January 2026 Reading Recap

A brand new year. (Somehow…)

And the same old reading journal.

I love the routine of looking back on my month of reading. Honestly, it’s always interesting because I often forget a book or two when I try to remember before looking at the list.

As per usual, here are all the books I read in January of 2026, ranked and mini-reviewed.

1 — Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs

I’ve never seen a book with more covers than this one. Seriously, Google this book. There are at least 20 different covers that come up.

For those unfamiliar (as I was), Kathy Reichs’ books are the inspiration for the TV show Bones. And she is the real life Bones. She’s a forensic anthropologist who uses bones to solve crimes, mysteries, etc.

It’s really cool.

This book is about the role a forensic anthropologist plays in an airplane crash scenario. It’s very detailed in how different organizations and professions work together when there is a plane crash. You can tell a lot of research and experience went into the book. It’s one of those things I’ve never thought much about, but wow is it neat.

Not only is the science and procedure neat, but the author weaves a personal story and a thrilling mystery in and amongst the information. It’s fast-paced while having a ton of information being delivered to you. Her blend of action and interest is incredible.

And she’s very good at the cliff-hanger chapters that force you to keep reading.

I was also pleasantly surprised at how different Temperance Brennan (main character) is in the books from the television show. I liked the show, but wasn’t too interested in reading more of the same after 7 seasons. The books take a very different approach to the character.

Will definitely be picking up more of these books.

(This is book four of the series. I started with it by complete accident. It went on sale one day and I picked it up.)

5/5

2 — Missing in Action by Dan Abnett

This is a short story with the infamous Eisenhorn, set in the Warhammer 40K universe.

Warhammer 40K is a dark sci-fi world thousands of years in the future. It’s gritty and kind of terrible. Aliens, magic, technology. It has it all. For those who want a deep, rich world. Warhammer has hundreds of canon books, video games and more for you to dive into.

Eisenhorn is a detective for the Empire who goes from world to world investigating crimes and mysteries of different types.

This short story follows a mystery that unfolds quickly and in a tremendously sad way. It’s only 40 pages or so, but damn it hits hard. (I don’t want to spoil anything.)

Missing in Action is the third Eisenhorn story I’ve read and they continue to surprise me. The world-building is incredible. The characters feel real. And the emotions hit like a hammer to the knee from an angry Italian mobster.

4.5/5

3 — In This Economy by Kyla Scanlon

Kyla Scanlon is an economics genius who breaks down what’s going on in the economy on TikTok. (Imagine explaining that 10 years ago…)

She does a phenomenal job of explaining complex topics while relating them back how they affect the world. White boards, skits dressed as Jerome Powell, fun charts. She does it all.

Her book is a fantastic introduction to economics. It covers all the major topics; from the labour market to interest rates to inflation. She uses metaphors and graphics to great effect. And explains these topics in how they relate to the normal person and their experience.

It never gets too heavy on terms and boring language. But also doesn’t shy away from the topics.

This should be the text book for high school introduction to economics and something everyone should read. (Whether you like it or not, the economy affects you.)

4/5

4 — The Last Colony by John Scalzi

Book 3 of Old Man’s War continues to explore the universe that made John Scalzi’s career all those years ago.

In short; humanity has spread amongst the stars by recruiting the elderly to fight in the space military. They take 75+ year old volunteers, give them a young body, and use them to fight against aliens.

This book is more political thriller than war. It features two returning characters who thought they’d finished serving, and puts them in charge of a brand new colony.

It was good, but not great. I like Scalzi’s writing. This book had a lot of his trademarks; witty banter, interesting sci-fi elements and good character work. I can’t quite put my finger on what made it drag.

I still enjoy the series. It’s a fascinating universe with interesting stories to be told across it.

Also, sort of neat to read an author’s work across decades. Seeing how their writing changes and weaves. Always fun.

3.5/5

5 — Way Station by Clifford D Simak

Winner of the 1964 Hugo Award; this is considered by some to be Clifford D Simak’s best work.

(This one also has a ton of covers. Some of the older ones from the 60s and 70s are hilarious and nightmare-material.)

Simak is one of the greats of science fiction. He wrote tens of novels from the 50s to 80s and deserves all the praise he gets.

Way Station is the story of a Civil War veteran who acts as a station attendant for an intergalactic transportation system. Earth’s waypoint is a stopping place for aliens travelling through the system. He helps feed them, takes messages and helps travellers continuing on their way.

While inside his home (which is now the transport hub), he doesn’t age. This attracts some attention from the local population who wonder how their 100 year old neighbour still looks 30.

It’s good. Thought-provoking. Inventive. Everything that good science fiction can be. What does it mean to be human? What would aliens think of us? What would aliens be like?

That being said… Not my favourite Sumak book. It’s very well-written, but I find it lingers on some of the philosophical moments. It drags between the action. And the main character is… dull.

I am curious how this ranks as I read through Simak’s books. (I picked them all up in a sale.)

3/5

6 — Artifact by Jeremy Robinson

I did it again.

Someone compares a book and author to Michael Crichton and I pick it up.

Also, I will listen to anything narrated by R.C. Bray. He’s incredible at audiobooks.

Let’s start with the good. It takes place in Alaska. Cool. He really got the small, rural town in a cold place vibe down. Mysterious bio-hacking laboratory tucked into a mountain. Okay, they must be doing something weird. (They are.) The action is fast paced. Quick tempo.

And that’s where it fell apart for me. Our main character is a Sheriff with autism. His autism allows him to feel the feelings of creatures around him. It’s an okay idea. But the author tells us about it every few pages. His wife died recently. And he’s flirty with her best friend. All fine, but we don’t need the exposition during every interaction they have.

The big twists near the end were good.

2/5

— — —

January was god damn cold here in Toronto. Like very cold. Lot of snow. Plenty of time to stay indoors and read.

It was an interesting month of reading. I found a new series that I will be grabbing from (Bones.) I continued a few more I like. And I stuck to one of my 2026 Resolutions which is to read at least 1 non-fic book a month.

Anyways, let me know what you think of any of my reviews. And if you have any suggestions or recommendations, I love expanding the TBR!