Best & Worst Books I've Read in 2026 (so far..)

I feel like Mark Lawrence really delves deep into the trauma and like the true reality of this experience and plays that out within the story. This was an easy five out of five stars for me.

I read books two through seven this year. I did not think I was going to like it, but man, the narrative, the characters, the plot just won me over and the audiobooks in particular are so good.

This series is probably one of the most delightful things I have read in years. It's a true slice of life experience that just like warms my heart, but still has like great emotional depth.

I did read it in one sitting, so I appreciated the speed at which I was able to get through it, but ultimately, I was really turned off by the big twist of this book.

This is a beautifully crafted, rather short novel that I feel like really captured emotion and nostalgia quite well. One of my favorite books I've read this year.

This is a journey of a story. It's a journey of romance. There's so much yearning in this and a lot of like beautifully heartbreaking moments too.

It's a pretty intriguing series. I liked the first two, so I'm excited to finish it.

I mean, The Bear and the Nightingale is like one of my favorite books of all time, and this really feels like it's going to be in line with that vibe, and I'm so excited.

which is a fantasy horror mix full of hilarious characters, great quest fantasy writing, and horrifying sequences. I really love the first one.

I've read The Expanse and really liked it, but that series was kind of a slow burn for me. It took me a while to warm up to the characters, but this time around I feel like I was locked in right away.

This is a book I've stopped and started like quite a few times, but I finally finished it this year and it was delightful. Becky Chambers just has a way with creating really cozy heartwarming stories that still have plot stakes that make them engaging and propulsive to read.

I was surprised by how much I loved this and just like how deeply complicated this sci-fi story ended up being. I was just blown away and absolutely sucked into the story immediately.

I've read the first book to the Licanius Trilogy and enjoyed it, and once I catch up with the Dandelion Dynasty series, I feel like I have mental space to take on another chunky book series.

And I did really enjoy the first book, but the second and third installment have been so fantastic. It has quickly risen to like one of my new favorite fantasy series.

Obviously, I really, really love The Will of the Many.

Ken Liu gives so much time for his plots to develop, which is incredibly satisfying. It's a very, very intense series both politically and in its combat.