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Finish or Forget - 2026 Read-along
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items Let's hit those reading goals! Follow along on my new year, new reads! In this list I'll break it into three sections, books I'd recommend you read fast, maybes, and books that are a hard pass.
Sections
3
Finish It!
Maybe?
Forget It... :/
Finish It!
Books I loved and couldn't get enough of. Would happily recommend to everyone!
A sci-fi quick hit about first contact. If you're a fan of the movie Arrival, this is a great fit. Tells the tale from the POV of multiple characters (humans AND aliens alike) and touches upon the reality of what it is to be different. (Affilifate Li...
Multitude - Apex Book Company
A paranormal investigator traveling in a not-so-normal RV with a toddler-like chupacabra navigates found family, past trauma, and unexpected romance. Cozy, heartfelt, and laced with humor, this story blends laugh-out-loud moments with emotional dept,...
Strange Lights by Mira González, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
A playful, meta cozy mystery set at a murder mystery convention. *Our Marriage is Murder* is a light, conversational read that delivers engaging puzzles and plenty of suspects to keep readers guessing. Best for fans of fast-paced, lighthearted whodun...
Our Marriage Is Murder: A Novel
Thank you NetGalley for providing this audiobook ARC. We Burned So Bright is a deeply emotional story following married couple Don and Rodney as they travel cross-country during humanity’s final days, meeting others who face the end in very different...
We Burned So Bright - TJ Klune, B&N Exclusive Edition
Joan is a physics and astronomy professor until she is selected by NASA to become an astronaut in the 1980's. An emotional story about friendship, love, discovering yourself and the universe. A character driven, queer love story you cannot miss. (Aff...
Atmosphere: A Love Story (GMA Book Club Pick)|Hardcover
An excellent debut novel! A thriller set in the tech world A dead CEO leaving behind a dead money clause, and a shadowy economy. All the characters are morally gray and the twists and turns just keep coming. If you're a thriller fan, this is worth th...
Dead Money: A Novel by Jakob Kerr, Hardcover
This book is a near-future fiction (bordering on sci-fi) that will have the reader falling in love with the personalities of these inanimate objects while contemplating emotional connection. Think Brave Little Toaster meets the near future AI evoluti...
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances: A Novel by Glenn Dixon, Hardcover
This is not my usual type of book, but I felt it was very cute. I found myself cheering for Harriet when she stood up for herself against her family and smiling at some of the sweet moments between Nolan and Harriet. I am curious how there will be a ...
Good Spirits: A Novel by B.K. Borison, Paperback
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Dungeon Crawler Carl was my number one read of last year and I know it's only January, but the second book is now my number one read of 2026. Let's see if it keeps its spot! Another action-packed adventure with solid character development, laugh out ...
Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl #2)|Hardcover
Play it as it Lays is what I would call a modern classic. Set in 1960's Hollywood and Las Vegas areas, the story follows Maria, an actress struggling with never gaining the heights of fame she imagined along, along with the struggles of a challenging...
Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion, Paperback
An interesting, winding story set in 1888 England. The setting is excellent and the world well built, leaning on the Jack The Ripper murders. The characters are interesting, though not very fleshed out aside from the main character and a few key folk...
The Whitechapel Full Moon Society: A Novel
A charming story about how life will persevere, even in the most unimaginable circumstances. Following a man who is sentenced to imprisonment in a Russian hotel for life, you wouldn't think the story before whimsy and intrigue, but it is! The audiobo...
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Paperback
A will they won't they in a dark gothic setting. The premise was very interesting and I enjoyed the brief views we got of different towns in the surrounding world. The details of the veil were beautiful and made me want to live in that dark world. I ...
Veilmarch eBook : Pursel, Hallie: Books
A dark near future sci-fi story surrounding an intentionally hard-to-love protagonist, forced to experience life through the eyes of others. This story will appeal to those who are comfortable with deeply flawed main characters, ie. The Secret Histor...
The Found Object Society: A Novel by Michelle Maryk, Paperback
I am not usually a YA reader, but this is a fast paced fun read. Focused on found family, exploring dark truths, and if AI should be treated like human intelligence, this book was a fun one. (Affiliate link)
Catfishing on CatNet: A Novel by Naomi Kritzer, Paperback
A short memoir written in short essay form. Though it was written in the 1950's many key concepts are still relevant today. A great read about what it means to be a woman juggling all that life throws at us. (Affiliate link)
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Paperback
It's a classic for a reason. Set in the late 90's to 2026 (though written in the 50's) this book looks at a far future where humans are working to colonize Mars while facing Earth's destruction. This book is unsettling and beautiful all at once. (Aff...
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, Paperback
Seasons of Glass and Iron is a beautifully written collection blending fantasy, diary entries, and poetry with lyrical, emotionally resonant prose. The audiobook narration is a standout, especially in its seamless handling of both English and Arabic,...
Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories by Amal El-Mohtar, Hardcover
The Memory Bookshop is a short, bittersweet story about grief, following a woman given the chance to revisit key moments from her past after discovering a mysterious bookshop. The warm, reflective setting and strong translation make it an emotionally...
The Memory Bookshop: A Novel by Song Yu-jeong, Paperback
This book is a dark, fast-paced thriller that blends family trauma and sisterhood with subtle supernatural elements, keeping you guessing across past and present timelines. Best for readers who enjoy emotionally driven mysteries, though some reveals ...
We Already Dug the Grave: A Novel by Emma C. Wells, Paperback
The final book in the All Souls Trilogy and it wraps up nicely. Action packed, and lots of travel, every question is wrapped up with a neat little bow. If you enjoy a story about witches, vampires, and other creatures with some romance mixed in, chec...
The Book of Life (All Souls Series #3) by Deborah Harkness, Paperback
The Sourdough Compendium is a beautifully written collection of dark, interconnected fairy tales featuring strong female perspectives and rich, mystical worldbuilding. Best for fans of Grimm-style stories and morally complex characters, though some r...
The Sourdough Compendium: Dark and Dangerous Fairy Tales
A quirky murder mystery set in an English retirement community. This book will have you laughing out loud, deeply sad, and suspecting everyone. Well worth a read. (Affiliate Link)
The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club Series #1)
A young woman trapped in a toxic relationship stumbles into a magical café that exists outside of time, where every door leads to a place someone needs to heal. Heartfelt, comforting, and quietly magical, this story is about found family, self-discov...
The Café of Infinite Doors|Paperback - Zara Marielle - Barnes & Noble
A magical realism collection set across Los Angeles follows women navigating love, identity, and the weight of their pasts, blending folklore with deeply human struggles. Emotional, atmospheric, and quietly powerful—though slightly uneven at times—th...
The Patron Saint of White Menageries: Stories - Barnes & Noble
In a haunting world ruled by plants and fungi, humanity struggles to adapt as strange, unsettling forces blur the line between life, death, and transformation. Lush, eerie, and emotionally sharp—though occasionally disorienting and not for the faint ...
The Wetworks Miracle by Caleb Sierra, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
Absolutely LOVED this book. I listened to the audiobook and having Matthew tell you his tale is fantastic. He is true storyteller at heart. You'll laugh, you'll hurt, you'll shake your head, and you'll root for him every step of the way. Oh and you'l...
Greenlights (Unabridged) - Matthew McConaughey - Apple Books
Esme Good escapes the monotony of her everyday office job by briefly visiting alternate versions of herself suddenly finds her life spiraling into multiversal chaos. Fast, funny, and delightfully absurd, this sci-fi adventure balances sharp humor wit...
Everything Happens So Much: A Novel|Hardcover - Barnes & Noble
A beautiful novel told from the point of view of a woman with early onset Alzheimer's. Sad, but honest, and a reminder that the ones we love are still in there, even if they are battling this awful disease. A must read for anyone who has experienced ...
Still Alice by Lisa Genova, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
Blending the investigative supernatural energy of Storm Front with the eerie liminal horror of The Backrooms, Absence pulls you into a strange sci-fi mystery filled with unsettling ideas and growing unease. Atmospheric and immersive with a standout n...
Absence by Andrew Dana Hudson, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®
Ancient magic and political ambition collide in a war-torn Ireland where warriors, spies, and hidden supernatural beings fight for power and survival. Rich with folklore, betrayal, and simmering tension, this dark historical fantasy weaves myth and h...
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men - Barnes & Noble
A super short tale about following your dreams and appreciating the journey that is life. A must read, (Affiliate Link)
The Alchemist (25th Anniversary Edition) by Paulo Coelho ...
A silly quick read in comic book form. Murder mystery mixed with The Great British Bake Off, what's not to love?
The Great British Bump-Off - John Allison - Barnes & Noble
A beautiful graphic novel taking a tiny taste of the fantastical to bring us back to 1940's America as a Japanese person and the horrible truth of the interment camps. (Affiliate Link).
Displacement by Kiku Hughes, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
Maybe?
I wasn't in love with these books, but that doesn't mean they aren't good!
Startup Hell is a cute story set in the world corporate America with the fantasy and magic realm mixed in. When fantasy and tech collide it has its moments of laugh out loud humor (the new meaning of Saas was excellent), but as someone who works in t...
Startup Hell by Caitlin Rozakis, Paperback
A young girl comes out of the woods after having been there for quite some time. Julia, a psychiatrist comes home to help solve the mystery of who this girl is. If you're looking for a story of character building that's a bit sappy set in the Pacific...
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah, Paperback
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Thank you NetGalley for providing this audiobook ARC. The Subtle Art of Folding Space is a character-driven sci-fi story that sets family dynamics and emotional themes in near future Boston and Washington D.C. The narrative centers around cousins Ell...
The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu, Hardcover
Siren Says follows Raven, who discovers the painful scar left after her mother’s death is actually dangerous magic trying to break free. Blending modern NYC with Welsh folklore, the story offers lush nature-based magic and an intriguing family myster...
Siren Says by Jennifer Herrera, Hardcover
Thank you NetGalley for providing this digital ARC. Solace House is an extremely slow-burn story set in early 1990s England, following a group of college students tasked with cleaning up an abandoned mental institution and house. The eerie setting an...
Solace House: A Novel - Maclean, Will: Books
A dark historical fantasy rooted in Jewish folklore and set during the Russian pogroms. *Odessa* follows a family who turns to ancient magic to resurrect their daughter, leading to haunting consequences as secrets slowly unravel. Best for readers who...
Odessa: A Novel by Gabrielle Sher, Hardcover
Building 903 is an approachable dystopian read set in a future where books, art, and music are outlawed, following a fourteen-year-old girl who begins to question the rigid society around her after her twin brother disappears. Best for younger reader...
Building 903 by Lois Lowry, Hardcover
A haunting blend of folklore, fantasy, and family trauma, this story follows two siblings haunted by their mother’s mysterious fantasy novel and the secrets buried in their past. Dark, eerie, and emotionally layered, this character-driven tale slowly...
The Children: A Novel by Melissa Albert, Paperback - Barnes & Noble
A cut middle grade read about the importance of friendship and learning to appreciate enjoying the moment. Great for kids. (Affiliate Link)
Gamerville: A Graphic Novel - Johnnie Christmas - Barnes & Noble
Forget It... :/
Books I would skip unless you are truly interested or a big fan of the author
The follow up to the novel Discovery of Witches, this book takes Diana and Matthew far into the past. Mainly in London, France, and Prague. Though you would think this would be more exciting to be set in the 1590's, but this book plods along. It feel...
Shadow of Night (All Souls Series #2) by Deborah Harkness, Paperback
Probably shouldn't have been my first Frieda McFadden book. I wasn't thrilled with how the story was clearly pointing one way for most of it. The final twist was alright, but honestly the red herring just made me annoyed. Not because it was a red her...
Never Lie by Freida McFadden, Paperback
Let me start this by saying I do enjoy a good thriller, but I just can't seem to get into Freida's work. All of the characters are too naive. The twist with the wife and husband was a bit unexpected, but was not shocking. I think this was her last bo...
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Paperback