
January 2026 Wrap-Up
Books Read
Favorite: Kingdom of Claw
Least Favorite: None
Stats
January
Books Read: 9
Rereads: 6
Pages Read: 4,268
Hours Listened: 130h 37m
Average Rating: 4.7
Average Pages Read Per Day: 138
Year-to-Date
Books Read: 9
Rereads: 6
Pages Read: 4,268
Hours Listened: 130h 37m
Average Rating: 4.7
Average Pages Read Per Day: 138
Kingdom of Claw
Author: Demi Winters
Series: The Ashen #2
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 548
Length: 24h 47m
Narrator: Islay Jacobs
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
Kingdom of Claw was just as good as The Road of Bones, if not a little better. I loved learning more about the Galdra and how their galdr works. I loved seeing so many different types of galdr and watching Silla come into her own. I really loved seeing more of Ìseldur, its politics, and people. I enjoyed meeting all the new characters and I’m excited to see where the next book takes us, especially with that ending (again)!
The Road of Bones
Author: Demi Winters
Series: The Ashen #1
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 500
Length: 21h 15m
Narrator: Islay Jacobs
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
This book! That ending! So many secrets, so many twists. I loved it! Even though I loved the audiobook, I kinda wish I had read-read this one so I could see all the Nordic/Icelandic spellings. I loved the whole Vikingness of the story and I loved the subtle nod to Little Red Riding Hood. The characters, the world, and the magic system were amazing. The slow-burn romance was so much fun. I didn’t even mind the subtle love triangle. I’m really excited to read Kingdom of Claw and see where this goes.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 260
Length: 7h 3m
Narrator: Scott Brick
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
What a beautifully written bittersweet story about love, loss, grief, healing, and second chances. At first, I didn’t really like A.J. Fikry. He was too curmudgeonly for my taste, but he grew on me. I loved his relationship with Maya and Amy, his friends, and his patrons. I loved his enthusiasm for books and reading, even if his tastes were a little hoity-toity. I loved reading his character growth.