I love starting the New Year with a new reading list. It’s my tradition here on the blog to share my book list in January: this year, I’m planning to read a mix of novels, personal & intellectual books, nonfiction & memoir, and a couple of business books to balance things out.
I believe reading informs how we think, teach, live, and see the world.
These books have inspired my creative work and teaching, challenged me to reflect more deeply, and fueled my development as a musician, educator, artist, and entrepreneur.
I hope you find something new to add to your reading list this year.
Happy reading!
18 Books to Read in 2026
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Fiction
Three Days in June (Anne Tyler)
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I’ve read a few of Anne Tyler’s books and they’ve been some of my favorites. The stories and characters really stick with you. This one was published last year and it sounds like a great one to take to the lake in the summer—all about the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life.
New York Times says, “Tyler lights up the space between people, and shows how it feels to be on the outside looking in. This is her superpower.”
Olive, Again (Elizabeth Strout)
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I read the first book in this series a few years ago and was completely drawn in. Ruthlessly honest, yet thoughtful and empathetic, Olive Kitteridge returns in this sequel. Set in Crosby, Maine, Olive seeks to understand herself and her life and the lives of those she meets.
My Friends (Fredrik Backman)
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This book has been popping up everywhere in the past few months. I thoroughly enjoyed Backman’s A Man Called Ove a few years ago. This novel, set in a seaside town, is about four teenagers who find refuge and solace together and the lasting power of friendship.
Small Things Like These (Claire Keegan)
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I’ve seen this one popping up in a few places recently, too. Set in a small Irish town in December 1985, a coal merchant makes a surprising discovery, which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.
The Dutch House (Ann Patchett)
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I’ve read a few things by Ann Patchett and always appreciate the richness of her writing. This novel follows two siblings across five decades as they are ousted from their family home and forced into poverty. Themes include wealth and inheritance, love, loss, sibling relationships, and forgiveness.
How to Age Disgracefully (Clare Pooley)
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I love the character writing in Clare Pooley’s books (author of Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting and The Authenticity Project). This is a humorous story about what happens when a senior citizen’s social club and a daycare join forces to save a community center.
Winter Solstice (Rosamunde Pilcher)
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The ripple effect of a tragedy brings five characters together in a neglected estate house near the Scottish fishing town of Creagan at Christmastime. Each one is lonely and dealing with loss, but together, they find friendship, loyalty, and love. Reminiscent of Maeve Binchy’s A Week in Winter. A perfect cozy winter read.
The Correspondent (Virginia Evans)
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Have you heard of this one? Shauna Niequist called it “The most charming book I’ve read this year.” It’s an intimate novel about the power of words, the lost art of letter-writing, and the gift of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.
Nonfiction & Memoir
The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans (Maya Shankar)
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Maya Shankar was a prodigious violinist studying under Itzhak Perlman—until she experienced a devastating hand injury. Then, she became a cognitive scientist and Rhodes Scholar. In this book, she shares stories of people who have navigated major disruptions alongside scientific insights and universal lessons on how we can find meaning amidst change.
The Best Dog in the World (ed. Alice Hoffman)
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A collection of essays and love letters to our most loyal companions, with contributions by Bonnie Garmus, Emily Henry, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, among others.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year (Margaret Renkl)
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This book is a collection of 52 essays (one for each week of the year) that uses the natural rhythm of nature and the seasons to explore themes of joy, grief, loss, family, and the importance of paying attention to the world around us.
Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story, in Music Lessons (Jeremy Denk)
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A NYT-bestseller and a love letter to music—especially music teachers. Renowned pianist Jeremy Denk, recounts stories of music teachers he had growing up and in college, as well as the pieces and composers that had the greatest impact on him.
Personal & Intellectual
Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life's Quiet Joys (Jennifer Shoop)
I love following Jen Shoop on Instagram and was excited to hear she’s writing a book! It’s a collection of poetry and prose focused on finding happiness and fulfillment in everyday moments.
Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create (Elissa Altman)
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Elissa Altman, author of three critically acclaimed memoirs, shares how to write the stories you’re compelled to tell. She includes steps to crafting a memoir, advice for how to keep going when you’ve been told you can’t, and how to overcome the fear that keeps so many important stories from being written.
The Art of Gathering (Priya Parker)
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Facilitator and host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, Priya Parker outlines a new approach to gathering that helps create meaningful, memorable experiences for all. Learn what works, what doesn't, and why when it comes to spending time with others at home, work, and in the community.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (Betty Edwards)
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I picked this one up from a sale at our local art museum—the classic, bestselling book on drawing. It feels like a good book for early Spring—an excuse to make time for art and reading simultaneously.
Business
A Bridge Not Too Far: Where Creativity Meets Innovation (Deepak Ohri)
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I love a good story about entrepreneurship, and this one comes highly recommended. A leader and innovator in the travel and hospitality industry, Deepak Ohri, founder and CEO of Lebua Hotels & Resorts, shares his entrepreneurial story and the practical lessons he’s learned along the way.
Becoming Trader Joe (Joe Coulombe, Patty Civalleri)
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This is a carryover from last year—it’s the story behind Trader Joes, written by founder, Joe Coulombe. The author shares his innovative approach to retail, his emphasis on company culture, and his philosophy of serving curious, value-conscious customers.
I’d love to hear from you:
Have you read any of these? Let me know. Also, I’d love to know what's on your book list this year!
