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⛄Friday Finds – January 16, 2026

Cozy reads, indie gems, and creative finds for the week. This edition of Friday Finds features top blog posts, an indie author spotlight, comforting foodie and home picks, and a simple creative tip to carry into the weekend.

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Welcome to Friday Finds - January 16, 2026! If January has felt a little heavy already, consider this your permission slip to slow down, browse, and enjoy a few good discoveries without pressure. This week’s finds lean thoughtful and engaging — a mix of stories, ideas, and bookish goodness meant to spark curiosity rather than add to your to-do list.

As always, Friday Finds is part roundup, part recommendation, and part reader hangout. I’ve included a blend of new-to-me gems, familiar favorites, and one indie author whose work has truly stood out. Grab a cup of something warm, settle in, and see what catches your eye this week.

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📚 Featured This Week on the Blog

I’m rounding up a few featured posts in one easy spot. These were the most-read posts over the past week—if you missed any, now’s a great time to catch up.

Candle in the Wind by Kim Baccellia A thoughtful YA dystopian novel about belief, control, and the cost of questioning authority. In Candle in the Wind, Kim Baccellia follows a young woman cast out of a cult-like community and forced to confront the truth behind everything she was taught to believe.	A Quiet Kind of Wrong by Mary F Hill A Quiet Kind of Wrong by Mary Frances Hill is a quietly gripping domestic thriller that explores guilt, family loyalty, regret, and the lasting impact of secrets. This post includes my review, a guest post from the author, and a giveaway as part of the iRead Book Tours event.
January 9, 2026 Friday Finds Cozy reads, indie gems, and creative finds for the week. This edition of Friday Finds features top blog posts, an indie author spotlight, comforting foodie and home picks, and a simple creative tip to carry into the weekend.	A Surgeon’s Knot by William Lynes, MD Recently refreshed, A Surgeon’s Knot explores ambition, control, and the quiet consequences of choices made under pressure. This updated review revisits the story with added clarity and depth, making it a strong pick for readers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven fiction.

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🌟 Indie Author of the Week – Friday Finds - January 16, 2026

Daniela Alibrandi

Daniela Alibrandi writes tightly paced crime fiction with a strong procedural backbone and an eye for the human cost behind every case. Her stories balance mystery with emotional realism, making them especially satisfying for readers who like their thrillers grounded and smart.

📚 Featured Book: Denied Crimes

Grounded and suspenseful, Denied Crimes blends investigative tension with emotional depth, exploring how far people will go when loyalty and justice collide.

🔗 Website | Amazon | Goodreads

✨ Indie Author of the Week highlights an author whose work has been featured on the blog and stood out to me or my readers.

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⭐ Gina's Featured Friday Finds January 16, 2026

Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

📖 Bookish Finds Reading Journal for Book Lovers This cozy reading journal is perfect for readers who like to track their books without turning reading into a chore. With space for reviews, favorites, challenges, and yearly logs, it is thoughtfully designed for reflection rather than rigid goals — a lovely companion for winter reading.	🏡 Cozy Home Finds Simmer Pot Home Blessings Potpourri Mix This simmer pot mix is a simple, comforting way to add warmth and gentle fragrance to your home during the winter months. Just add it to a pot of water and let it simmer to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that pairs perfectly with quiet reading time or relaxed evenings at home.
🍲 Foodie Finds Simple Kitchen Soup Mix Variety Pack Some nights you just do not want to quit reading long enough to prep dinner. This soup mix variety pack keeps easy, comforting meals on hand for cold winter evenings, so you can enjoy a warm bowl of soup without pulling yourself away from a good book.	✂ Crafty Finds Iconic Cities of the World Adult Coloring Book For cozy winter nights when you are dreaming of travel but staying warm at home, this adult coloring book lets you wander through iconic cities one page at a time. It is a relaxing, creative way to unwind alongside a good book — no packing required.

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💬 Reader Contest Question of the Week

I’d love to hear from you!

When winter settles in, what’s your favorite way to enjoy a cozy reading night — a warm drink, a blanket, a certain snack, or a special reading spot?

🗓️ Contest closes February 1, 2026 at noon CST.

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🍪 Cozy Tip of the Week

If you’re leaning into a cozy stay-in kind of evening, this is one of my favorite cookie recipes to bake alongside a good book.

These brown butter chocolate chip cookies are everything I want in a winter treat — crunchy around the edges, soft and gooey in the middle, and rich without being overly sweet. They’re perfect for those nights when you want to stay in, stay warm, and let the oven do a little of the comforting for you.

The recipe comes from Scientifically Sweet, and it’s one I come back to again and again.

Image © Scientifically Sweet

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💙 Closing Notes

Thanks for spending a little of your Friday with me! I hope this week’s finds added a touch of comfort, inspiration, or quiet joy as you head into the weekend. If you’re up for it, don’t forget to share your answer to the reader question below — I always love seeing how you make your reading time cozy.

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