2026 book 115

 Sarah Orne Jewett’s A Country Doctor

This classic novel (originally published in 1884) is getting reissued in August, and I’ve never read it, and the premise sounded interesting, so here we are. It involves a country doctor who takes a young girl in as his ward, and she grows up to want to be a doctor too, but much of society is skeptical of a lady doctor. I see why this is a classic! A little too much Christianity for my personal taste but a really well-written story. 

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This edition will be released in August.

2026 book 114

 Jaleigh Johnson’s The Reimagining of Thornwood House

Do you want to read a cozy fantasy novel? This is the quintessential example of a cozy fantasy novel circa 2026. Our protagonist is a land witch who takes a job as a caretaker of a magical sentient house, only the house has kicked out all its previous possible caretakers. And if the house doesn’t let her stay, she won’t be able to finalize the adoption of her daughter! Plus there’s a magical mystery to untangle! Luckily there are quirky townsfolk and a handy neighbor (the requisite love interest) on hand to help. I’m not trying to sound facetious. I liked the house and the relationship with the daughter. But a lot of this, especially the romance, felt very rote, and it really dragged for a lot of the story. I was pretty over it by the end. But if you want more cozy fantasy to read, this exists! B.

2026 book 113

 Camille Perri’s Social Animals

OBVIOUSLY I one hundred percent read this because of the cover, but it turned out to be a great story too! It involves a PI who’s hired to find out if a woman is cheating on her husband—and she has to adopt a dog and befriend her at the dog park to find out! But then it turns out someone ELSE at the dog park is ALSO watching this woman. But despite how that sounds, it’s not a thriller, it’s a really nice story about these three women and their adorable and goofy dogs (aside from the horrible husband). Sidebar to locals: an RDU airport hotel plays a role, lol. I really liked this—perfect summer read. A/A-.

2026 book 112

 Mollyhall Seeley’s We Hexed the Moon

I admit to being mildly distracted while reading this, trying to figure out if it was set in Hilton Head (verdict: yes). Anyway, it’s about four girls and their friendship and what happens when they drunkenly do a ritual involving the moon…and then the moon disappears from the sky and turns up to mess with them—and tells them she won’t return to the sky so they had better find a replacement. I liked everything with the girls and their friendship, but the way the moon replacement stuff played out was kind of silly? I’m not sure how else it could have gone, though, and I don’t want to be spoilery with my specific issues. Interesting read for sure. A-/B+.

2026 book 111

 Ursula Vernon’s Castle Hangnail

Sometimes you just wanna reread a book where a twelve year old girl tries to con her way into becoming the Wicked Witch running a castle, in a castle that desperately needs a new master. I never see this one talked about when people talk about Ursula Vernon’s books—maybe because it’s not under the T.Kingfisher name? I think it’s just as good as her other middle grade books and super satisfying and funny. 

2026 book 110

 Alexandra McCollum’s Into the Midnight Wood

Look, I love a grumpy/sunshine pairing, but this grumpy guy—our only POV character—is legit an asshole, mostly to his love interest, for WAY too long. It was really upsetting to read!!! He takes the other guy’s sunshine-ness away!!! Ok, the premise here is two guys who are roommates in a world with a vague fantasy tinge, and the POV guy can’t stand his adorable quirky roommate, except obviously they secretly love each other. But like, he is so cruel for 75 percent of the book. And then there’s a late miscommunication, my least favorite thing in a romance novel. I don’t know why I kept reading this, except I liked the writing style? I liked the magical bits that kept creeping into the contemporary romance? But I was so mad at this dude!!!! B.

2026 book 109

 Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor

I was talking about Addison’s books on Bluesky this week, which of course made me want to reread this! Why aren’t there more books like this, full of political intrigues but also full of kindness?! If you haven’t read this book (and you should!), it’s the story of a young man, raised in isolation, who suddenly becomes emperor after his father and older brothers are all killed. Lots of mysteries and plots to unravel, but also lots of new friends and allies to make. Just really interesting world building, wonderful characters, and a satisfying story all around. One of my faves.

2026 book 108

 Rebecca Thorne's Moss'd in Space

I read and liked Thorne's first couple of Tomes and Tea fozy fantasy novels, but haven't kept up with her more recent stuff--clearly I need to catch up! This was a very fun cozy fantasy involving a woman who's determined to go to another planet to save her sister's life, and buys the only spaceship she can afford--which is run by a colony of sentient moss with abandonment issues. Fun adventures and new friends ensue! Looking forward to book 2. A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on June 30th.

2026 book 107

 Ann Patchett’s Whistler

I always love Ann Patchett’s books, and maybe this is recency bias, but I think this might be her most beautiful novel. It centers on a woman who’s visiting the Met with her husband when they run into a man who was briefly her stepfather, and the two reforge their relationship while uncovering pieces of the past they never knew. Just a lovely story and full of grace. Cannot recommend this enough and my book club will be discussing it in July! A.

2026 book 106

 Shauna Lawless’ The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

I said recently that I am always looking for more books with political intrigue, and this definitely fit the bill! It’s set in Ireland in the 900s and there are Irish people, Vikings, early Christians, pagans, and a lot of people straight out of folklore. The two protagonists are both women from long-lived people, one up to her ears in political machinations on behalf of her son (and saving herself from various dangers); the other, a healer, afraid of mortal men but forced to spy on them. I liked this a lot, but it was very slow at times. I do want to read more of this series, but I have too many other books on my kindle right now! A-.

2026 book 105

 Rainbow Rowell’s Cherry Baby

Reread for book club! I still think it was a missed opportunity that Rowell didn’t get one of the comic book artists she knows to draw some of the webcomics since most of the plot involves a woman who has separated from her husband, who is famous for drawing comics based on their life (and writing a movie based on same). I thought some of the issues I had the first time I read this would be assuaged on a reread, but that wasn't entirely the case! I still love it, though, bc Rowell writes such wonderful characters. As another fat lady with an eccentric wardrobe, Cherry is such a fave.

2026 book 104

 Stephanie Burgis’ A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence

Another very entertaining story, but this one was longer which made it better—more room to breathe. Lots of fun new characters as our protagonist and her vampire husband head to the Black Forest to do some supernatural research, and get caught up in more shenanigans. There’s also a cute lesbian side romance! What’s not to like! Excited for book three (out in October). A-.

2026 book 103

 Stephanie Burgis’ A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience

Super cute novella about an academic and a vampire tricked/forced into marriage, who have to work together to figure out why (and fall for each other along the way). This absolutely could have been longer, nothing feels rushed but there’s really not much character (or romantic) development. But sometimes you just want to read something quick and fun. B+.

2026 book 102

 Natalie Adler’s Waiting on a Friend

Sometimes I complain about how sick I am of New York novels, but I am HERE for this gritty 1980s queer New York novel! Our main character is a Jewish lesbian who can see ghosts, whose gay best friend has just died of AIDS, but his ghost has not appeared. And she’s dealing with grief and friends and romance and also there’s a company that is basically like an evil ghostbusters running around and helping to gentrify Manhattan. I’m not trying to make it sound wacky, it’s all really sad and beautiful. Really satisfying ending, too. I’ll be thinking about this one. A. 

A short story!

 Rainbow Rowell's Julia at the Drive-In

Normally I don't blog about short stories, but a) it's Rainbow Rowell! and b) I got an ARC from Netgalley so like, there's an obligation there, lol. Anyway, this is a very cute story involving very cute teens at a drive-in! If you like Rainbow Rowell (and I clearly do), you will like this!! 

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on June 23.

2026 book 101

 Emma Garman’s The Kindness of Strangers

This mystery is set in a boarding house in England in the early 1950s, and everyone has secrets—and that’s before they conspire to cover up a murder! That’s not a spoiler—that happens first thing, and then the story flashes back to the lead up to the death, interspersed with bits of the investigation. Parts of this were surprising, parts were predictable, and I had mixed feelings on the ending(s). But I really did enjoy all the characters! I look forward to whatever Garman does next. B+.

2026 book 100

 Cat Sebastian’s Hither Page

I was having one of those moods where I’d get twenty percent into a book and then totally lose interest, so I decided to try and reread this instead. Still an entertaining mystery/queer romance set in a small town in England just after WWII, where the local doctor and a spy try and solve a murder. I love all the side characters in this one! It’s a little simpler than some of Sebastian’s more recent stuff but still a good read.

2026 book 99

 Cat Sebastian's After Hours at Dooryard Books

This was one of my favorite books of last year, and when I saw people talking about it on Bluesky and also couldn't get into anything I was trying, I knew it was time for a reread! Just as charming and like, fulfilling, as the first time I read it. 🩷

2026 book 98

 Natalie Zina Walschots' Villain

The sequel to Hench is very clearly the second book in a trilogy (or series?). Some great moments, some terrifying moments, but I wasn’t as into it as the first one. Like I finished it and felt pretty bummed out! I will still read whatever Walschots writes and hope for the next book soon! B+.

2026 book 97

 Natalie Zina Walschots' Hench

Rereading this bc the sequel came out!! I remembered that I liked this but the only detail that really stuck with me was the body horror stuff near the end, but really everything else is so funny and sad and good and action-packed. Perfect narrative voice. If you haven’t read this, it’s about a woman who’s a temp, doing data entry for villains, when she’s badly injured by a superhero. And then starts doing the math on how much damage superheroes actually cause. And this starts a whole villainous journey. Really engaging, I’m so excited to see what comes next. 

2026 book 96

 Juliet Marillier’s Heart’s Blood

I was trying to figure out if Mariller’s new book had a US release date (no) and realized I’d never read this one by her! It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, about a young woman on the run from abusive relatives who takes a job as a scribe at a cursed castle. It’s all steeped in Irish folklore and super atmospheric, but super dark at times too. I was into it at first but it dragged in the middle, even with the threat of a Norman invasion. There is just a lot of talk about HOPE lol. I did like that the heroine has to sort out her own past issues and enjoyed that whole section a lot, and really liked how things wrapped up. A-/B+.

2026 book 95

 CJ Cherryh’s The Pride of Chanur

Really fun sci-fi adventure about the captain of a crew of feline aliens from a matriarchal society who inadvertently rescue a human and set off a diplomatic incident. I like stories with politics and diplomacy and loved the main character here (and was also interested in the translation/communication aspects). Action-packed and great characters. I do want to read more with the characters but the description of book two has me like 🤷🏻‍♀️ so we’ll see. A/A-.

2026 book 94

 Sarah Rees Brennan's All Hail Chaos

So I liked, but didn't love, the first book in this series--I think the concept of isekai stresses me out and the protagonist DEFINITELY was stressing me out! But I was all in from page one of this one! All the characters are in more interesting positions and it is laugh out loud funny at parts (I loved all the pop culture references). I did grow impatient with Rae occasionally but Emer and the Golden Cobra/Marius were always awesome, and Rae got some great moments in the second half. Cannot wait for book three. A/A-.

2026 book 93

 Susan Juby’s Contemplation of a Crime

Another really fun read!! In this one, our Buddhist butler accompanies her billionaire boss (but he’s like, a kind and self-aware billionaire) to a retreat his son is running, to help a group of people with political differences learn to get along, except things do not go according to plan and everyone has to band together to save the day! All the butler pals are back and there are even more dogs in this one! I love this series, I hope more are on the way. A/A-.

2026 book 92

 Susan Juby’s A Meditation on Murder

The second Helen Thorpe mystery finds our Buddhist butler dispatched to try and sort out a wealthy young wannabe influencer, who is unaware she’s being targeted for internet drama. Lots of good dogs and horses in this one! Great characters again—I was glad that Nigel popped back up—and though the mystery’s conclusion was over the top, I still liked this a lot.  Can’t wait to read book three (and then be bereft while waiting for more). A:A-.

2026 book 91

 Susan Juby’s Mindful of Murder

Absolutely delightful and slyly funny mystery involving a butler, a former Buddhist nun, who is tasked with determining who will inherit her mentor’s upscale yoga retreat … and also reluctantly solving her mentor’s murder with the help of her two best friends from butler school and some other characters (emphasis on CHARACTER lol). I definitely cackled more than a few times, loved the narrative voices here. It also goes pretty deep on Buddhism to good effect! The mystery ends up being solid, too—a very fun read and I’m psyched for book 2. A. 

2026 book 90

 Marta Randall’s The River South

The sequel to Mapping Winter primarily focuses on the teen daughter of the first book’s protagonist, though there are also some POV characters from the first book. I really loved all the characters and their journeys, and this ended in a fairly satisfying way. I do think it needed one more pass with a proofreader or editor—there are some typos and a few awkward bits (or maybe one character is supposed to be perving on a fourteen year old? No thanks). Otherwise a very cool read. A/A-.

2026 book 89

 Marta Randall’s Mapping Winter

I no longer remember why or when I bought this book or what made me pick it up now, but it was great! Lots of court politics and castle life from the POV of a woman who serves a corrupt, dying lord, and is desperate to escape the court and go off and map unknown places. She’s surly as fuck and also adopts a little boy along the way, it’s a reverse Pedro Pascal situation. Really interesting world-building and a narrative it’s easy to sink into. I’m gonna start the sequel immediately. A.

2026 book 88

 Tansy Rayner Robert’s Curse of Bronze

Super cute supernatural mystery involving a woman who inherits the family home after her curse breaker aunt is turned into a bronze statue, and she has to figure out who did it, with the help of all sorts of people (a lion librarian, a sort of vampire, a talking teapot, some werewolves, etc). I do think this would have been stronger if it was longer, but I liked it a lot and will be reading volume two when it comes out next month. B+.

2026 book 87

 Fonda Lee’s The Last Contract of Isako

Lee’s latest is a sci-fi story where a middle-aged woman, a high level operative, has to take One Last Job. The book really harps on her age, like she thinks about her knees, menopause, and/or aging multiple times a chapter. It’s so weird that I actually assumed Lee was in her 20s or something but I looked her up and she’s my age!! Girl! Anyway this was fine, some good twists and lots of great action scenes, but a lot of it draaaaaaaagggggged, like this could have been twenty percent shorter. I was super impatient by the end. B. 

2026 book 86

 Tamora Pierce’s The Realms of the Gods

This was fine. I love Daine as a character but, as expected, was not on board with the romance (he’s twice her age and has been her teacher since she was thirteen and she’s only sixteen now). I also don’t know if it was necessary to the plot—they could have just been together in the later series and it would have been fine!!! I also wasn’t super into the plot of this one, which didn’t help. Lots of cool gods and goddesses and creatures though. B/B+.

2026 book 85

 Tamora Pierce’s Emperor Mage

The third book in the Immortals series finds Daine et al in another country, trying to negotiate peace with the titular emperor mage who’s been causing problems the last couple books. Lots more awesome animal friends, and we get to see more of the gods in this one too—I am always partial to a pantheon meddling just a bit in human affairs. The ending set piece is a CORKER of an action scene, I want to a scream about it but spoilers. Not sure there has ever been a better fantasy action scene tbh. A/A-.

2026 book 84

 Tamora Pierce’s Wolf-Speaker

Ok, I’m officially into this series, I think! Events unfold here after a pack of wolves that Daine is friends with ask for help dealing with some local miners who are ruining their environment! But it ends up being much bigger than just miners. Sooo many good animal friends in this one, obviously I was partial to the squirrel and the cats but A+ animals and magical people (and regular people—I hope we see Maura again) all around. Very satisfying. A/A-.

2026 book 83

 Tamora Pierce’s Wild Magic

I’ve never read this Tamora Pierce series before, bc I accidentally read the next series (Protector of the Small) before it, and knew the little girl main character grows up to marry her teacher (gross). But I wanted to read a book with ANIMAL FRIENDS so tried to put that out of my mind. And it’s a good read! Lots of action and fun and friends of all kinds. It made me want to read all the Tortall books in chronological order, but also I want to keep going with this series so that’ll be a future project. A-.

2026 book 82

 Amy Coombe’s Stay for a Spell

Very funny, cute, sweet fantasy romance about a younger princess who’s the one who has to travel all over, visiting towns and going to events and kissing babies—until she’s cursed to be unable to leave a local bookshop. She is legit psyched about this, as I think many of us would be. With the help of a surly teen and a hot pirate, she’s gonna make this shop awesome! If only her parents would stop sending princes to kiss her in an effort to break the curse. Lol. This was extremely delightful!!!! I hope this author writes a million more books! A/A-.

2026 book 81

 KJ Charles’ All of Us Murderers

Rereading this for book club (finished with 15 minutes to spare lol), it remains a delightful confection of mysterious gothic tropes and a sweet queer romance. Here is my original review! 

2026 book 80

 Tamora Pierce’s Lady Knight

Very satisfying conclusion to the Protector of the Small series—battles and rescue missions and friends and hope galore! Just what I needed right now.

2026 book 79

 Tamora Pierce’s Squire

More of the delightful same in book three of the Protector of the Small series. So many good animal friends! So many good people friends! So many cool ladies! And some good dudes too. Really satisfying. 

2026 book 78

 Tamora Pierce's Page

The second book in the Protector of the Small series follows Kel through the next few years of her training, lots of learning and leading and beating up jerks. Just a really enjoyable and well-paced story, this series is totally suiting my current mood. 

2026 book 77

 Tamora Pierce’s First Test

Sometimes you just want to reread a series about a little girl who wants to train to be a knight and will try super hard and fight against bullies and befriend birds. Fight the power, Kel! 

2026 book 76

 Meg Elison’s Foundling Fathers

Elison’s satirical novella is the perfect read for the year 2026. It involves a group of wealthy right-wingers who have cloned four of the founding fathers (Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams) and raised them in isolation, pretending it’s the 1700s. And then Teen Franklin finds an iPhone in the privy. Very quick and entertaining read. I really liked how it wrapped up, too. A/A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.

2026 book 75

 Ursula LeGuin’s Gifts

I remembered really liking this the first time I read it, but found it a little stressful this time! I was planning on rereading the whole trilogy but think I’m not actually in the mood for YA right now. Click the link to read my original review! 

2026 book 74

 Francis Spufford’s Nonesuch

I do like books involving WWII, magic, time travel, and a solid romance (Connie Willis 4-eva) so this was definitely up my alley, involving a secretary in the finance sector in London (she’s super smart and wants to be a stockbroker but SEXISM) getting entangled in a mystical mystery after seducing a BBC nerd. But like, literary and serious (there are some funny parts though). I was into this! Like I love this heroine!!! And then it broke my heart and said TO BE CONTINUED, like are you KIDDING me?! I guess my desperation for a sequel makes it an A?

2026 book 73

 Naomi Kritzer’s Obstetrix

Y’all, I just read this all in one sitting and it was so tense and good and TENSE. It involves an obstetrician, infamous after being put on trial for performing an abortion in North Dakota (this is apparently a “near future” sci-fi novel, but it feels just like real life tbh), who is kidnapped by an evangelical Christian cult to take care of all their pregnant women. I mean this was basically a horror novel for me, except that Kritzer tends toward the optimistic, so I tried not to get too freaked out. The end is a bit anticlimactic, but I liked it anyway. I’ll read everything Kritzer writes. A/A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.

2026 book 72

 Lois McMaster Bujold’s Darksight Dare

Yay for a new Penric and Desdemona novella! Though really the main characters are a blind young army officer hoping for Penric’s help, and a dying hedge witch with a demon. Just another really enjoyable and kind outing in this series, and I especially enjoyed the demon’s POV. A/A-. 

2026 book 71

 KJ Charles’ An Unsuitable Heir

Pretty solid wrap up to this trilogy—once again I have a slightly hard time suspending my disbelief on the romance bc although I love the characters and love them together, I just can’t deal with people professing their love after literally two weeks. One of the characters is nonbinary (not expressed in those terms, of course) which was cool. I can’t decide how I feel about the resolution of the mystery, but I liked all the other bits of the wrap-up. Fun series! A-.

2026 book 70

 KJ Charles’ An Unnatural Vice

The second book in the Sins of the Cities books involves one of the friends from the first book, a journalist, and the spiritualist who he basically thinks is a hot fraud with legs for days (actually he’s more interested in his eyes but I do like to throw in the occasional pop culture reference). Anyway, they have to team up to deal with stuff from the first book (I do appreciate that this seems to be a legit trilogy) and angrily hook up. I was a little less into the romance in this one, but the overarching mystery is pretty intriguing. A-.

2026 book 69

 KJ Charles' An Unseen Attraction

KJ Charles has a huge backlist I haven't read yet, and I was in the mood for a queer romance and/or a mystery, so here we are! One of the dudes is a taxidermist and I could have done with WAY FEWER in-depth descriptions of his art (I've been a vegetarian for 35 years lol, these images felt like a horror movie). The other dude runs a boarding house where the taxidermist lives and is adorable and awkward. Then another boarder is murdered, someone sets fire to the taxidermist's shop, like WHAT is going on, can we figure it out and also make out a bunch, adorably. I loved everything about this that didn’t involve dead animals! A/A-.

2026 book 68

Mary Soon Lee's The Sign of the Dragon

I've heard so many good things about this book, and it lived up to the hype! I'd put off reading it because it's a fantasy novel told in poetry, which isn't a form I read much, but it works really well here (I also think it took me a little longer to read because I wasn't as able to race through it--I had to pay closer attention than I normally might). Anyway, it's the story of a young king in an Asian-inspired land, a kind young man determined to be a good king. Lots of POV sections from the people around him as well, particularly his guards. Really moving, the final confrontation didn’t totally work for me but I really loved how this all came together. A/A-.

2026 book 67

 Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear

Y’all, I do NOT know how to feel about this book! It’s very well-written! Banger of an ending! But I felt like the reveal, when it came, was kind of cheap? If you don’t know, this novel is about a smug Christian tradwife influencer, who suddenly finds herself trapped in an actual pioneer version of her life. Even though she’s rigid and unlikable, it’s compelling! But I have some real mixed feelings! I dunno, A-?

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The more I think about this book and its twist, the more annoyed I get--downgrading this to a B.

2026 book 66

 Lois McMaster Bujold's The Paladin of Souls

In the sequel to The Curse of Chalion, the focus is on forty-year-old Ista, who decides to take a pilgrimage basically just to get out of the house where she spent years confined. But soon the gods are using her to unravel a couple of magical mysteries, with lots of adventure and a little romance along the way. Another very satisfying story, and I love Ista as a heroine. Some great humor in this one too. So good.

2026 book 65

 Lois McMaster Bujold’s The Curse of Chalion

I think I love this book more every time I read it! It’s just the perfect blend of political intrigue and gods and people doing their best to make the world better. Just perfectly plotted with beautiful characters. I don’t even mind the age gap romance (which isn’t a /huge/ part of the plot). What a satisfying story. 

2026 book 64

 Clare Ashton’s The Goodmans

So the premise of this romance novel is that lesbian doctor Abby has been in love with her best friend Jude (also a doctor) since college, and also has basically been adopted by Jude’s family, which is great except that Jude’s mom is all “I wish Abby would find a nice man to settle down with bc it’s dangerous to be a lesbian, ps I’m not homophobic bc my pansexual son is fine and he can take care of himself” and maybe there’s some backstory there??? Anyway, Jude figures out that Abby has feelings for her and begins to reciprocate, and it turns out this is a relationship plot I’m not super into personally. I was more interested in the mom’s plotline (but probably missed some of the nuances, since this takes place in England and I don’t know their politics really). I did lose interest a bit when you see how everything is going to end up, like wrap it up already. B/B+.

2026 book 63

 Emma Straub’s American Fantasy

Straub’s latest involves a BOY BAND CRUISE and is very fun! There are three POV characters—a woman who runs the events/manages the talent, whose girlfriend has just left her; one of the boy band-ers, who doesn’t want to be there but his older brother is also in the band and it’s complicated; and a recently divorced woman who was supposed to do the cruise with her superfan sister, but her sister broke her leg, and she’s just like ok well, let’s see what happens! I actually thought the boy bad dude was the best-developed character but all had their moments! Very entertaining book but I still would not go on a cruise no matter how much I liked a band, lol. Honestly, this wasn’t my favorite of Straub’s, but it’s still an Emma Straub book and worth your time. Perfect spring/summer book. A/A-.

2026 book 62

 Melissa Albert’s The Children

So this book is about a woman who wrote a bestselling series of fantasy books based on her children, then tragically died before the series was finished. Now adult, her daughter is basically the spokesperson for the books and hasn’t seen her reclusive artist brother in years, and is about to publish a pretty whitewashed memoir about her childhood. But at the same time, it’s a creepy gothic fairy tale of a book! At first I had mixed feelings about how the story went, but actually I think it all fit together very well in the end. I do feel vaguely haunted by it though. A/A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on June 2nd.

2026 book 61

 T. Kingfisher’s Daggerbound

Do I… have a new favorite T. Kingfisher book??? Y’allllllllllll. The sequel to Swordheart involves the second magical sword, which has trapped The Dervish, a restless and handsome gay guy, inside it, and he has been THROUGH some shit. And that’s when Learned Edmund (from the Clocktaur Wars books!!!!!) becomes his wielder! And love interest!! There is also a new gnole pal, an amazing and adorable new friend who is a DELIGHT, some old friends, and all sorts of adventures along the way. Just hilarious and sweet but action-packed too. Fingers crossed book three is on the way. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.

2026 book 60

 T. Kingfisher’s Swordheart

Rereading this because I have an ARC of the sequel, and tomorrow is my birthday, and I am treating myself to a highly anticipated book! Also because this is one of my favorite Kingfisher books! I think it’s her only romance that doesn’t have a grisly subplot, though there are horrible relations and creepy religious sects and a magical wood full of horrifying creatures. Lol. Never mind. But I do love the romance, between a widow whose in-laws are trying to steal her inheritance,  and a warrior trapped in a magical sword. Great characters and the side characters  (a gnole named Brindle and Zane, a very cool lawyer/priest of the White Rat) are also amazing. Just really a fun book.

2026 book 59

 Jaclyn Moriarty’s Time Travel for Beginners

I’ve loved all of Moriarty’s books across genres and audiences, but was very psyched to see she has another adult novel coming out. And this one involves a woman who gets a job at a Time Travel Agency??? Amazing!!! Really there are three POV characters, whose lives all intersect in interesting ways, dealing with grief and loss and parenting teen girls. Lots of humor, which Moriarty excels at, and lots of feelings, another thing she aces. Just a beautiful book. I almost want to start it over again immediately just so I don’t have to let it go. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.

2026 book 58

 Suzanne Palmer’s Ode to the Half-Broken

Yalllllllll, this was SO GOOD, like place those preorders and library holds now bc you are gonna want to read this. Our main character is a former war robot in a near future post-apocalypse who has been living in isolation (studying insects!) for twenty years… until someone steals his leg. Soon the robot is out in the world investigating hints of trouble forming, with the help of a bionic dog and some other new friends along the way. This is interspersed with flashbacks to a scientist who is working on AI and robots, but whose company is very interested in defense contracts. I love robots with feelings and this one is one of the greats! Lots of action and mysterious stuff and friendships!! Fans of Becky Chambers and Martha Wells, get on this! A. 

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.

2026 book 57

 Amy Spalding’s In Her Spotlight

This was a very cute lesbian romance involving a woman who’s famous for being in superhero movies, and she’s taken a role in a play to try and pivot her career. But when the director is fired for being a creep, and the replacement director is a woman whose heart she broke years ago, what will happen! I did like this a lot, though all of the third act conflict is super contrived and annoying. There is a great pug, at least! This is the fourth book in a series but aside from one very minor character who I’m guessing is the protagonist of one of the other books, it works fine as a standalone. I might try one of the others, as I enjoy reading about both Hollywood and lesbians. Lol. A-.

2026 book 56

 Laurie Frankel’s Enormous Wings

I’ve really enjoyed the books I’ve read by Frankel, and I was into this one at first—a seventy-seven year old Jewish woman’s children move her into a retirement community—the same one where her ex husband lives—where she makes friends and falls for her neighbor. But then she discovers she’s pregnant! And because she lives in Texas in our current times, it’s all very fraught. I loved the protagonist and her relationships with her children and grandchildren, and I did like the end a lot, but I had mixed feelings about how the political message was conveyed. It was all too satirical or something. Frankel does family stuff so well, but this didn’t entirely work for me. B+.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 5th.

2026 book 55

 Portia Elan’s Homebound

What a beautiful story. It’s set in three different times, with three different protagonists (all are Jewish women)—one in 1983, a college student whose uncle has just died of AIDS; one in the near future, a scientist working to restore ecosystems; and one in the far future, who captains a rundown ship and takes on some unusual passengers to pay a debt. All are compelling on their own, but once they start to come together… chef’s kiss. I was pretty teary by the end, but in a sort of nice way? The main message here is the importance of community and I’m here for it. Highly recommend. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 5th.

2026 book 54

 Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club

Reread for book club, and I’d forgotten how much I like this book! Really solid mysteries and great characters, lots of time developing everyone and a good mix of narrative voices. This did kick off a wave of wacky/cozy British mysteries but I don’t think any others have grabbed me like this. Now I wish the Netflix movie had been a miniseries to see it justice.

2026 book 53

 Ann Leckie’s Radiant Star

Interesting new novel set in the world of the Imperial Raadch, focusing on a small and isolated planet rife with religious squabbles and politics. The narrative voice is sort of a dryly funny academic type, which I enjoyed. There are a lot of different characters, so I will say there isn’t a lot of /momentum/ in the story. But it all comes together in a cool way. I don’t think this will be as popular as some of Leckie’s other works, but I liked it. A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.

2026 book 52

 Rachel Neumeier’s Bereket

I DO love the books in the Tuyo-verse! This one features a secondary character from Rihasi, the titular Bereket, a clever mercenary. The other POV character is an Ugaro warrior from a tribe that hates the Lau (this is related to the events of Nikoles but the book works fine as a standalone). Anyway, both are involved in the same complicated story from different angles (false accusations, people on the run, unraveling mysteries, etc) and it’s interesting as a reader to see the pieces come together until both stories meet up. I was slightly more partial to the Ugaro POV, I just like their community a lot. The Bereket half had some pacing that didn’t always work for me, but there were also a lot of sort of heists that were very fun? Anyway, another very satisfying story, and I was especially intrigued by the way religion and the gods came into play. Truly some cool world building. A/A-.

2026 book 51

 Rachel Neumeier's Rihasi

The latest book in the Tuyo-verse is out soon, and I believe it's a prequel involving a character from this book, which was a perfect excuse to reread it! It's one of my faves in this world, involving a woman on the run, determined to bring her corrupt and powerful family to justice, accompanied by a mercenary as her bodyguard. Also, they gradually fall for each other because they are both highly competent and decent people who respect each other!!! Romantic!!!! Just a super satisfying story with an end that makes me tear up. 

2026 book 50

 AG Slatter’s The Crimson Road

I hadn’t read this one before—it just came out last year—but I’m glad I reread the others first! I’d say all the others work fine as standalones, but this revisits characters from The Path of Thorns, All the Mumuring Bones, and The Briar Book of the Dead, so definitely read those first to avoid spoilers! Anyway, this one invokes a woman whose father raised her to be a fighter and a killer—so she can stop a prophecy and save the world from the Leech Lords (vampires!). Very cool and occasionally creepy! I really recommend all of Slatter’s Sourdough books if you like dark fairy tales and stories about stories. A/A-.

2026 book 49

 AG Slatter’s All the Murmuring Bones

This novel by Slatter involves the last daughter of a formerly powerful and wealthy family, who long ago made a bargain with the merfolk, but haven’t kept their end of the deal, leading to failing fortunes. I do really enjoy this one, but there’s a lot going on and the pacing doesn’t totally work for me. I do love the protagonist and think this wraps up in a satisfying way though! 

2026 book 48

 AG Slatter’s The Path of Thorns

I do love how all of these books involve stories and storytelling! (Actually, some of the stories here involve stuff from Of Sorrow and Such but also A Forest Darkly, which came out later—it’s cool to see the seeds and connections.) The plot involves a woman who takes a job as a governess at an isolated manor—but she has her own reasons for being there. This story has major gothic vibes mixed with dark witchy magic. And yet it’s also got a lot of caring and kindness in it. Great stuff.

2026 book 47

 AG Slatter’s The Briar Book of the Dead

I’m really enjoying reading/rereading all the Sourdough books together! This one features some descendants of characters from Of Sorrow and Such—a family of witches who basically run a small town. The protagonist is a young woman who doesn’t have any powers, but of course as this trope always goes, discovers she actually does have an unusual power. There are also some mysterious elements with missing townspeople and a new priest. Really great characters, as usual, and very satisfying wrap up. 

2026 book 46

 Angela Slatter’s Of Sorrow and Such

I believe this is the first book in Slatter’s Sourdough world (though I know there are a bunch of short stories and I think some are earlier). This novella actually has some similar themes/characters as A Forest Darkly—the protagonist is a witch in a small town with an adopted daughter, and things start to go wrong when a local shapeshifter is injured and people are suddenly looking for witches. It’s a pretty satisfying story for the protagonist, but the daughter’s wrap up is a bit abrupt. I do really enjoy Slatter’s dark fairy tale atmospheric vibes though. A-.

2026 book 45

 A.G. Slatter’s A Forest, Darkly

An author’s note describes this as her “grumpy menopausal witch in the woods” book and that is a vibe I am here for!! There’s a lot going on here—a young woman on the run who becomes the witch’s apprentice, a mysterious force in the woods, missing village children, an old lover, etc—and Slatter weaves it all together really well. I did love all these characters and hope we’ll get to revisit them! This is set in Slatter’s Sourdough universe and I caught a couple of references to the other books, but I might reread them all and see how they all connect. A/A-.

2026 book 44

 Kaye Bellot's Green Year Dragonfly

Rereading this because I remember liking it a lot and that it was pretty chill*--it's an epistolary novel set in a world where some houses are alive! Our protagonists are a mapmaker whose house has walked off, and the woman he hires to track it down and bring it back. But complications ensue! I was especially into the meddling mama and aunt. I do love a good epistolary story.

* Aside from the occasional zombie or murderous unicorn.

2026 book 43

 Martha Wells’ Platform Decay

NEW MURDERBOT, Y’ALL!!! And it’s REALLY GOOD!!! Murderbot is on a mission! It’s tense and exciting!! Events of the last couple of books are coming into play!!! Murderbot is trying to deal with its emotions!!!! I sincerely loved every second of this. Murderbot is firing on all cylinders (not literally). Chef’s kiss. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 5th.

2026 book 42

 Martha Wells’ System Collapse

I do still think this one is really slow to start, even though it picks up where Network Effect leaves off, but the second half is so good that I enjoyed this reread. Lots of action, lots of cleverness, lots of creativity, plus all those annoying emotions. Love it. 

2026 book 41

 Martha Wells’ Network Effect

Rereading this because there’s a new Murderbot book coming out, and I wanted to refresh my memories (and enjoy some rereading), and this is good jumping on point for me. Plus it’s so good and so much fun to revisit! ART remains a fave, I love its bickering friendship with Murderbot, but a lot of the new human characters are great too, and the plot is fast moving and action packed. Very satisfying all around.

2026 book 40

 Katie Siegel’s Out of the Loop

Ok, I am HERE FOR this recent trend of murder mysteries involving time loops! This one is by Katie Siegel, who also writes my beloved Charlotte Illes mystery series, and involves a woman who has just come out of a time loop only to discover a neighbor was murdered the night before—a night our protagonist has experienced over 700 times. Now she’s on the case with the help of (and to impress) her ex girlfriend, as well as a crotchety neighbor who builds Rube Goldberg devices. It’s all very fun and entertaining. I also appreciated that it dealt with the emotions of coming out of a time loop—she’s super anxious because of all the new events and things she can’t predict. Can’t wait to see what Siegel does next. A-.

2026 book 39

 Connie Willis’ Doomsday Book

I was like, what if I reread all the Oxford Time Travel books? I read this one for the first time in 2021, which didn’t go that well—too real. But I like it more every time I read it since I know what to expect now, and it’s so beautiful and sad and hopeful somehow. But I might take a break before I read the next one. A.

2026 book 38

 Cameron Reed’s What We Are Seeking

Interesting sci-fi novel about a doctor who gets sent to a planet whose settlers have a very different culture than his own (he’s from a queer-normative matriarchal poly society, and they’re largely homophobic Christians, bc hod forbid we imagine a future without homophobic Christians). There’s a whole thing with a Jain translator who’s going to learn to speak with the planet’s locals, and lots of interesting characters and relationships and genders come into play, and there’s someone from Earth who’s part of some sort of hive mind (shades of Pluribus). Like I said, it was very /interesting/, but I didn’t find it particularly /satisfying/. Like it kind of forgot about one of the main plot lines for like big stretches so the end was kind of anti-climactic? But I loved everything with Iren and maybe would have preferred a book with just that stuff? Jo Walton loved it so it’s probably just me. A-/B+.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.

2026 book 37

 Patricia McKillip’s The Bell at Sealey Head

I had forgotten pretty much everything about this book, but it was just as satisfying the second time! Here’s my original review bc I’m too tired to think of anything to say. 

2026 book 36

 Cat Sebastian’s Star Shipped

I don’t even know where to START with this, like I know I’m the target audience for a queer romance novel about the leads of a sci fi tv show (with interstitial sections from fan discords lollll) but this exceeded all expectations??? Chef’s kiss, truly. Cat Sebastian is one of my favorite romance authors and she just keeps knocking it out of the park. Adorable romance and adorably cranky protagonist with great taste in books (also anxiety and OCD). I loved every moment of this. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on March 3. 

2026 book 35

 Susan Walter’s Murder at 30,000 Feet

Linda Holmes recommended this on Bluesky, and a murder mystery set on an airplane sounded perfect for where my brain is at right now. (I could have personally done without the rape plotline though.) There’s a great assortment of characters on the plane—a high school baseball team, various coaches and moms and ex-wives, a wedding party, the flight attendants and other crew, and the air marshal who let the murder happen on his watch and has to solve it to save his job. And solving this murder may also solve a hit and run case from a few years earlier. And that’s not even getting into the bad storm! I actually think this would make an awesome tv miniseries but the pacing of the book didn’t totally work for me. B+.

2026 book 34

 Olivia Atwater’s Small Miracles

Sometimes you just need to reread a perfectly sweet and satisfying story with gender-swapping fallen angels who just want to tempt you to eat some chocolate (and maybe also improve some lives and fall in love). Very funny and so sweet and helps fill that Good Omens shaped hole in my heart (Pratchett 4-Eva, Gaiman never). I want more books like this!!!!

2026 book 33

 Bex Benjamin’s The Last Place on Earth

I don’t know how Bex Benjamin seamlessly meshes a sexy lesbian romance between a cold-blooded mercenary leader and a journalist with a zombie apocalypse, but the second book in this series is just as good as the first. I’m very invested in the characters, there’s some fun action moments and a couple of good twists. VERY entertaining. I will be eagerly awaiting book three. A/A-.

2026 book 32

 AM Kvita’s An Unlikely Coven

This was a very fun urban fantasy novel using the usual trope of the witch who can’t use magic correctly but comes from a powerful witch family so she’s sort of the black sheep—her best friend being a vampire doesn’t help. Anyway, she’s just finished grad school and returned to new York when she’s sucked into a mysterious magical adventure! Really loved the characters and all the friendships here, fun awkward lesbians, interesting world building and an end that makes me very intrigued about the next volume. Totally enjoyable. A-. 

2026 book 31

 KJ Charles’ How to Fake It in Society

So I do love a KJ Charles book, but this wasn’t my favorite. It is a very cute historical romance with great characters, but the plot didn’t totally work for me. The one guy is a shopkeeper who makes paints who suddenly becomes VERY wealthy when he marries one of his clients on her deathbed (she wants to disinherit her nephew). And the other is a French guy who was hoping to marry her himself and get the money, which he desperately needs. And the thing is that he’s kind of lying about everything and it’s just the kind of thing that annoys me. Fine, he sort of has reasons for his lies but also I know it’s going to have a happy ending so just work it out already. I hate plots that rely on ppl being unwilling to have a conversation. And we could spend more time on the girl cousin pretending to be a dude valet and courting the butler’s daughter. I loved the butler and his family! Anyway, obviously it was still a nice romance, just didn’t totally work for me. B/B+.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.

2026 book 30

 CE Hulse’s Vivian Dies Again

Ok, this was SO FUN. If there are three things I love, they’re a) time loops; b) mysteries; and c) messy British ladies—and this features all of the above! The main character is at a family party and apparently keeps getting murdered, and the only one who is aware of the loop is one of the waiters, so he’s trying to help her figure out who’s killing her, and why. Plenty of her relatives have reasons to dislike her, but murder?? It’s all very funny and fast-paced and I loved it. I will definitely be checking out more by this author. A/A-.

2026 book 29

 Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice

I’m making my book club read this this month, and our meeting is still a couple weeks away but I’m rereading it now anyway bc it’s one of my faves and because nothing else I start is striking my fancy. Jean Paget is truly one of the great heroines of literature (at least as told by her aging lawyer). I think I once said she was “plucky” but that doesn’t really do her justice as she leads a group of women and children through WWII in Malaysia and later builds a fricken city. Amazing story. Side note that this was written in 1950 and uses some racist language.

2026 book 28

 Seanan McGuire’s Butterfly Effects

The latest Incryptid novel deals with cuckoo Sarah (one of my favorite characters in this series) getting kidnapped by people from her home dimension and put on trial for her supposed crimes. Of course a motley assortment of her relatives mount a rescue mission! (The other POV character is Antimony, who I verbally like, but for some reason do not like how she and her fiance are written as a couple.) Anyway, this was really fun and had a solid ending, I am psyched to see where things go next. There’s a novella at the end featuring cousin Elsie, a cool lesbian who should get to be in more of these books. A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.

2026 book 27

 Martha Wells’ The Gate of Gods

I never really remember the plot of this one (it’s mildly confusing) but there are so many great character moments that I don’t even care. I really love this series. 

2026 book 26

 Martha Wells’ The Ships of Air

This is SUCH a good second volume of a trilogy, not one where it just feels like pieces are being moved to play the final act. Some great reveals, new conflicts, lots of action, and a little bit of sweet romance. This series is so underrated. 

2026 book 25

 Martha Wells' The Wizard Hunters

A lot of times when I read books, I immediately forget almost everything about them (not sure if it's my memory or just the sheer volume of books I go through--but on multiple occasions I have read a book, gone to rate it on StoryGraph, and discovered I've read it before), but some of the images of this story really stick with me. Especially the bits in the cave--ages after I read this the first time, I found myself thinking about that and being like, was that that Martha Wells book? (It happened later with the boat, too.) That is to say--this is very atmospheric and compelling and more memorable than most things I read! Anyway, it's the story of a suicidal playwright (daughter of the characters from Death of the Necromancer) and how she's drawn into a wartime magic experiment that takes her to another world, where she befriends the locals and tries to figure out how to fight a war against forces they don't understand. Amazing characters—I love this series and this world.

2026 book 24

Martha Wells’ The Death of the Necromancer

Sometimes you see people discussing Wells’ Ile-Rien series and you’re like, I gotta reread those right now! This one isn’t part of the trilogy proper, but a lot of the characters come into play so it’s important backstory—and a fun story too, involving thieves and secret identities and prison escapes and revenge and also defeating a necromancer. Such good characters! I do think it would be stronger if it was a little tighter—some parts are slow—but I love this book anyway.

2026 book 23

 Tal Bauer's You and Me

I needed a palate cleanser after the previous book, and what's better than a queer romance about SPORTS DADS???? (As recommended by Captain Awkward and Claire Willet on Bluesky!) Their sons play on the high school football team together! This was so freaking adorable, just dads hanging out and drinking wine and cooking for each other and volunteering at football games and doting on their sons and LONGING FOR EACH OTHER in the cutest possible way. (I don’t mean to make it sound purely fluffy—the main character’s wife died, their marriage wasn’t great, and he doesn’t have a great relationship with their son when the story starts.) It was maybe a little too horny and had too much football for my own personal tastes, but I enjoyed this a LOT. A-.

2026 book 22

 T. Kingfisher’s Wolf Worm

I’m notoriously a wuss, but I was all, I can totally handle a creepy T. Kingfisher book about bugs!!! Y’all. I was wrong. This was a little slow to start so I was falsely confident, as the main character, a scientific illustrator in late 1800s North Carolina, takes a job with a scientist who studies insects, hears the local scary stories, wonders about her predecessor, etc. And then halfway through came a scene that creeped me out SO BAD. SOOOOOO BAAAAAD. And there was worse to come! My heart was literally pounding fast!!! It sucked!!!! I mean, top notch writing but also I do regret reading this because it will keep me up nights. What grade does that get? A-?

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.

2026 book 21

 Meihan Boey's The Mystical Mr. Kay

Solid end to this trilogy--lots of funny moments and I love all the different goddesses popping up! I will say there's a late-ish reveal that ties this to book two that I thought was really unnecessary and kind of confusing. But still an enjoyable read. B/B+.

2026 book 20

 Meihan Boey’s The Enigmatic Madam Ingram

The second Miss Cassidy book involves unraveling a complicated supernatural mystery, but I didn't like it as much as the first. The story is pretty circular and I think takes too long to get where it’s going. I do still enjoy the characters (and am rooting for Mr Kay!) and love the use of mythology so will try the third, but this one was a B.

2026 book 19

 Meihan Boey’s The Formidable Miss Cassidy

This was a very cute and entertaining book about a woman who goes to be a governess in Singapore—luckily, she is more than equipped to deal with the various supernatural problems she runs into! I really enjoyed watching this story unfold and am psyched there are three to read, perfect escapism. A-.

2026 book 18

 Tayari Jones’ Kin

Hooray for a new Tayari Jones novel! This one centers on two Black girls who grow up as best friends in the 1950s and 50s, but head down different paths when one runs away to Memphis to find the mother who abandoned her, and the other heads to Spelman for college. I was super into this when I was reading, but the world is such a dumpster fire that it was sometimes hard for me to pick this up when I wanted to be reading something for escapism. But this was really a beautiful book and broke my heart in ways I wasn’t expecting. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.

2026 book 17

 Lily King's Heart the Lover

Rereading this for book club! It was one of my favorites of last year and absolutely holds up. (I think I cried more knowing what was coming.) Christina and I saw Lily King speak about this book a couple months ago and I’m looking forward to discussing the book and her comments with everyone!

2026 book 16

 Tansy Rayner Roberts’ Teacup Magic: The Second Collection 

Back on my adorable historical fantasy bullshit! And this one has LESBIANS!!! Yes!!!! Anyway, it’s another few novellas, the first focused on one of the secondary characters from the first collection, featuring jewel heists, stepmothers, and artists galore. The second focuses on the new Duchess of Storm dealing with ghosts—including her mother in law and her unpleasant first husband. The third has a bunch of queer pirates! And mermaids and kidnappings and bringing all sorts of characters from the other stories together and it’s absolutely delightful. I really enjoyed this series, just what I needed right now. A/A-.

2026 book 15

 Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Word for World is Forest

I’m still periodically getting to all the LeGuin books I’ve never read! I think I did start this one once and then went “ugh, this guy SUCKS” and put it down, bc we’re in the POV of a guy who LOVES being a colonizer (he likes to think of himself as a conquistador) and he super sucks! But we soon shift to the perspective of the indigenous people he wants to destroy and it’s much more interesting (they have a very cool society!), and we also get the POV of the earth anthropologist. Really lovely writing, of course, and a true bittersweet ending. A.

2026 book 14

 Ross Montgomery’s The Murder at World’s End

I do enjoy a locked room mystery, and this one has locked rooms galore, as the murder victim believes Halley’s Comet (in 1910) is going to poison the world and insists on all his guests and staff being totally shut in. The main character here is a brand new footman with a slightly seedy past, but of course he’s a good guy REALLY (🙄), who gets enlisted to help solve the murder by a mildly eccentric great-aunt. There are some funny parts and the mystery had an interesting solution, but the book didn’t quite work for me—it kept shifting from first to third person and the pacing was a little off. It looks like this might be the start of a series and I would maybe read another one? B/B+.

2026 book 13

 Allegra Goodman’s This Is Not About Us

Goodman’s latest is a series of stories about a messy and complicated Jewish family whose matriarchs are in a feud precipitated by an apple cake. There’s babies and divorces and bat mitzvahs and dog walkers and vegans and hilarious Seders. Some of the stories/characters are more compelling than others, and some that I liked sort of disappear, but on the whole I liked this a lot and read it in one sitting. RIYL Long Story Short on Netflix. A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.

2026 book 12

 Tansy Rayner Roberts' Teacup Magic: The First Collection

Jo Walton recommended this in her latest "Jo Walton Reads" column, and since I liked that Jane Austen with dragons book by this author, and was looking for something on the lighter/fluffier side to read, here we go! This is a collection of three novellas set in your typical Regency-with-magic world, but they're all very sweet and very funny (also seems to be a queer-normative world!). The first involves the main character's cousin, a Duke, being pursued by many women who want to be his Duchess--and then he's kidnapped! The second features politics, a secret society of powerful women, a murder, and of course some romance! And the third finds our protagonist on her honeymoon, caught up in a murder mystery, sort of, and all sorts of magical shenanigans (there is also a bunch of fun correspondence). Really delightful and funny, definitely will be reading volume two. A/A-.

2026 book 11

 Tana French's The Keeper

I've really been enjoying French's series about a Chicago cop who retires to a tiny town in Ireland--they're super atmospheric and I really enjoy the characters, especially now that Cal is more integrated into local society. This third one involves the death of a young woman in an apparent suicide, and soon the whole town is drawing battle lines, with our characters on one side and a very powerful man making their lives hell on the other. Y'all, this book was STRESSFUL. But it wrapped up nicely and the ending was honestly lovely. Gorgeous writing. A/A-.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.

2026 book 10

 Olivia Waite’s Nobody’s Baby 

The second Dorothy Gentleman mystery (about a detective on a spaceship!) involves a baby being left on her nephew’s doorstep, which is wild bc no one on the ship should be able to have babies! Where did this baby come from??? Perfect cozy mystery IN SPACE and I love it! More please!!! A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.

2026 book 9

 Alexis Hall’s Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot

Alexis Hall can be hit or miss for me, but this one was pure hit!! I didn’t love the first in this series, and never read the second, but Christina said I’d love this one and I DID! The series is set on basically GBBO and the romance here involves a couple of lesbians—a cute, chubby journalist who’s a contestant on the show, and the show’s foul-mouthed, curt producer (grumpy/sunshine is my fave!). There is also a b-plot involving a 96 year old contestant on the show who worked in the house decades ago and had a secret lesbian affair with the daughter of the manor. Great balance between the stories, great characters, the romance had so many funny moments….just really a good time! A.

2026 book 8

 CM Waggoner’s The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale

I’ve enjoyed all of Waggoner’s books, but this one was *chef’s kiss*—a sweet and funny book about a witch who finds an abandoned baby on her doorstep, and when he turns 18 all the forest animals prophecy that he’s the long lost prince, and so he goes off to be king… good thing he has a very practical mother to advise him! This was just a perfect cozy fantasy book, highly recommended!! A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.

2026 book 7

 Alice Bell’s The Grapples of Wrath

HOORAY for a new book in Bell’s Grave Expectations series, about a woman who can see ghosts (and whose teenage dead best friend is attached to her) and keeps getting involved in murders! The murder victim here is the owner of a professional wrestling ring and it’s a fascinating setting for a mystery. As always, I love the characters here, the book is really funny, and there mystery is solid. I really enjoy this series and hope there will be many more! A.

2026 book 6

 Premee Mohammed’s We Speak Through the Mountain 

Very cool sequel to Annual Migration of Clouds—lots of near-future post-apocalyptic action! And philosophical discussions! And seeing how the other half lives! I did have my frequent complaint with novellas— I think this would have been stronger if there was more to it—but I liked it a lot and hope for more books in this series! A-.

2026 book 5

 Premee Mohamed’s The Annual Migration of Clouds

This novella is set in a semi-near-future sort of post-apocalypse—a few generations from now, after we inevitably destroyed the climate. Totally compelling narrative voice—the protagonist is a teen who’s gotten an acceptance letter to a college in a mysterious high tech dome, but her mother doesn’t want her to go. Plus she’s infected with a maybe-intelligent fungal parasite? Really fascinating world—looking forward to the follow-up! A/A-.

2026 book 4

 Mackenzi Lee’s Lady Like

Hooray for more queer historical romances! This one involves two women trying to marry the same Duke*—one, a pants-wearing actress, has to make a respectable marriage to get her inheritance, and the other, who was once caught in a scandal, wants to find anyone better than the horrible old man she’s engaged to—and of course they fall for each other! It’s all very cute even if the ending is a little hand-wavey. A-.

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* Everyone CALLS him a Duke but he’s actually the son of a Duke and this annoyed me—like all these people care about is shit like that so why aren’t they being accurate?

2026 book 3

 Moniquill Blackgoose’s To Ride a Rising Storm

Hooray for the second book in Blackgoose’s series about an alternate version of the US with dragons! (And founded by Vikings? Once again I found the different names for everything distracting.) I love all the characters here, humans and dragons alike, and there are some great new ones—I of course was partial to a girl who’s this world’s version of Jewish!!! But there are also some fun philosophical discussions and some progressions on the romance. Of course there is still all the COLONIALISM and racism going on, so there are some tense moments for sure, but I was totally along for the ride and the ending made me very eager for book three! A!

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on January 27th.

2026 book 2

 Jo Firestone’s Murder on Sex Island

I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while, but after three mentions of Firestone in the last week, it felt like time! This is a mildly goofy mystery involving a women who has an alter ego who’s a private eye (unclear if she is licensed lol), who is hired to go undercover on a hit reality tv show (the titular “Sex Island”) to find a missing contestant. It was fine! It would be a really funny movie. B/B+.

2026 book 1

 Rainbow Rowell’s Cherry Baby

For my first book of the year, I had to read the ARC of the latest novel from one of my favorite authors! The only downside of an ARC is that I can’t discuss it with my fellow Rowell-heads for a few months! I don’t want to even hint at spoilers so I’m not gonna do any kind of summary, I will just say I love Rowell’s writing, and even though I was hesitant about some of the plot, she had me all in by the end. I especially loved all the sister relationships (Cherry is one of five girls!) and text threads between them. This also really goes in on the Ozempic discourse (I felt a little weird about this as someone who is on it for medical reasons and I also feel weird that I feel like I have to say that?). I am gonna have to reread this one soon. A.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.