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Saturday, January 31, 2026

Light Reads for Getting Through a Cold Winter: Romances and Children's Books

 


This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
Publication: Feb. 3, 2026, Berkley, NetGalley

Genre: adult fiction, romance

When Mathilda Nightingale lost her husband, Joe, to cancer, her grieving is soothed by the gift he left her. Alfie, the bookstore owner, was asked to give Mathilde (Tilly) a book gift a month for twelve months. The books are meant to mean something to Tilly or to send messages to her from Joe. She had, after all, lost her interest in reading since the time Joe became sick. 


The first book  given to Tilly was Mathilda by Raoul Dahl, about a book loving girl with exceptional powers. I had never read the book, so I immediately borrowed it from my librar
y. I'm loving it for all Mathilda's gumption and love of books.

After finishing Joe's gift book, Tilly sets off to the library to read more children's books, getting Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I borrowed it from the library too, for a reread. It was fun reading all the clever, silly verse.


I am still reading This Book Made Me Think of You, so am curious about the other books Joe has gifted Tillie through Alfie, the book seller. I also sense a developing love interest between Tillie and Alfie.


Other light reads


Singing to the Sun by Regina Rodriguez Sirvent, translated, Jan. 20, 2026; Amazon Crossing, NetGalley

Genre: adult fiction

A young woman with failed plans for college sets out from her home in Barcelona to New York, and then on to Atlanta as an au pair. This will be an interesting read for me as I would love a Spanish take on America, au pairs, and Atlanta. 



Our Ex's Wedding by Taleen Voskuni, Publication: Jan. 20, 2026; Berkley, NetGalley

Genre: romance

Armenian wedding planner, Ani, is shocked to learn that the bride of the wedding she is set to plan is an ex girlfriend, Kami. 

Exes abound in this rom com, as Ani has to work with a man who is also an ex of the bride to be, Kami. How things get ironed out might make or break this romance plot.


What are your winter weather book choices? Light or heavy reading? 


15 comments:

  1. I ALWAYS prefer light reading, although middle grade authors seem determined to write a LOT about death, which my students never ask for! Interesting that Matilda and Green Eggs and Ham are given; those are such old titles! I might have to take a look at THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU. The cover is great.

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  2. This looks like a fun batch of books. Of course, I had to smile about Green Eggs and Ham.

    My Sunday Salon: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/01/sunday-salon-songs-for-now.html

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  3. Ahh I used to love Matilda so much! The movie too. That does make me curious about This Book Made Me Think Of You.

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  4. Presently reading 'Chickenhawk' by Robert Mason which is a memoir of a young helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war... so not exactly 'light' reading! [grin]

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  5. I love that you are reading Tilly’s books :)

    Wishing you a happy reading week

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  6. I think I only read Matilda once, but I think I watch the movie every time it's on tv.

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  7. I have This Book Made Me Think of You on by TBR shelf. I need to squeeze it in soon.

    Have a great week!

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  8. Matilda remains one of my favorite books of all-time and my daughter has read it many times as well. One of the few instances that we love the book AND the movie.

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  9. I am not one for wanting to read hyped books right away, but I DO want to read This Book Made Me Think of You, it just sounds so good!

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  10. I'm reading the Libby Page book now and really loving it. I hope you enjoy all of your books. Have a great week!

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  11. I have been enjoying lighter reads lately. This Book Made Me Think of You is on my list to read this year. I'm not quite sure when it is coming out.

    Singing to the Sun and Our Ex's Wedding both sound good, too.

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  12. I think my son would love Matilda! I need to get him a copy!

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  13. Nice looking assortment of books. Even after 40 years as a school librarian, I've never read Matilda. Green Eggs and Ham is a favorite though. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  14. I really need to read more children's books. They are so much fun! As a teacher, one of my favorite authors was Jan Brett. Maybe I'll check out one of her books, which are usually perfect for winter. :)

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