January was a cosy month of yarn, hooks, and literary inspiration as I dive into my 2026 Crochet Book Blanket project. This year, I’m combining my love of reading and crochet with a fun twist – aiming to explore 50 new authors and capture each book in its own colourful square. I can’t wait to share my progress, the stories I discover, and the stitches they inspire along the way.
The Vision for the Book Afghan
To maintain cohesion, I’ve used the same block pattern for the entire afghan (grab the free pattern here), working with yarn from my stash and selecting 4 colours that reflect and are closest to (as I’m not buying new yarn!) the book’s cover design.
Here’s what I accomplished in January 2026:
- Total Books Read: and Squares Completed: 6 / 12
- Total New Authors to me: 2 / 50
Pin for later:
January 2026 Reads and Squares
Book 1: Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and The Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titan’s Curse is the third instalment of the series by Rick Riordan. It follows Percy as he joins a dangerous quest to rescue the goddess Artemis. Alongside new allies and familiar friends, he faces powerful enemies, ominous prophecies, and escalating threats from the Titans.
Review: This was another entertaining, action-packed part of the saga. Full of humour, mythological twists, and nonstop adventure, this one kept me completely hooked — and I definitely want to see what happens next in Percy’s journey.
Book 2: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis:
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite follows Korede, a responsible nurse who repeatedly cleans up after her younger sister Ayoola, whose boyfriends keep ending up dead. Loyalty and morality collide when Ayoola becomes interested in the man Korede secretly loves.
Review:
This was my first time reading Oyinkan Braithwaite, a new author to me, and I really enjoyed the plot. The question of how far you’d go for a sister who is a serial killer was gripping. I loved the African cultural elements, though the ending felt a bit like “then what?” for me. Still, a sharp and engaging read.
Book 3: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and The Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan follows Percy and his friends as they venture into the ever-changing Labyrinth to stop Luke and the Titans from invading Camp Half-Blood. Along the way, they face dangerous creatures, unexpected alliances, and revelations that test their courage and loyalty.
Review: An enjoyable fourth book in the series, full of twists and strong character development. I especially loved how the story weaves mythical history seamlessly into the plot, making the adventure feel both exciting and richly layered.
Book 4: Watching You by Lisa Jewell
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis:
Watching You by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller set in a picturesque Bristol neighbourhood where everyone seems to be observing everyone else. When a murder shatters the community, secrets, obsessions, and hidden connections gradually surface.
Review:
Overall, a good read, though I wasn’t as gripped by this one as I’ve been with other Lisa Jewell novels. Still, it’s engaging and would make a great holiday read.
Book 5: 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis:
25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie centres on the intertwined lives connected to a single address, moving between past and present. As the history of the house unfolds, long-buried secrets, relationships, and emotional turning points are gradually revealed, shaping the characters’ choices and futures.
Review:
Natalie Fergie was a new author for me, and after reading the reviews I was expecting a heartwarming tale. I particularly enjoyed the more historical opening third of the book, but as the story progressed it felt somewhat disjointed. I found myself more curious about how it would end than fully immersed. While some threads were tied up, the conclusion still felt a bit abrupt.
Book 6: All Fall Down (DI Helen Grace #9) by M. J. Arlidge
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.75 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis:
All Fall Down by M. J. Arlidge follows DI Helen Grace as she investigates a chilling case involving victims who are abducted and placed into life-or-death situations. As the body count rises, Helen and her team must unravel the motive behind the killer’s deadly “game,” while internal tensions and personal stakes complicate the pursuit.
Review:
This ninth book continues the series nicely and keeps the momentum going. However, I felt DS Hudson was becoming a bit of a caricature villain toward the end. Despite that, I’m still invested and plan to continue with the rest of the series.
All the books so far
Don’t want to scroll and look for all the books that I’ve read so far? Well I’ve put together a handy list in my Amazon storefront so you can see all the books in one place: Go to the book list
Looking Ahead to February
I’m thrilled to keep turning the pages of this project! Each square has become a little bookmark in yarn, bringing the stories I’ve read to life one stitch at a time.
Are you joining in too? I’d love to hear how your reading and crochet adventures are going. Have a favourite book that you think would make a perfect square for my blanket? Let me know your suggestions in the comments below – I’m always on the lookout for the next story to stitch
Stay tuned for next month’s updates. Until then, happy hooking and happy reading!
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