January 2026 Literary Road Trip Box: South Dakota

There’s no better way to start a new year than with a good book and a little sense of adventure—and our January box delivered both. This month, we packed our bags (and boxes!) and headed to the 40th state in the Union: South Dakota.

South Dakota is full of fascinating surprises. It’s where Sue, the most complete T-Rex fossil ever discovered, was found. It’s home to the wonderfully quirky Corn Palace, and it played a role in innovations like the Cyclotron particle accelerator and modern hot air balloons. With such a rich mix of history, science, and roadside charm, it felt like the perfect place to kick off the year.

The Book: Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Our January read was the award-winning thriller Winter Counts. This powerful debut introduces readers to Virgil Wounded Horse, a vigilante navigating justice, loyalty, and survival in his community. Gritty, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, this book features a main character who truly stays with you long after the final page.

Indie Bookstore Love

We were thrilled to partner with The Nook, an independent bookstore that opened in 2023 in Brookings, South Dakota. Supporting indie bookstores is at the heart of what we do, and including their sticker in this box was our way of sharing a little piece of their shop with you.

A Scent Inspired by the Prairie

To bring South Dakota to life beyond the pages, we included a Prairie Flower–scented candle from Freedom Studios in Sioux Falls. Even better, Freedom Studios partners with a nonprofit that provides jobs and resources to survivors of human trafficking—so every candle supports meaningful, life-changing work.

A Nod to the “Fluffy Cows”

South Dakota is home to large, free-roaming bison herds, and we couldn’t resist celebrating them. This month’s box included a fun bison sticker from Squatchy, a husband-and-wife design studio inspired by family road trips and big adventures.

A Creative Start to the Reading Year

To help subscribers track their reading goals in style, we added an artsy book tracker from She Said It, a Milwaukee-based company. It’s a fun, creative way to record your favorite reads throughout the year—and a great excuse to add even more books to your TBR.

If you missed out on the January box, good news: I have a few leftovers available in the Books Inside Boxes store. Once they’re gone, they’re gone—so if this South Dakota–inspired box speaks to you, now’s your chance to snag one.

Here’s to a year full of great stories, meaningful small-business finds, and plenty of reading adventures.