26ish books 2026

4 Dream Count - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Disappointing read, after having enjoyed Americanah. Skimmed through quite a bit of it. Not much of a plot, more character led, and every male character was either immature or toxic. Kadiatou was the most interesting character, & the author's notes at the end reveal her experience to be based on a real-life case. But I felt her character's story didn't sit well with those of the other three wealthy women, who basically just wanted to get married and have babies, and were disappointed by their men.

Forgot to add, book number 4 is All the Little Bird Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow. It's very dense and poetic, and so far, I'd definitely recommend it for anyone wanting an insight into the mind of an autistic friend or family member

I don't get the buzz about Emily Henry, I think she's very mediocre but booktok/booktube love her. I was given one of her books on holiday last year and it was so predictable and not specifically well-written.

Well, I read that in just under two days - but solely as I have the cold of the century and have been in bed for nearly 4 days, completely listless.

It took me a while to get into this book: I just didn't really manage to "feel" the places or atmospheres like in some other novels. But it improved (or maybe i started feeling better) and I enjoyed how the book moved between times and people. I never got the sense of the historical time though, so the places never felt vivid.

9 After You'd Gone - Maggie O'Farrell. I absolutely loved this. Interesting after the conversation earlier about how it grabs your attention when its parts of the world and streets you know well. I think I will read more of this author for sure.

It was definitely a 'nice' read. Just a bit predictable. Maybe I'll give one of her other books a go at some point - have you any recommendations? Thanks.

@ItalianChineseIndianMexican I quite like Emily Henry - good for falling asleep to!

1 Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Hadn't heard of the book or the author but inherited the book from a friend and thought I'd give it a try - and well, it was fine. Typical rom-com / chick-lit. Easy to read, light hearted, nice distraction. Nothing mind-blowing and it didn't particularly make me want to read other books by the same author but a steady, gentle read that was nice enough for a dull January.

2.4 (so I cant round up to a more solid 3!) stars out of 5

Book 4, The Diary of A Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield Lovely gentle comedy, she's brilliant at portraying mundane conversations.

Next book is Hamnet. I've read it before and remember not loving it as much as some others by O'Farrell but I can't remember why, maybe I will like it better second time around.

No.4 finished Ward D by Freida McFadden This was my first book by this author and it had me gripped from beginning to end.

Stayed up late last night to finish Atmosphere - a few tears were shed!!

Book 5 - The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley. Lived the Seven Sisters so have high hopes.

I finished book 2, Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner. I read it in record time, but sadly only because I'm really ill and stuck in bed.
Think this book has very mixed reviews but I loved the writing and storytelling. I sort of zoned out a bit during the periods where the protagonist reads hacked emails as it felt like it didn't move the narrative on much.

Next, I'm reading The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I actually started this a few years ago and for some reason stopped after about 70 pages, even though I actually really enjoyed it. So giving it a second go.

@Citygirlrurallife I’m not a big non fiction reader generally but this one has been calling to me since its release. I think it will motivate me to keep take steps towards a more sustainable life style.

I finished up 2025 with Wild Dark Shore and concur it’s an excellent book!

@MakingDoNicely i have the Attenborough book too and actually you’ve inspired me to read it. I’m going to make more time for non fiction this year but I can’t read it at bedtime, just doesn’t go in, so need to make more of a daytime effort

Oohh, Wild Dark Shore is my next read/audio.
A book group choice, so good to see the praise on here.

@RightOnTheEdge i discovered Fredrik Backman last year and i love his books, i have read all his other novels, two of them this month, and just ordered My Friends. I can’t wait to read that after my current book.

Hi, I'd like to join please. I really want to get back into reading and try to stop so much doom scrolling this year.
26 books seems a doable target.

So far I've read
1. Quicksilver by Callie Hart - hardback
2. Angels In The Moonlight by Caimh McDonnell - audio

Now I'm reading the Killing Stones by Anne Cleeves and listening to My Friends by Fredrik Backman.

Nor have I! It was lovely reading it again, and I also read the biography of Clement Freud at the end, which I don’t think I’ve ever done before. What a full and varied life!

@MargotMoonI don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else who’s read Grimble before!
@PinkOrangeRedMy brother was in a school production. I can’t remember the name of his character, but he drowned between acts and was on stage as one of the dead in the second half. We had a very good drama teacher who is still doing the costumes at the local amateur theatre.

Welcome! This is a most excellent thread with people moving at all different paces through their reading.
I read Wild Dark Shore last year and it was one of my favourite reads.

I’d like to join please. I’m trying to swap doom scrolling and watching trash tv or depressing morning news for reading. Much better for my mental health.

I just finished book 5 - Wild Dark Shores and loved it. Lots of twists and turns, and I felt like I learnt things along the way too which is always a win for me.

Next up for me is David Attenborough’s A life On Our Planet. A bit late to the party with this one, I’ve been meaning to read it for a long time.

3 - Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
this was on the booker list 2024, found it in a charity shop this morning and finished it just now! I have a thing for Irish fiction and this one didn’t let me down in terms of its writing and pacing. There’s a real layer of sadness and complexity in this, lots to dwell on but overall a great read.

I was a bit stuck after finishing my #3 book (Dreamland) but was recommended to read The Children Act by Ian McEwan by a colleague so picked that up from the library today and really enjoying it so far! I think I must have seen the film, surprised when i realised I hadn’t already read it as I did go through a phase of hoovering up his books!

Joining this thread for the first time. So far I've read:

1. Doppelganger - Naomi Klein - had this reserved for ages on Borrowbox and it finally came through. Fascinating read.
2. Tom Lake - Ann Patchett - one of my "read what you own" books. Enjoyed it eventually but not knowing anything about Thornton Wilder's Our Town made it a slow read as I had to look up the play. I don't think he is as well-known in the UK as in the US.
3. Story of a Murder - Hallie Rubenhold - just finished this. Physical copy from the library. I enjoy her historical true-crime books and found this one very interesting.

@MargotMoon I'd forgotten about Trebizon. Used to love those but never reached the end of the series as they were published too late for my age. Read and loved so many of her horse themed books though.

3: Another England by Caroline Lucas.

Non-fiction. Caroline (former Green MP/Leader) explores England’s literary history to go beyond the populist views prevalent in modern society and find an England we can be proud of but also where we can acknowledge our shortcomings past and present and move forward to a fairer future. Themes of imperialism, race, nature and climate change are explored. A good read.