Dodson Productions

This year is a year of making new choices. More personally strengthened choices. I want to push my life in a direction I can actually be proud of and excited to tell people about. Part of that is making the conscious effort to read daily and read intentionally. That means actually sharing my thoughts instead of just reading and rating. I plan on sharing these more regularly here, too. But that also means I need to catch up on ones I’ve already posted this year. So here are all my reviews of every book I’ve read so far in 2026…

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley – 4 Stars (12/30/25-1/6/26)

This book was the best intro into 2026 I could’ve hoped for. While it often focuses on the mundane areas of life, it shows them being experienced by those who aren’t used to the way the modern world works. We often forget the awesomeness that surrounds us with technology, as well as the intensity that surrounds us involving big world events, but this book handles both of those things in a loving and hearfelt way. It makes you second guess the impact you are leaving on the world and the future of society, no matter how big or small that impact is. I will be recommending this book for a long time to come…

• Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko – 4 Stars (1/7/26-1/8/26)

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It flowed beautifully, it kept the heart and vibe of the song and music video, and it made me fall in love with the characters in such a beautiful way. I think anyone who reads this book will find a way to relate to these characters, whether they are queer or not. It was practically perfect in every way.

• My Italian Vampire by B.C. Dolce – Did Not Finish (1/7/26-1/10/26)

Sadly, I had to DNF the ARC of this book that I received.
I love Betty Corello’s writing, but this type of romance just isn’t for me. I will definitely be here for her contemporary romances, but vampire romances just aren’t my speed.

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – 3 Stars (1/11/26-1/30/26)

I enjoyed most of this book. For someone like me who isn’t used to how cozy romances work, this book was slow in a lot of places. I wish the excitement of the ending would’ve happened throughout the rest of the book. Overall, a very gentle read.

• Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones – 2 Stars (2/1/26-2/3/26)

I needed a quick two to three day read and this was definitely the right choice for that. At about 130 pages, you’re picking up something that can be finished quickly and painlessly. I went in expecting more of a Doctor Who-esk mannequin situation, so this was definitely surprising in how the mannequin was used. I will say, I agree with other reviewers who say that the first 70% is really captivating, but it falls short in the last 30%. I understand that the main character is clearly having some sort of mental breakdown, but it was just too rushed for me. I think if it had been a full length book, some of the issues I had with it might’ve been ironed out in those extra pages.

• Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake – 4 Stars (2/3/26-2/18/26)

This book was a breath of fresh air. I heavily related to a lot of things with this book. And while normally that would make me not interested in reading it, I was immediately enthralled with both characters. There is so much to take away from this book, mainly that things always work out in the end. There is always a plan the world has for us, it is just up to us to accept it when it comes our way. Absolutely beautiful work and I can’t wait for the next one in the fall!!

• Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin – Did Not Finish (2/8/26-2/26/26)

I hate leaving bad reviews. I try to keep an open mind with older books that they will sound and feel a lot different than those written by contemporary authors. But this book was a huge let down. The descriptors and background information overtake the story to the point where it becomes easy to get lost in what is actually going on. Also a gay character written by a gay man but sounding like it’s written by a straight man was unexpected and bothersome. If this is the kind fo thing you like to read, go for it. But it was not for me.

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – 4 Stars (2/18/26-2/24/26)

I understand why a lot of people have issues with this book. The topic of mental health is written in a very base level way and leaves out a lot of the nuances that often comes with depression and anxiety. The author often makes it seem as though regret is what causes every pitfall a depressed person faces.

• The Body by Stephen King – 3 Stars (2/26/26-3/13/26)

Considering how highly people hold Stephen King as a writer, I truly expected more from this book. While I liked that the book was written as a memoir of the character’s life, it fell flat in a lot of ways for me. The stakes for a thriller were almost on the floor and the characters were not likeable in the slightest. I don’t know if I just went in with expectations that were too high or what it was, but all I can say is I hope the movie is better than this book was.

• Atmosphere by Taylir Jenkins Reid – 5 Stars (3/4/26-3/18/26)

I will never forget this book. I am usually a bit skeptical of historical fiction as a genre, but this was perfection. Following the introduction of women in NASA gave me the same jitters I’m sure the people who really experienced this moment in history felt. And the love story at the center of this book absolutely gutted me. It really shows that even though we’ve come so far with acceptance, we have to keep putting in the work in order to make sure history never repeats itself. This was truly a masterpeice.

• Just Friends by Haley Pham – 4 Stars (3/19/26-3/22/26)

I honestly don’t get why everyone is hating on this book. Is it mind-bogglingly life changing? No. But is it a cute second-chance romance with two loveable main characters? Yes! I feel like people went into this with expectations that were far too high and then were angry when they let themselves down. She is known on the internet for reading and I think people saw that and thought that meant she would be the most incredible author of all time and this book would be a masterpiece. Guys… IT’S STILL HER DEBUT NOVEL!!! Debut novels aren’t always these crazily amazing works of art. You can tell this is her first book. You can tell that she maybe played it safe in some areas. But you can also tell that she has so much potential. I cannot wait to see what she writes next.