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 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.

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!

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.

Thank you!

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

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.

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.

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!

I would like to join. Managed 26 books last year. Aiming to keep off my phone and doom scrolling by reading. Just finished Hamnet - loved it and the film.
About to start Long Island - Colm Toibin

I’ve always counted non-fiction on here, and many posters read more than 26, many read less, it doesn’t matter. I managed 16 or so last year. No pressure.

Welcome!

Was Hamnet hard to read?

Looking forward to watching the film!

Claire :)

1) The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.

Firstly I honestly had no idea this was a movie until yesterday! It was OK, very average and pretty predictable thriller. But I wanted an easy read to kick start the year and it delivered on that. Don’t think I’d bother with any other of her books though.

I def agree about The Marriage Portrait, I love Maggie O’Farrell but that and Hamnet are my favourites of hers. Excited to see she has another book out this year. I would LOVE to turn the marriage portrait into a film

So book 4 is The Clock House by Yukito Ayatsuji

I've read the previous books and they are undemanding (and have a character list and map!)

but my usual bug bear - poor proof reading. Someone had a hooked noose. It breaks the spell!!!

3 . You Are Here - David Nichols

What a lovely book 😍. The perfect balance of humour, romance and poignancy. Absolutely loved this from start to finish, rooting for the main character s all the way. Not quite 5 ⭐️ but a solid 4.5. Gave me a fuzzy feeling and I think it’ll be up there as one of my favourites for a while.

Currently reading ‘His & Hers’ by Alice Feeney, in preparation of watching the Netflix adaptation

I felt the same - thought it was badly written and had a terrible ending! I bought the set and gave the rest away to a friend.

The film is very entertaining - much better than the book lol

If you are looking for enjoyable and easy to read books, I recommend Kristin Hannah books - I read several last year - loved them all!

I found Hamnet very easy to read and I’m not the quickest reader. My advice is to give it a try. Some books i forget fairly quickly but this one has stayed with me

I’ve finished my first book of the year, All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan not sure I’ll bother trying any of her other books but not utterly terrible as Christmas fiction can be.

Now reading Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer.

I’m glad to see lots of love for the Martiage Portrait, as that’s on my tbr pile this year. I thought Hamnet was very good (but a difficult read in terms of the content) and plan to see the film.

I read Howard’s End at A level. Like most classics, I find I enjoy them more when I’ve studied them in some capacity than just read them off my own bat. The film adaptation is very good once you’ve finished the book @Breathmiller

I read Caledonian Road last year. What did you think of it @Windthebloodybobbinup?

Finished my third, really enjoying this as it's meaning less scrolling

1. One of us by Elizabeth Day.
2. The Backpacking Housewife by Janice Horton.
3. The Hike by Lucy Clarke

I am also parallel reading This is gonna hurt by Brandon Weis and have been for a good month or two and am only 41% through as it puts me to sleep very quickly though I'm very interested in the subject matter.

I definitely enjoyed it @MargotMoonbut Im not sure it can claim to represent the state of the nation. I did like how the author managed to tell stories from different parts of English society with some level of authenticity, and it almost put the finger on white rich men who believe themselves to be ‘good’ people slowly realising that not everyone agrees. But I felt like it lacked that explosive catastrophe I was waiting for.

Yes, completely agree! I recall that there was one strand which I could have done without (the academic/arty people) as I don’t felt it added much to the story. It felt like it needed a more pivotal event to hang the whole thing on though.

Just finished book 2 Stoner by John Williams. It was a spur of the moment purchase for a long train ride and so not in my usual wheelhouse (I often struggle a bit with books set in universities as I find they can get a bit pretentious).

I loved it - a really beautifully drawn portrait of a life lived and I thought it was quite poignant. Have a had a good start to the year!

I read You are Here last year and completely agree, it's a lovely, totally heartwarming book.

@Clairedebear101286 I can imagine the film would be better as the idea behind the plot is great! It’s a shame it was executed so badly.

Another fan on Maggie O’Farrell here. Loved Hamnet and the Marriage portrait as well as many others of hers. Excited to hear another book is on its way by her!

1. Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell
2. The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings

Will be going to bed early tonight to start book number 3 - The Reckoning by Jane Casey (book 2 of a series).

I take reading extremely seriously! I have a spreadsheet with tabs called:

• Waiting to read (books bought and waiting to be read, 64 currently)
• Read (books I've read)
• Wishlist (books I want to read but have not yet bought, currently 215)
• Regulars (list of series of books I'm reading so I can alternate)

I do have some physical books (mainly real life/non-fiction) all my others are on Kindle.