{"id":4238,"date":"2026-01-04T19:07:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T00:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/?p=4238"},"modified":"2026-01-04T19:44:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T00:44:54","slug":"the-third-heidi-ann-ual-book-awards-2025-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/?p=4238","title":{"rendered":"The Third Heidi Ann-ual Book Awards: 2025 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Wrapping up the year with a solid 125 books! Don&#8217;t ask me about the latest pop culture shows (other than CBS reality television), but I can hook you up with reading recommendations. I started this new habit as a doom-scroll replacement, so if you are also looking for escapism, come with me to worlds of cheesy romance, fun adventure, or dystopian worlds where the politicians are put in their place within 250-600 pages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the wrap-up. First, the data. Then, the books!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-485x300.png 485w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"921\" height=\"742\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image.png 921w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-300x242.png 300w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-768x619.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-372x300.png 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 921px) 100vw, 921px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6-485x300.png 485w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-6.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2-485x300.png 485w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-2.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Reminder\/Disclaimer: These lists are based on my reading EXPERIENCE and all-out favoritism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Favorite Reading Experience of the Year: It earns this award, because it&#8217;s rare that I get a read-aloud that works for my aging boys. We all laughed out loud. Then we watched the movie. Then we went to the play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"318\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4256\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6830905551453312;width:185px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31.png 318w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-31-202x300.png 202w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 318px) 100vw, 318px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Best General\/Misc. Fiction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"905\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4257\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6679887276902202;width:158px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32.png 600w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-32-199x300.png 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley <br>2.) The Favorites by Layne Fargo <br>3.) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens <br>4.) Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson<br>5.) The Big Fix by Holly James<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Best Romance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"906\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4258\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.667269062347953;width:170px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33.png 600w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-33-199x300.png 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren<br>2.) Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto<br>3.) The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams<br>4.) Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn<br>5.) Say You&#8217;ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Best YA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"563\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4260\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6677043955229413;width:177px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35.png 563w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-35-199x300.png 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) My Lady Jane by Cyntia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows<br>2.) Boy Band of the Apocalypse by Tom Nicoll<br>3-4.) The Hunger Games (reread) &amp; Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins<br>5-6.) Ruthless Vows &amp; Divine Rivals (rereads) by Rebecca Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Best Children&#8217;s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"699\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-699x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4262\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6875302641726;width:191px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-699x1024.png 699w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-205x300.png 205w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37-768x1125.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-37.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon<br>2.) Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O&#8217;Brien<br>3.) Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt<br>4.) The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera<br>5.) Katie the Catsitter by Colleen Venable<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Sci-Fiction\/Fantasy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"324\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4272\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6306265206812652;width:195px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-4.png 324w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-4-186x300.png 186w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 324px) 100vw, 324px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros<br>2.) The Martian by Andy Weir<br>3.) Tress of the Emerald Sea (reread) by Brandon Sanderson<br>4.) Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton<br>5.) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Non-Fiction\/Memoir:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"263\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4273\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6692246520874752;width:190px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-5.png 263w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-5-197x300.png 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) Destiny of the Republic by Candice Miller<br>2.) Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green<br>3.) Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze<br>4.) In Gad We Trust by Josh Gad<br>5.) Your Story Matters by Richard Scrimger<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Best Thriller\/Mystery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-678x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4277\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6671533590261626;width:192px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-678x1024.png 678w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-199x300.png 199w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-768x1160.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1.) Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano<br>2.) The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter<br>3.) Happy Wife by Lavender\/Shores<br>4.) The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day<br>5.) Ghostwriter by Julie Clark<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-x-large-font-size\">2026 TBR List<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Okay, seriously, THIS year I&#8217;ll read it (maybe):<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-20.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-20.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4245\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6649181881250106;width:135px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-20.png 660w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-20-198x300.png 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-scaled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"674\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-674x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4247\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6629543803825269;width:135px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-674x1024.png 674w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-197x300.png 197w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-768x1167.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-1011x1536.png 1011w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-1347x2048.png 1347w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-22-scaled.png 1684w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30-664x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4255\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6531279814638136;width:134px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30-664x1024.png 664w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30-768x1185.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-30.png 972w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Coming-soon books that might distract me from the above list:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-16.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4241\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6707162405713905;width:134px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-16.png 314w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-16-198x300.png 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-scaled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"673\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-673x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4249\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6619927473666033;width:130px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-673x1024.png 673w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-197x300.png 197w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-768x1169.png 768w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-1009x1536.png 1009w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-1345x2048.png 1345w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-24-scaled.png 1682w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-17.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"310\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4242\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6625480046752379;width:133px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-17.png 310w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-17-196x300.png 196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-18.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4243\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6707162405713905;width:135px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-18.png 314w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-18-198x300.png 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-19.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4244\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6707162405713905;width:131px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-19.png 314w, https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-19-198x300.png 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-26-scaled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-26-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4251\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6716540813287314;width:133px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-26-683x1024.png 683w, 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(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Are there any must-reads I&#8217;m missing? Send them my way. May all your 2026 reading goals come true.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wrapping up the year with a solid 125 books! Don&#8217;t ask me about the latest pop culture shows (other than CBS reality television), but I can hook you up with reading recommendations. I started this new habit as a doom-scroll &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/?p=4238\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4238"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4285,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238\/revisions\/4285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heidiandjustin.com\/ourplace\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}