26ish books 2026

[Tinkhasflown]

A shiny new thread for 2026.

All welcome and note 26 is just a number. Everyone can set their own target and you are welcome here even if you only read 2 books a year.

I personally count the larger novel style books I read to my children and audio books I listen to. Others don't and there are no rules.

I look forward to all your suggestions again this year.

Can I join please? Managed 23 books last year. My fave genres are thriller, horror and detective books.

My current read (Kindle) is Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell.

I'm also reading (hardback) Birth, Marriage & Death by Cressy.

Hi all, I’ve just started a thread for a Dickens read along of A Tale Of Two Cities over 6 months.
I want to read it before a new adaptation starting Kit Harrington hits the BBC this year.
Just letting all the 26 Bookers know in case a gentle paced Dickens read along suits anyone here. I can’t vouch for the book as I’ve never read it!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/5469580-a-tale-of-two-cities-six-month-read-along?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Hello! Thank you for the thread and I would love to join. Managed 32 books last year and hoping a few more this year but who knows

book 1 - diary of a murderer by Kim Young-Ha

also reading death in midsummer by Yukio Mishima

Jumping on for the first time for motivation and the recommendations! Like many my reading dropping off in the last few years - motherhood, switching my commute to cycling, living through a difficult time - but since becoming single again last Spring there’s nobody to tell me to switch the light off at night so I managed to read 24 books (including some audible) and started using goodreads to keep track - 26 seems like a good target!
I’ve just started Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister as I had seen the writer’s lovely Facebook posts and was intrigued to read her work - it’s not my usual kind of thing though so not going very quickly, and instead of luxuriating in the opportunity to read during 2 weeks off work my screen time has been through the roof while my children were away with their dad over the holidays! I got a pile of books for Christmas so need to pick up the pace as I’m keen to start some of those.
Shy Creatures (Clare Chambers) mentioned up thread was a highlight for me last year, I’ve loved the writer since her first book many years ago!

Thanks @DesdamonasHandkerchief. I do like Dickens and life a longer book to read in January but I’m such a slow reader I’m always reluctant to join one of the read-a-long threads. I may take a look at this one though.

Hello and thanks for this thread @Tinkhasflown

I’d love to join - I used to be a voracious reader but have lost my way over the last few years through motherhood, scrolling etc. Children are all older teens now so no excuses there and over the last month I have been way more disciplined about evening phone use and replaced it with reading more. The joy!

I am starting the year with The Trees by Percival Everett. Not enjoying it yet quite as much as I did James, but he can write.

Aiming for 26 again this year, got Richard Coles A Death on Location lined up to read, after starting the series last year.

A tale of two cities is also a tbr book, so I may join you in that thread too.

Hi everyone, I would like to join please. Last year I read 24, usually it’s around 40-50. I have a very busy year finishing my degree, job hunting, 3 kids and a dog but have the goal to read consistently no matter how much and hopefully reach 26 for the year.

I finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn yesterday and started Fairy Tale by Stephen King last night.

Finished Last One at the Party, now on to book 2. Another mumsnet recommendation!

1. Last one at the Party by Bethany Clift.
2. God of the woods by Liz Moore

Hi all.

I finished Mini Shopaholic so onto book 2. Ive chosen Rachel McLean's the Corfe Castle Murders as I love a detective series set in the UK.

Enjoying it so far and would like to just it and read this afternoon but unfortunately my kids have other ideas hahaha.

Book one of 2026 was The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict. Really enjoyed this book, but I am quite fascinated by the lives of the Mitford sisters, and that era in general.

I've finished my first book of the year. A great, but uncomfortable read. 5 stars from me.

1. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Finished Diary of a Murderer and I’ve now started I’m glad my Mom died by Jeanette mccurdy

I finished 1. The Safekeep and sped through a children’s book (teacher-I like to recommend books to pupils). I’ve just started You are Here by David Nichols.

As well as the book I’m reading I’ve started listening to The Names on Audible this afternoon… I didn’t know the details of the subject matter and finding it a bit uncomfortable listening having left an abusive relationship less than a year ago - will have to see if I stick with it or not 😟

Have finished The Women (which I thought was amazing) and now started We begin at the end by Chris Whitaker.

Will also start my first audio book on my commute tomorrow (Do people count audios??) The Life Impossible by Matt Haig.
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I read I’m Glad my Mom died last year. Thought it was really interesting and enjoyed it immensely, although I’d quite a tough read at points.

The blurb completely miss-sells this book. There is a lot of (in my opinion) gratuitous domestic violence so if you’re sensitive to this then I’d stop reading

I have just finished book 2 Jeremy Clarkson -Diddly Squat The Farmer's dog which was a Christmas present.
I'm back to school tomorrow (teacher) so I will have less time to read, but I'm determined to keep us the habit.
I'm just starting book 3 Matt Haig - The Life Impossible

I'm off to bed to start my 2nd book of the year - The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings (kindle).

Thanks for the new thread @Tinkhasflown.Not started my first book of the year quite yet.

2: Resurrection by Mick Herron (audio). A not quite prequel to Slow Horses. Lots of twists and turns, great characters, really enjoyed this.

I was on last years thread but I was terrible at posting updates. Will try to do better this year.
I’m still reading my 1st book of the year The Hangman’s Hold by Michael Wood. It’s book four in the DCI Matilda Darke series.

I’d love to join. Reading The Thursday Murder club. I imagine most people on here read a while back. So far so good. I’m keener reading non fiction books in general.
I’m also (re)reading the first Harry Potter with my dc so I might count that, as well.

What a lovely thread idea, would love to join. I tend to hyper focus and I find once I get reading I will speed through books but the hardest bit is putting down my phone and starting. I tend to buy many 99p kindle deals and wanted to move away from algorithm curated reading to recommendations.

1. One of us by Elizabeth Day. I listened to the Happy Place book club podcast episode with author and then read this on new years day in front of log fire at a lovely retreat in Wales. Really enjoyed it apart from a graphic assault scene which I want prepared for and found upsetting.
2. The Backpacking Housewife by Janice Horton. Not actually finding it great writing tbh but halfway through and interested in the descriptions of places.