In 2024, I set myself a goal to read 24 books to make reading a habit. It’s fair to say, it’s stuck. I’ve read every day for almost two years now. While sometimes it’s felt hard, especially when the book is a 2/10 or challenging, mostly it’s an absolute joy.
Here are the books I’ve read this year and a few notes on my thoughts. I’ve read a mix this year. Lots of them I read in the middle of the night while feeding a baby – simple reads and rereads were a Godsend at these times.
Before I take a deep dive, here is a list of all the books I’ve read in 2025. Use it as a reading list for 2026! I’ve highlighted my faves.
- Fault in Our Stars (John Greene)
- Turtles All the Way Down (John Greene)
- Think Again (Jacqueline Wilson)
- Where the Heart Should Be
- Cat Lady (Dawn ‘o Porter) | Lighthearted and funny
- Eat Pray Love (Elizabeth Gilbert)
- Songbird (Christy Lefteri) | Great story
- Summer Water (Sarah Moss)
- Blue Sisters (Coco Mellors)
- Brick Lane (Monica Ali) | Great story
- Weyward (Emilia Hart)
- Circe (Madeline Miller)
- It Ends With Us (Colleen Hoover)
- And Away (Bob Mortimer)
- So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed (Jon Ronson) | A good non fiction read. Will give you some shocking stories to share with people
- Maurice and Maralyn (Sophie Elmhirst)
- How to Stop Time (Matt Haig) | Funny, heart warming
- The Humans (Matt Haig) | Funny, heart warming
- Take My Hand (Dolen Perkins-Valdez)
- Always Take Notes (Simon Akam) | Great to dip in and out of. If you’re interested in the craft of writing, it’s a good one
- Spoon-Fed (Tim Spector)
- The Radleys (Matt Haig)
- Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Sue Townsend) | Read this multiple times. Never disappoints
- What a Way to Go (Bella Mackie)
- Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver) | A great book
- 5 Regrets of the Dying (Bronnie Ware) | Eyeopening
- Nobody Told Me (Hollie McNish)
- Prophet Song (Paul Lynch) | Thought provoking
- The Wall (John Lanchester) | Powerful
- The Dead Fathers Club (Matt Haig)
- The Women (Kirstin Hannah) | UNPUTDOWNABLE
- The Heart’s Invisible Furies (John Boyne) | Best ever. Read it
- So Long, See You Tomorrow (Maxwell)
Books to read in 2026, and the ones not to bother with…
Here are my top 7 books I read this year. Add these to your reading list for 2026!!
The Heart’s Invisible Furies By John Boyne
This is THE BEST BOOK I’ve read this year. Maybe ever. I still think about Cyril now. It made me laugh, tear up and it made me think. The story flows so well, with lots of coincidences and moments where you just want to shout, “SHE’S RIGHT THERE”. No spoilers. Just read it. You’ll love it.
The Women By Kirstin Hannah
I was HOOKED on this book. I literally could not put it down. It moves so quickly, too. You go through Frankie’s life, love and loss. So much happens. A joy to read for anyone with a short attention span.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpma
A short read, but like The Women, it moves quickly. The story is about 40 women who are in an underground guarded bunker but with no idea why they are there…The book is quite old, but has a modern feel.
Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware
This is a book that will stay with me. Of course the title makes it sound a little depressing. However, it’s a beautiful book. Just the right amount of spirituality and thoughtfulness. Bronnie was a palative care nurse and she talks about her clients and the most common regrets as they faced terminal illness and death.
Brick Lane by Monica Ali
Brick Lane is a fat book. I read it on my phone otherwise I may have found it intimidating! I was right there with the Nazneen as she shaved her husbands calloused feet in a high rise London flat. Sad, funny and incredible female characters.
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
When chaos becomes the new normal. Things happen so gradually to one woman and her family. Before she knows it she’s living in a war zone with no clear way out. Powerful.
The Wall by John Lanchester
Dystopian fiction. The UK is surrounded by a big wall to keep people out. Everyone does a service on the wall. This is one man’s experience of his time on the coast.
Okay, I know I said seven. But, this couldn’t miss my list of books to read in 2026.
Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver
Little Demon Copperhead. What a life he has. Follow him through his trials in Lee County, Virginia. A modern retelling of David Copperfield and a must read.
Books not to bother with in 2026
- Coco Mellors – Blue Sisters. Strong opening. Nothing really happens. I LOVED Frankenstein and Cleopatra, read that one instead.
- Matt Haig – The Radleys – Usually I’m a MH fan. But this wasn’t his best. Read The Humans or Reasons to Stay Alive instead.
Books I couldn’t finish.
- All the pretty Horses (unfinished) – I SO want to love Cormack McCarthy. But his prose was too much for my tired mind. Maybe I’ll try No Country For Old Men in 2026. I won’t write him off just yet.
- The Measure – a great plot idea but the narration was annoying. Maybe I should try as a book, my mum enjoyed it and we have similar taste.
- The Idiot – some people LOVE this. I couldn’t get on with it. Nothing happened?
- Colleen Hoover – It Ends With Us. Not for me. I found the main character irritating.
What’s your must read for 2026? So far I’ve got Bright Young Women on my list. Help me fill it up with your ideas!
Fromthemotherside 
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