12 Months of Reading January 2025

Welcome to January’s 12 Months of Reading! Each month in 2025, I will host a different reading challenge category. These categories are broad to fit a variety of reading preferences. 

The January 2025 12 Months of Reading Challenge category is: A Book with Snow in the Title or on the Cover. 

In my half of this third rock from the sun, January means winter. Of course, in my little corner of southeast Louisiana, we don’t typically get snow. It still gets downright frigid from time to time, so it seemed fitting for our January 12 Months of Reading category to be an ode to the season. 

The Category Is a Guide, Not a Rule 

 I am big on readers reading what they love. For that reason, my book club has no set book! And that is why when I set reading categories for 12 MOR and my other challenges, I make them as broad as possible. 

If a reader prefers nonfiction to fiction, they should still be able to participate. If they prefer short form writing or poetry or anything else, again, they should be able to mold the category to their preferences. 

I am also quite flexible on what fits each category. For aesthetic’s sake, I try to keep categories short. While January’s isn’t as short as I’d like, it still doesn’t capture all that could fit the bill. 

For instance, a book that is set in a snow-prone region (whether or not snow makes an appearance in the story) would be totally acceptable. 

And so, if a reader is uncertain of a category, they need only ask. At the end of the day, my top priority is encouraging readers to read more. 

My Recommendations 

Again, these four books are simply my suggestions to fit the category. Readers may choose any book they’d like that the category can mold to. 

Christmas K-9 Guardians: Mountain Country K-9 Unit by Lenora Worth and Katy Lee 

Last fall, I had the great privilege and true joy of being on a panel with Lenora Worth at the Louisiana Book Festival. Friends, she is kind and gracious and an absolute blast to chat with and spend time around books with. She is also the author of more than 100 books! 

This is her latest release, and she had me at K-9s and mountains. IYKYK 

I am a huge fan of suspense, law enforcement, animals of any kind and K-9s in particular. 

(In fact, I have been playing around with my own K-9 story ideas ever since we adopted our adorable Belgian Malinois, Kaiser, back in May of 2024. Shhhh …. that’s a secret: the story, not the pup. You can see him all over my social media and in my weekly author newsletter!) 

This book contains two novellas. Lenora wrote Perilous Christmas Pursuit, and Katy Lee (an author I look forward to learning more about) wrote Lethal Holiday Hideout. 

While I rarely seek out books set over specific holidays, I think these stories will be exactly what my reader heart wants during this chilly month. Since I am still wrapping up some 2024 reading, I think two shorter stories will be helpful. Plus, this gives me a glimpse at two authors in one! 

To read along with me, get a copy from Bookshop .org and support independent bookstores: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9781335980250.  

Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John 

This is one of those books that had a profound impact on my life when I was young, and I love to share it with others. 

When I was around five years old, I read this book. The story of forgiveness and grace affected my heart and led me to an understanding of what Christ did for me through his life, death and resurrection. 

During or after the reading of this book is when I surrendered my life to Christ. 

Aside from a clear and simple presentation of the gospel, Treasures of the Snow is a beautiful and poignant story of forgiveness and love, despite tragedy and mistakes. Like all of Patricia St. John’s books, this story will stick with readers in a heart-warming way for years to come. 

For more on the book, read my review on Goodreads and get a copy here: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780802465757.  

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See 

This book captivated me and taught me a great deal about a culture I knew very little about. The writing is stellar, and the story compels readers. 

Here is a one-sentence summary from my Goodreads review: “Lisa See presents a compelling story about two women growing up in nineteenth-century China while facing all the horrors and unfairness of the traditions and customs imposed upon them.” 

The book includes some somewhat graphic scenes surrounding the custom of foot-binding as well as some often-abusive marriages and other, more nurturing relationships. 

I am glad I read this book and stand in awe of See’s abilities as a researcher and storyteller. She writes with heart and soul, and her books showcase that ability. 

Here is a link for what I think is the more beautiful paperback: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780812980356. In case it is out of stock, though, there is another version that costs the same: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780812968064.  

Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read 

This is a book I have not read and know very little about. I am, however, curious about this true account of the 10 weeks in 1972 on the snowy Andes Mountain peaks when 16 out of 45 people whose plane crashed survived. 

I would imagine it includes some hard-to-read bits, as any true account of survival in extreme conditions would. I will also say I found several other books that seemed to chronicle the same events, some written by survivors. 

With those facts presented, I decided to recommend this book for a few reasons. The author of this version has an impressive resumé, and this book was published two years after the crash happened. It was also adapted into a film and carries an impressive rating of 4.13 over nearly 80,000 starred reviews on Goodreads. 

I am eager to hear anyone’s thoughts who reads or has read this book or any other account of this tragic accident. 

A personal copy can be purchased here: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780380003211.  

A Note on my Recommendations 

Typically, I only recommend books I have read or have had recommended to me by trusted reader friends. This year, I will be including the books I plan to read as I participate in the challenge, as well as a few here and there that seem to fit the category well and may come from an outside-the-box genre. 

In my recommendation posts, I will specify whether or not I have read each book as well as why I chose to recommend it. 

I welcome feedback and honest reviews on the books I haven’t read, including whatever books participating readers choose on their own. 

After all, one of the benefits to a challenge like this is to be introduced to new books. That’s one of the core points to my #ShareTheRead mindset! 

12 Months of Reading Challenge Reminders 

My heart’s desire for 12 Months of Reading is that it encourages timid readers, stokes the embers of readers’ passions that have grown cold in the busyness of society, brings readers and authors together to share the joy of stories and spreads a splash of fun throughout the year. 

For competitive readers who choose to read a book in each month’s category, they may download and print out a 12 Months of Reading Challenge Tracker PDF. Once they complete their twelfth book in December, they can scan or snap a picture of the filled-in PDF and email it to me for a prize: a stylish calendar with next year’s 12 Months of Reading categories. 

To purchase a current version of the calendar (supplies are limited) and to participate in 12 Months of Reading, download free graphics and the PDF tracker, find links to each month’s book recommendation post and more in one spot, visit www.joyerancatore.com/12-months-of-reading.  

Comment below with what you plan to read and then return to share a review. Let’s #ShareTheRead!

(If you use the bookshop.org links above to order, I receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me and independent bookstores by using them for your online bookstore purchases!) 

Remember to #ShareTheRead! Tap the graphic below to download each month’s graphic to share on your social media. How many reader friends can you bring to the party?

Tap the graphic above to join LAM Book Club for an extra way to #ShareTheRead with fellow readers! No set book. Meet virtually once a month. Share what you’re reading or ask for recommendations.