I read to escape my problems. Here are the worlds I’ve been escaping into so far in 2026. Where should I go next?
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Exit Strategy: The Murderbot Diaries by Wells
This sapphic western had me invested from the start! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lucky Red: A Novel
The second in the Eating Woods series by Keri Lake. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75 stars rounded up)
Eldritch (The Eating Woods)
The second book following Rocky and her family. Beautifully written and deeply moving. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wreck: A Novel
This isn’t a book, it’s ten tropes in a trench coat. ⭐️
Show Me How Special Edition
This is not my usual cup of tea, but I had a fun time and thought the magic system was interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bride of Brutal Hearts
I was in such a bad reading slump at the beginning of this year, but this was a fun fast paced read that I tore through in just a few hours. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Curse of the Frost King
I was in a pretty bad reading slump at the beginning of the year so I was reading anything that could hold my attention. This did the trick! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Court of Blood and Bindings
The second book of the Fae Isles series. I enjoyed it even more than the first! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.75 stars rounded to 4)
Lord of Gold and Glory: A Steamy Fae Fantasy Romance
I was so excited to read this, but it was such a let down! ⭐️⭐️ (2.75 stars rounded down)
The Princess Knight: A Novel
A classic for a reason!
The Yellow Wallpaper
This has been my favorite of of the Fae Isles series so far! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heart of Silk and Shadows: Fae Fantasy Romance
This was such a fun cozy read! I love when characters feel like real people living real lives. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daddy Issues: A Novel
I love escaping into the rich worlds Heather Fawcett creates! Emily and Wendell have become so near and dear to my heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales (B&N Exclusive Edition)(Emily Wilde Series #3)
This book is filled with beautiful language and horrifying imagery! It is a short book, but it packs a punch! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Reason and law don’t mean much when white folk want their way.”
“You see, the hate t...
Ring Shout
Sometimes you read a book and you don’t fully appreciate it until months later. This is one such book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon: A Novel
This book has it all: action packed plot, an interesting magic system, tender romance, and two bisexual main characters! I cannot wait to read V. L. Bovalino’s next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Second Death of Locke
Beautiful and truly heartbreaking!
If Beale Street Could Talk (Deluxe Edition): A Novel
The highly anticipated sequel to Honey & Spice! Bolu Babalola breaks your heart but puts it back together better than before.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet Heat: A Novel
The second in the Heartstrings series. I love a workplace romance! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And Now, Back to You
Not for me. This book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a high stakes fantasy or a cozy escape. ⭐️⭐️
Also, if I never read the phrase “big green c***” again it will still be too soon.
Halfling: A Fantasy Monster Romance
Cottagecore lesbian horror thriller? Say no more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bloom
A bit of encouragement for these trying times. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
Very heartwarming! However, I think if I had read this 10-15 years ago, it would have been even more impactful for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
A gripping tale of family, generational trauma, and curses. Not quite what I expected. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cursed Daughters (Read with Jenna Pick)
Extremely fascinating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection
I loved the show so I wanted to read the books it was based on.
Game Changer (Game Changers #1)
I really enjoyed the show, so I wanted to read the books it was based on.
Terrifying! Kylie Lee Baker is a phenomenal storyteller! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Novel
It was well written, but I found myself rooting against Phoebe by the end. I wanted a darker ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wedding People: A Novel
Weird, propulsive, and gritty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Natural Beauty: A Novel
This was a reread, but I listened to the audiobook this time. I love Julia Whelan’s narration! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great Big Beautiful Life (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Reese's Book Club)
It’s a love story, but it’s absolutely heartbreaking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Broken Country (Reese's Book Club)
I love a romance that has me giggling and kicking my feet one moment and sobbing the next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You Should Be So Lucky: A Novel
I could not put this down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 stars rounded up)
I Who Have Never Known Men
Mental health down in the dumps? Perfect time to reread a silly little romance! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Cheat Sheet: A Novel
Undeniable chemistry✅
Breathtaking sights✅
Second chances✅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Pairing (Special Edition)
Really interesting concept, but poor execution. This could be a good gateway for people trying to get into sci-fi for the first time. ⭐️
Dark Matter: A Novel
Marriage of convenience isn’t always my cup of tea, but I had fun with this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fake Empire
Emotional, gritty, and beautiful! I want to read it again in the original Spanish. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reservoir Bitches: Stories
This was a reread of one of my favorite love stories! It was just the little pick me up I needed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yours Truly
I was really excited for this, but it fell into the pro-colonialism mindset that it claimed to deconstruct. ⭐️⭐️
Muñeca
I originally read this years ago when it first came out. It was fantastic then and it is still incredibly relevant now! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Series #1)
This was really fun! I love reading a romance between two grown adults that actually behave like grown adults. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Big Fan: An 831 Stories Romance
I originally read this trilogy when it first came out years ago. It is insane how relevant it still is after all these years. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2)
I am a sucker for a male main character who is just down bad for the female main character! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An Academic Affair: A Novel
I read this trilogy years ago when it first came out, but rereading it as an adult has changed my perspective a lot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3)
Stunning. Depressing. Queer.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our Wives Under the Sea: A Novel
I want to look inside Ling Ling Huang’s brain and see how it works. The stories she tells are always so interesting, thought provoking, and beautifully told. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Immaculate Conception: A Novel
An interesting look at fertility, trying to conceive, and small changes that can make a big difference in egg quality and overall health.
It Starts with the Egg: The Science of Egg Quality for Fertility, Miscarriage, and IVF (Third Edition)
An incredibly in depth introduction to lowering inflammation and taking control of what you can to improve your health and fertility!
