Most Anticipated Reads for 2026!

Summary

I'll Read What She's Reading

Episode Title: Most Anticipated Reads for 2026!
Air Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Kennedy, Mikayla, and Reggie

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Episode Overview

In this lively, bookish episode, Kennedy, Mikayla, and Reggie gather for their annual deep-dive into their most anticipated book releases for 2026. The podcast balances thoughtful discussion on upcoming titles with their signature blend of chaos and humor. The episode kicks off with a fun mutual book-recommendation segment (where the hosts pick books for one another to read based on past challenges), and quickly shifts into a rapid-fire, highly opinionated roundup of 2026’s most hyped releases—across fantasy, romance, thrillers, and more.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Recap and Recommendation Swap

(00:27–10:18)

• Recap: The trio revisits books they previously chose for one another (six months ago!) and shares quick reactions:

  • Sword of Kaigen: Reggie didn’t quite rate it 5 stars (like Kennedy), but loved the mature female protagonist and the unexpected modern elements. "It was refreshing to just read about such a mature female lead... a powerful, badass mature woman who happens to be a mom.” (Reggie, 02:12)
  • The Blight of Stars: Mikayla found the concept unique and fun, though confusing at times with many POVs. She plans to continue the series.
  • When in Rome: Kennedy enjoyed the small town romance but is weary of the "famous person meets small towner" trope. "I've decided it's not my favorite." (Kennedy, 06:03)

• New Swap Picks:

  • Kennedy → Mikayla: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yaros (07:01): “You've been talking about it forever... you need the push.”
  • Mikayla → Reggie: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (08:00): Short, Bridgerton-esque, sweetly bingeable.
  • Reggie → Kennedy: Wild Dark Shore (09:20): A much-buzzed about audiobook pick tailored to Kennedy’s taste.

2. Most Anticipated 2026 Releases

(10:19–39:43)

Fantasy Highlights

• Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker (April 28, 2026):
  “I will probably read it... but I feel like I need to reread the first book first.” (Kennedy, 11:15)

  • The group agrees that a brief recap at the start of fantasy sequels would be a game-changer.

• Victorious by V.E. Schwab:
  Kennedy's pick for a long-awaited conclusion to the Villains trilogy. “I’ve been waiting for this book… when we met her in LA, she had decided to write the third book!” (16:28)

• Rights of the Starling by Devney Perry (April 7, 2026):
  Anticipation is huge due to the cliffhanger ending of the previous book, Shield of Sparrows. “I think this is the one book next year that I’m feeling the very most excited about.” (Reggie, 19:28)

• Red God by Pierce Brown:
  It’s on everyone’s list, with much manifesting for a 2026 release.
  “I don’t care if it’s Dec. 31st at 11:59 pm... I want that book.” (Kennedy, 20:55)

• The Nave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig (September 1, 2026):
  The group is eager to see how the duology will conclude.

• Lion in the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent:
  Despite mixed feelings about the previous book, Reggie has high hopes for this sequel and praises the author’s habit of posting recaps on her website.

Romance Favorites

• In Her Own League by Kate Stewart (March 3, 2026):
  Windy City series spin-off featuring the team’s owner and coach, exploring an age-gap romance. “I’m here for it... I want to swoon over someone’s grandpa!” (Kennedy, 15:12)

• Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune:
  An auto-buy author for Mikayla, this book looks especially emotional: “I think this one might kind of wreck me a little bit.” (Reggie, 22:29)

• And Now Back to You by BK Borison (Feb. 24, 2026):
  Features rival meteorologists (a romcom duel), promising “raw 90s Rom com” vibes.

• The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez:
  Anticipated even if the prequel was a letdown, but hope remains for improvement.

• The Shippers by Katherine Center:
  Mikayla notes the body-positive themes and sweet vibes typical of the author.

• How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates by Shaylee Thompson (Feb. 3, 2026):
  A murder rom-com centered around speed dating, likened to Love in the Time of Serial Killers or Butcher and Blackbird.

Thriller & Miscellaneous

• The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer:
  YA murder mystery in an escape room; group notes Meyer’s shift from sci-fi/fantasy to thriller.

• Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman:
  Bonkers premise involving robot farmhands and a real-people-in-a-video-game story. Noted that Dinniman’s Patreon lets fans shape his stories.

• Unnamed Book by Colleen Hoover:
  Meta-thriller about an author facing viral backlash.
  “Do we think her hiatus inspired the book, or did she write the book and then decided to go on hiatus to, like, fuel the fire?” (Kennedy, 35:07)
  The consensus? No plans to read, but morbid curiosity lingers.

• Silver Elite 2 by Danny Francis:
  Conspiracy theories abound regarding the author’s true identity—“I’m on the theory it’s Colleen Hoover.” (Reggie, 35:57)

Other Notable Series and Author Mentions

• Freedom McFadden Adaptations:
  Discussion on upcoming thriller adaptations, with the hosts joking about surreal plot twists and McFadden's output.
  “She does it for the shock!” (Kennedy, 36:55)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Book-Trope Fatigue:
  “I’ve decided it's not my favorite. Especially like, for romcoms. There’s certain ones where it works, but...”—Kennedy on ‘famous person meets small town’ trope (06:03)

• On Series Recaps:
  “I really wish every author in every fantasy book would have just a tiny bit at the beginning of every next book, kind of summarizing the previous book.” —Kennedy (11:28)

• On Author Recap Websites:
  “She’s on top of that! She has them on her website. She is a queen.” —Reggie on Carissa Broadbent (29:18)

• On Reading Pressure:
  “I’m just like in a never-ending loop of catch up to read all the recent drops, and then catch up to read all the older books.” —Kennedy (40:08)

• On Colleen Hoover’s Meta-Thriller:
  “Do we think her hiatus inspired the book, or did she write the book and then decided to go on hiatus to, like, fuel the fire?” —Kennedy (35:07)

• On Bookish Optimism:
  “We’re totally fine. We’re totally zen.” —Mikayla (40:31)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:27–10:18 — Book Recap & New Book Picks for Each Other
• 10:19–39:43 — Most Anticipated 2026 Releases (“lightning round” of picks and discussions)
• 20:55 — Manifesting for Red God
• 16:28 — V.E. Schwab Villains Trilogy Excitement
• 22:29 — Carley Fortune Release Anticipation
• 29:18 — Praise for Carissa Broadbent’s Website Recaps
• 35:07 — Colleen Hoover’s “Meta-Thriller” and Industry Gossip
• 36:55 — Freedom McFadden Adaptation Chatter

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode balances a passionate, well-read perspective with the hosts’ trademark humor and self-deprecation about their genre obsessions—especially romcoms and fantasy. The group dynamic is energetic and inviting, as if listeners are eavesdropping on a chaotic group chat turned book club.

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Conclusion

The hosts wrap up by acknowledging the endless nature of TBR lists, providing comfort to overwhelmed readers, and cheering on everyone’s literary adventures for 2026:
“There’s going to be some good releases—and maybe not so good ones—but it’s okay. Thanks so much for listening. We’ll see you next week.” (Kennedy, 40:49)

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Perfect For:
Anyone seeking a fun, honest, and thorough preview of 2026’s buzziest books across genres—with plenty of recommendations, hot takes, and banter from three bona fide book lovers.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Hey, guys, welcome back to I'll read what she's reading. I'm Kennedy.

[B]

I'm Mikaela.

[C]

And I'm Reggie.

[A]

And today we are going to be sharing some books that we are excited for their release in 2026, which it is 2026 when this episode comes out.

[C]

Craziness.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That is crazy. Obviously not exhaustive. Is that the word? Exhaustive?

[B]

Exalt.

[A]

This list is not a whole list of the only books we're going to read in 2026. There's going to be books that we're obviously excited to read, but we're just sharing a few in this episode. But before we do that, it's been a real long time since we've done this, but we're going to pick books for each other to read. But before we do that, we're going to report back on the books that we chose for each other, like six months ago. It was a long time ago. It was a really long time. Reggie, let's start with you.

[C]

You picked Sword of Cayenne for me. And we briefly touched on this in a previous episode because we were talking about our five star reads for the year. It was a five star read for Kennedy, but it wasn't for me. But I was convinced almost the entire time I was reading it that it was going to be five stars. Um, the tricky thing is the author meant to continue the story, correct?

[A]

I think so. Maybe. I think they were supposed to be inter. Interconnected standalone fantasy books, I think.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

I'm sure if I were to read it again, I'd maybe appreciate the ending more. But I was kind of like, oh, that's how we're ending the book.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

But, like, I don't want that to, like, dissuade anyone from, like, not reading it because it was a very fantastic book. It's.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The main character in that book. Kennedy, I feel like the reason you picked this book for me was because the female main character is a mom of like three. Three or four kids.

[A]

Yes. That's why I picked it.

[C]

And it was so refreshing to just read about such a mature female lead. Like, it's always the poor young human girl who doesn't know she has power. You know what I mean? But this was like a powerful, badass.

[A]

Mature woman who happens to be a mom who.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And it was.

[C]

There was so much I loved about that book. So much. I just think I got to a certain point in the book where I was like, is this, where is this going? And what.

[A]

Where do we go?

[C]

From here. Like, it just. I wasn't super satisfied after finishing it, but I am so glad you recommended it to me, and I'm so glad I read it because there's so many moments in that book that I will, like, never forget. And it was just such a refreshing read.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The Magic System. Very cool. I was really confused when I started the books. They were, like, talking about video games and stuff, and I was like, hold on a second. Like, I thought this was kind of, like. I didn't realize it was, like, a modern story, but. It was.

[A]

But also, at the same time, their village was, like, not modern. Yeah. Because they were trying to. Yeah.

[C]

But I just wasn't expecting that. I literally went in. All I knew is that the main character was a mom. And I went. And I was like, what is going on?

[A]

She's cool. She's very cool.

[C]

It was very, very cool.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Very brutal.

[A]

Brilliant.

[C]

Beautiful. Great. So. Yeah, that's great.

[A]

Michaela.

[B]

Oh, it's me. I'm pretty sure, if I remember correctly, I don't know if this was the time before or the time after. You picked the Blight of stars, right?

[A]

I think it was this time.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I really liked it.

[B]

I think I rated it 3.75, maybe 3.5. I think I really didn't like the narrators because I listened to a majority of it. The overall concept is really cool and unique, and I really, really find that fun and refreshing.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

I'm trying to remember.

[C]

It's been a while.

[B]

So long since I've read it. I know. I'm kind of mad at myself that I haven't, like, read it. Like, read the second book yet. Because I do want to continue. I think the ending was really fun. Like, leads to things where I'm like, okay, things are going to get started stuff. I feel like it was a tad confusing. There's a lot going on.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You gotta. It's a lot to keep straight.

[B]

Yeah. There's a lot of. And there's, like, multiple POVs. A lot of characters going on. And so it's just, like, hard to, like, keep track of them all. But it was. It was good. I like the. The concept of it. So. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. I want to pick something kind of different.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because I think at the time that I picked this for you, we were kind of in, like, a slump where I remember you saying something, like, everything I'm reading just kind of feels the same.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So.

[B]

No, it's very unique. It's definitely, like, a very different vibe from a lot of Things, which is refreshing, you know? Anyways, it's your turn, right?

[A]

Yeah. You picked. I forgot what you picked and then you just reminded me when in Rome by Sarah Adams. I don't remember much. That's okay. I do remember if go check our TikTok out because did this for Pictionary. I do remember that she is a famous singer. He is a baker. Yeah.

[B]

I just realized you don't like small town.

[A]

No, I like small town. I don't love the.

[B]

The singer.

[A]

The. The famous person meets small town person. I don't know why I don't like that.

[B]

Yeah, I picked the wrong book. I picked the wrong book.

[A]

No, I think that's the third book I've read with that trope and I think I've decided it's not my favorite. Yeah, Especially like for rom coms. There's certain ones where it works, like for some reason, May Luna, but I don't know if that's necessarily famous person, small town person, but it was cute. I like Sarah Adams. Okay, I'm gonna continue on in the series. I did, however, start that book the day we recorded the episode that we picked books for each other because it was available instantly on the Libby app. And I think it was literally six months ago. And I could barely remember fantasy books, let alone romance. But it was very cute. I remember thinking it was really cute. He reads. That's what my book. My review said. He reads and he likes flowers.

[B]

Yeah, he's cute. He is cute.

[A]

Okay, I'm gonna go first. Picking my book for Mikayla. I'm getting right into it. I feel like I know she knows exactly what I'm gonna pick.

[B]

Let's see what you think it is. The last letter. Yep.

[A]

I'm gonna make her read it. You've been talking about it for forever and I think you need the push.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You need the push. I think Michaela has a little bit. You're scared that it's gonna let you down and it might. Yeah. But now here's the push for you to just get it over with.

[B]

Okay? Okay. Okay.

[A]

You'll be fine. I'll.

[B]

I'll do it. It's been sitting on my nightstand for months.

[A]

Well, that's because I've just been waiting.

[B]

For you to pick it for me. That's all.

[A]

There you go. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yaros. Caleb.

[B]

Oh, am I picking?

[A]

You're picking for Reggie.

[B]

I'm always so nervous to pick books for Reggie.

[C]

Don't be nervous.

[B]

I'm gonna pick you something really short.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Just the gift. Just kidding. I already had that.

[B]

No, I had another one picked out for you, but I feel like it's too long.

[C]

You guys know me so well.

[B]

For you.

[C]

Give her both options and then she can pick which one she wants.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

I won't lie. I probably will go the shorter option based off the books I have on my TBR that I have.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It's the Unselected journal of Emma.

[A]

Oh, you'll finish that in two second lying.

[C]

Okay. I. Well, when you guys were talking about it earlier, I'm like, I need to start reading these because I have fomo. They're on hoopla. I've heard so many people like, so many people are talking about them. Like my sister in law.

[A]

It's like Bridgerton.

[C]

I think I'll love it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

They're really.

[B]

I mean, it's. It's cute.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's literally three hours long.

[A]

It's really short. I started it today and I'm going to finish it on my drive home.

[C]

Hit my reading goal.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Yeah, I hit my reading goal. But I mean, it's 2025 as we're recording this, but it's a cute, bingeable.

[A]

Little series about a girl named Emma Love.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Bridgerton Esque era.

[C]

I'm excited for Bridgerton to come back. Perfect. Perfect.

[B]

There you go.

[C]

Kennedy. I had one I've been wanting to give you for a long time, but the problem is I read it so long ago that I kind of feel bad telling you it because I. All I remember about the book was that I was just like, huh. So that's why I've been curious for.

[A]

You to read it. Oh, so you think I'm smart?

[C]

No, just kidding. I think if I were to reread it, I'd appreciate it, but I feel like it would be kind of hard for us to talk about it if it's going to say alone with you in the either. But that's not what I'm picking for you.

[A]

I would read it, but that's not.

[C]

What I'm picking for you.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Because I want to pick something that I can really remember for that I'm going to give you Wild Dark Shore.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Okay. I used it for one of my.

[C]

Oh, have you started it already?

[A]

No, no. I use it for one of my credits on Everand and I had someone come up to me at the gym asking me if I've read it yet and she was raving about it. Did you finish it?

[C]

Yeah, Michaela's read it I just feel like it's a good. I'm just interested.

[A]

You want to know what's really funny.

[C]

Based off your reading taste.

[A]

I actually was going to start it to help me try and finish my reading goal.

[C]

Okay. It's a great audiobook.

[A]

Well, I used a credit for On Everand because.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Love it. Yeah.

[C]

I'm just curious what you're gonna think about it and I just feel like with your reading tastes.

[A]

Okay. Great job, everybody. I feel like we picked some shortish books. I gave Reggie a long fetching book last time.

[C]

What did you give me last time?

[B]

Sort of Kaigen.

[C]

Oh, duh. I don't feel like it was that long, though. I was really enjoying it, so it didn't feel long to me.

[A]

I love it, guys. That's great.

[C]

We'll report back.

[A]

We will report back sooner than what we did last time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, 2026 releases.

[C]

Here we go.

[A]

Now, I'm pretty sure you guys have a lot of the same books as me on these lists. There's a few that I thought sounded good. Just scrolling on the Goodreads list for 2026 releases that I don't think you guys will have. But who wants. Let's have.

[C]

You go first, actually.

[B]

I actually put the Ballad of Falling Dragons.

[A]

Oh, that's Sarah Parker. The. What's this first book? The dragon one? Yeah, that's right.

[B]

Well, I feel like I don't dislike it as much as I thought. I like. I still rated it four stars.

[A]

I think the reason why I. It felt really confusing, but I.

[C]

It comes out. When? Like soon.

[B]

I don't know. I don't have like the release date for all any of these. Do I need to have the release date?

[A]

I don't know.

[C]

It's okay.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

I have them for mine, but I.

[B]

Don'T know when it comes out. I just screenshotted it because I probably will read it.

[A]

I will probably read it April 28th. But I feel like I need to reread the first book.

[C]

That's what sucks. The thing is, is the first book.

[B]

They'Re gonna have recaps. Yeah, that's true.

[C]

And I don't remember.

[B]

People are gonna have recaps.

[A]

Not us. But we're not the channel where you go for recaps. Let's be honest. I really wish every author in every fantasy book would have just a tiny bit at the beginning of every next book, kind of summarizing the previous book.

[B]

I feel like, weirdly, I remember quite a bit from it. I mean, I'm sure There's quite, like, things that I don't, but I feel.

[C]

Like pictures of things. Like there's like that fighting in the sand thing.

[A]

I'm trying to remember how it ended.

[C]

Dragon with the.

[B]

I see. That's where it's a little fuzzy for me, but I feel like I remember a lot of things from it. Yeah.

[C]

Now specifically about it. Things are flashing back.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. I don't know.

[B]

Maybe it's because it was a book club book and so we did talk a little bit more. Wait, it was a book club book?

[C]

Right.

[A]

I feel like it's because we talked.

[B]

A little bit more in detail about it that I remember it as much as I do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because I was convinced I was gonna forget literally everything. I'm sure I will forget a lot of things, but not as much. I remember more than I thought I was going to, you know?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Anyways, that's my. That's the. Just the first one I screenshotted, so not necessarily my like, but it's just the first one I screenshotted, so.

[A]

Yeah, I'll read that.

[C]

I'll read that, too. Reggie in her own league list. Tom Ford.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

How do you guys feel about that? You guys know who this book's about, right?

[B]

I was convinced that. Yeah, I was convinced that it was going to be about.

[A]

That was going to be the six.

[C]

It's.

[A]

Who's it about?

[C]

It is a Windy City spin off. It's the owner of the baseball team. What's his name?

[A]

Wait, I kind of like it. With the owner. No, wait.

[C]

Her dad.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

No, no, the. It's the coach.

[B]

No, it's the owner, the team and.

[A]

The coach and her.

[C]

His daughter has a book.

[A]

Oh, wait.

[B]

I kind of like.

[C]

It's called Daddy Girl.

[A]

I kind of like it.

[C]

Yeah, I love him.

[A]

I don't hate it. I love him.

[B]

I was. I thought that was the sixth book or.

[C]

Yeah, sorry. He's the coach, she's the owner.

[B]

But yeah, and then I realized it's not because I thought. I thought that's the direction was going. So it's not like.

[C]

No, it's just a. I'm surprised.

[B]

Wendy.

[C]

City series spin off coming March 3rd.

[A]

I loved him in play along with the nephew and also the way that the team treated him, calling him grandpa.

[C]

Yeah, but he's like a hot grandpa.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You had the privacy. A hot grandpa.

[A]

How old is he? Because he was.

[C]

He's.

[A]

He's young.

[B]

40 something, I think, or late 30s, early 40s.

[C]

Oh, he's got.

[A]

Wait, you're Telling me that it really surprised you based on their. The. The her and his interactions and Play along.

[B]

No, I said it didn't surprise me. Oh.

[A]

I think I thought that was gonna be the six. Oh, I see.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I wonder how she's gonna.

[C]

He's Gott said he. He became a father at, like, really young, like Twan.

[A]

Yes, but it. He wasn't. She wasn't his biological daughter.

[C]

Well, how. But wasn't she, like. She was still, like, brand newborn?

[B]

No, No. I don't know.

[A]

I don't remember. But I think he's pretty young.

[C]

I don't think he's.

[A]

What is his name? No, I don't think he's in his 30s. But he's in his 40s.

[C]

He's got to be, like, late 40s.

[B]

Okay. He's in 40s. Because I'm thinking about it. Aren't most of the guys in their 30s?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Besides Isaiah. Or is Isaiah 31. Windy City.

[A]

It's Monty.

[C]

Monty.

[B]

Series ages.

[A]

Oh, I'm gonna eat this up. Someone.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I can't. Here I am yearning for someone's grandpa. I love it. That comes out the 3rd of March. Oh, guys, it's gonna be so good.

[C]

I'm.

[A]

I'm really excited.

[B]

He is also 45.

[C]

45.

[A]

Also just the fact that, like, we get all these people again. We get to be with our friends.

[B]

This is gonna be really interesting, actually. He's 45 and caught up. And he's 47 to 49 and play along.

[A]

I'm here for it. I like it.

[C]

So that means he's got it. But it might not. It's probably. Yeah, we probably missed some of the story.

[A]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of it takes place from Play Along.

[C]

I don't know. Like, I'm just wondering, like, when she first shows up. That's why it's like a spin off. I don't know.

[A]

I'm assuming.

[C]

But she's 25.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah, he could be.

[C]

She's 25 and she's like, 40. He's like, 46.

[A]

I haven't read a lot of age gap romances like that.

[B]

Um, his daughter is.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Interesting. I'm excited.

[C]

I can't wait.

[A]

I'm excited.

[B]

It's gonna be.

[A]

I don't know how I feel about this. I'm excited.

[C]

I want to swoon over someone's grandpa.

[A]

Sure. And I want to swoon over him. Okay. One of my books that I'm excited for is Victorious by V. E Schwab So it's the third book in the villain series. I've been waiting for this book. When I finished the second book, she didn't. I believe at the time she didn't have any intention of completing the series. And then when we met her in la, I had just found out that she decided to write the third book. So I can't really say a lot because it's the third book, but the first book in the series, you follow Victor and Eli, and it's kind of like their origin stories and they both have powers from something that you find out in the book. And neither of them are very good. They're both kind of like anti heroes. Didn't really love the second book, but I hope the third book is better. But I've been waiting.

[B]

Yeah. When we met her at la, didn't she say she just sent it off to her editors so she had finished it?

[A]

Yes. And there's actually synopsis. When I last checked, there wasn't one. But there is one now. So I'm really excited about that because I loved what was the first book called? Villain. Villain. No, Vicious. It's so good. So, yeah, I'm excited.

[B]

Love that.

[C]

For you.

[B]

Me? Oh, sorry. Don't know why I thought. Okay. I am excited for the night we met by Abby Jimenez. It's the second book in the say youy'll Remember Me. I will say. I feel like the say youy'll Remember Me was a little bit of a letdown. So I. I have high hopes for this next one, you know, but not.

[A]

As high hopes as I had for say youy'll Remember Me.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Let's hope she tones down the Rhysand references. Just any sort of TikTok pop culture reference, because she had never done that before. I don't know why she did that.

[C]

I feel like she had to have learned her lesson with today. You'll Remember Me. I feel like people were talking about it constantly.

[A]

Yeah, I have faith. You want to know what we're not getting in 2026, though? An Emily Henry release.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

She busy working on the adaptations.

[B]

Adaptations. Adaptations. Adaptations.

[A]

That's okay.

[C]

Anyways, I'll go. The Rights of the Starling by Devnee Perry. April 7th.

[A]

April is like the best month for.

[B]

Releases, but it looks kind of stresses me out because there's so many books to be read in April. Don't want no spoilers. Yeah, that's. That's.

[A]

Yeah, that one's gonna be a good one. Especially with the way that Shield of Sparrows ended yeah. Oh, my gosh.

[C]

I can't wait.

[A]

The theories went hard.

[C]

I can't wait. I just know that, like, I also feel like I'm basing all my reads from now until then around that book, if that makes sense. Because I'm like, I need. I just want to love that book so much. I'm not trying to set my expectations too high, but I just know if it's anything like the first one, I just want to be in the right. You know, the right space for it. So I can't wait. If you haven't read Shilda Sparrows and we haven't convinced you already, let this be your sign. Because I think this is, like, the one book next year that I'm feeling the very most excited about.

[A]

I think, unfortunately, mine's red. Gone.

[C]

Well, there's not a release date for that. It says 2026.

[A]

It's gonna happen. I'm putting it out there. It's happening.

[C]

I mean, there's no way. It's a Goodreads list of 2026 releases.

[A]

There's no way. It's not. That's fine.

[C]

Also crazy that he hasn't given an actual date. If it's coming out. When in 2026? In, like, the summer. By Spy or earlier. I feel like we should know a date.

[A]

Fingers crossed. Manifestation.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Manifesting.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Did you say yours?

[A]

Yeah, I said red. God. Okay.

[B]

I feel like that's a given for us, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Red God.

[A]

No matter what. The thing is, is I really want to reread Rising next year, so he needs. I don't care if it's December 31st at 11:59pm that is released. I don't care.

[B]

Yeah, I know. I feel like I'm not gonna start rereading until I get a release date. Me, too, because I don't want to commit. And then he'd be like, psych. Textually, 2027. I think people would actually riot.

[A]

No, I think I would be so surprised if it doesn't come out in 2026, because I really think people would be devastated and so upset.

[B]

Yeah. The next on my list is Our Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune. It just looks so cute.

[C]

Have you seen this? Like, the synopsis and everything?

[B]

No, but the. The COVID is just Carly Fortune covers.

[A]

Let me see it.

[B]

It's. Yeah, just, like, the purple and the yellow. Cute. The surfboards. Cute. I hope we get some surfing action.

[A]

I sure hope if it's on the COVID I mean. Yeah.

[C]

Based off of the description, which I don't know if you Want me to explain it? I think it's gonna be great.

[B]

Just an auto by author for me. I just. I have really liked all of her books. There's like a few authors. I'm just like, yep, yep. You don't have to tell me what it is, but I will read it because I like you.

[C]

I think this one might, like, kind of wreck me a little bit.

[B]

Why?

[C]

Like, it's going to be more emotional compared to her other books. From just what I'm reading.

[A]

I don't know what the synopsis is.

[C]

I know.

[A]

I don't know if you guys want.

[C]

Me to read it. That's why I'm not saying anything.

[B]

I don't care.

[A]

I mean, I don't care.

[C]

Basically, the plot, according to the book description on Goodreads is this girl invites her male best friend to be her best man at her wedding. But then she gets dumped on her wedding. And so the best man, her best friend, is helping her like navigate. They're going on like a trip together to kind of like cute. I don't know if they're going on the honeymoon together, but he's like, I've.

[A]

Seen this film before quite a few times.

[C]

And they're trying to repair their friendship a little bit.

[A]

Repair the friendship.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Have sex.

[C]

You're going to get it all. Okay, well, Michaela, you picked mine.

[B]

Sorry.

[C]

But that's okay because I have another one. This one comes out February 24th.

[B]

Oh, that's close.

[C]

And now back to you by BK Borison.

[B]

And now back to you.

[C]

I just. I loved first time caller because it felt very raw 90s Rom com. And we talked to BK Morrison about this on the episode. That was like what she was going for. It felt so nostalgic. It was so cutie. So the covers are just so perfect too.

[A]

Yeah, they're so cute. All of her covers are.

[C]

And now Back to you is about two competing meteorologists.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

Sign me up.

[A]

There's a 90 chance that it's already raining.

[C]

It's gonna be great.

[A]

Cast Amanda Seyfried in the adaptation, please.

[C]

Yeah, it's gonna be great.

[A]

Yeah, I'm excited. Her banter is always really good. Yeah, her banter's fun. All right. I'm gonna say the Nave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I liked the Night and Moth. I didn't. Why did I ask more than these two? Which I'm just realizing. I didn't talk about that on my five star read. Don't know why, because I Did rate it five stars. Yeah. I'm really excited for it. I think it's supposed to be a duology. Yeah. So the story will be done. I think so. I think so.

[C]

So she does those well.

[A]

I'm just excited to see my gargoyle again. My little sweetie. He's just like my. My dogs, you know, so that will be a good one. I have time.

[B]

Hopes for that one.

[C]

September 1st.

[A]

I do, too.

[B]

I think I'll like it more than the first one.

[A]

I think it'll be better than the first one, so.

[B]

But also, I just feel like I was. I was in the minority of not liking as much. I feel like a lot of people really liked it, so.

[A]

Yeah, that's okay. Rachel Gillig's one of those auto buy authors for me as well.

[B]

Yeah. This one is the Shippers by Katherine Center.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

The cover's so cutie.

[A]

Let me see it. Oh, yeah, that is cute.

[B]

I read the Love Haters, and I was really, really liking it until the end. It kind of ruined it for me. But I think it was really. I don't know how to describe it. It was very, like. I don't know how to describe it. It was like, very body positive. The main character really struggles with, like, body dysmorphia and, like, you know, and she had. She has a best friend that, like, makes her tell her things that she, like, loves about her body. And it was just, like, really cute. And I really. I just. I really liked it. I don't know, until the end. The end kind of sucked, but that's okay. And I. I really have liked a lot of Katherine Sinner's books, so they're.

[A]

Just, like, sweet and wholesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's the second book in the.

[B]

No, I don't think they're connected at all. Oh, I don't think so. I think it's just, like, a standalone. I don't think any of her books are connected.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

That makes sense. So, yeah, I don't. I. I literally. All of them I said were romance books. I'm going to. I'm excited for the other ones. They're just. They said them.

[A]

So Michaela's on a romance journey. I went.

[B]

A romance journey. Yeah. I think that's it.

[C]

Nice.

[A]

My turn.

[C]

All right. I'm gonna go with lion in the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent. I have a lot more faith in this one than I do. I. I was really excited about the one before this. I always forget Charisma. Makes her titles a little confused. The Fallen and the Kiss of Dust let me down a little bit. But the way that that book ends has me very excited about this next book. And I can't say much because it is.

[A]

Why do I feel like I know who the book is about?

[C]

I can tell you. You want me to tell you?

[B]

No.

[C]

Okay. Anyways, I'm feeling excited about it, so.

[B]

I feel like there's only one person.

[A]

She would be excited about.

[C]

You.

[A]

No, you. Yeah, I think.

[B]

I know.

[C]

But think about what you guys have already read.

[A]

Yes, I know.

[C]

Okay. You guys will find out if I'm.

[A]

If you're right or wrong person.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's not.

[C]

Actually, it's not. It's not.

[A]

I haven't read that book yet. I need to read it.

[C]

It's not who you think it is. It's not who you think it is. Okay.

[A]

I'm not going to choke on my spit. I'm not going to lie. Your reaction to the book made me.

[C]

Like, oh, here's the thing. I think you guys, I just read it at not the great time and I should not have listened to the audiobook. I had I physically read it and I would have enjoyed it.

[A]

Maybe what I'll do is I'm going to read Slaying the Vampire Conqueror to get back into that world and then do the next one.

[B]

Read that one too.

[A]

Maybe that's what I'm gonna do. Maybe in January.

[C]

I really like that one. It was pretty good.

[A]

I mean, her other novella was one of my favorite novellas I've ever read.

[C]

It's not a novella, though. It is a little longer.

[A]

That's okay. That's great.

[C]

It's great. And you. You probably should before the next book because those characters make it a cameo.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And it makes it. It made it very fun for me. So anyways, I just. I'm a Carissa Broadbent girly and I will read anything she writes, so we love her. I'm excited about the next book. I just feel like I'm gonna need a good recap of the last book. But she's on top of that, she has them on her website.

[A]

She's. Oh, I forget. She does that too.

[C]

Yeah, she is a queen.

[A]

Okay. I have this book. Oh. It's a debut novel. Just kidding. I thought maybe I had a read.

[B]

A book by her.

[A]

Guess not. I don't know. It's inspired by a movie that I just watched a few weeks ago. And so I added it. How to Kill a guy in 10 dates by Shaylee Thompson.

[B]

I Saw that one.

[A]

Basically the plot is the main character and her friend go on a speed dating. There's a blackout and one of the men dies, gets killed by one of the other people that's in the speed dating area from what I can tell. They go on lockdown and then they try to figure out who murder mission murdered the person. But also it's a rom com, so.

[B]

They'Re probably still trying to date. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

While trying to figure out.

[A]

I don't know. Kind of sounds like the main character wants to date the killer. I don't know. It said that if you're a fan of Love in the Time of Serial Killers, which I didn't love, or Butcher and Blackbird, you'll like this book. Which book? Butcher and Blackbird has this certain humor about it that I really liked. Other books in the series, not so much. So why not? That's a great Add it to the Libyan Listen to kind of book and it sounds different. Yeah. So. Okay.

[B]

Sounds interesting.

[C]

I know.

[B]

That does sound interesting.

[A]

Maybe a good October. Ready? I don't.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All right.

[B]

When does it come out? Does it come out around October?

[A]

February 26th. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

[B]

Just in time for Valentine's.

[A]

February 3rd. I'm sorry, Valentine's Day.

[B]

Just in time for Valentine's with some.

[A]

Murder in love with the side of murder speed dating. So the next book that I saw on the Goodreads list, I feel like a lot of people will be excited for this. I don't know necessarily if it's like on the tippy top of my list or if I will even get to it in 26th, 2026. But Marissa Meyer is releasing a book. It's called the Escape Game. It's kind of sounding almost like the Inheritance games kind of similar.

[B]

Ish.

[A]

So it's a YA murder mystery set in an escape room.

[B]

Fun.

[C]

Oh, that sounds like something Michaela would really.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Other than that the description just kind of goes through each person that's stuck in the escape room. But I know a lot of people really love Marissa Meyer's writing and sounds unique. I don't think she's ever done a murder mystery or like a thriller vibe because she did the super the superhero series. That's Marissa Meyer.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And the like Crest the Cinder and.

[B]

Heartless and she's done a couple other things.

[A]

I wonder if she's done like a thriller.

[B]

I don't know if what the vibes are of them though.

[A]

But yeah, says there's a twisty thrill ride filled with Sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for. So also, apparently there's one of the characters got away with her. Her own sister's murder.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

So, okay, there you have it, everyone.

[C]

All right, Twisty.

[A]

Another one that I have. And once again, I don't know if I'm necessarily going to read it, but it's by an author that I know. Matt Deniman is coming out with a standalone novel in 2026, and it's called Operation Bounce House. It just sounds like.

[B]

Sounds outrageous.

[A]

It sounds. If I'm remembering correctly, the synopsis is there's a guy who lives on a farm. I might be butchering this.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I think the farm. His farm hands are robots.

[C]

I don't know. Sounds very mad.

[A]

But then somehow, some way this man gets put in. There's like some sort of game going on where rich people get to play as players with. As a video game, but there's real people in it. I think I just butchered the synopsis.

[B]

No, I. That sounds great, but it sounds like a Matt Deniman book.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, it's so cool. I had no idea that he had a Patreon that people can literally choose, like, plot lines in his books.

[A]

I didn't know that either.

[B]

That's so cool.

[A]

Very on brand, though, I feel like, for him. Well, yeah, because he said he was like.

[B]

It was like the audience in the book.

[A]

Yes. Because literally, like, the whole plot of Dungeon Crawler Carl is that he's in this reality game show where people on other planets are watching these people.

[B]

Yeah. Play.

[A]

So that's cool.

[B]

Yeah, I'm. Yeah.

[A]

What?

[C]

Sorry, I finished your thought.

[A]

Oh, yeah, no, that was it.

[C]

I forgot that Colleen Hoover's coming out with another book.

[A]

And have you guys heard of the synopsis?

[C]

No.

[A]

Let's hear it. It's gonna be outrageous.

[C]

Twisty thriller. Oh, I can't get over this.

[A]

Actually.

[C]

This is actually.

[A]

It's a writer.

[C]

It's about a writer.

[A]

It's literally like.

[C]

Yeah, an author.

[A]

Like a fan.

[C]

Viral backlash over her latest film adaption.

[A]

Yeah, I remember this. This is a joke.

[B]

It's fan.

[C]

Literally, her words are used to set the page on fire. But a viral backlash over her latest film adoption forces her to take a hiatus. Brandon, a fraud and fame hungry opportunist. She learned the hard way what happens when the Internet turns on you. And she's been uninspired to write ever since.

[A]

Here's the thing. Do we think her hiatus inspired the book, or did she write the book and then decided to go on hiatus to like fuel the fire.

[C]

Oh, no. She needed to go on a hiatus, I think. I don't know.

[A]

Here's the thing.

[B]

Kind of sad for her, though.

[A]

Are you guys gonna read the book? No, no, I won't.

[C]

I can't wait to hear what other people say about it. But.

[B]

I mean, it's kind of wild that she's writing this, but I kind of feel sad for her.

[A]

But you want to know what? The thing is, is I. A lot of people that I know personally, they strictly only read Colleen Hoover or that's how they got into reading. So good for her.

[C]

I still choose Danny Francis.

[A]

Do you think we're ever going to find out who Danny Francis is?

[C]

Silver Elite. That book comes out also. The second book.

[B]

I didn't put that.

[A]

I didn't put it on there either.

[B]

I might read it for.

[A]

I will honestly. Probably read it. Giggles I will probably read it. Maybe it's one I'll listen to.

[C]

But Silver Elite one.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's just different though. The one I like.

[A]

The hard thing is, is once I read one book, it's hard for me not to continue. Yeah. I don't know.

[C]

I don't know. I'm. I'm on the. I'm on the. The conspiracy that Colleen Hoover is Danny Francis.

[A]

I hope one day we find out who it is. What? To be a dude Crazy.

[B]

It could be. It also could be. If we ever find out, use prosthetics and wigs. Kind of like Freedom McFadden.

[C]

Oh, that's a whole other rabbit hole I went down the other day. So pull freedom McFadden rabbit hole.

[A]

We should do a whole episode just on Freedom McFadden. She's also coming out with the book, but you know what? She comes out with like five a year. So what's.

[B]

Yeah, I don't know how she does that.

[C]

She's a fascinating.

[A]

I think she's really intelligent.

[B]

Yeah, but her.

[A]

Okay, sorry. Either that or she's.

[B]

Well, I'm sure. Right. How do I be nice? They're like. They're just so far fetched. I don't think she worries about, like, it logistically making sense or like real world.

[A]

Like, she does it for the shock.

[B]

How police actually handle things. It's just like, how much can I shock my readers with not being realistic at all?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, I just read two free to McFadden books in the past week, you guys, and honestly, they were within 48 hours of each other.

[A]

I feel like that's how it goes.

[B]

That's just how it goes.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You end up.

[A]

The first one wasn't sure. The first one wasn't big enough of a twist.

[C]

I was like, I gotta read another one.

[A]

So you know it was too realistic.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. I don't know.

[B]

Don't recommend.

[C]

So funny the one I was talking about.

[B]

But did you see, like a bunch of her books are getting adapted. Adapted.

[C]

Never lie.

[A]

I'm telling you guys once.

[C]

And they all get adapted. Is word D. I swear I saw.

[B]

I only saw Never lie in the.

[A]

Tenant, but I feel like never lie would be a good book.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or movie.

[B]

It would be like a good psychological.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Wordy would actually be insane.

[A]

I need to read that one.

[C]

That one actually, like, spooked me and I couldn't sleep at night.

[B]

The thing is, I feel like that one would be kind of expensive to film because you would need to be.

[C]

The teacher and the surrogate mother.

[B]

Yes, the teacher film.

[A]

Actual.

[C]

I haven't read that one. Look on your face is telling me.

[B]

Well, if you think about it, it's like Pretty little liars, but worse. But worse.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Oh, maybe one day we'll do a free to Free to make fat and episode for you guys.

[C]

I'm afraid of that one. I haven't read that one.

[A]

Let me guess.

[B]

The entire plot of the surrogate mother. Okay, let's see.

[C]

Let's throw our theories out there. Most accurate one.

[B]

So the surrogate mother is actually like, wholesome, you know?

[A]

Great.

[B]

But the, like, the people that want to have the baby are psycho.

[A]

They're psycho.

[C]

What?

[B]

I was going to say psycho. They're like, putting her through all this. They, like, are. What is it called? Like, threatening to take away, like, the money if she doesn't do something.

[A]

That's on the flip side. This mother, the surrogate's never pregnant. She faked it the entire time.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Or the surrogate mother is actually the bad guy.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And she's the one that's responsible for killing everyone in. I don't know.

[B]

Let me go back to mine where the surrogate mother is the sane one. She kills to keep the baby. To keep the baby.

[C]

But then the baby turns out.

[A]

Is actually an alien from outer space.

[B]

All right, okay.

[A]

Any other 20, 26 releases you guys can think of? I mean, there's a lot.

[B]

There's a lot. And I'm sure there's some that will release that I don't. Screenshot. I just like, you know, it's just a little bit more selective about. Well, I also feel like I am playing catch up from this last year too. And I feel like I felt that way about 2024 as well.

[A]

So I feel like I'm just like.

[B]

A never ending loop of like, catch up to read all of the release recent drops and then catch up to read all of the older books.

[A]

I try not to think about it.

[B]

Try not to think about it.

[C]

It's rough.

[A]

And then you got to catch up and read all the old books.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. So, yeah, I'm gonna try not to feel overwhelmed. Yeah, it's fine.

[B]

No, we're totally fine. We're totally zen.

[C]

It's all fine.

[B]

We're gonna have such a great.

[C]

So much hands, so much time.

[B]

So much time.

[A]

All right, guys, thanks so much for listening. We appreciate you guys. We hope you have a great reading year in 2026. There's going to be some good releases.

[B]

And maybe not so.

[A]

Maybe some not so good ones, but it's okay. Thanks so much for listening. We'll see you next week. Bye.