Bossy Favorites of the Month I've had a strong Bossy reading month. These were my six favorite reads of January--an intriguing memoir, a five-star literary fiction wonder, a contemporary novel about a novelist, a meditative story, a cozy fantasy, and a fascinating read (for my book club) about interconnected characters. I hope your January has allowed for some cozy reading time. Have you read any of these titles? What were some of your favorite reads this month? 01 Strangers:

This debut cozy novel showcases many of my favorite elements--magic, banter, a grumpy-sunshine hard-won romance, and a quest--within a charming, surprising story that I loved. The powerful dark lord Shadowfade is dead, and Violet Thistlewaite is determined to shed her identity as the Thornwitch, Shadowfade's right-hand woman, and start anew. She decides to settle in the nearby town of Dragon's Rest and open a flower shop, attempting to use her magical powers for good and to c

Newman's second charming novel centering around Rocky and her family demonstrates the characters' quirkiness, concerns, love for each other, and plenty of heart in a heartwarming, often funny, and poignant novel. Catherine Newman's novel Sandwich  focused on a family and its menopausal matriarch Rocky as its members navigated close quarters, health issues, life changes, complicated dynamics, and messy love, all while on vacation. Wreck  picks up with the same family two years

Charlotte Wood's literary fiction is quiet and meditative but packs a punch. Stone Yard Devotional concerns a woman who leaves her Sydney life behind to live among nuns as an unbeliever committed to the community. The past crops up in significant ways, and external judgment seems to be cast upon them all. The main protagonist (who is not named) in Charlotte Wood's literary fiction Stone Yard Devotional  is a middle-aged woman who leaves Sydney for some respite in her rural Au

The Books I'm Reading Now I'm reading George Saunders's upcoming novel Vigil , I'm listening to Madeline Martin's Victorian-London-set historical fiction novel The Secret Book Society , and I'm listening to the first in John McMahon's FBI-focused mystery series, Head Cases . What are you reading, bookworms? 01 Vigil by George Saunders I'm so excited to read this book--one of my most-anticipated reads of 2026. In Lincoln in the Bardo , Saunders explored characters existing in

Six Favorite Contemporary Fiction Reads I love looking over my favorite reads from the past year and considering my favorite 2025 reads in each genre. This is the first of three contemporary fiction lists I'll have for you as I mine my recent-past reading for the best of the best. You can explore the twelve titles on My Very Favorite Bossy 2025 Reads to find out about my overall favorite reads from last year, you can read about past Bossy contemporary fiction favorites here