There is something about the first few weeks of January that feels like a blank page. The air is warm and humid, the coffee tastes better, in my air conditioned reading nook, and my bookshelf is looking at me with a mix of judgment and possibility.
Every year, I tell myself this is the year I’ll finally conquer the “To-Be-Read” (TBR) pile. You know the one—the stack that has outgrown the nightstand and is slowly beginning to claim territory on the floor. If you’re a fellow book-lover, you know that a TBR isn't just a list; it’s a physical manifestation of hope.
The Numbers: 2026 Edition
Currently, my TBR sits at only a meager 23 books 10 of them are the Wheel of Time!
Some are glossy new hardcovers I bought with holiday gift cards; others are sun-bleached paperbacks that have been waiting since 2024.
My goal for this year? is to conquer The Wheel of Time books. It’s ambitious enough to be a challenge, but flexible enough to allow for those 800+ page epic fantasies that slow me down.
The "Shiny and New": 2026 Releases I’m Craving
While I’m determined to read what I already own, the 2026 publishing calendar is making it very difficult to stay disciplined. Here are a few releases I’m looking out for (don't tell my bookshelf):
* "Flesh” by David Szalay: Winner of the Booker Prize.
* "Don’t let Him In” by Lisa Jewel.
* "Vigil" by George Saunders:
* "Gone Before Goodbye” by Harlan Coben.
The Thrill of the Hunt: The Secondhand Search
As much as I love a fresh-off-the-press release, nothing beats the "treasure hunter" feeling of scouring a used bookstore for a specific, elusive edition. This year, I have my "Holy Grail" list—those out-of-print or hard-to-find gems that I'm determined to track down:
* A 1950s "Golden Book" Encyclopedia: I’m looking for specific volumes to complete a nostalgic set.
* Any original Robert McCammon Novels.
* Action Comics #1(1938) not a novel I know but it is the holy grail a copy can be worth millions.
What about you?
How many books are currently staring you down from your TBR pile? Are you a "one book at a time" person, or do you have five different stories going at once? Drop your 2026 reading goals in the comments—I’d love to add even more to my "Must-Read" list (even if my shelves disagree!).
> Tip for the year: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your pile, try the "Rule of 50." Read the first 50 pages of a book; if it hasn't sparked joy by then, give yourself permission to donate it and move on. Life is too short for books you don't love!
Let the Literary Adventures Begin.