The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read. This year I decided to really focus on my favorites - be it authors, tropes, genres, or whatever other category comes to mind. Here are my 10 priority reads for 2026.
Library:
1. The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths - I've really enjoyed other books by this author (especially series involving the post-War magicians) and this involves a cold case unit which is my favorite type of mystery.
2. Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams - I typically enjoy this author and I love the premise of this one which involves a mother-daughter relationship and family secrets - and an old forgotten chest.
3. The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - I love this author and this book is supposed to involve quirky librarians.
4. The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne - I love this author and this one involves DNA tests, secret sisters, and some time recovering in a family cabin.
5. Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis - I've really enjoyed another biography written by this author and this one has been on my TBR for ages.
My Shelves:
1. Year One by Nora Roberts - Roberts is one of my most reliable comfort read authors. I've avoided this series because it always looked a bit too fantasy for me but I've been reading more fantasy lately so I decided to give this one a try.
2. We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Japanese cozy fiction I have read and I adore this premise.
3. The Secret of Terror Castle by Robert Arthur - This is the first in the Classic Three Investigators series which sounds kind of like a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys style series. It was mentioned quite a lot in one of the Secret Staircase books by Gigi Pandian and it sounded like such a fun read that I bought it.
4. Hope Springs on Main Street by Olivia Miles - I read the previous two books in this series years ago and enjoyed it. I was really interested in this character and thrilled when I saw she was getting her own book - which I of course bought, put on my shelf, and never read.
5. Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett - Roaring 20s and ghosts - plus someone whose reading tastes align pretty strongly with mine really loved it. It sounds like a fun read.
What are you planning to read in 2026?
Katherine, hope you are able to try all these books. I've read The Librarians and The Frozen People and liked them both. Our mystery group is doing Under The Stars for March. And I've had Year One on my kindle for quite a while. Not sure why I haven't read it yet, but I may try to do that this year. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteKaa lawm! https://sintrabloguecintia.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThat's a good plan, My incoming library holds would always displace my list of books at home to read next. I mean, I still read a lot and read books I wanted but I wanted to focus more on the shleved books.
ReplyDeleteI think I will make my own list - you inspired me!
I've enjoyed the Sherry Thomas and Nora Roberts books.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
What a fun list of priority reads for this year. The Elly Griffiths' one does sound really good! And I want to read The Librarians, too. :D
ReplyDeleteThese look good. I have Year One and need to make time to read it.
ReplyDeleteMostly all new to me, the Sherry Thomas one sounds good and I do like the sound of your Japanese cozy fiction one. I'll wait to see what you think of them though.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed THE FROZEN PEOPLE and can't wait for a sequel. THE LIBRARIANS was disappointing, unfortunately. I hope you like it more than I did.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to get to all of these, Katherine. I am really interested in The Librarians too. I hope to read a Nora Roberts book this year. I've read some of her J.D. Robb books, but none so far under her Nora Roberts name. Year One sounds like one I might like.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful 2026 in reading.