The Book Review – "The Books We're Excited About in Early 2026"

Host: Gilbert Cruz
Guests: Joumana Khatib & MJ Franklin
Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively Book Review episode, Gilbert Cruz, joined by editors Joumana Khatib and MJ Franklin, kicks off 2026 with a vibrant discussion of the books they’re most excited to read from January to March. Covering anticipated debuts, new novels from celebrated authors, and thought-provoking nonfiction, the conversation weaves personal reading goals with a deep dive into the newest offerings in the literary world.

Reading Goals & Reflections

[00:41–03:50]

• Gilbert, MJ, and Joumana share their reading resolutions:
  • MJ aims to "read more classics" (Wuthering Heights, Anna Karenina) and to engage in deeper critical reading by exploring essays and references around each book.

    “One goal of mine is to slow down and … fill out my knowledge of the conversation.” – MJ Franklin (01:26)

  • Joumana prefers not to interfere with a good thing:

    “My reading is one of the few areas of my life that consistently goes well.” – Joumana Khatib (02:19)

  • Gilbert is interested in revisiting classics, especially those read in youth, to see them through new eyes.

    “There can be great value in going back to some of those books that we were made to read when we were younger and actually bringing our experiences to it.” – Gilbert Cruz (03:13)

• They discuss the freedom and value of reading and rereading classics outside a classroom setting.

Fiction Highlights

Vigil by George Saunders

Out January 27
[04:11–08:56]

• MJ describes Vigil, a highly anticipated short novel:
  • Centers on Jill, a ghost tasked with helping dying souls accept death, including an unapologetic oil executive, K.J. Boone, tormented by both guilt and literal ghosts.
  • Emphasizes Saunders' creativity, likening Jill to a "ghost doula" or "a doula in the Bardo".
  • Noted for its formal straightforwardness but rich creativity, similar to Lincoln in the Bardo.
  • Discussion of Saunders’ reputation for kindness and his quirky, meticulous craftsmanship:

    “He is weird. He is a real weirdo, and there’s something wonderful about that.” – Gilbert Cruz (07:45) “He is just a meticulous, thoughtful craftsman as well.” – MJ Franklin (08:08)

  • Notable quirky moment:

    “There’s… a scene… in which one ghostly character starts to reproduce themselves through their butt, I believe.” – Gilbert Cruz (08:44)

This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin

Out now
[09:04–12:35]

• Joumana details this sweeping, Russian-novel-style book:
  • Four interlocking stories on a rural Pakistani farm.
  • Explores connections, class, caste, and “upstairs, downstairs” social layers.
  • Garnering praise from critics; Dwight Garner calls it “a serious book you’ll be hearing about again later in the year when the shortlist for the big prizes are announced.”
  • Joumana’s engaging summary:

    “If you can get emotionally invested in cucumbers and their outcomes, this is the book that will do it for you.” – Joumana Khatib (10:34)

Lost Lambs by Madeleine Cash

Debut, Out now
[15:23–17:23]

• MJ describes this high-energy, darkly comic debut:
  • Follows a dysfunctional family: open marriage, three quirky daughters (dating a war criminal, catfishing a terrorist, conspiracy theorist genius).
  • Style compared to “Ryan Murphy Gleecore—bonkers storylines with a wink.”

  • “It is pretty unhinged in such a fun way.” – MJ Franklin (15:26) “Madeline Cash can really sell a punchline. She can really rock a callback.” – MJ Franklin (16:36)

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Out January 20
[17:23–19:13]

• Gilbert spotlights McCurdy’s debut novel (after I'm Glad My Mom Died):
  • Follows 17-year-old Waldo’s relationship with her creative writing teacher.
  • A provocative subject, drawing curiosity given McCurdy's penchant for challenging taboos.

    “Choosing this subject matter proves that she’s fearless. She’s willing to go there, talk about these third rail topics…” – MJ Franklin (18:56)

Clutch by Emily Nemens

Out February 3
[29:19–32:13]

• Joumana recommends this “great millennial retelling of The Group”:
  • Five women in their 40s navigate funerals, marital drama, political careers, and more.
  • Praise for sharp cultural insight and emotional intelligence.

    “The book is companionable and demented. Two words that I’m like, sign me up.” – MJ Franklin (32:08)

Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novak

Out February 10
[32:13–34:54]

• Joumana finds this genre-twisting romp “fascinating and unexpected”:
  • Sex worker protagonist; reframes the same murder scenario in three sections with shifting details.
  • Cites its political clarity and playful narrative style.

    “It’s a romp… the sex worker’s having fun and we’re having fun with her.” – Joumana Khatib (33:54)

Kin by Tayari Jones

Out February 24
[34:54–37:31]

• MJ relishes the return of the An American Marriage author:
  • Two girls—a murder orphan and an abandoned child—grow up as “cradle friends” in the Jim Crow South.
  • Themes: Family, sisterhood, coming-of-age.

    “These are books that are perfecting the wheel… just this immaculately done.” – MJ Franklin (37:06)

  • “I read it in one gulp. I was at home. Hold my call.” – Joumana Khatib (36:59)

Lake Effect by Cynthia Dupree Sweeney

Out March 3
[39:38–41:29]

• Joumana highlights Sweeney’s trademark “lovable family disasters”:
  • Begins in 1977 Rochester; explores ripple effects of affairs and shifting family dynamics.

Now I Surrender by Álvaro Enrigue

Out March 3
[41:29–43:22]

• Gilbert anticipates this historical novel:
  • Interweaves the story of Apache leader Geronimo with a modern family’s road trip.
  • Builds on the acclaim of You Dreamed of Empires.

The Keeper by Tana French

Out March 31
[43:22–45:52]

• Joumana touts the finale to the Cal Hooper series:
  • Ex-detective in rural Ireland is drawn into a new murder, upending the village.

    “The way she renders Irish brogues on the page is quite a feat.” – Joumana Khatib (45:45)

Notable Nonfiction

Fear and Fury: The Bernie Goetz Shootings and the Rebirth of White Rage by Heather Ann Thompson

Out January 27
[12:53–14:43]

• Gilbert outlines this examination of a landmark 1984 NYC subway shooting and its modern implications (justice, white rage).
• Another book on the topic: Five Bullets by Elliot Williams (legal perspective).

A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness by Michael Pollan

Out February 24
[21:17–23:55]

• Joumana summarizes this deep dive into consciousness studies (human, animal, and plant) and the scientific pursuit to understand sentience.

  “Plant consciousness is ancient, brainless, and largely immobile.” – Joumana Khatib (23:45)

On Morrison by Namwali Serpell

Out February 17
[25:37–28:41]

• MJ shares this essay collection based on Serpell’s Harvard course on Toni Morrison.
  • Each essay focuses on a specific Morrison novel and a wider literary or Black cultural theme.
  • Highly scholarly; recommended both as an introduction and an advanced guide.

    “If you love good literary criticism, if you love close reading, if you love Toni Morrison, I think this is one you will absolutely want on your reading list.” – MJ Franklin (27:11)

• Quick plug: Language as Liberation by Toni Morrison herself, collecting her lectures on the American canon (out Feb 3).

Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks by Benjamin Hale

Out March 3
[37:31–39:38]

• Gilbert recounts this true-crime narrative (expanded from a Harper’s article):
  • Investigates his cousin’s disappearance and a historical murder in the Ozarks, drawing out regional and family themes.

Rapid-Fire Spring Previews

[45:52–46:57]

• Mentioned Titles:
  • School of Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard (Jan)
  • Woman Down by Colleen Hoover (Jan)
  • Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbo (Feb)
  • Brawler by Lauren Groff (Feb 24)
  • The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (Mar)
  • Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich (Mar)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• MJ on Madeline Cash’s debut:

  “It is pretty unhinged in such a fun way.” (15:26)

• Gilbert on George Saunders:

  “He is a real weirdo, and there’s something wonderful about that.” (07:45)

• Joumana on ‘This Is Where the Serpent Lives’:

  “If you can get emotionally invested in cucumbers and their outcomes, this is the book that will do it for you.” (10:34)

• MJ on Toni Morrison scholarship:

  “I think this is one you will absolutely want on your reading list.” (27:11)

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

This episode’s tone is conversational and enthusiastic, with the three editors riffing on both literary trends and personal reading habits. There’s appreciation for everything from “cozy” millennial fiction to inventive romps and hard-hitting nonfiction—ensuring listeners of every genre preference come away with new titles for their lists.

“We have Unhinged, we have good family stories, we have deep nonfiction, and we have a lot of murder. What else could you want?” – MJ Franklin (46:49)

Summary prepared for readers who want to catch up on January–March 2026’s most anticipated books, as curated by the discerning editors of The New York Times Book Review.