Read, Watch Repeat

A January 2025 Round Up

Ah, January—the month where resolutions bloom and then promptly wilt by the 15th. But not this time! This year, I made it my mission to finally tackle my ever-growing watchlist and clear out my Audible backlog before adding more. (Keyword: before. Let’s see how that goes.)

I love books. But I also love not having shelves cluttered with books I’ll never reread (unless, of course, we’re talking about the Harry Potter series—those are sacred). So, Audible has been my best friend, allowing me to devour books while driving, working, or pretending to work out.

Movies? Well, outside of my undying loyalty to Marvel Studios, I enjoy action, true crime, mockumentaries, and documentaries. So, let’s dive into what kept my eyes and ears busy this January.

Books I Read (Listened To at 1.7x – 2x Speed Like a True Scholar)

  1. The Bible (The One-Year Bible)

Rating: 10/10
This one’s a classic. Every day, it gives me passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, all tied together with a daily theme, devotional, and prayer. I’ll be reading this throughout the year—because, well, it’s the Bible. Timeless, relevant, and never gets old.

  1. The Silent Children – Carol Wyer

Rating: 8.8/10
This is the fourth book in the Detective Robyn Carter series, but it was my first read from the series (because I like to live dangerously). I was a bit lost at first, but I found my footing, and it all came together in the end. Solid crime thriller, definitely worth the listen.

  1. Released to Kill Again – John Summit

Rating: 9.5/10
Seven criminals, convicted of murder, released, and then… did it again. Because, of course, they did. This true crime book was under two hours, which made it perfect for my drive to and from work. It was gripping, frustrating, and a reminder that sometimes justice fails spectacularly.

  1. Tell Me Lies – J.P. Pomare

Rating: 9/10
A psychological thriller that had me talking back to my Audible app like I was in a Lifetime movie. Twists, turns, and a lot of what is happening?! moments. Highly recommend if you love books that mess with your mind.

  1. Lies – T.M. Logan

Rating: 8.7/10
A crime thriller about marriage and secrets—and let me tell you, this book reinforced my belief that women are not to be played with. At nearly 11 hours long, it was a commitment, but totally worth it.

  1. Husband and Wife – K.L. Slater

Rating: 9/10
Another crime and domestic thriller because apparently, I enjoy fictional marital drama. This one had suspense, deception, and just the right amount of what the heck is happening?

  1. Catholicism: All-in-One for Dummies

Rating: 10/10
Yes, I love For Dummies books. And yes, I’m a practicing Catholic, so this 27-hour listen was a deep dive into my faith. It refreshed my knowledge and taught me new things about Catholic traditions. A+ for continuing education.

  1. If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and The Unbroken Bond of Sisterhood – Gregg Olsen

Rating: 9/10 (but only if you have the stomach for it)
This book had me glued to my headphones. It’s a horrifying true crime story that just kept getting worse with every chapter. Not for the faint of heart, but an absolutely gripping listen.

Movies and Series

Game of Thrones (Rewatch, Ongoing)

Decided to give this another go, but this time, actually pay attention instead of scrolling Twitter (I mean, X). No, I did not finish all eight seasons in a month because that would be madness. (Or would it?) Currently watching one episode a day—let’s see how long my attention span holds.

Rebel Ridge (Year: 2024)

Rating: 7.5/10
I wasn’t planning to watch this, but let’s just say I had no choice. (Peer pressure is real.) It was entertaining, though I was mildly frustrated with some of the characters. Also, the title? Kind of misleading. The ridge barely played a role in the plot. But hey, I still enjoyed it.

Den of Thieves (Rewatch, 2018)

Rating: 9/10
Watched this again because a sequel came out, and I needed a refresher. Still holds up. Every time I rewatch, I notice something new—like, why didn’t I catch that the first time?! Great action, great twists.

Gods of Egypt (Rewatch, 2016)

Rating: 7/10 (but a solid 10/10 if you have ice cream and a comfy couch)
Another rewatch and another case of I was forced to watch this. Honestly, it’s more enjoyable when you embrace the over-the-top CGI and just let it be what it is. Not historically accurate (obviously), but still fun.

Final Tally

Books: 8

Movies & Series: 4 (and counting, thanks to Game of Thrones)

Not too shabby for the first month of the year! Whether I keep up this pace remains to be seen, but for now, I’m proud of myself. If you’ve read or watched any of these, let’s discuss in the comments—especially if you’ve got hot takes on Game of Thrones (I know you do).

Until next month, happy reading and watching!

Abena

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