26ish books 2026

I’m doing this, great resolution! Just finished Caledonian Road which was the kind of book you definitely need a character list for on the first page. Just ordered the new Jung chang!

Happy New Year of reading everyone. Thanks for the new thread @Tinkhasflown .

Last night was my first time back on MN this year and it shows in my reading list, on my 5th already. I've also had a timer on my phone in general (no more than an hour a day - thanks to the late Michael Mosely) so that has helped and I've not had my phone before bed or first thing, I leave it downstairs. I've also journalled more and got on with more in the house in a busy week back to work. I have decided to only let go and go on my phone (and mumsnet) freely one night and following morning at the weekend. So, here I am.

Its been great to catch up with you all and get some books on my kindle wish list last night. I fill my wish list up and then go on it periodically to see what is on offer. I get some great books for 99p that way.

Welcome to the newbies, I'll repeat my usual gush about these threads. I had lost my reading mojo and this thread got me back on track. I am on my 4th year of being here and now get Kindle vouchers for each birthday and Christmas and even a shiny new Kindle for my birthday last year.

I thought I'd never get to 26 to begin with but even with times where I fall back in to phone habits rather than reading I easily make that now.

I love the 26 books thread as there are no rules. Fiction, non-fiction, paper books, kindle or audiobooks. 1 book or beyond 26. Highbrow or lit-lite It doesn't matter. Just enjoying whatever it is that gets you back in to reading.

This year I have read...
1 Stone Yard Devotional - Charlotte Wood
2 Ultra Processed People - Chris Van Tullekan

• 3 Frankie - Graham Norton*
• 4 The Story of a Heart - Rachel Clarke*

All very much enjoyed, thanks to a PP on the 2025 thread for the 1st book as a recommendation. I have always enjoyed Graham Norton's books. Easily read bit interesting characters and story line to keep you reading.

I am now reading E.M Forster's Howard's End. I try to do at least one classic a year. I'm finding it a little harder to get through than my previous classics of Du Maurier of the last two years but I am interested enough to keep reading.

I'm also reading a poem a day from Cerys Matthews Tell Me the Truth about Life. I love poetry and this is a lovely collection introducing new (and reminding me of well known) poets.

I look forward to hearing your recommendations and general catching up in 2026.

Book 1 finished, Winter by Len Deighton. This was a long audiobook that I began over Christmas. It's the story of two brothers from a rich family in Berlin from 1900 -1945 and of course traces the rise of the Nazis. Gripping as an audiobook, not sure I'd have enjoyed reading it as much. But I didn't like the ending at all.

Just finished book 2 - We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. Really enjoyed it, definitely a few teas at the end.

Book 3 The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie

Thank you!

I adored Hamnet @Tallullahmakata - my copy has made its way through most of my friendship group and I'm looking forward to the film.

I read The Marriage Portrait by the same author last year and it's also lovely if you enjoy Hamnet.

I read a lot but find the 50 book thread very competitive!
I've read The Ickabog by JK Rowling (I adore the comfort of children's books and may read it to my year 1 class later in the year)
Today I finished Wild Dark Shore Not my normal thing, but so beautifully descriptive and heartbreaking.
Just starting Hammet My partner will want to watch the film so I must read it first!

Can I join the thread please?
I’ve just finished the first book of the year The Winners by Fredrik Backman. It is the third and final book in the Beartown trilogy. I read Beartown a year ago and adored it but the second book Us against You was slightly disappointing and dragged on. Despite this, I wanted to finish the story so I picked up The Winners and I’m glad I did, it’s a long book at just under 700 pages but an absolute 5-star read. I feel a bit sad to be saying goodbye to the characters of the small hockey town. Beautiful story about love, family, small-town communities, coming of age but please check your trigger warnings.

@Tinkhasflown how does it work when recording our reads please? Do we keep a running list here?

Im on book 3: What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama

Im looking for an audible recommendation if anyone has one?

@MagpieCastleI read The Stranger Diaries last year, it was recommended on another thread. I enjoyed it and have the second one in the series on my tbr pile.

I’ve just started the audiobook of Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad as I like travel writing. I have 3 credits on Audible so I need to cancel or pause for a bit as they will last me ages. Does anyone have any recomendarions? I’m quite picky about what I can listen to as I get easily distracted too, and if the narrator has an annoying voice I can’t cope 😂

Just finished the audio book of Miriam Margolyes The Little Book Of Miriam.
It’s an A-Z mash up her two previous books. Very much a marmite character, but for her fans it’s a must listen.

@Tinkhasflown I thought the same of "The Cut Out Girl". Really interesting story and shows how complicated life/emotions are.

Would love to join!
First books of 2026 currently being read:
The finest hotel in Kabul (non fiction)
and a novel by Elly Griffiths, The stranger diaries.

Just finished book 1 A Haunted Wood by Sam Leith - a great canter through the history of children's literature and very moreish (which is good, as it is a behemoth of a book).

I’m not sure if 26 is too ambitious for me but I’ll see how I get on! I got a nice selection of books for Christmas so got some new books to tackle but also a few to revisit that I didn’t persevere with when I wasn’t in the right headspace last year so I’m hoping to be able to get them ticked off

Book 1: Then she was gone by Lisa Jewell - nicely written but definitely an emotional read

Onto book 2…

For me, although Storygraph counts non fiction, I like to have it as a separate count. I do count audiobooks in my fiction total, but not graphic novels.

Well so far one of mine has been non fiction so I hope it counts!!

I would love to join, but my target this year is 12 books. So a book a month.
I know it's quite underwhelming to the 26+ book challenge, but I didn't want to set a target too high and give up on the first month because I felt I was already behind.

I love reading but between FT work, over time hours, DC and life, I'm trying to make space and carve out time for reading properly again (and not get distracted with doom scrolling).

Can I ask, is this for fiction only or does non-fiction also count? I'm get periods when I'm quite an avid reader of non-fiction.

Finished book 2, God of the woods. Loved it!
Now reading number 3 A time for Mercy by John Grisham. It was just one on my kindle which I started because I had nothing else lined up.
Might try The Names after this as it is getting a lot of mentions

Just finished book 3 - An English Murder by Cyril Hare. An enjoyable read.

not sure what I will move onto yet

i'm in - currently reading the playground by Richard Powers at the moment ( incredibly clever) and listened to the Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose for light entertainment while cooking yesterday - just started the follow up / the perfect divorce. Also listened to old habits by Steve Higgs ( library great for audible books)

Managed to read one book last year. Already doing better this year. New kindle is helping as I can read it in the dark instead of my phone when I can’t sleep.

So far have read:
Just Ignore Him- Alan Davies
Strange Pictures- Uketsu
I’m Glad my Mom Died- Jennette McCurdy

Both autobiographies really well written and engaging. Would like to read more of this genre as I find it easier to read than fiction.