Between The Pages | January Reading Roundup

January Reading Roundup: Traveling From My Comfy Recliner

Is there any better way to kick off a new year than with a stack of books and a cozy blanket? They say travel broadens the mind, but honestly, my passport didn’t get a single stamp this month—and yet, I feel like I’ve been around the world and back.

There’s something magical about the fact that we can explore different eras, continents, and even reimagined fairytales without ever leaving our favorite comfy recliners. Here is a look at the journeys I took this January!

Before Dorothy, we all know the story of the girl in the blue gingham dress, but have you ever wondered about the woman who took her in? This month, I dove into the backstory of Auntie Em. It was a beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking look at her life before the cyclone—detailing how she and Uncle Henry built their life on the prairie and the circumstances that brought a young Dorothy to their doorstep. It added so much depth to a classic tale I thought I already knew by heart.

I treated myself to a couple of clean rom-coms this month. You know the ones—plenty of “will-they-won’t-they” tension, witty banter, and zero awkwardness if your grandma happens to look over your shoulder. They were the perfect palate cleansers between some of my heavier reads. Sometimes you just need a story where the biggest drama is a spilled latte and a misunderstood text message!

My “travels” took a more somber turn as I headed to my favorite genre. World War II historical fiction has a way of grounding you while simultaneously whisking you away. This particular story explored the resilience of the human spirit during World War II, reminding me once again of the bravery found in the smallest corners of history. It’s always a poignant reminder of how much we have to be grateful for today.

To round out the month, I took a “trip” to a quiet Amish community. There’s a specific kind of peace that comes with an Amish story—the focus on faith, family, and a slower pace of life. It was the perfect “gentle read” to wind down my January, like a digital detox in book form.

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (via Kindle Unlimited)

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor is a historical reimagining that serves as a prequel to the classic The Wizard of Oz. Instead of magic and flying monkeys, Gaynor grounds the story in the harsh, dusty reality of the 1920s and 30s, focusing on the woman we know as “Auntie Em.”

Here is the breakdown of the story:

The Plot: From Chicago to the Dust Bowl

The novel follows Emily Gale (Auntie Em) across two primary timelines:

• Chicago, 1924: Emily is a young Irish immigrant living in the city with her beloved sister, Annie. She falls in love with Henry Gale and, fueled by the promise of the American Dream, agrees to leave the bustling city for the wide-open prairies of Kansas.
• Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have built a life in Liberal, Kansas, but it is a precarious one. They are struggling through the Great Depression and the onset of the Dust Bowl. Their lives are forever changed when a telegram arrives: Emily’s sister Annie and her husband have died in an accident, and their seven-year-old daughter, Dorothy, is coming to live with them.

Key Themes & “Easter Eggs”

The book explores the trauma of loss and the resilience required to survive the “Dirty Thirties.” While it is a realistic historical novel, Gaynor cleverly weaves in “Easter eggs” that wink at the original Oz mythology:

• The Characters: Real-world versions of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion appear as people or toys in Dorothy’s life.
• The “Wizards” and “Witches”: A traveling rainmaker serves as a nod to the Wizard, and two unpleasant neighbors evoke the Wicked Witches.
• The Iconic Items: You’ll see mentions of silver shoes (the original color from the book) and the arrival of a little dog named Toto.

The Heart of the Story

At its core, the book is about the meaning of home. It answers the questions L. Frank Baum never did: Who were Dorothy’s parents? Why was she in Kansas? And how did a woman like Emily Gale find the strength to raise a dreamer in a land that was turning to dust?

A Summer of Discovery by Samantha Price (via Kindle Unlimited)

The Plot: From Smartphones to Shoofly Pie

The story follows Iris, a modern woman who makes the radical move from her “English” life to live next door to her Amish grandmother. It’s a classic “fish out of water” tale, but with a comedic edge. Iris isn’t just visiting; she’s trading in her high-tech gadgets for a bonnet and a much slower pace of life.

What Makes It Special:

• The “Buggy-Filled Chaos”: Rather than being a strictly somber religious story, this book leans into the family antics. Think runaway goats, eccentric relatives, and the hilarious mishaps that happen when a city girl tries to navigate farm life.
• The Matchmaking: A staple of Samantha Price’s writing is the “well-intentioned but misguided” matchmaking. You can expect Iris’s grandmother (and likely the rest of the community) to have a few ideas about which local Amish bachelor she should meet.
• The Theme of Connection: The heart of the book is about realizing that “family is family,” regardless of whether they use a smartphone or a horse and buggy. It explores the idea that we all deal with the same quirks and quarrels, just in different outfits.

Why It’s a “Comfy Chair” Read:

It’s described as a gently humorous, and heartwarming adventure. It’s the kind of book that makes you appreciate the simplicity of a slice of shoofly pie while laughing at the “beautiful chaos” that comes with having a big, meddling family.

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd (via Kindle Unlimited)

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd is the first book in the French Twist series. Contrary to what the title might suggest, it is not a historical fiction novel about Marie Antoinette or the French Revolution.

Instead, it is a contemporary Christian chick-lit novel focused on food, romance, and finding one’s purpose.

The Plot

The story follows Lexi Stuart, a twenty-something recent college graduate with a degree in French studies but absolutely no direction in life. She is living at home with her parents, unemployed, and stuck between boyfriends.

Desperate for a job to move out, she lands a position at her favorite local French bakery in Seattle. While she originally viewed it as a temporary stopgap, the bakery becomes the setting for her personal revolution.

Key Themes

• Following Dreams: Lexi must stop trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life and figure out what she truly wants to do.
• Faith and Trust: Lexi learns to trust in God’s plan for her future, even when it doesn’t align with her original timeline.
• Romance: Lexi navigates a tricky love life, juggling a flirtatious baker at the shop and a handsome executive who becomes a loyal customer.

Fun Fact: The book features real recipes from the author and integrates a plot point where Lexi posts her own recipes on a popular cooking website.

The Year Of Starting Over by Karen King (via Kindle Unlimited)

The Year of Starting Over by Karen King is a feel-good contemporary romance and women’s fiction novel centered on self-discovery, taking risks, and finding happiness on one’s own terms.

The Plot

The story follows Holly, a woman who feels her life is stuck in a rut. She is trapped in a dead-end job and a lackluster relationship with a boyfriend who refuses to commit. After inheriting a sum of money from her grandfather, Holly decides it is time to make a massive change.

She creates a “dream list” of things she wants to accomplish in the coming year, which includes moving abroad, focusing on her career, and—critically—not falling in love.

Armed with this list and her savings, she packs up her belongings and drives her small yellow Mini to a remote farmhouse in the Andalusian hills of Spain to help friends run an artists’ retreat.

Key Themes

• Reinvention: The core of the book is about leaving comfort zones behind to find out who you truly are.
• Friendship and Community: Holly builds a new support system in Spain, learning to trust others and herself again.
• Slow-Burn Romance: Despite her vow to avoid romance, Holly keeps crossing paths with Matias, a prickly but handsome local who gradually helps her accomplish items on her bucket list.
• Healing: The Spanish countryside acts as a backdrop for healing from past disappointments and finding contentment.

Note: While there is a romance arc, the main focus of the book is Holly’s personal journey toward independence and career fulfillment.

The Lost Daughter by R.P.G. Colley (via Kindle Unlimited)

The Lost Daughter by R.P.G. Colley is a dual-timeline historical fiction novel that delves into the dark secrets of Nazi Germany’s Lebensborn program and its long-lasting impact on future generations.

The Plot

England, 2001: Elizabeth has long suspected her mother of hiding a secret about her past in Germany, but those questions become urgent as her mother’s dementia progresses, locking her memories away forever. While going through her parents’ paperwork, Elizabeth discovers a Nazi certificate that shatters her understanding of her 1950s childhood, making her realize her life was built on lies. Her quest for the truth takes her to Germany, where she encounters a “wall of silence.”

Germany, 1944: The narrative flashes back to 18-year-old Hannah, who naively volunteers to work in a home for evacuated children. Instead, she is drawn into the clutches of Doctor Fick, a loyal Nazi who forces her into the Lebensborn program—a secretive initiative designed to breed children for Hitler’s “master race.” Hannah is faced with an impossible choice: comply and become everything she despises, or refuse and face death.

Key Themes

• The Lebensborn Program: The novel explores this disturbing historical program aimed at producing “Aryan” children, often through coercion.
• Generational Secrets: The book highlights how wartime secrets can devastate families decades later.
• The Impact of Dementia: The story poignantly contrasts the need for answers with a loved one’s inability to provide them.

Note: This book is part of the Love and War series by R.P.G. Colley, though it can be read as a standalone.

Beneath An Indian Sky by Renita D’Silva (via Kindle Unlimited)

Beneath an Indian Sky by Renita D’Silva is a sweeping historical fiction saga that traverses decades, exploring the themes of friendship, ambition, betrayal, and long-buried family secrets set against the backdrop of colonial India and its transition to independence.

The Plot

1928, British-ruled India: The story follows Sita, a headstrong girl from a wealthy family who chafes against the strict limitations placed on women. Her life changes dramatically when a chance meeting leads to a marriage with a Crown Prince. Moving into an opulent palace, she believes her status is secured. However, royal life is filled with political machinations, and when Sita fails to produce an heir, her position becomes precarious. To survive, she must make a devastating choice that threatens to betray her oldest friend.

2000: Priya, Sita’s granddaughter, is dealing with the heartbreak of her own marriage ending. She flees to India to stay at the palace where her grandmother once reigned as Queen. As she bonds with her elderly grandmother, Priya notices odd behaviors— and a mysterious woman waiting at the palace gates. Priya gradually uncovers a dark secret Sita has kept for years—one that will reshape Priya’s understanding of her family’s history.

Key Themes

• The Price of Ambition: The novel showcases how desperate desires for status can lead to immoral actions and lifelong guilt.
• Fragile Friendships: The narrative highlights the intense bond between Sita and her friend, and how jealousy and circumstances can turn that love into betrayal.
• Generational Impact: The choices made by Sita in 1928 echo down to Priya in the year 2000, illustrating how secrets shape family dynamics over time.

Fun Fact: Renita D’Silva is known for her atmospheric writing, and this novel is praised for its vivid descriptions of the Indian landscape, palace life, and sensory details.

“January books: finished! ✅ Now, I just need to decide which book to pick up next. ” It was the perfect month to curl up with a hot drink and escape into some incredible stories. I’m feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my February TBR.

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