Reading this year

I love a book list, so I’m going to assume you do too. I’ve kept a running list of books I’ve read and where/how I got them. As much as I love a hardback book, I find myself reading more on my Kindle these days out of convenience. So far this year, I’ve read more romance (16 of the 36 total), and that is followed by thrillers (11). Non-fiction has been almost non-existent for me this year.

Without further ado, here are the books of 2026, so far …

Romance

1. “Merry Little Letters” by Sarah Wright Reed — This book was a joy to read. I related to Maddie as I’ve been known to be too “grippy” sometimes and found freedom in letting go. The way Ben overcomes ADHD (aka the way his brain works) and the lies his dad has fed him encourages me with my real-life son, Ben. The way letter writing is therapeutic, the patience to grow flowers in Colorado hothouse, the chapter titles like Carol lyrics, and the holiday sparkles throughout are beautiful. “Merry Little Letters” is a perfect blend of Hallmark meets actual life. (Kindle Unlimited) 
2. “Bluebird Gold” by Devney Perry – I really enjoyed Cosi and Ilsa in this book that is both mystery and romance. I liked the small-town Montana setting. But I didn’t like the use of the F word and a couple of open-door romance scenes, especially on Audible. I guess when I read a book, I mentally skipped over curse words, but hearing them made them harder to handle. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
3. “Falling into Place” by Allison Ashley – Another Kindle Unlimited find that hit the spot for me. I really liked the main characters, especially Brooks, and the family dynamic with Brooks’ sisters. This was a romance with plenty of character growth as they processed hard seasons from their past. I also am a sucker for reality TV and media references, which were key plot elements of this story. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
4. “How to Write a Love Story” by Catherine Walsh – I liked the writer & editor characters coming together to work on a much-anticipated book. They both realized real life influences fiction, even in the fantasy genre! I also liked the Irish setting for this story. (Book of the Month) 
5. “First-Time Caller” by B.K. Borison — This book was fine. I really liked the radio setting of the meet cute, and I got Sleepless in Seattle vibes, which is never bad. But I don’t know why this was a Book of the Month Book of the Year (2025) Finalist. That’s what I kept thinking … until I got to the last three chapters and epilogue. They were definitely the best part. I also could have done without the sex, which seemed very much just thrown in. (Book of the Month) 
6. “The Night We Met” by Abby Jimenez – This author is a master at crafting emotionally complicated characters who navigate realistic hardships while also offering clever, fun banter. I’ve loved most of her books, which seem to get better each time she publishes. This one has storylines involving grief, alcoholism, difficult family dynamics, and broken friendships, but also showcases how love has many different languages when it’s shared through so much more than just physical touch. (New release hardcover)
7. “Change of Plans” by Sarah Dessen – I liked the post-graduation summer setting of this book and the character development that accompanied the unexpected plans and connections. One minor note: There were a few gender-neutral names that kept driving me nuts because I couldn’t remember if the minor characters were girls or boys. I’ve enjoyed several of this author’s books in the past and like her writing, even if she writes books geared toward young adults. (Kindle)
8. “Our Perfect Storm” by Carley Fortune – This wasn’t my favorite book by her, but I did enjoy it. I certainly found myself rooting for George and Frankie. I wanted the storm title to carry through more of the book. I loved how the story includes flashbacks to the early decades of their friendship and how that complicates current feelings and possibilities. Also, there were lots of “Little Women” references, although I’m certain I didn’t catch them all. (Book of the Month) 
9. “The Epicenter of Forever” by Mara Williams – A well-written story of grief turning into goodness really resonates with me because that’s something we all navigate regularly. I loved the earthquake analogy woven through this tale, which includes family secrets, surprises in a settled life, and decisions of grace that make room for redemption. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
10. “The Truth is in the Detours” by Mara Williams – Yes, that’s two in a row by the same author. I liked this one too! The characters were relatable, and the road trip plot worked well for their development and growth. I also enjoyed the faithful friendship that sustained so many different seasons despite their own personal journeys. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
11. “The Shippers” by Katherine Center – And I remembered why she’s my favorite! Her characters are funny, quirky, and real. The way she writes acknowledges life’s hardships but leaves plenty of room for hope and love. The title refers to both the cruise ship scene and the matchmaking that occurs both as part of The Plan and unexpectedly. I’d give this one all the stars! (Book of the Month) 
12. “Never Over” by Clare Gilmore – If I find myself jotting down quotes from a fiction novel or thinking, “Oh, yes, that’s how I felt when …” then that’s five stars for me. I loved the songwriting and baseball details. The then-and-now timeline worked well for the relationship growing and breaking and growing again. Plus, the references to rom-com tropes were funny! And I appreciated the ode to sisterhood woven throughout. Overall, I’m left remembering how we truly affect people as we go through life — sometimes on purpose, sometimes accidentally, and sometimes completely by surprise. (Book of the Month)
13. “The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain” by Hannah Brown – This was a cute rom-com book with good symmetry of past and present, three different relationships, and one main character who was struggling to find her way. I liked the Hawaiian setting. Some of the book was silly, but overall I enjoyed this one. (Kindle)
14. “You, With a View” by Jessica Joyce — I loved the banter between former high school nemeses now that they’re grown-ups figuring out what matters. I loved Noelle uncovering her grandma’s first love as she grieves her death. The storytelling from that is beautiful. And I love a road trip, especially one that symbolizes the journey the characters are on individually and together. I did not love the cursing or heavy intimate scenes. I read this one on our long travel day at the beginning of vacation. (Kindle)
15. “Love Letters for Other People” by Shaylin Gandhi — I loved this story of first love, lots of life, and the second love that mirrors the first. The beginning was a little slow, but the second half of the book was really good. I could have done without all the F words. But I appreciated the new kid who loves words and his first friend & everything who loves numbers.  (Kindle Unlimited)
16. “The Other Side of Starting Over” by Mara Williams – I’m a sucker for a book that handles grief, both the kind from the death of a loved one and unmet expectations, well. I loved the main character, sympathized with how secrets complicate grief, and appreciated the fact that hope came anyway. This one comes out in November, but I got to enjoy it early, thanks to NetGalley. (Will be available on Kindle Unlimited)

Thriller

1. “Happy Wife” by Meredith Lavender and Kendell Shores – This was an intriguing thriller where the wife was the suspect in her husband’s disappearance. But wasn’t she the happy wife? I thought I had the guilty party figured out, but the ending surprised me somewhat. I was a good audiobook listen. (Audible)
2. “The First Gentleman” by Bill Clinton and James Patterson – I love a legal and political thriller. Add in a love story and author life, and this was a good choice for me! It’s been a long time since I read a James Patterson book, but this author combo made for a fast-paced, intriguing mystery complete with White House drama and a murder trial. (Audible)
3. “My Husband Next Door” by K.L. Slater – I liked this domestic thriller in which many characters could have been guilty. I didn’t figure out the twist, which makes for a fun ending. I also really liked the British narrator on Audible. (Kindle Unlimited)
4. “What She Saw” by Mary Burton – Thrillers are working for me right now, and I liked this one with a dual timeline and a writer trying to weave together details of a past crime. The story got a little slow and dragged on too much, but there were some good reveals and character development. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
5. “It’s Not Her” by Mary Kubica – This was an intense thriller where everybody seemed like they may have been guilty. Then, when it all gets sorted out at the end, there’s a twist that wasn’t even on my radar! I liked the vacation lake setting, how the story wasn’t bogged down with unnecessary details, and the page-turner tempo. (Book of the Month audio)
6. “I Came Back for You” by Kate White – This was a fine thriller. I thought the dynamic between the ex-spouses was odd and could have been portrayed better. I also just don’t care for surprise same-sex relationships later in a book. But the mystery was intriguing and kept me turning the page. (Amazon Prime First Reads) 
7. “Her First Mistake” (Noelle Marshall #1) by Kendra Elliot – Once again, I happened upon this one on Kindle Unlimited and really enjoyed the fast-paced thriller. I liked the main character, which is good because there’s a second one in the series! (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
8. “No One Knew” (Noelle Marshall #2) by Kendra Elliot – I realize reading (and listening to) the second in the series on the heels of the first surprises no one! This had some romance, a backstory intertwined with the present, family drama, and domestic terrorism. Plus, I really enjoy Noelle Marshall herself.  (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
9. “This Story Might Save Your Life” by Tiffany Crum – I loved this romantic thriller or thrilling romance. Benny and Joy were the kind of people I wanted to be friends with, which must have been how others felt, because their survival podcast quickly exploded and literally changed their lives. They know their history as best friends, but now they’re unsure who to trust and who is truly helping them. Plot lines include missing people, odd neighbors, grief, friendship, and broken relationships. It’s all revealed in a non-linear storyline that really worked well for this one. I was so into this on Audible that when I wasn’t able to listen, I had to get it on my Kindle so I could be consuming this story at all times possible. (Audible/Kindle)
10. “As Far As She Knew” by Diana Awad – I’m always drawn to family dramas, and this one delivered many twists. I liked the Muslim culture intertwined throughout the story, which was filled with lies and uncertainties, eventually unwoven to reveal the truth. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
11. “Unknown Caller” by Gillian McAllister – What a thriller! When the kidnapping storyline was somewhat resolved, I realized I wasn’t even quite halfway through! So much still happened, and I was totally caught off guard by a big twist toward the end. Looking back, there were hints to it, but I didn’t catch it. (Kindle)

Contemporary Fiction

1. “Good Days Bad Days” by Emily Bleeker – We all have them, right? Good days. Bad days. This book does an excellent job of telling about Charlie coming to terms with her childhood, realizing her renovation TV show echoes some themes from her actual life, and navigating her relationships with her aging parents. Charlie’s story is told with a dual timeline of her present and her parents’ past. I love when a fiction book tackles hard, real-life topics, and this one does that beautifully. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
2. “In Another Life” by Imogen Clark – I found this one on Kindle Unlimited. Y’all know I like a family drama with some mystery, and that’s just what this was. The dual timeline worked well for the mysterious unfolding of why two sisters weren’t in one another’s lives. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
3. “Life as Planned” by Amanda Prowse – This was a character development heavy book that took me a bit to get into, but once I did, I was invested in the twin girl main characters. When they’re 10 years old, they make some decisions that truly alter the course of their entire lives. The chapters are each decade of their lives, and the way their stories are woven together from the past to the present is beautiful. The whole story made me think about how small decisions do change the trajectory of life, and secrets always come to light. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
4. “Good Joy, Bad Joy” by Mikki Brammer – This cover is beautiful and fits the character-driven story well. As Joy navigates grief and life changes, she wonders if following all the rules really was the best way to live. I tend to like novels with more action, but I enjoyed this one. (Book of the Month)
5. “The Unraveling of Julia” by Lisa Scottoline – I liked this one! I’ve read many Lisa Scottoline books, and this was different but included her trademark thriller twists. I liked that it was more than “just a thriller” with plots involving history, astrology, family drama, adoption, and some romance. I wouldn’t normally care for the astrology & ghost references, but it fit with the Italian Renaissance details. (Kindle Unlimited)

Memoirs

1. “Twice Delivered: A Story of Two Families, Two Worlds, and One Redeeming Love” by Isaac Melber – This book is the story of a boy orphaned in Ethiopia and adopted by a Kentucky family, who came to faith. He presents adoption as a beautiful picture of Jesus’ redeeming love. (Paperback)

Bible Studies

1. “Exalting Jesus in Joshua” (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) – This is one of my two favorite commentaries for whatever I’m studying. 
2. Joshua by Precept Ministries – This is what my regular Bible study group did in the spring semester. I wasn’t sure how practical a history book about allotments of land would be, but, of course, God faithfully encouraged me in ways I didn’t expect. 
3. “Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom” by Jen Wilkin – I was hesitant to study Revelation, especially in the summer, but this study was so insightful into God’s faithfulness and promises. I watched the videos and discussed the study with my friends. 

*****

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