It’s time for another update on progress toward my ambitious goal of reading 1000 books. My winter reading update covers what I read in November, December, and January, along with a peek at what’s next on my reading list.

Let’s take a look…

Fiction books

Midwives – Chris Bohjalian

I picked this book up from a Little Free Library around the corner from my house. It’s the story of Vermont midwife Sibyl Danforth, who finds herself facing criminal charges after performing an emergency cesarean section to save the life of the baby of a patient she believed to be dead. The story is told from the point of view of Sibyl’s teenage daughter who sees her world torn apart in the months leading up to the trial.

I really enjoyed this book because it contrasted conventional medicine with the compassionate and caring approach of the midwife.

The Mystery Guest – Nita Prose

After reading her first book The Maid, I wanted to read more of Nita Prose’s work. The second book in the series begins in the Regency Grand Hotel tearoom. When an esteemed author drops dead just as he was set to make an important announcement, head maid Molly once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.

This was another excellent read. I hope Prose continues the series.

Dirty Thirty – Janet Evanovich

I love the Stephanie Plum series because they are a terrific combination of mystery and comedy. I literally laugh out loud when I read the books. It amazes me that Evanovich has managed to keep things fresh through 30 books.

Like the earlier 29 books in the series, bounty hunter Stephanie and the usual cast of characters find themselves in a sticky situation when Stephanie seeks to apprehend a suspect in a jewellery store robbery and discovers the owner of the store is involved in all sorts of criminal activity. The book ends with a cliffhanger that has me excited to read the next book in the series.

The Little Book of Grief – Pat Keachie

This book of poetry was written by my dear friend, Pat, after the deaths of her beloved sister and husband. It’s a collection of poems about grief over losses in various forms. Like Pat’s earlier books of poetry, I found it inspiring and thoughtful.

The Mistletoe Mystery – Nita Prose

This short novella is the third instalment in The Maid series. As Christmas approaches, maid Molly finds herself questioning the actions and commitment of her beloved partner Juan Manuel. Is anything ever as it seems? It’s a lovely romantic tale, perfect for the holiday season.

The Christmas Thief – Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark

When an 80-foot Blue Spruce destined for Rockefeller Centre mysteriously disappears, P.I. Regan Reilly and amateur sleuth Alvirah Meehan join forces to investigate. It turns out scam artist Packy Noonan stashed a canister filled with millions of dollars worth of diamonds on one of the tree branches. Packy has just been released from jail and is eager to reclaim his hidden treasure.

This was a short, easy read and a fun Christmas mystery.

The Husband’s  Secret – Liane Moriarty

The story begins when Cecilia finds an envelope containing a letter from her husband. The envelope indicates it is only to be opened after his death. Although she tries to resist, Cecilia reads the letter and its contents have significant repercussions for her family, and the lives of others in her community.

This was my first book of 2025, and I read it in two days. It’s another excellent book by Moriarty. I always enjoy how she weaves together the lives of seemingly unrelated individuals.

Now or Never – Thirty-One on the Run – Janet Evanovich

After the cliffhanger at the end of Dirty Thirty, I wondered if this would be the last book in the Stephanie Plum series. Would Stephanie finally make a choice between the two men in her life, and settle into a life of domestic bliss?

As with the other books in the series, nothing is ever so straightforward for Stephanie. This time around, she finds herself in danger as she searches for a vampire killer, a YouTube star, and a misunderstood produce mogul. In the end, she makes a choice between her two men, but it seems Stephanie’s story may not be over yet.

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Non-fiction books

Age is Just a Number – Chicken Soup for the Soul

As a bit of a joke, my family gave me this one for my 60^th birthday last summer. Like the other books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, it’s full of short essays. This one was on the theme of humour and wisdom for life after 60. As a big believer in positive attitudes toward aging, I found it interesting to read stories of people trying new things and taking on new challenges after the age of 60.

Think Again – Adam Grant

In an increasingly polarized world where people hold tight to their opinions and refuse to entertain different viewpoints, Grant offers ideas on how and why we may need to think our beliefs.

This book is full of lessons that can be used in life, careers, parenting, relationships and even politics. It’s a worthwhile read that might just make you rethink how you think about your life and how you approach conversations with people who have different ideas than you.

Keep Sharp – Build a Better Brain at Any Age – Sanjay Gupta, MD

With an aging population, the personal and financial cost of dementia is staggering. In the first part of this informative book, Dr. Gupta provides an overview of our brain function debunks myths related to cognitive decline. In part 2, he provides brain-preserving lifestyle recommendations around exercise, purpose, sleep, nutrition, and social connection.

This book is full of evidence-backed lifestyle advice that could reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Well worth the read!

Retirement Collective – Retirement Coaches Association

This book is a collection of essays on different aspects of retirement planning written by members of the Retirement Coaches association. I enjoyed reading the insights of experienced retirement coaches on the work they do with their clients.

Retirement Intelligence – Robert Laura

Here’s another book for retirement geeks like me. Robert Laura is the founder of the Retirement Coaches Association and the Certified Professional Retirement Coach program. He’s a pioneer in inspiring people to think differently about retirement.

The book discusses why it’s important to put “you” ahead of your money and take a more holistic approach to retirement planning. It discusses common retirement pitfalls, and is an excellent read for anyone approaching retirement.

Things That Matter – Joshua Becker

To support my 2025 theme of intentionality, I went back and re-read this book. It’s such an important topic that I did a full review in Refocus on “Things That Matter”.

The road to 1000 books

So, in this three-month period I read 8 fiction and 6 non-fiction books for a total of 14 books. That’s an improvement over the 9 I read in the three months covered by my last update. It brings my grand total to 30 out of 1000. I have a long way to go!

In early March, after I finish the the course I’m taking, I’ll have more time to read. Here are some of the books I have planned in the coming weeks:

• Rod | The Autobiography by Rod Stewart
• The Housemaid, the first book in Freida McFadden’s Housemaid series. I’ve had this one on hold at the library for a while now so hopefully it comes up soon.
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’ve seen many people recommend this book, so I’m curious to read it.

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I’d love to hear your book recommendations. What are you reading these days? Drop me a comment below to let me know.