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Books I’ve Read in 2026
34
items A list of all the books I have finished in 2026, with ratings included ⭐️
Where possible, I use bookshop.org as my recommended site. They support local bookstores with every order!
Sections
5
5 ⭐️
4 ⭐️
3 ⭐️
2 ⭐️
1 ⭐️
5 ⭐️
If you’re looking for a short, funny, sincere read, this is the book for you! Richard Ayoade is truly a comedic genius and he uses it to his highest intelligence here, showcasing how funny and emotional can go hand in hand. Beautiful book, definitely...
The Book That No One Wanted to Read
A beautifully written, historical and scientific book with heart. Not only did I learn a ton, I felt like I was taken on a journey through fantastic storytelling. 5/5 ⭐️
Everything Is Tuberculosis
A lighthearted read with unforgettable characters. It’s beautifully written, optimistic, and a lovely example of fighting for the right thing, even if it’s hard. 5/5 ⭐️
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Everything a thriller should be and more! Twists and turns at every corner, suspense, and well-crafted characters. 5/5 ⭐️
The Only One Left
If Love Island was cutthroat, this would be it. It felt dangerous, indulgent, and desperate. I love the angle the author took spinning Love Island to this plot and I wish I could read it again for the first time! 5/5 ⭐️
The Compound
This thriller had me LOCKED IN from the first few pages! So captivating that it had me questioning my own sanity. 5/5 ⭐️
My Husband's Wife
This book is perfect for lovers of HBO’s The Gilded Age. It tells the history of the gilded age’s elite with added fictional lines and scenes to color the true stories. So much fun and I breezed through it! 5/5 ⭐️
The Social Graces
4 ⭐️
A great first book to read for 2026! Adventure, love, two stories woven beautifully together; what more could you want! 4.5/5 ⭐️
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
The book was described to me as, “what if a tradwife woke up in the 1800s?” It’s not a fully accurate description of the book, but it’s close and definitely piques interest. It’s worth reading, and the ending fully ties everything together in an inte...
Yesteryear
Probably the most widely-recommended thriller I’ve seen online! While I could see the ending coming, it didn’t take away from the thrill and fast pace of the book. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get into th...
The Silent Patient
Book #3 in the Raiders of the Arcana series. Such a fun read with adventure, romance, history, mythology, and fun woven throughout. Highly recommend this series! 4.75/5 ⭐️
Arrow of Fortune
I’ve read a couple of Jason Rekulak novels and he does not miss! A fantastic thriller with a plot to keep you on your toes. 4.5/5 ⭐️
The Last One at the Wedding
A beautiful love story that takes you on a journey to the stars. 4/5 ⭐️
Atmosphere
Sometimes you just need a fun, young adult, mystery to devour in a weekend, and this is perfect for exactly that! 4/5 ⭐️
Truly Devious #1 - Maureen Johnson
A great second book for the Truly Devious series! It’s another quick, mysterious, young adult book. 4/5 ⭐️
The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious, #2)
Book #3 and the finale of the Truly Devious trilogy. Super fun read and I recommend this series to anyone looking for a young adult mystery! 4/5 ⭐️
The Hand on the Wall (Truly Devious, #3)
I read this because I LOVED the Book of Doors by this same author. This story ties into that book lightly, and you don’t have to read one to understand the other. 4.3/5 ⭐️
The Society of Unknowable Objects
This is a classic thriller! I Ted it before watching the movie, and tbh, I think the book holds that thrill much better. Definitely worth a read! 4.25/5 ⭐️
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Such a fun book for book lovers and people who love to piece together a good story! Ahh and a sequel is coming out in 2027! 4.5/5 ⭐️
The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. Bell
I went into this book totally blind and I’m so glad I did! It was a fantastic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! Highly recommend for anyone into murder podcasts or those that love a crazy story! 4/5 ⭐️
This Story Might Save Your Life
3 ⭐️
While this book wasn’t for me, I understand the appeal of it. It’s gritty and dark, but truthful to the experience of so many Americans in today’s world. 3/5 ⭐️
Demon Copperhead: A Pulitzer Prize Winner
A chilling thriller that makes you, as the reader, question yourself, the author, and the characters. 3.5/5 ⭐️
We Used to Live Here
Super fun thriller and mystery with a twist I wasn’t expecting! Also, as a baker, I loved the confections and ice cream bits in there. 3/5 ⭐️
The Art of a Lie
Super interesting true crime story! Definitely recommend for anyone interested in gilded age San Francisco history. 3/5 ⭐️
Trespassers at the Golden Gate
If you’ve ever wanted to read a book that feels like you’re reading a book for an English class assignment, this is the book for you. 3/5 ⭐️
North Woods: A Novel
I’ve got an undergrad in Anthropology and a masters in Museum Studies, so this was a lovely combo of reading for pleasuring and learning at the same time. 3.9/5 ⭐️
The Lost Tomb: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials, and Murder
I read this for a book club! It was my pick because I had seen a couple Harlan Coben-inspired Netflix shows, so I wanted to read one of his books. I didn’t realize the series for this one would come out shortly after. And tbh, I liked the show better...
Book review: I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
Such a fun read with a cozy mystery to solve! Loved the characters and twists this book took me on! 3.5/5 ⭐️
The Treasure Hunters Club: A Mystery
I think the summary of this book makes it sounds more exciting than it is. Don’t get me wrong, I love maps and magical realism, but I think I was expecting more suspense or to feel more emotionally invested in the characters than I was. I still enjoy...
The Cartographers
A true suburban thriller and I loved every second of it! I love finding out what crazy, twisted things happened behind closed doors, and this book delivered that well! 3.75/5 ⭐️
You Deserve to Know
2 ⭐️
If you’ve read the Inheritance Games series, this is one to tackle at the end. It’s good and a quick read, but I don’t think we really needed it in the series. 2.8/5 ⭐️
Games Untold
This book focused way more on Elliot Ness than the “American Ripper” murders, to the point that I started getting frustrated. 2/5 ⭐️
American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America's Jack the Ripper
Good lord this book was long! And took me to places I was not expecting. I don’t know if I’d recommend it, but I’m glad i read it. 2.8/5 ⭐️
The Eight
1 ⭐️
My least favorite book of the year so far. I’m glad I did this as an audiobook because I was able to get through it quickly. 1/5 ⭐️
Murder Takes a Vacation