January ended up being a month where I leaned fully into being a mood reader and threw out any plans or expectations. That shift was liberating and it made a noticeable difference in how much I enjoyed what I picked up and how willing I was to put books down when they were not working. 

I read some really engaging reads this month. Giving myself permission to mood read and DNF without guilt resulted in some five-star and four-star reads. I was no longer pushing through books out of obligation and that alone changed the entire experience. Reading was  lighter and more enjoyable because I trusted myself to move on when something was not clicking.

One of the biggest highlights of the month came from revisiting a familiar favorite. Over winter break, I rewatched Avatar: The Last Airbender and discovered that the story continues through graphic novels. I ended up reading all six of the main books and it was such a satisfying way to embrace mood reading. Returning to a world I already loved reminded me that reading joy does not always come from chasing something brand new. Sometimes it comes from sinking deeper into stories that already mean something and are brand new to you.

January also helped pull me out of a thriller slump. I picked up The Perfect Marriage followed by The Perfect Divorce, and both reminded me why I gravitate toward thrillers when I need momentum. They were the kind of reads that kept me turning pages and helped reestablish my reading rhythm without overthinking it.

Overall, January reinforced something I already suspected. When I allow my reading habits to stay flexible, I enjoy books more and engage with them more fully. This approach seems sustainable, and for now, that is exactly what I want.