26 Books to Read in 2026 [ 13 Picked by Friends ]

I asked 13 friends to choose my reading fate for 2026... and added 13 of my own backlist books to make the ultimate 26-book challenge spread. If I don't make it look pretty in my journal, I won't do it...so let's set this up!

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm building my "26 Books in 2026" spread. It's half "books I've been avoiding" and half "books my friends forced me to read." Friendships will be tested, stickers will be used, and hopefully, my TBR will finally shrink.

Watch the journal spread: https://youtu.be/uMp6idyKkDE

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 The brutal truth about my reading

01:15 My 13 Backlist Picks

06:21 The 13 Friend Recommendations

11:55 The final spread reveal

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED

My Backlist Picks:

✨ Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi: https://rstyle.me/+IQJJ0_LHsSVC5UmEMSOuAQ

✨ The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole: https://rstyle.me/+W60sajqH4j6UhVRHeGjoOg

✨ The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino: https://rstyle.me/+VVUNed5hCK6yxmL-T9_B3Q

✨ What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller: https://rstyle.me/+9rNcJRJxnhm2GpTbg4osgQ

✨ A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly by Sophia St. Germain: https://rstyle.me/+1_HE10MOhTN7_abLR9kaZQ

✨ Stalked by Seduction and Shadows by Maggie Sunseri: https://rstyle.me/+ypQ8t7VoCQkyQSeyFVqvMg

✨ The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem: https://rstyle.me/+ml4T1P7D22wkQCfPKdqgtg

✨ Endless Anger by Sav R. Miller: https://rstyle.me/+A4B45ZF6BgzwSIDBR16jBw

✨ Grim's Delight by Abigail Kelly: https://rstyle.me/+r3f_8tc56fcVXEguWlI_gg

✨ The Predator by Runyx: https://rstyle.me/+HVDXJn6iMGe4EvjUTmzJow

✨ A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle: https://rstyle.me/+m81kbzv3dL9kYDOmLlnYpw

✨ Scoundrel Take Me Away by Louisa Darling: https://rstyle.me/+gFHL11m3FyFmLNYz76FkoQ

✨ Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe: https://rstyle.me/+-J-v3su905_3vIwFuAdNmQ

The Friend Recommendations:

✨ The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (rec by Chase @wandereader): https://rstyle.me/+cJZiBp0VjIgx3zhub4uMKA

✨ The Scattered Bones by Nicole Scarano (rec by Nancy @ravenousreader): https://rstyle.me/+-311plHXwvezzWNgkfCztw

✨ Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (rec by Victoria @bibliolifestyle): https://rstyle.me/+7IgKNnTwZUL42zd0OnDMAg

✨ Shades of Silver City by Miranda Joy (rec by Jen @booksjenrecs): https://rstyle.me/+7cjfSX8Tqzemb8kCzjN4AA

✨ I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang (rec by Tiffany @quilltreefox): https://rstyle.me/+lYAuzN_PPs1gsvtpmU6DCw

✨ Red City by Marie Lu (rec by Nina @tender.curiosity): https://rstyle.me/+r4z6DMKyYe212tsJQY2qlQ

✨ Beautiful Things by Emily Rath (rec by Cassi @fervorandfables): https://rstyle.me/+WnTBWacmZl6nQ8h3RswIAw

✨ Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry (rec by Angela @rn.gela): https://rstyle.me/+RUzIPP8XS5e43Bb9wYytAw

✨ For Pleasure or Worse by Karissa Kinword (rec by Amanda @amandacxyz): https://rstyle.me/+WKpUDRGS3Z1kG77XQOzU8w

✨ Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian (rec by Laura @whattoreadnextpodcast): https://rstyle.me/+9h9L3Lyw0aD5Pj84r7xWZA

✨ The Female by Invi Wright (rec by Stephanie @ideallyinspired): https://rstyle.me/+7d91effAmaH9ilt_HHd1_w

✨ A Darkness So Sweet by Emma Hamm (rec by Jasmine @horse_gal): https://rstyle.me/+X2otkHjO13x6MGf4Si6EpQ

✨ Naughty & Nice by Azalea Crowley (rec by Malia @romanceschmomance): https://rstyle.me/+_XoJGa9SvLol0n1vHWnz_Q

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