Book Talk, Etc. — January Books on the Radar (2026)

Hosts: Tina (@tbretc) & Hannah (@hanpickedbooks)
Release Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

Tina and Hannah, two self-described Midwest mood readers, kick off the new year by sharing their most anticipated January 2026 book releases and discussing recent reads that have stood out. They offer a wide variety of literary genres, from contemporary suspense and literary fiction to historical and genre-bending retellings, ensuring something for every listener's TBR. Alongside book chat, they share personal “loving lately” finds and set intentions for a fun, community-driven reading year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Year, New Reading Goals

Timestamp: [02:24]

• Both hosts express excitement for a fresh reading year and discuss strategies for starting strong.
• Tina describes the joy of finishing her first book on January 1st ("I do like the idea of bringing to our books on the radar podcast episodes...one of that month's releases." — Tina, [03:23]).

2. Loving Lately: Non-Bookish Picks

Tina: Country Road Candle Company Diffuser Oils

Timestamp: [03:55]

• Discovered on Etsy via her husband Jonathan, known for unique scents like "Sweater Weather" and "Coffee Shop".
• "What I love is that this is a big bottle...it contains essential and synthetic fragrance oils, and it's gonna last a really long time."
• $9 per bottle — great value and excellent scent "throw".

Hannah: Our Med Disposable Face Towels

Timestamp: [06:26]

• Biodegradable, sturdy yet soft, helpful for sensitive skin and sporadic laundry habits.
• "I wanted something that for when I needed something disposable...they actually stay pretty firm, but they're also really soft. I am very sensitive to how things feel."

Featured Recent Reads

"Just Watch Me" by Lior Torenberg

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [09:20]

• Contemporary literary suspense about Del, a messy protagonist livestreaming for donations to keep her comatose sister on life support.
• Described as “dark,” exploring grief, parasocial relationships, internet fame, and the fine lines between authenticity and online personas.
• Quote: "Del is such an interesting character to follow. She is a jerk, and she knows it...and yet she's still endearing." —Tina, [12:08]
• Strong book club potential due to layered themes and discussion-worthy topics.

"Culpability" by Bruce Hulsinger

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [14:26]

• Follows a family after an autonomous car accident, each member hiding secrets about their role.
• Literary suspense with a pace that gradually builds, focusing on AI ethics, family secrets, and moral complexity.
• Quote: "It asks really big questions that at the end of the book, I personally didn't even know I had the answers to...I am still thinking about what would I do with questions that were brought up in this book." —Hannah, [16:13]

January 2026 Books on the Radar

(A selection of key titles discussed, in order of mention. Each host alternates picks.)

1. The Bloody Brick Road by Maude Royer

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [18:18]

• Gory, horror-infused Wizard of Oz retelling set in Montreal and spanning 24 years.
• Part police procedural, part fantastical horror, featuring a group called “the winged Monkeys.”
• Memorable tangent: The cover apparently resembles a mash-up between Taylor Swift and Anne of Green Gables.
• Quote: "This is an unhinged retelling of the beloved classic, filled with a twisted cast of your favorite characters. And I think it sounds fantastic." —Tina, [19:37]

2. Is This A Cry For Help by Emily Austin

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [21:05]

• Focuses on Darcy, a librarian, grappling with the death of an ex, mental health, and growing community conflict over libraries and DEI.
• Explores queer life, grief, and the importance of intellectual freedom.
• Timely, character-driven, and trust in Austin’s handling of relevant societal conversations.

3. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [23:01]

• From the author of "First Lie Wins," a new domestic thriller about two women swapping lives for a night and waking to a murder.
• Dual perspectives; alibis unravel; high tension and secrets.
• Quote: "Yes, give that to me. I want to read it immediately. It just sounds like it's going to be perfectly entertaining..." —Tina, [24:38]

4. The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [25:19]

• Sweeping historical fiction set in 1869 Tibet featuring an Indian surveyor-spy and a British woman in disguise.
• Explores espionage, colonial impact, friendship, and ambition.
• Noted for multiple perspectives and literary acclaim (author previously wrote "Gin Patrol on the Purple Line").

5. Very Slowly All At Once by Lauren Schott

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [28:18]

• Thriller about a family who receives increasingly large anonymous checks, leading to dark and suspenseful consequences.
• The psychological impact of the American Dream and the cost of “free” money.
• Quote: "Who is sending them money? What do they want from them? Why are they targeting them? I must know, and I intend to find out." —Tina, [30:00]

6. The Rules of the Heart by Janice Hadlow

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [30:54]

• Set in 1794 England, a married woman’s affair with a much younger man erupts in scandal.
• Juicy historical drama with class, reputation, and romantic fallout at its core.

7. The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikisha Eloise Williams

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [34:01]

• Spanning seven generations of Dupree women, this novel explores generational trauma, secrets, Black women's resilience, and their unbreakable bonds.
• Draws comparisons to "Homegoing" and "The Love Songs of W.E.B. du Bois."

8. The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [36:51]

• Centers on an up-and-coming band as they deal with grief, meteoric fame, and the pressures of the music industry.
• Literary, character-driven, with themes of ambition, creative identity, and complicated relationships.
• Discussion: Debates on the endless comparisons to "Daisy Jones & The Six."
• Quote: "For whatever reason, when a book focuses on music or follows a band, the likelihood of me enjoying it just goes through the roof." —Hannah, [37:37]

9. Missing Sam by Thridhi Umrigar

Presenter: Tina
Timestamp: [39:50]

• A suburban domestic suspense in which a gay Muslim woman becomes the primary suspect when her wife goes missing.
• Addresses racial profiling, queer identity, and media scrutiny in contemporary America.
• Umrigar praised for previous works like "The Story Hour."

10. Crux by Gabriel Talent

Presenter: Hannah
Timestamp: [41:32]

• Two high school friends in the Mojave Desert—one golden, one rebellious—are tested by looming adulthood, social class, and adrenaline-fueled exploits.
• Features evocative nature writing and themes of friendship, risk, and transformation.

Current Reads (Wrap-Up)

Tina:

• Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory ([43:47]): Reading for a "fireworks on the cover" prompt, delighted by a romance between a new-in-town lawyer and a senator.

Hannah:

• Needle Lake by Justine Champine ([44:55]): Wintery mystery about cousins bound by a life-changing event at Christmas; strong opening and compelling writing.

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• "Del is such an interesting character to follow. She is a jerk, and she knows it, and yet she's still endearing. Like, it's really interesting because she could have been this very unlikable character. And at certain points, I wanted to shake her, but also I was like, I cannot look away from her." —Tina, on Just Watch Me [12:08]
• "It's almost like...it looks campy...like a mix between Taylor Swift and Anne of Green Gables." —Hannah & Tina, on the cover of The Bloody Brick Road [20:50]
• "When a book focuses on music or follows a band, the likelihood of me enjoying it just goes through the roof." —Hannah, [37:37]
• Lighthearted back-and-forth about scent "throw", laundry woes, book covers, and their respective genre preferences.

Additional Resources & Announcements

• Storygraph Reading Challenge for 2026: Book Talk Etc. Era ([33:03])
• “Beat the Winter Blues” Readathon with themed reading prompts.
• All books discussed are linked in the show notes for easy access.

Tone & Style

Conversational, warm, and Midwest-friendly—Tina and Hannah blend insightful literary critique with humor and genuine enthusiasm. Their banter is supportive, relatable, and inclusive, making the episode feel inviting for both seasoned bibliophiles and new podcast listeners.

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• [02:24] New reading year & fresh starts
• [03:55] Loving lately (diffuser oils & face towels)
• [09:20] Just Watch Me review
• [14:26] Culpability review
• [18:18] Book on the Radar picks begin: gory Oz retelling
• [21:05] Library, grief & book bans with Emily Austin
• [23:01] Domestic thriller with Ashley Elston
• [25:19] Historical espionage in Tibet
• [28:18] Creeping suspense with anonymous payments
• [30:54] Juicy scandal in Regency England
• [34:01] Multigenerational Black family saga
• [36:51] Fame, grief, and music
• [39:50] Missing wife, media suspicion, and identity
• [41:32] Desert coming-of-age and risk
• [43:47] Current reads: romance & mystery
• [46:03] Closing remarks and playful bean salad chat

This lively January episode offers plenty of reading inspiration for the new year, with a dynamic mix of thriller, literary fiction, history, and topical contemporary works. Tina and Hannah’s deep dives into each title, personal reflections, and community-building updates make this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their TBR in 2026.