All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: The Most Anticipated Reads of 2026!

Air Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart
Featured Guest: Jordan Loft, All Of It and Get Lit Producer

Overview

This episode of All Of It dives into one of New York’s favorite topics: books! Host Alison Stewart, joined by producer Jordan Loft, discusses some of 2026's most anticipated titles, reading goals for the year, and trends in the literary world. Listeners call in with their own eagerly awaited releases and reading aspirations. The episode culminates in the announcement of the new "Get Lit with All Of It" newsletter for book lovers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting Reading Goals for 2026

• Jordan’s Goals:

  • Read more translated fiction: “Every time I do, I find it transportative. I find it fascinating.” (03:00)
  • Tackle a Revolutionary War biography in honor of the 250th anniversary (03:10)
  • Read every day, even if it’s just two pages, as a calming bedtime ritual and an antidote to phone scrolling (03:20)

• Alison’s Approach:

  • No strict goals this year; instead, she plans to read whatever catches her eye at her local bookstore.
  • “Not everything has to be goal oriented. … I’m going to read whatever catches my eye at my local bookstore.” – Alison Stewart (03:27)

LISTENER ENGAGEMENT

• Listeners are invited to share their own reading goals and recommendations by calling in, highlighting the show's community-driven focus.

Most Anticipated Books of 2026 (First Half)

Jordan shares her curated list, focusing on the first half of the year.

[05:20] Whidbey by T Kira Madd

• Debut novel from acclaimed memoirist (author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls)
• Explores the lives of three women connected to an abusive man, who is found murdered.
• “I’m always excited to read a promising debut novelist. … This one really caught my eye.” – Jordan Loft (05:20)

[06:17] Vigil by George Saunders

• Saunders’s first novel since Lincoln in the Bardo; releases January 27th.
• Short (172 pages), centers on an oil CEO at his deathbed, guided into the afterlife by a spirit named Doll.
• “What I think is really interesting is both of George Saunders’ novels have dealt with the afterlife and death in some way.” – Jordan Loft (07:00)

[07:48] Whistler by Ann Patchett (Listener Recommendation from Ronnie)

• Story of a woman reconnecting with her former stepfather; explores family and healing.
• “Because it’s Ann Patchett, it’s sure to be emotional…an unconventional father-daughter, not really father, stepfather sort of portrait.” – Jordan Loft (08:00)

[09:00] Black Messiahs by Stephen A. Holmes (Listener Joan)

• Historical novel about the 761st all-Black Tank Battalion during WWII.
• Focuses on racism, discrimination, and heroism.

[10:07] How to Be a Rich Old Lady by Amanda Holden (Listener Ryan)

• Financial guidance for women; accessible and humorous; actionable financial strategies.

[11:16] Last Night in Brooklyn by Zochil Gonzalez

• Set in 2007 Fort Greene during Brooklyn’s gentrification, tracking class, family, and neighborhood change.
• “She’s so great in particular in writing about class, and how wealth and the changes in population have really changed the face of Brooklyn.” – Jordan Loft (12:11)

[12:31] American Fantasy by Emma Straub

• Set on a cruise ship for fans of a ‘90s boy band; main character reluctantly attends, develops surprising connections.
• “It sounds like a good movie to me. Let’s get that made.” – Jordan Loft (13:14)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

[13:26, 29:59]

• Get Lit with All Of It Newsletter launching soon!
  • Includes event updates, book recommendations, participatory elements for readers, and highlights from All of It’s literary conversations.
  • “It’s really just gonna be a great one stop shop for all of the book content we do here on the show, plus some extra recommendations and little goodies.” – Jordan Loft

Additional Noteworthy Anticipated Titles

[16:22] Kin by Tayari Jones

• Follows two women whose mothers are absent, exploring diverging life paths and friendships.
• “Books about friendship…female friendship is ripe for analysis and great literature.” – Jordan Loft (16:55)
• Notable writing advice: “If you have time to write, write, write on a napkin, write it on a post it. … Don’t just create a time to write because so many people can’t afford to.” – (17:10)

[18:14] Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About by Isabel Klee (Listener Pat)

• Memoir of a woman in dog rescue, fostering 30+ dogs; “life affirming.”

[19:08] Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Listener Gladys)

• Lessons for immigrants and all readers about contributing to society.
• Upcoming: Small Acts of Courage by Adi Belchi (paperback, March 2026)

[20:34] None Such by Francis Spufford (Listener Kerry)

• WWII historical novel—London Blitz plus “time-traveling Nazis.”

[21:08] John of John by Douglas Stuart

• Follows a Scottish man returning to his isolated island; explores family, religion, and failure to launch.

[22:18] Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead

• Third in the Harlem Trilogy, set in the 1980s; protagonist Ray Carney tries “one last heist” to help his wife.
• “What a fun trilogy this has been. I’m excited that it’s coming to a conclusion.” – Jordan Loft (22:51)

[23:28] Anti Fascist Dad by Matthew Remsky (April)

• Parenting in today’s political climate; based on Remsky’s podcast.

[24:08] Land by Maggie O’Farrell

• Jordan’s personal pick for “most anticipated.”
• Set in post-Famine Ireland; father-son mapping the country; hints of mysticism.
• “Maggie O’Farrell has such a knack for making historical periods feel almost contemporary and real.” – Jordan Loft (24:45)

[25:40] The Loneliness of Sonya and Sunny by Kira Desai (Text/Listener)

• “A long read, but it’s worth it.” – Jordan Loft (25:57)

Standout Nonfiction and Memoir

[26:06] London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

• Investigative account of a London teen’s mysterious death; blend of journalism and true crime.
• “He puts on his investigative journalist hat...” – Jordan Loft (26:46)
• Notable: Kids at a book camp recommend Keefe!

[27:13] Ghost Stories: A Memoir by Siri Hustvedt

• Memoir about lifelong partner Paul Auster, grief, and family loss; contains Auster’s final unfinished work.

[28:08] A Kingdom and a Village: A 1000-Year History of Moscow by Simon Morrison

• Deep-dive into Russian history via the city of Moscow, putting current events in context.

[28:58] Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbø

• Standalone thriller set in Minneapolis with dual timelines; combines Nordic noir and American crime.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On reading habits and goals:
  “Not everything has to be goal oriented.” – Alison Stewart (03:27)

• On book discovery:
  “Local bookstores often have really good staff recommendations…They usually know best.” – Jordan Loft (03:55)

• On the appeal of new fiction:
  “I think particularly female friendship is ripe for analysis and great literature.” – Jordan Loft (16:55)

• On writing routines:
  “When you think about only writers, only being people who are doing an MFA program or sitting alone in their office every day, you’re right. You’re leaving out a whole group of people with very interesting perspectives.” – Jordan Loft (17:35)

• On Colson Whitehead’s trilogy:
  “It’s been so delightful to see him do some fun romps through Harlem.” – Jordan Loft (22:52)

• Crowd goes wild:
  [Cheer/celebration effect as the new newsletter is launched] (30:35)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 02:28 | Jordan’s 2026 reading goals and Alison’s approach | | 05:08 | How Jordan selects/makes her “most anticipated” list | | 05:20 | Whidbey by T Kira Madd (novel discussion) | | 06:17 | Vigil by George Saunders | | 07:48 | Whistler by Ann Patchett (listener call: Ronnie) | | 09:00 | Black Messiahs by Stephen A. Holmes (listener: Joan) | | 10:07 | How to Be a Rich Old Lady by Amanda Holden (Ryan) | | 11:16 | Last Night in Brooklyn by Zochil Gonzalez | | 12:31 | American Fantasy by Emma Straub | | 13:26/29:59 | Get Lit with All Of It newsletter announcement | | 16:22 | Kin by Tayari Jones | | 18:14 | Dogs, Boys and Other Things... by Isabel Klee (Pat) | | 19:08 | Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Gladys) | | 20:34 | None Such by Francis Spufford (Kerry) | | 21:08 | John of John by Douglas Stuart | | 22:18 | Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead | | 23:28 | Anti Fascist Dad by Matthew Remsky (listener text) | | 24:08 | Land by Maggie O’Farrell (“most anticipated”) | | 25:40 | The Loneliness of Sonya and Sunny by Kira Desai | | 26:06 | London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe | | 27:13 | Ghost Stories by Siri Hustvedt | | 28:08 | A Kingdom and a Village by Simon Morrison | | 28:58 | Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbø |

Tone and Style

The conversation is energetic, warm, bookish, and full of mutual encouragement and literary enthusiasm. There’s a sense of genuine curiosity and passionate support for authors both famous and emerging, and a celebration of New York’s diverse reading community. Listener participation adds both humor and a sense of shared discovery.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for new reads, inspiration for your reading practice or just want to hear devoted readers talk thoughtfully about books, this All Of It episode is a smart, joyful, recommendation-packed literary gathering. Don’t forget to sign up for their new newsletter for even more book-centric community and content!