J:

Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney

My goal is to read more non-fiction in 2026, and this book definitely fits my interests.

A:

Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra

A new release for January 2026! Doesn’t a contemporary retelling of Anne of Green Gables sound charming?

N:

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary

I’ll always read a new Beth O’Leary book! This one will be released in April 2026.

U:

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

Sounds terrific! Release date: June 2026

A:

The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian

Another author whose books are automatically on my must-read list! Release date: August 2026

R:

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

Yes please! This author duo’s books are always such fun. Release date: July 2026

Y:

You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

I came across this upcoming new release while searching for a “Y” title — and it sounds good! A love story with a time machine involved? Sign me up!

D:

Dear Lord Akeldama by Gail Carriger:

A terrific gift for fans of the author’s Parasol-verse books.

E:

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

I love this author’s books, and this special edition of her first novel is gorgeous!

C:

Clanlands by
Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

Perfect for Outlander fans — need I say more?

E:

Everything On It by Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein books are always great gifts… and I’d argue that they make great gifts for all ages, not just children!

M:

Mythos by Stephen Fry

A big, coffee table-sized book with beautiful illustrations — a terrific accompaniment for the Mythos audiobook (which I highly recommend).

B:

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Cozy fantasy is never a bad gift option, and the bookshop setting is a plus!

E:

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

I love this series, and the first book is wonderful. It would make a great gift for someone who loves fantasy worlds and portal fiction.

R:

Robots vs. Fairies edited by Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe

Sci-fi? Fantasy? Why choose just one! I’m including this books as a really fun pick for gift giving — it’s a terrific collection of short stories, and I don’t think it’s widely known, so it should be new to whoever you give it to!

N:

No Flying in the House by Betty Brock
Nostalgia factor: I was OBSESSED with this book as a child! Especially the “fact” that you could tell if someone was actually a fairy by seeing if they could kiss their own elbow. Did I spend a lot of time trying? Of course I did!

O:

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nostalgia factor: I’m including this book as a stand-in for the entire Little House series — which I enjoyed during my own childhood and then enjoyed all over again once my daughter was old enough to be interested.

V:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Nostalgia factor: Endless times reading this book with my kids! And always so much fun, especially when they’d read aloud with me.

E:

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Nostalgia factor: One of my daughter’s favorites! She insisted that I read this one the second she finished it.

M:

Merry, Rose, and Christmas-Tree June by Doris Orgel
Nostalgia factor: I remember loving this book! I don’t remember the entire story, but I know there were three special dolls. As a kid, I didn’t know enough to be excited that the illustrations were by Edward Gorey, but as an adult, that makes me even more determined to track down a copy!

B:

Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Nostalgia factor: Nightly read-alouds with my kids… and just so sweet and charming

E:

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King
Nostalgia factor: I’ve read this at several points in my life, and each time it’s been a great experience. This wasn’t my first King novel by any means, but I have such warm memories of how I felt while reading it.

R:

Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
Nostaglia factor: At one point, many years ago, I could not get enough of Robin McKinley’s fairy tale retellings (and I still think they’re amazing) — and then had the joy of seeing my daughter become just as crazy about them.

O:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Trick or Treat? Treat! I loved Outlander immediately, and have read it (and the entire series) many times so far… and probably will again!

C:

Carrie by Stephen King
Trick or Treat? Trick… but in an awesomely horrific way. I think I was way too young when I first encountered Carrie. (Middle school girls dealing with first periods probably should NOT read this book… much safer to read from the comfort of adulthood!) Later, coming back to Carrie, I was better able to appreciate Stephen King’s talents without it feeling quite so visceral.

T:

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Trick or Treat? Trick… I didn’t hate this book (I gave it a 3-star review), but the workplace romance aspect creates so many problematic situations that I just couldn’t enjoy it as a whole, despite the parts that I actually liked.

O:

One Salt Sea (October Daye, #5) by Seanan McGuire
Trick or Treat? Treat! I love the October Daye series to pieces, and this book, relatively early in the overall series, moves the story in new directions in a really spectacular way.

B:

Battle of the Bookstops by Poppy Alexander
Trick or Treat? Trick… with a little hint of treats mixed in. What’s not to love about a book about battling bookstores? This should have been cute, but just did not deliver. I like some elements, but overall, this was a letdown (See more, here)

E:

Emma by Jane Austen
Trick or Treat? Treat! I’ve loved Emma from the start, and the audiobook version I’ve listened to (narrated by the amazing Juliet Stevenson) makes me laugh every time.

R:

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Trick or Treat? Treat! Ish… I enjoyed all of the Bridgerton books, but they do require a certain willingness to look past cringey sex scenes and a few over-the-top descriptions. Still, these books are generally loads of fun and go down like candy.

S:

Silver and Lead by Seanan McGuire

E:

Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery

P:

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

T:

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan

E:

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

M:

Miss Kopp Investigates by Amy Stewart

B:

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

E:

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

R:

Reticence by Gail Carriger