Welcome to Quick Lit, where I share short and sweet reviews of what I’ve been reading lately on (or around) the 15th of the month, and invite you to do the same.
We host our 2025 Spring Book Preview tomorrow, and I’m excited to share titles publishing between January 1 and mid-April then—but that’s not all I’ve been reading! Today I’m happy to share a small assortment of the wildly different books I’ve been reading lately: a romance novella, a contemporary Australian drama, a stunning and unique story collection, and a feel-good German literary sensation.
I hope you find something that looks intriguing for your TBR here (and in these comments), and I look forward to browsing your recent reads below. Thanks in advance for sharing your short and sweet book reviews with us!
Welcome to January Quick Lit
Here One Moment
I've loved Liane Moriarty in the past so I'd been toying with the idea of reading this one; when I saw it on Audiofile magazine's best-of-the-year list I decided to try the audio and enjoyed it so much. It's got a big premise: on a delayed flight from Hobart to Sydney, an older lady walks the aisle and tells every single passenger their age and cause of death. After the flight, some try to laugh it off but many are deeply disturbed by the woman's predictions and seriously rethink how to live their lives in the months following the flight. This multi-voiced novel tells the story of the psychic as well as many of the people whose lives were impacted by her predictions. As so often happens with Liane Moriarty novels, I didn't want to put this down—and then I found myself pondering the book's themes of probability, agency, and love long after I finished listening. This was great on audio, as narrated by Caroline Lee and Geraldine Hakewill. More info →
The History of Sound: Stories
I've been meaning to read this collection of linked short stories since it published in July. I'm so glad I happened to pick up the audio: I knew it had a full cast but didn't pay close attention to the narrators and was happily surprised to hear Ed Helms, Paul Mescal, Jenny Slate, and Nick Offerman reading me stories! Though they range from 1700s Nantucket to present day New England, these stories are tightly interconnected, and it made me gasp each time I realized anew how Shattuck played them off each other. I'm a structure nerd, so bear with me here: the dozen stories themselves are also styled as a hook-and-chain song or poem: they are presented as pairs, with the second story providing a new perspective or fresh insight on what was shared in the first. The first and last stories serve as corresponding bookends, with the bracketed ten stories also divided into complimentary pairings. This is the best short story collection I've read in ages and I suspect it could happily stand up to multiple rereadings. More info →
A Risk Worth Taking
This new holiday novella from the author of You, With a View and The Ex Vows was the last book I read in 2024, and the perfect close to my reading year. (Many thanks to my friend and team member Leigh who told me it existed—I had no idea!) It's about a woman named Claire who meets a great (and gorgeous) guy she really clicks with ... the night before she's set to move from Portland to San Francisco to take a new job. But before she goes, she embarks on a wildly out of character one-night fling with Connor. When a snow and ice storm turns one night into a whole weekend, that proves to be long enough for them both to realize they belong together, even if their lives make that impossible for the time being. I loved the sweet story, lively banter, and earned happy ending in this delightful little novella. More info →
The Door-to-Door Bookstore
I'd like to read more German books this year (even though I'll likely read them in their English translations) which prompted me to pick up this international bestseller often described as "heartwarming" and "unabashedly sentimental." It's about a man named Carl who works at a bookstore in small-town southern Germany. Carl's customers love him for his knack of putting exactly the right books in their hands, but then two events disrupt Carl's peaceful existence: the boss's unsympathetic daughter takes over the bookstore and resolves to push Carl out, and a precocious nine-year-old girl attaches herself to Carl, saying he's not truly giving his customers the books they need, so may she suggest a better way? This book reminded me of Sara Nisha Adams's The Reading List for its book world setting and also because while both books are often described as "feel-good" they address plenty of difficult topics. (Reader, take note.) I listened to the audio version narrated by Raphael Corkhill. More info →
What have YOU been reading lately? Tell us about your recent reads—or share the link to a blog or instagram post about them—in comments.
43 comments
2025 is off to amazing start with this collection of romance and thriller books that I’ve read recently! Come see what I’m recommending!
https://neverenoughnovels.com/2025/01/15/january-2025-mini-book-reviews/
I had to think long and hard about my favorites of 2024, but I narrowed it down to 2 fiction and 2 non-fiction, and I hope others will enjoy them as much as I did: https://michelemorin.net/2025/01/01/my-favorite-books-from-a-year-of-good-reading/
This is my second glance of your name today, Redbud and here. I am now a follower and I am going to read The Frindle Files as I can locate a copy. 🙂
In this month’s BOOKBAG, I’m sharing the books I’m using to get creative and focused in my devotional life –
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/porch-165-struggling-with-daily-devotions
I loved HERE ONE MOMENT, as I have all of Liane Moriarty’s books. One of the many things she’s taught me about writing is the rippling out effect of an action — the many consequences of one literary rock thrown into a pond.
This month I’ve got a list of picture books — including a delightful origin story for Old MacDonald!
https://carolinestarrrose.com/quick-lit-picture-books-ive-been-reading-lately/
Every time I hear someone talk about Liane Moriarty I always think I should check her books out. Maybe Here One Moment should be the first one!
Here’s what I’ve been reading: https://readeatrepeat.net/2025/01/books-in-progress-what-ive-been-reading-lately-january-2025
Liane Moriarty has subtle humor which just makes me smile. I found Here One Moment very page turning. Her book What Alice Forgot was one I thought about often for a year or so after reading.
I just finished THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis and really enjoyed the dual timelines and places of NYC The Met and Egypt The Valley of the Kings. I found myself googling like mad and looking back at a book I bought when I visited the MET in 2011. F. Davis pulls in so many real people and objects it makes the story just flow.
I am reading that now and really enjoying it. I too have been googling like crazy. (Even consulting my college Art History text) I’m lucky to live near the Met and plan to visit in February with a group of fellow readers.
I keep seeing the Liane Moriarty novel everywhere. I’ve only read Apples Never Fall by her. I haven’t used my Audible credit yet this month, so maybe I will choose that!
This month I have 6 books to share, including 3 audiobooks. My list includes 2 celebrity memoirs, a Christmas devotional, a much-hyped fiction that I did not love, a historical fiction I loved, and a quick Christmas rom-com short story.
The Lion Women of Tehran
The Woman in Me
You are Here
Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas
What I Ate in a Year
The Christmas Book Hunt
https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2025/01/quick-lit-january-2025-edition/
I am currently reading You Are Here and quite enjoying it. Have you read The Mighty Red? I think you would like
it.
I haven’t. I gave it to my nephew who loves her books (he is an English teacher at a Minnesota reservation school) and of course loved it. It’s on my list.
Homecoming by Kate Morton- really excellent! I’ve been in fiction slump since reading “ Hello Beautiful”- hard to match that book ! But enjoying the “ mystery past” and then current day to connect the story line- we’ll done
I took the Winter break to finally read “Babel” by R.F. Kuang, due in part to my best friend asking me to join her in reading it. As a translator and academic librarian, there was a lot that I enjoyed about the book. But, it also felt like a set up for a future series with an ending that was not quite what I expected.
I also completed “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang, and it was fascinating.
“The Return of Ellie Black” by Emiko Jean was a good read, but the ending felt a little bit too tidy.
But my favorite read of this last Winter storm was “The end of drum time” by Hanna Pylväinen. Beautiful prose, great atmosphere, and the added plus of introducing a way of life and culture in such an effective way. I couldn’t put it down. And this is the one I would love to discuss with someone.
Thank you for the recommendation on The End of Drum Time. It sounds perfect and I can’t wait to get started.
I’m on my library’s wait list for Liane Moriarty’s new book! I read an oldie but a goodie this month from Jodi Picoult: Nineteen Minutes. So good and still timely! See all 9 books that I recommend here.
https://lisanotes.com/books-i-recommend-january-2025/
Here One Moment was my favorite book of 2024! And today, in place of sharing Quick Lit reviews, I’d like to share my reading wrap-up from 2024, with a deep dive into my reading life last year and my 18 favorites (12 fiction, 8 nonfiction) of the 145 books I read in 2024.
https://kendranicole.net/2024-reading-wrap-up-and-my-favorite-books-of-the-year/
Did a massive round-up of everything I read in November & December, featuring quite a few Christmas books as well as many I enjoy so much I reread them every year!
November & December reading recap
The History of Sound has been on my list since it made the Tournament of Books short list. Glad to hear you liked it.
Here’s what I read at the end of last year:
https://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/blog-1/2025/1/14/show-us-your-books-january-2025
I’ve added all of these to my TBR list! I started off the year with back-to-back five star novels – “Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow” and “Weyward.” I also just finished “The Women.” I’m reading “My First Five Husbands…And the Ones Who Got Away: A Memoir” next – I’m a huge Golden Girls fan.
German rec – Barbara Isn’t Dying Yet
So far in January I have read:
The Last Heir to Blackwood Library, Hester Fox
Wild Houses, Colin Barrett
The Winter Soldier, Daniel Mason
America Learns Russian, a history of the teaching of Russian in the United States, Albert Parry
and I am reviewing “Lessons in Chemistry” for book club
I just finished reading The Door to Door Bookstore! It was so sweet! I loved the relationship built between Carl and his new young friend! I just purchased Here One Moment with my Audible credit. I’ve been seeing it everywhere so this was the push to get it! I am also working my way through Iron Flame in preparation for Onyx Storm to release next week!
What a nice list! I’m especially excited for the book in translation.
The favorite book that I just finished is Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida. It’s a beautiful art book of fantastical illustrations of imaginary houses, each with their own story to tell. So lovely and heartwarming.
That sounds amazing, going to look for it immediately.
2025 is looking to be a great reading year for me if the first two weeks are anything to go by. 4+ readings so far are:
Is She Really Going Out with Him/Sophie Cousens
Death and Other Happy Endings/Melanie Cantor
Paladin’s Grace/T Kingfisher
The Berry Pickers/Amanda Peters
I also really liked Here One Moment! My past reading month has been a true eclectic mix, but all ones I’m glad I read: https://cocoonofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-ive-been-reading-lately-quick-lit.html
2025 is starting off with some great reads. So far I’ve read:
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
What Happened to the McCays? by Tracey Lange
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Penitence by Kristin Koval
All 4 have been excellent. 4.5 and 5 star reads.
Here one moment was a great listen! I loved it. I think Morarity is such a fantastic writer, the storylines are tight and unpredictable, in her normal style.
I’ve loved seeing everyone’s recent reads! Over the past year, I’ve especially enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Each brought something unique to my reading life—classics that made me think, a beautifully written middle-grade novel, and a deep character study. I shared more about my favorites here: https://brittanydahl.com/blog/best-books-of-2024/
Looking forward to exploring some of the titles you shared here too!
I just finished Here One Moment and loved it! Such a unique story line and very well executed with multiple narrators and perspectives. My other recent reads are:
* The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (4 stars) – This was a bit repetitive, but enjoyable. I may have taken the message a bit too much to heart though… I have agreed to teach a beginner’s watercolor landscape class at my church in February, and this was definitely not something I had planned on doing, ever.
* The Wedding People by Alison Espach (DNF, 2.5 stars) – I’m thinking I’m in the minority on this one… I thought it was just too raunchy in parts, and at about 40% through, I was sure I knew where the story was going so I flipped to the last chapter and yep, I was right. Just not for me.
* I Think We’ve Been Here Before by Suzy Krause (4 stars) – This is a quirky book which includes characters with a strong feeling of deja vu, the impending end of the earth in an explosion, and characters facing terminal illness and missing children. It sounds really depressing but it was actually a funny and heartwarming read which I really enjoyed.
Current reads are A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang (audio) and All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, which is so good but requires me to read much more slowly than normal. I also have We Will Prescribe You a Cat on my nightstand and cannot wait to read this one. Happy Reading everyone!
I do the same thing with his I’m not enjoying- quickly flip through to see if the end is any good. Wedding People didn’t work for me because of the love interest.
I read A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko and LOVED LOVED it. (As soon as I finished reading, I downloaded the audio version.) It will DEF be a top read of the year.
My reading year is off to a slow start with a challenging read for my book club, Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. I was excited to find many on this list to add to my TBR. Like many of you, I am always up for Liane Moriarty and hope to get to this one soon. I am also extremely drawn to the History of Sound: Stories. I love interconnected tales and look forward to picking this one up! Happy Reading, All!
Here’s what I’ve been reading – including Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir (so good) and a cute Wordle-infused rom-com. https://katieleigh.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/january-reading-roundup-1-13/
I’ve just spent 6 weeks reading Kristin Lavransdatter (wow! amazing, highly recommend — but it is a commitment) and have a major book hangover. History of Sound might be what I need in the wake of such a major work of literature. For some reason it is calling my name. Just put it on library hold. Thanks for the rec!
I read KL over the summer with the Close Reads podcast. I liked the beginning and end, but struggled with Erland- he made me so angry!
I’ve read both the third and fourth on your list. Bookstore was wonderful and such a lovely ending. Here One Moment was FABULOUS!!!
I also just read Here One Moment!! Bravo, I loved it!! Just as much as Apples Never Fall. Was not as thrilled with the Door to Door Bookstore, it was just OK for me.
I’ve just discovered Anna Quindlen, so upon finishing After Annie and loving it, I picked up Still Life with Bread Crumbs, and then her memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. I really like her stuff!! Will definitely be reading more backlist this year.
And I finally read The Color Purple, and I’m glad I did. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, I’ve never seen the movie. I was very appreciative of the dialect that the author did for Celie’s writing.
Then there was a thriller stuck in there, Midnight by Amy McCulloch, which was mediocre at best. Great Antarctic setting, though!
And finally, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, WOW! What an eye opener.
Right now reading or listening to Project Hail Mary (for the second time), Orbital by Samantha Harvey, and Lonesome Dove, something I’ve been meaning to read for years!
The Door to Door Bookstore sounds great! I’m currently reading Demon Copperhead and enjoying it but also feeling devastated by it.
I’m sharing my favorite reads of 2024 here:
https://meredithamadeephotography.com/blog/
Books 2-4 of 2025: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2025/01/reading-update.html
I’ve read three books so far this year. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
I am re-reading one of my very favorite books; Judith Guest’s remarkable and beautiful second book, Second Heaven. As I read it, I realized that I must have re-read it many times, because I anticipated so many lovely and heartbreaking events in the book. It’s about a woman, newly divorced, who takes in a teenager who ran away from an abusive situation and needs a a safe haven and help. So much kindness and things to think about.
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