Reading Glasses – Ep 445: Most Anticipated for January and February + Danika from Book Riot!
Release Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Brea Grant & Mallory O'Meara
Special Guest: Danika Ellis (Book Riot)
Episode Theme & Purpose
This episode is the first most-anticipated books roundup of 2026, focusing on can’t-miss titles for January and February. Brea and Mallory highlight their top upcoming releases across genres, make recommendations, and provide tips for making the most of your TBR. The episode also features a lively interview with Danika Ellis from Book Riot to discuss the 2026 Read Harder Challenge.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Casual Banter & Recent Reads (00:00–05:11)
- Pajama Tangent: The duo starts with their trademark cozy banter, discussing fancy pajamas and robes, and how investing in good pajamas makes you feel “like an empress” (Mallory, 01:27).
- “Getting nice pajamas when you start getting older makes you feel like an empress.” – Mallory (01:27)
- Current Reads:
- Brea recommends Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll:
- Describes it as “literary fiction meets true crime” set in the 1970s.
- Explores how women are treated post-trauma and society’s obsession with serial killers.
- “It really goes into, like, our obsession with serial killers, but then also the way we treat women… It’s just really well written.” – Brea (02:56)
- Mallory shares Love in Exile by Shan (Sean) Fay:
- Part memoir, part history, about love in modern life.
- Deals with topics including family, trauma, and navigating love as a trans woman.
- “She’s very honest...I experience the extreme version of a lot of this stuff because I’m trans.” – Mallory (04:02)
- Brea recommends Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll:
Listener Feedback & Show Notes Highlight (05:11–11:15)
- Listener Encouragement: Messages from Tyler (“I’ve read 30 books by early November!”) and Anita spotlight the impact of the podcast and the importance of the show notes for discovering new books.
- Show Notes Labor of Love: Mallory implores listeners to check the show notes for a massive, hyper-curated book list every anticipated-books episode.
- “Oh my God. Fucking Christ. This episode took me two days to write…I write personalized descriptions.” – Mallory (07:53)
- “Every time you show notes, Mallory gets her wings.” – Brea (09:02)
- Big News: The Reading Glasses podcast was featured in the print edition of the New York Times as one of “Seven Podcasts for Bookworms” (10:34).
The Most Anticipated Books of January (14:52–25:53)
- Format: Brea and Mallory take turns sharing their top six picks each. (Detailed lists are in the show notes!)
Brea’s Picks
- Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children #11): YA/adult novella series; whimsical and dark portal fantasy.
- “These are all like YA, but I find that they are always really dark.” – Brea (17:09)
- All The Little Houses by May Cobb: 1980s East Texas coming-of-age thriller (Brea’s hometown!)
- Midnight Pastry Shop at Huawul Dong by Lee Anhua: Cozy magical realism, desserts, family bakery in China.
- “This just feels like a very cozy, wonderful dessert for your brain.” – Brea (21:38)
- The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune: 1990s, found family, powers, “Stranger Things” vibes.
- (See full list in the show notes.)
Mallory’s Picks
- Humboldt Cut by Alison Mick: Eco-horror with body horror elements, family drama set in northern California.
- “Unnatural acts giving birth to entities made of human flesh and petrified bark.” – Mallory (18:13)
- The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman: Queer, medieval fantasy, werewolf legend retelling.
- “If your name is Finn Longman and you don’t write fantasy books, I mean, I think legally you are required to write fantasy novels.” – Mallory (19:47)
- When Trees Testify by Rhonda L. Montgomery: Nonfiction, Black botanical history through the lens of trees.
- “If I was ever a vampire … botany is one of those things I’d be really interested in.” – Mallory (21:58)
- Winter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermid: Creative nonfiction about winter traditions in Scotland.
Memorable Moments
- Werewolf vs Vampire Debate (22:04):
- Mallory: “If I was a vampire and became immortal, botany is one of those things I would really…I’d be really interested in.”
- Brea: “A mortal, I’d go werewolf any day.”
The Most Anticipated Books of February (29:12–36:19)
Shared Excitement
- The Body by Bethany C. Morrow: Surreal horror, marriage under siege, cryptic “attacks.”
- “This one sounds weird as fuck.” – Mallory (29:35)
- Agnes Albert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett: Cozy fantasy, 1920s Montreal, a cat shelter and a grouchy wizard team up.
- “It’s about a woman who runs a cat shelter in the 1920s in Montreal who turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in a heartwarming, cozy fantasy.” – Brea (30:38)
Brea’s Picks
- The Forest at the Edge of Time by Jasmine Kirkbride: Eco sci-fi, time travel, amnesia, ancient Athens vs. a post-apocalyptic island.
- I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig: Ex-serial killer in a retirement home must prove her innocence.
- Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward: YA gothic horror, runaways in a haunted ranch once owned by a movie star.
- The Renovation by Kenan Oren: Surreal novel set in Italy where a bathroom remodel turns into prison cell and existential reflection.
Mallory’s Picks
- Her Last Breath: Thriller, best friends trapped caving, hidden pasts unfurl.
- “Every once in a while, I read a description like this and I’m like, if I don’t find out what happens, I am gonna go lie in the road.” – Mallory (32:27)
- The Glowing Hours by Layla Siddiqui: Horror/gothic, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein retold from her Indian housemaid’s perspective.
- Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio: Sci-fi romance, woman relives one-day relationships with her exes in a time loop.
- Unread: A Memoir of Learning and Loving to Read on TikTok by Oliver James: Adult literacy journey completed via BookTok.
- “He learned to read by using TikTok…It’s all about literacy and how important literacy is and how it changes life.” – Mallory (36:39)
Interview: Danika Ellis from Book Riot (37:54–50:05)
What Danika’s Reading Now (37:54)
- Sapphic holiday books: Joy to the Girls by Rachel Lippincott & Allison Derrick; Really Cute People by Marcus Harwood Jones (polyamorous snowed-in romance).
2026 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge (39:02)
- 12th year running, 24 diverse tasks to expand your reading; balance of fun (e.g. “Read a book set in space”) and serious (e.g. “Read a nonfiction book about AI or social media”).
- “We want it to be fun, but we also want some serious stuff in there, too.” – Danika (40:27)
- Emphasis on subgenres having a moment, like BIPOC/queer romantasy and gothic novels.
Behind the Challenge Scenes (41:03)
- Editors & contributors brainstorm, narrowing down categories for a mix of genres, tone, and accessibility.
- Overthinking is part of the process: “We [overthink] it very seriously.” – Danika (39:35)
Personal Faves & Impact (42:17, 45:13)
- Tasks Danika loves: “Read a nonfiction book about resistance,” “Read a gothic novel published in the last 10 years.”
- “It’s a good way to get to know new genres and formats and tropes that you wouldn’t have tried otherwise.” – Danika (45:29)
- The challenge combats reading ruts/gamifies reading and broadens horizons.
Danika’s Reader Wheelhouse (47:08)
- Sapphic novels and sapphic vampire novels, queer/cozy fantasy, slice-of-life manga, books by Indigenous authors, cute creature comics.
- “My reading tends to be to one extreme or the other. Like, I either want to be terrified or so comfortable and cozy.” – Danika (47:59)
Where to Find Danika/Book Riot Resources (49:21)
- Read Harder Newsletter, Arc We Our Shelves newsletter, All The Books podcast.
- Lesbrary.com: Sapphic book reviews.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Getting nice pajamas when you start getting older makes you feel like an empress.” – Mallory (01:27)
- “I read Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll…It really goes into, like, our obsession with serial killers, but then also the way we treat women…It’s just really well written.” – Brea (02:56)
- On creating show notes: “I lose sleep, I lose blood, I lose my soul...It’s...in the show notes, please, please, please look at it.” – Mallory (15:37, recurring motif)
- On Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge:
- “We want it to be fun, but we also want some serious stuff in there, too.” – Danika (40:27)
- “It’s a good way to get to know new genres and formats and tropes that you wouldn’t have tried otherwise.” – Danika (45:29)
- On cozy reads: “This just feels like a very cozy, wonderful dessert for your brain.” – Brea (21:38)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – Pajamas & cozy chat
- 02:09 – Brea’s Book: Bright Young Women
- 03:31 – Mallory’s Book: Love in Exile
- 05:11 – Listener feedback & importance of show notes
- 10:34 – NYT mention
- 14:52 – Why these episodes matter (labor + curation)
- 16:00 – January most anticipated picks begin
- 21:43 – Mallory’s botany nonfiction pick: When Trees Testify
- 25:59 – January picks wrap-up, transition to February
- 29:12 – February most anticipated picks begin
- 32:03 – Thriller spotlight: Her Last Breath
- 35:22 – Sci-fi romance: Insignificant Others
- 37:54 – Interview: Danika Ellis/Book Riot Read Harder Challenge breakdown
- 41:03 – Behind the scenes: designing the challenge
- 47:08 – Danika’s reading preferences/wheelhouse
- 49:21 – Where to find Danika/Book Riot resources
Episode Structure
- Bookish banter & recommendations
- Listener feedback & show notes spotlight
- Huge curated list and labor discussion
- January anticipated books
- February anticipated books
- Book Riot/Read Harder Challenge interview
- Danika’s personal wheelhouse & book recs
- Resource round-up
Final Thoughts
This episode is overflowing with recommendations, humor, and book-nerd fervor. Whether you’re hunting for the next buzzy thriller, a cozy fantasy, a challenging piece of non-fiction, or looking to join a major annual reading challenge, this episode’s got you covered—with a heavy emphasis on community, expanding your habits, and reading outside your comfort zone.
Pro Tip:
For full descriptions, wheelhouses, and the extended list (50+ books!), check the show notes. As Brea quips: “Every time you show notes, Mallory gets her wings.” (09:02)
Find the shownotes, bonus content, and challenge info at readingglassespodcast.com or in your podcast app.