Monday Moods is a weekly bookish meme created and hosted by Unwrapping Words (aka, me!). The premise is simple: every week, there’s a new ‘mood’, ranging from tropes to genres or actual moods (happy, sad, etc). On a Monday, feel free to post about books on your TBR, books you’d recommend, or a mix – whatever you like – that fits the ‘mood’ prompt. And of course, you can use your own if you’re not fussed on a particular one!
I hope 2026 is off to a good start for you! As this is the first Monday Moods of the New Year, celebrations/parties seemed like a good way to kick off the year. I admit, I feel like I don’t read many books where a party is the main focus, but there are a few on my TBR, so maybe that’ll change.
This Week, I’m in the Mood For…
Celebrations/Parties
The Dinner Party
Viola van de Sandt
Genre: Thriller
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: November 4th, 2025
I Want to Read This Because I want to read more thrillers. This sounds intriguing, with the idea of female rage, and the MC having moved to England for her partner. Something about this one is really compelling.
I Was a Teenage Slasher
Stephen Graham Jones
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 16th, 2024
I Want to Read This Because though I haven’t read much of Jones’ work, what I have read, I’ve enjoyed. And this sounds fun! Focused around a party that ends in a series of gruesome, brutal murders…what’s not to love?
The Beach Party
Nikki Smith
Genre: Thriller
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: June 30th, 2023
I Want to Read This Because it’s another that falls into “want to read more thrillers”. Plots that centre around a past event and ‘friends’ coming together again in the future because of it always intrigue me. It’s an interesting hook, for sure.
Sweet Heat
Bolu Babalola
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 3rd, 2025
I Want to Read This Because I haven’t quite got around to Honey & Spice yet, but it is on my TBR. This one features a wedding, and I admit, I quite enjoy romances that centre around weddings! There’s just something fun about a wedding as a backdrop, and I’m keen to get to both Honey & Spice and Sweet Heat.
Three Holidays and a Wedding
Uzma Jalaluddin, Marissa Stapley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: September 23rd, 2023
I Want to Read This Because I was really hoping to get to this one this year! And yes, another wedding one – told you I was drawn to them. I really like the way this one sounds and how it features different holidays. Hopefully another one to use for Christmas in July or will have to make a special effort to read it next festive period.
What sort of books featuring celebrations and/or parties are on your TBR? Are there any you’ve read you’d recommend? And, of course, if you have read any of the above and want to share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you!
Unwrapping Words 